Don't over-promise and under-deliver. But in the recruiting world you have to understand someone (many someones) are willing to over-promise I don't know that I would focus so much on trying to keep players from transferring as I would try to always focus on contingencies. 1) there would never be a year I didn't use all my scholarships 2) I wouldn't hold room on my roster for long term development unless a special case Outside of that, I would treat the players fairly and have frequent and positive touchpoints so you couldn't get to the end of the year and wonder why you didn't play, it would have been laid out to you all year. You have to include everyone involved in the decision making process in these talks as well (mom, dad, grandma, HS coach, AAU coach...whoever helped influence the decision, and would do so for future decision) to keep everyone on the same page None of that is to say I think about it at all in my hiring practices. I want access to the best kids possible. Rodney Rice (nor Derik Queen for that matter, though he stull wouldnt be) isnt accessible to VT without MJ. And so the hope is to have MJ get your foot in the door then build a relationship strong enough to keep him around. VT actually kept Rice around initially when MJ left, but once an issue popped up, MJ wasn't around to have the trust of both the VT staff and Rice's camp that could bring the parties together. Did Rice leave because MJ left? No, absolutely not. But would he still be at VT if MJ were at VT? Yes, very likely