New coach accounts start as unverified. Coach accounts require a .edu address or your school's official email domain — personal addresses like Gmail can't be used. To verify, use the email shown on your public directory listing, or be ready to show documentation that you're on the school's coaching staff — a school email alone isn't proof, because students have them too. Verified coaches answer athlete messages at no cost once the NCAA contact window opens. Video calls are free for verified coaches.