Former Andalusia and Opp coach Rick Moody has been dedicating most of his time helping the same young athletes he coached get noticed by colleges and universities across the United States.

For 30 years, Moody helped mold young athletes to excel in their respective sports. For the past 18 months, he’s worked with the Chicago-based National Collegiate Scouting Association.

The NCSA was founded by Chris Krause in 2000, and it matches college coaches with qualified high school student athletes helping them find the right fit financially, academically and athletically.

From his home, Moody talks with recruits over the telephone and said he loves it.

“I like to be in touch with athletes,” he said. “I coached for 30 years as a head coach of seven different sports. When I got out of it, I missed it and figured this is a good way to keep my hand in (sports).”

Moody said he has talked with 1,500-1,600 athletes that have signed up with the NCSA, and approximately 500 have committed to the program.

“They’ve got to know they’re committed, and that’s what they want to do more than anything in the world,” he said.

Moody said he mainly recruits athletes out of California, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Some notable players Moody said the NCSA has recruited are Bryan Bulaga, who was a Green Bay Packers first round draft pick; O’Brien Schofield, the Arizona Cardinal’s fourth round draft pick; and Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys.

“We recruited 4,000 kids this year, and our goal was 3,500,” Moody said. “That’s in all sports.”

Moody said the NCSA employs ex-professional athletes, and has speakers that travel all across the U.S. to talk at school functions, athletic clubs and meetings about what recruiting is.

Moody said that while he was a coach at high schools, he saw many kids “fall through the crack” that could have been recruited to play at a college or university.

“I just want people to know what I’m doing around here,” he said. “When I was coaching, I had so many kids fall through the cracks that weren’t Division 1 kids. This is a great opportunity for them.”

Moody has had head-coaching stints at Dozier High School, Kinston High School, Charles Henderson High School, Geneva County High School and Hardaway High School in Columbus, Ga.

He has a wife, Kris; daughters, Emily of Pensacola and Kim of Opp and three grandchildren.

To contact Moody, those interested can call 1-850-981-1251.