When it's working right, the recruiting machine feeds itself. A successful program attracts the top players, and those top players keep the program successful.
Until recently, the machine had been pretty much broken for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football program. The Mocs weren't winning or getting many top recruits.
Now, however, after back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1990-91, that on-the-field success is helping UTC get commitments from better players.
"As an Alcoa football player, we went 58-2 in our class, so we're not used to losing," said Alcoa High School fullback Taharin Tyson, who along with teammate Darrell Warren committed to UTC last Saturday.
"We don't want to go to a losing program, and Chattanooga is about to do big things. ... They really turned this program around, this coaching staff, and they expect to win. That's what we want to see."
Coach Russ Huesman and his assistants are working on their third signing class since Huesman was hired in December 2008. Their message has been well received by recruits from the beginning, but they're having more success in the area than ever before.
Out of the Times Free Press's preseason Dynamite Dozen, the Mocs have commitments from four players: Mr. Football Division II-AA back of the year Jacob Huesman (Baylor), Jarrod Coleman (McCallie), Dustin Christian (Calhoun) and Synjen Herren (Northwest Whitfield).
That's the most for UTC since the Dynamite Dozen listing began in 2002.
Russ Huesman isn't allowed to comment on recruits until signing day on Feb. 2, but he acknowledged that UTC is doing well in the area. Signing the top players in and around Chattanooga has been a priority from the beginning, he said.
"We've made an emphasis that we can't and will not pass on a local kid that we think can play," he said, "or pass by a local high school because they've never had a kid, and not go in and see them."
The Mocs did well in landing area players last year as well, signing four prominent ones, including South Pittsburg quarterback Terrell Robinson, the Mr. Football Division I-A back of the year in 2009, and Red Bank running back Keon Williams, who rushed for 500 yards for UTC this season.
South Pittsburg coach Vic Grider, whose star running back Raquis Hale is being recruiting by UTC, said he's noticed that this Mocs coaching staff is pursuing area talent more fervently than others he's seen through the years.
"Once these guys came on the job, they immediately started to develop a relationship with us and became a constant fixture at our school," said Grider, who won a state championship last Friday. "They wanted to include us in the things they had going on, and you can't put the importance of that into words, how important that is to a high school coach.
"I think those guys are going about it the right way, and I just think they're going to continue to be more and more successful."
SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS
The UTC football program's recent turnaround has helped the Mocs in recruiting, especially in and around Chattanooga. Here are the Mocs' commitments (who have qualified academically) thus far:
Dustin Christian, RB, Calhoun*
Jarrod Coleman, TE, McCallie*
Synjen Herren, OL, Northwest Whitfield*
Shaun Hill, OL, Apalachee (Ga.)
Jacob Huesman, QB, Baylor*
Taharin Tyson, FB, Alcoa
Darrell Warren, DE, Alcoa
* Member of Times Free Press Dynamite Dozen