Parent Question

What do college cheer coaches look for?

Short answer

Skills get an athlete looked at; everything else decides whether they're recruited. On Episode 38, USA Cheer's Lauri Harris described coaches weighing coachability, versatility, grades, character, public social media and their program's specific positional needs alongside skill difficulty — a picture Taylor University head coach Hannah Kirby gave us from the sideline in Episode 21.

The CDU explanation

What that means in practice

Versatility and program need matter more than families expect. A roster spot opens where a team is thin, so the same athlete can be a priority at one school and a maybe at another.

Practical version: keep a clean, current skills video; show consistency rather than one lucky rep; attend combines and clinics for programs you're genuinely interested in; communicate directly and politely with coaches; and assume anything public online will be seen.

Academics matter more than families expect, both for admission and for the aid picture at many schools.

Expert context

Season 1 sources

  • Lauri Harris

    Episode 38

    Executive Director, USA Cheer — what coaches evaluate beyond raw talent.

  • Hannah Kirby

    Episode 21

    Head Cheer Coach, Taylor University — recruiting, evaluation and social media.

Last reviewed 2026-09-11· Event & program specifics require verification

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