MEET
COACH ARCHER
My name is Dave Archer; former (and longest tenured) Head Football Coach at Cornell University and the current founder and owner of Archer Coaching Services - specializing in football recruiting consulting, exposure camps, and applications.
The recruiting process can be such an exciting time in a student athlete’s life – and it can also be difficult, confusing, and frustrating (without the right support!) But it doesn’t have to be this way! I developed Archer Coaching Services, LLC to take the guesswork and uncertainty out of the recruiting process for athletes and their families, so that my clients can feel confident every step of the way.
How it all began…
Coming out of high school I wanted to play college football at a great school. I wanted football to help me get an education I otherwise would not have been able to get. My final offers came from Hamilton College, University of Rochester, Lafayette College, Cornell University and Harvard University. It was a tough decision! Navigating need-based aid, merit aid, Ivy League admissions – it was a complex process. Schools like this are looking for applicants that can add a unique skill set to their campus, while having the academic foundation and leadership potential to make the biggest positive impact to the school. My unique skill set was being a recruited athlete, and I am grateful for all the doors that opened for me. I ultimately chose Cornell, majored in economics, earned a spot on the Dean’s list, became a team captain and made my best friends for life.
After a 2 year stint with Teach For America, I returned to Cornell as an Assistant Coach and quickly worked my way up the ranks - promoted to Recruiting Coordinator, and ultimately in 2013 was named the youngest Head Coach in Division 1 at the age of 30. While I liked the schematic part of the game of football, I loved the recruiting part the best. I really enjoyed helping families navigate this complex process, knowing it had a life changing result! During my time as Head Coach, I hired over 40 staff members, and designated 3 different people in charge of recruiting. I trained them all! I was multiplying my impact, and I was able to help provide access to a life-changing degree to so many more deserving students.
To help even more families, I started a prospect camp at Marist College and used my connections across the industry to invite all high academic schools to work it. I had over 70 coaches representing 35 schools at last year’s camp. In one day, I provided access to the Ivy League, Patriot League, NESCAC to over 400 families.
In addition to athletic recruitment, I was working with admissions directors and college deans to really understand what elite academic schools were looking for. I read admitted applications and saw firsthand the qualities and characteristics that were valued by the admissions community. I also built great relationships with the head of financial aid and student employment. I became well versed at the forms, requirements, and reasoning behind need-based aid.
Reflecting on my next career move I thought about what I really loved about my job. It was the admissions, financial aid, and recruiting process that really had me hooked. To that end I became a certified executive life coach with over 70 hours of training. I learned the skills of how to help people get where they want to go off the field, while keeping their voice in the driver seat.
My combination of experience, skills, knowledge, and connections positions me to be a huge asset to you and your family. I would love to hear your story and see how I can help you navigate this process!
