DII - Football

THE BEST COACHES DON’T JUST RECRUIT TALENT—THEY RECRUIT MINDSETS.

Winning in college football isn’t just about recruiting talent—it’s about recruiting mindsets. Bob Stitt, Head Coach at Colorado School of Mines, has spent years studying what separates the athletes who thrive from those who underachieve. The answer? Mentality.

Early in his career, Stitt noticed blind spots when coaching his new athletes—figuring out how an athlete learned, what motivated him, and whether he could handle adversity after he got on campus. That process of learning how to coach an athlete took up to two years so he sought out a new approach. Now? He gets those answers before his player ever steps on the field.

Coach the Individual, Not Just the Athlete

Most coaches treat every player the same—same drills, same expectations, same coaching style. That’s a mistake.

Some players need an arm around them. Others need a hard push. Some lack focus and need constant structure. If you don’t know what makes a player tick, you’re just guessing—and potentially missing—how to best coach him.

“With an assessment like this, we can understand the kid the day he walks on campus,” Stitt explains. That means better coaching, faster development, and fewer wasted seasons.

Recruit Smarter: Avoid Expensive Mistakes

College football is big business. Programs invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in individual players. A bad recruit isn’t just a wasted roster spot—it’s a financial disaster.

“The cost of bringing in the wrong guy could be your job,” Stitt says. Coaches don’t get second chances in the transfer portal era.

Mentality assessments help him spot high-risk players early—the ones who relied on talent in high school but struggle when they have to work for it. Stitt once had 24 hours to decide on a transfer. Without mentality data? It would’ve been a guess.

Find True Leaders, Not Just Players

Talent doesn’t make a great team—leadership does. Stitt looks for players who engage with everyone in the locker room, taking an active role in making their teammates better.

“Nobody leads by example. You lead by talking, encouraging, and getting on people,“ he says. Mentality assessments help coaches identify those leaders before they ever put on a jersey.

Sustain Success—Even When the Roster Changes

Culture wins championships. But in today’s game, roster turnover can dilute a strong culture. How do you keep a winning identity when players are in and out every year? By identifying the traits that make your best leaders and top performers successful—and recruiting more just like them.

“Culture is hard now. How do you build it when it’s a revolving door?” Stitt asks. You do it by recruiting mentality—not just measurables—and leaning into the type of person you know succeeds in your locker room, system, and school environment.

Winning at a High-Academic University

For most programs, mentality assessments help distinguish one recruit’s athletic potential from another. At Mines, the assessments also separate those who can handle the academic grind from those who can’t. As one of the country’s top engineering universities, Mines demands elite performance in both football and academics—meaning mental discipline, focus, and time management are non-negotiable.

Some players handle the pressure. Others get overwhelmed. The key is knowing who will thrive before they ever step on campus, increasing their likelihood of success.

Mentality assessments help Stitt find athletes who can balance both worlds—players with the ability to stay focused, manage stress, and push through adversity while also dominating on the field of play. For Stitt’s recruiting process, he values the athletes with both strong football IQ and life IQ.

“You need guys who are about the process, who know how to prepare and handle challenges. If they don’t, they won’t last here,” Stitt says.

Mines doesn’t just need talented players—they need high-character, high-discipline competitors. Mentality data helps Stitt and his staff identify the right athletes early in the recruiting process, eliminating wasted roster spots on athletes who can’t handle the total Mines’ environment.

Coach Stitt Eliminates Guesswork to Win More

Coaching isn’t just about X’s and O’s—it’s about understanding how to get the most out of your players.

A ton goes into winning for Stitt, with three actions standing out as the recipe for being a successful coach:

  • Coach individuals, not just athletes.
  • Recruit based on mentality, not just talent.
  • Build intentional locker room culture.

Talent gets a player on the field. Mindset keeps them there and separates the good from the great. The best coaches don’t just develop players—they develop competitors. That’s how Stitt builds football programs that win, and that’s how every coach can put together a successful, overachieving team.