Who is Anthony Washington Sr.?

Anthony Washington Sr. is a U.S. Army and Maryland Army National Guard veteran, a coach and official of more than twenty years, and the founder of After Today, LLC. He builds leadership training, athletic recruiting education, and people-first AI systems for student-athletes, families, schools, and organizations. He is based in Pennsylvania and works primarily across Pennsylvania and Maryland.

What does Anthony Washington Sr. do?

He works in three connected areas: athletic recruiting education that gives student-athletes and families a repeatable daily process, leadership training for first-time supervisors and public-sector leaders, and people-first AI and workflow implementation for organizations. He also speaks and runs workshops for schools, teams, and districts.

What is athletic recruiting infrastructure?

Athletic recruiting infrastructure is the repeatable system a family or program uses to manage recruiting — film, academics, communication with coaches, eligibility tracking, and follow-up — instead of relying on exposure events and luck. Anthony teaches recruiting as infrastructure so progress comes from a daily practice rather than a seasonal scramble.

What does people-first AI implementation mean?

People-first AI implementation means adopting AI to improve the work without displacing or sidelining the people who do it. In practice that means starting from the actual workflow, keeping a human accountable for decisions, training staff on the tools they will use, and setting guardrails before scale — not buying software and hoping the team adapts.

Who are Anthony's programs designed for?

Student-athletes and their parents, high school and grassroots coaches, athletic programs, schools and districts, first-time supervisors, public-sector leaders, and organizations that want leadership training or help implementing AI without leaving employees behind.

Does Anthony Washington Sr. provide leadership training?

Yes. He trains first-time supervisors and team leads on the first ninety days, difficult conversations, accountability, and building trust, drawing on his military service, public-sector supervision, and coaching experience. Training is delivered as courses, workshops, and organizational consulting.

How can a school, district, or organization work with Anthony?

Schools, districts, and organizations can book speaking engagements and workshops, bring in leadership training for supervisors and staff, or engage him on recruiting support and AI and workflow implementation. Start on the contact page and say which of those you need.

How can I book Anthony Washington Sr. to speak?

Send an inquiry through the contact page with your event date, audience, format, and location. The speaking page lists topics, session formats, and the audiences he speaks to most often.

Where is Anthony Washington Sr. based?

He is based in Pennsylvania and works primarily across Pennsylvania and Maryland, with virtual sessions available beyond that area.

Home › Blog › Do Not Contact

Do Not Contact

athletic · April 8, 2025

What does Do Not Contact mean in the transfer portal, and why do athletes use it?

What Does “Do Not Contact” Mean in the Transfer Portal?

Transfer Portal Moves: The Power of “Do Not Contact”

If you’re watching athletes enter the transfer portal and you see the label “Do Not Contact,” you might think: Wait, isn’t that the whole point — to get recruited?

But here’s the truth: “Do Not Contact” is a power move — and understanding it could change the way you approach your own recruiting journey.

Whether you’re a rising star, a role player, or a late bloomer, knowing how to read between the lines in the portal gives you an edge. Let’s break it down.

What Does “Do Not Contact” Actually Mean?

When a college athlete enters the NCAA transfer portal, they have the option to select a “Do Not Contact” status. This means they do not want to receive direct communication from college coaches or recruiters unless they’ve given specific permission.

It’s not a wall — it’s a filter.
It’s not about shutting doors — it’s about opening the right ones.

For athletes, this option offers more control, less chaos, and a way to move with purpose in a process that can easily get overwhelming.

Why Would an Athlete Choose “Do Not Contact”?

1. They Already Know Their Destination

In many cases, a “Do Not Contact” label means the athlete already has a school in mind — or even a silent verbal offer. That’s not illegal or shady. It often reflects long-standing relationships with coaching staffs or pre-portal conversations through trusted contacts. These athletes are focused. The move to the portal is procedural, not exploratory.

2. They’re Controlling the Conversation

Top athletes sometimes get flooded with texts, DMs, and calls the second they hit the portal. “Do Not Contact” gives them breathing room. It lets them process their decision, weigh their options, and stay focused on training or school while they sort things out. Think of it like playing point guard — you want to control the tempo.

3. They’re Using a Gatekeeper

Athletes may ask coaches to go through a parent, mentor, former coach, or advisor instead of reaching out directly. This helps streamline opportunities and protect their mental health. Recruiting is a business — and like any business, strong reps help filter serious offers from the fluff.

What Can You Learn from “Do Not Contact”?

Even if you're not in the portal — yet — there’s a lot you can take away from this strategic move.

✅ Have a Plan
Don’t just “see what happens” in recruiting. Be intentional. Know who you want to play for, what style fits you best, and how your academics match up.

✅ Protect Your Energy
Not every coach’s interest is the right fit. You don’t owe everyone your time. Prioritize what aligns with your goals and growth.

✅ Build Relationships Early
The players who can use “Do Not Contact” most effectively usually already have strong relationships in place. Stay connected. Communicate with your current coaches and your support system.

✅ Keep It Professional
If you’re a coach or teammate watching someone use this status, respect it. NCAA rules prohibit contact unless approved. Crossing that line could cost a program a lot more than just a recruit.

Your Recruiting Journey = Your Rules

Here’s what I need every student-athlete reading this to remember: Your path is yours.

The transfer portal is just one part of a bigger story — and “Do Not Contact” is one way to take control of the narrative. Whether you're entering the portal, staying loyal to your current team, or just starting to build your resume, you deserve to move with purpose and power.

You don’t need to chase offers — you need to chase fit. You need to chase growth. You need to stay true to who you are, on and off the field.

Final Word for the Athletes Watching the Portal

So next time you see that “Do Not Contact” label, don’t just scroll past it. Take notes. That athlete is making a calculated move — not out of fear, but out of focus.

And when your time comes?
You’ll be ready to make your move, too.

Stay locked in. The portal never sleeps.

You’ve got this. Now go show them why.

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