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Q. Can a coach correspond with fans via Twitter, Facebook or MySpace?

A. Yes. There are no rules that prevent coaches from communicating with fans. However, from a compliance standpoint, it would be very difficult to monitor who is and who is not a prospect. Therefore, it’s strongly recommended to not make any contact via these services.

Q. I’ve noticed Coach Crean tweeting that he is out recruiting. Why can’t he tell us where he is or who he’s watching?

A. Coaches publicizing recruiting is the issue here. And there is a lot in the NCAA rules up for interpretation. For example, NCAA rules do state that a coach can confirm the recruitment of a particular individual. But there’s really nothing that clarifies if this can only be done if a coach is asked if he is recruiting a certain individual. Therefore, the general rule of thumb is to not mention a recruit by name until they sign a letter of intent.

As far as mentioning the location where a coach may be out recruiting, you will only see general comments regarding location. And this is to keep fans and media away during on campus visits as well off campus visits that may occur.

Q. Does a direct message via Twitter count the same as an email?

A. Yes. Private messages on Twitter, Facebook and similar services are viewed by the NCAA as being the same as a private email.

Q. Are there rules that prevent Coach Crean from following me on Twitter?

A. No. But this goes back to the first question and again, it would be difficult to monitor who is and who is not a prospect and thus, you will continue to see the “following” number remain at zero.

Below is the NCAA bylaw on electronic transmissions:

13.4.1.2 – Electronic Transmissions

Electronically transmitted correspondence that may be sent to a prospect (or the prospect’s parents or legal guardians) is limited to electronic mail and facsimiles. (See also Bylaw 13.1.7.2.)  All other forms of electronically transmitted correspondence (e.g., Instant Messenger, text messaging) are prohibited.  Color attachments may be included with electronic mail correspondence sent to a prospect, provided the attachment only includes information that is not created for recruiting purposes, except for items that are specifically permitted as printed recruiting materials (e.g., questionnaires).  In addition, attachments shall not include any animation, audio or video clips and there shall be no cost (e.g., subscription fee) associated with sending the item attached to the electronic mail correspondence.  (After signing of the NLI, all and any kind of electronic communication is permissible, including direct electronic communication with the signed prospect.)

Tom Crean is on Twitter. I know you’ve probably heard this. And his tweets have been pretty good — an interesting and insightful look at his philosophies and some of the happenings of his team. There’s been other updates besides just that kind of stuff, too. For instance, Crean was watching the “Real Housewives of New York” reunion last night on Bravo. Ha.

Anyway, for all the good Crean’s Twitter account has wrought, there are a few things to know here. Like Facebook and other electronic transmission outlets, there are restrictions on what Crean can do on Twitter, and also what you, the fan, can do on it as well. For instance, Crean can’t be @replying back and forth with you all day, per NCAA rules. If he so chooses, he can direct message with you. Let’s go to a blockquote of something I wrote yesterday for ESPN because I’m too lazy to re-write it.

However, direct messaging on Twitter — which can only be viewed by the two people involved in the communicating — is permissible. (Same goes for Facebook. A coach can use the messaging function, which is similar to an e-mail, but he can’t write on Facebook walls.) This falls in accordance with the current electronic transmission guidelines that are already in place.

“We view that option on Twitter the same as we view normal e-mails,” said Cameron Schuh, Associate Director of Public and Media Relations for the NCAA. “It’s just you can’t post those (direct messages) on your main page.”

“We view Twitter as a blog,” Schuh continued. “As long as coaches are on there talking about what they’re doing with their day and how their practice went or things like that … not getting into specific terms, that’s fine. They can’t talk about a person they’re recruiting, or they can’t use it to talk about their whereabouts on a recruiting trip.”

And speaking of recruiting, now that IU target Kyrie Irving is on Twitter, it’s technically a violation if you, the IU fan, start @replying him and saying “Please, please, please come to IU!” It’s a similar situation to what happened at N.C. State. A student started a Facebook group entitled “John Wall PLEASE come to NC STATE!” He was promptly asked to take it down. The NCAA looks at you as a booster influencing the prospective student-athlete decision, which is a no-no.

Now, I’m certainly not saying I’m wholly in agreement with the NCAA’s policies here. Policing this is damn near impossible, and some 15-year-old kid writing on a recruit’s Facebook wall is rather harmless; it’s not like he’s handing the recruit a pile of cash. There are certainly bigger fish to fry in the recruiting game. But, since technology has never been this organization’s strong suit, it is what it is for now.

Be aware of it, and act according.

For those of you unfamiliar with Twitter, which by this point shouldn’t be many of you, it’s a micro-blogging service that allows users to post short updates about what they’re doing. Everyone’s favorite basketball coach, Tom Crean, has apparently found the platform viable enough that’s he’s decided to enter the fray:

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Coach Tom Crean wants to give you the chance to be informed with what is going on with him and the Indiana Hoosiers.

Keep yourself updated by visiting twitter.com/tomcrean.

So far, Crean has been tweeting several times per day and here’s a quick sampling:

Paul davis from msu and the clippers is trying 2 find the girl of his dreams on bravo. A indiana alum would never need a show 2 get a date 9:31 PM Apr 16th from txt

The Evans Scholars house on campus busted into the IU fight song when jeremiah and matt ran past. ITS INDIANA 6:01 PM Apr 16th from txt

Two quick observations: 1) Believe it or not, I actually caught Paul Davis on Millionaire Matchmaker or whatever the show is called. Incredibly awkward dude. 2) With the enormous growth Twitter is currently experiencing, I have a feeling you’ll be seeing more and more college coaches interacting with their respective fanbases, and indirectly with recruits, this way.

Shameless plug: Follow us here on Twitter.