The dead period becomes a contact period Jan. 14. Recruiting reporter Tom VanHaaren joins ESPN's Phil Murphy to break down the timetable for coaches in the final weeks before signing day. (2:59)

The recruiting dead period that began Dec. 14 ended at midnight Thursday morning, and the final sprint to signing day began.

The time period between the end of the regular season and signing day is an exhausting few weeks for coaches and personnel directors. A lot of strategy and organization goes on behind the scenes to make sure all pieces are working in unison and culminate in a successful recruiting class. Here is a look at all that goes in to planning and executing a successful recruiting strategy.

The dead period

The final month of the recruiting cycle is important for coaches and their staff because they use it to organize their strategy, recruiting boards and even their roster.

Notre Dame director of player personnel Dave Peloquin says it's important to know what current players are coming back or leaving for the NFL in order to know what you have on the roster and what recruits you need to target.

"We don't do anything about it or have serious conversations during bowl prep week, but once the game is over, we already have meetings set up for the coaches to meet with guys," Peloquin said. "There are agents waiting right there to get those kids to sign, so that's Step 1 leading up to signing day. Seeing who on your roster could leave for the NFL or go early."

On the Monday after Notre Dame lost in the BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl, Peloquin and head coach Brian Kelly combed through the roster to see who is coming back, who has developed and to tweak their recruiting plan once the dead period is over.

If a receiver leaves early for the NFL, for example, or a current receiver on the team hasn't developed, then the coaches know they need to go after another receiver in the current recruiting class.

"There are all kinds of scenarios or situations that could come into play, so you're trying to look forward to predict what you think you'll need," Peloquin said. "What you need to gather and then where you stand with certain recruits. The dead period is always kind of hard because you get one phone call, and until you can get in front of kids and get a feel, you don't know where you stand."

Staffs also have to follow what happens with other programs. Coaching changes at Georgia, Miami or USC could affect a school because that new staff might have different philosophies than the previous staff or go after new prospects.

Alabama winning the national championship might change the opinion of a few recruits.

Coaches take the dead period as a reset button and a chance to gather more information.

"You know the guys you like and the guys that you want, but how is our game plan going to change with what's happening around us?" Peloquin asked. "All of that factors in and you do prep work the last week of the dead period. ... And then you're hitting the road for about a two-week period to grind it out."

Jan. 14 to Jan. 31

On Jan. 14, coaches scattered to reach out to every recruit and commit they can see. This is also an important time for official visits. Coaches who have a recruit visiting will make their way back to campus to host that player.

"The visit is crucial," Ohio State receivers coach Zach Smith said. "It's a chance for you to show a kid what you're going to do with him in his development, what kind of experience he will have and what it will look like. The most important part, and what really puts it over the edge, is the time they spend around the current players to see if that's who they want to spend their time with over the next four years."

The coaches have a tentative plan they put together and then regroup to adjust any changes or tweaks after the bowl game. If the coaches miss on their first target and other prospects are added to the recruiting board, it might prompt a new official visit.

Those official visits, in general, might be the last opportunity to really give a prospect a look at what the school has to offer, at least until an assistant or head coach can make an in-home visit.

According to Smith, the in-home visit isn't so much to change a prospect's mind in most cases, but to further build a relationship and help build a level of comfort.

"I've seen them change a kid's mind, but if anything big happens it's more to close the deal," Smith said. "I view it as an opportunity to spend quality time with the parents who are about to turn their kids over to somebody and feel comfortable with that. It's an opportunity to build that relationship so everyone feels comfortable."

An in-home visit can also be a preventative measure, instead of looking to flip a kid or sway his opinion. Coaches might take the opportunity to remind a commitment how much he is wanted at the current school he is committed to.

The week of signing day is filled with phone calls for recruits and coaches alike. Scott Kane/USA TODAY Sports

"We have a commit from Ohio, we just lost to Ohio State and we didn't want to leave Ohio State any room to crack a window or door," Notre Dame's Peloquin said. "We wanted to go in there and say you know how important you are to us so we wanted Coach Kelly to see him the first day out of the gate, because he's really important to us. We wanted to make sure Coach Kelly makes an emphasis that is the first time I could come out and I wanted to see you."

For the assistant coaches, the visits, whether in-home or at a school, can be multipurpose. The priority is to see the 2016 prospects, but they are also out to see underclassmen and get a leg up on their recruitment as well.

It can also help the staff figure out who is really interested and who is looking elsewhere, which is crucial in these final weeks as time is precious.

The final days

During the 48 hours before 7 a.m. on signing day and 48 hours after that, coaches can make unlimited phone calls.

And they use them. They'll spend time calling prospects, families and coaches to make sure their fax is coming to the right place. This is where that relationship pays off so there are no surprises on the big day.

A lot of programs, including Notre Dame, now include photos and videos in their signing-day celebration, which actually helps ensure they know what is happening with their commitments.

"The ones that are talking to you all the time and asking the right questions, like where do I send our pictures and what do I need to do, you usually feel good about," Peloquin said. "If you're getting a response from the kid or the parent, if they're asking the right questions, then you're OK. The ones that aren't asking the questions and are hush hush, then you know something's not right."

The days leading up to signing day can be stressful for coaches, as they can only hope their efforts will pay off and that kids stay true to their word.

All the hard work, the phone calls and the visits lead to one fax machine, and every coach hopes it's not his guy who doesn't send one in.

"I can't describe it any other way than mass chaos," Smith said. "When the fax machine starts rolling and one of your guy's letter isn't there yet, the head coach is looking at you like what is going on? That's part of the process, though, and you hope you've built the right relationship that it doesn't happen."