How old were you when you started?

I started when I was 17, and have coached at some level every year but my Freshman year of college since. I was recruited to play college ball at Wabash, but I realized I needed to branch out so I decided to focus on other extracurricular before settling back on coaching.

This year, I have no idea where or what I'll be doing. Our head coach at the high school by my college resigned to become an administrator, so I have no clue what I up for. I was the assistant OL/DL coach last year, with varsity booth duties. We are shuffling everyone around, and I am simply hoping for the best. I believe it will work out well, but I will not get my hopes too high.

That being said, I really think a late start can be beneficial. One of our younger coaches, who is probably about 28 or so, only played HS ball and just returned to coaching this year, and he has really excelled. We have a small but good rivalry that goes on I think between us, but I respect him very much because he puts a tremendous effort into learning and expanding his knowledge, much in the same way I do. He's going to be just fine, and if you commit yourself like that, I'm sure you will be too.

this is going to vary by state ... according to the guidelines specific to what one needs to be hired as a coach for a public school. in texas, that requires a bachelor's degree and a teaching certificate. well, most aren't going to get that until they are 22, 23, 24 years old.

I started studying the game seriously at age fourteen. I'm now sixteen. I always had an interest in football and aptitude for knowing what was generally going on the field, and why (or as much as my young mind could handle with no football education), ever since I was in third grade. I'm in high school now- I've never tried out for either the JV or varsity teams. Sure, I've been asked to by the starting QB, RB, and a few others after they seen me play in gym class (not incredibly athletic, but I naturally know leverages and have great game speed), but I never actually signed up. Always thought I was too small to be any good, and I have 20/80 vision on top of that.

And obviously, with no high school playing experience, there's zero chance for college as well. But do you think that's gonna stop me from wanting to coach? I realize I probably won't be taken seriously at first. Ex-players and coaches with years of experience will criticize me and say I don't know the game since I've never played it. However, this motivates me. I find that people respect you not for how good you look or how nice your clothes are or whether you have experience or not (talking the talk), but for how much knowledge you have and the leadership qualities you possess (walking the walk). I'm motivated to know more and be able to teach better than any other young coach out there at this point in my career because I know ultimately someone will pick me and have a hell of a young coach. A chief example of this can be found at Texas Tech. Mike Leach never played college ball and rode the bench in HS, but is now an extremely successful coach. Furthermore, the separation from the game opens my mind to things an experienced, ex-player now-coach might not consider. He'll do things the way he was taught them, because "that's the way things have always been taught and played."

So don't fret about being too old or late in discovering that you want to coach football. As long as you're knowledgable enough with good teaching and leadership skills, you'll find a coaching job. So get to work.

I started coaching at 24 and was a HC at 28. I did play college ball and was drafted into the CFL, so I had quite a bit of playing experience before I got into coaching. I gave up playing to coach, with 3 pro offers (again CFL). I don't think the age thing is a big factor as long as the desire is there and you are coaching for the right reasons. Hard work and a willingness to learn will take you a long way.

I agree with chibears when he said that a late start can be beneficial. I started coaching after I finished playing in college (23). Right away I thought I should have been a head coach or a coordinator. At 29 you have more life experience than me and you have a better idea of what is realistic. By your post you seem patient, which is a great attribute.

I also agree with los. Great coaches are great teachers first. If you can't get your kids to learn what you are teaching them, how do you expect them to perform. I also agree that you can do what you want, when you want. Heck, Joe Paterno is in his 80's. You've got 50+ good years in you.

I started at 22 but didnt get serious about coaching until I was in my 30s. What I mean by that is, like some players, I was not ready and able to make the kind of sacrifices that it takes to climb the ladder. I didnt get my first head coaching job until I was in my 40s.

In my 20s I knew I didnt know anything and I really didnt care, I was more interested in spending time with lady friends than coaching. Id show up, but I didnt improve from year to year. I was not a teacher and didnt care at that time. I was a fan with a whistle, a bag holder, rah rah type coach. Hell, I didnt know our plays or schemes and did not seek responsibility. I just liked being around the game.

In my 30s I THOUGHT I KNEW EVERYTHING but of course didnt know anything. I finally got my priorities straight when it came to coaching and understood the value of study, listening, watching and learning every day. I realized it was time to get heavy into it. I did not get my first teaching job until I was into my 30s. Ill add that I really didnt get into the mentor/role model part of the role until later as well.

I still dont know everything, but in my 40s I am better at fooling people that I might know something ha ha. I am hoping that by the time I turn 50 I will really be of some use

Lets not forget too that finding a head coaching job can be made easier if you are willing to relocate. In Some states football jobs are harder to come by than others. If you are in Ohio, Pennyslvania or Texas for example you will be applying for HC jobs and competing against coaches that might have college coaching experience. If you were say in...........Alaska, you can probably just say "Id like to be the HC" and it just might happen (just joking, no offense meant to to Alaska or its fine coaches)

One word of advice though...change your avatar.

I have stated this before but I was a student assistant in college at 22 and at 23 was the full time OL Coach at a College Program (FOur year starter on the OL at the school). I did that for 3 years and got into high school.

I got my first head job at 30 and by 34 I went to my current job (2nd year).

The college experience really looked good on my resume but what it taught me the most was:
ORGANIZATION!! You have to be very, very organized to coach at that level...

I really feel like it is important to get on a program with a coach that has a solid philosophy and foundation... You can learn from that person... I do not think age is a factor...

Currently on my staff I have 3 coaches all under 23... None of them played college ball and they really were not ALL STARS either.. They are hungry young coaches who are very, very dedicated to the craft. They are like sponges and really DO IT ALL (Line fields, breakdown films, Technology, run sub level teams, administrative duties, they are really good and they GET IT!!

Again I see two of them being head coaches probably before they are 30 -35 years old. Really smart and work hard. They also connect well with our players.

I would not put an "artificial time table out there" (Broads do that when they are young... I want to be 25 years old when I get married and have kids by 26...). As you grow and learn in a program you will know when you are ready.

I was 18. I did 3 years of Pop Warner, and then moved up to HS when I thought I was ready. I did not want to coach HS ball until I felt like I had some basic experience under my betlt.

I was in a HS coordinator role at 22 for my alma marter. Coached there for 9 years, then took a year off when I switched jobs...but actually stayed involved by taking on the OC role for a semi-pro team (not fun). Last weason, I got back into HS at a different school. Hopefully I'll be able to coach for many years to come. The school I coach at now already has a coordinator, so that was a tough adjustment for me. I'm hoping to be more involved in those type of duties next season...but I guess we'll see.

Good coaches come all ages and all levels of experience. Best advice: LEARN first...don't expect to be the all-knowlegeable one....welll....ever!

BTW, coachinghopeful:

That is by far the most disturbing yet also the most hillarious avatar picture EVER.

Well played!

I just finished my first year as the Freshman DC-Line coach/ varsity assistant as necessary, I'm 25, just got my bachelor's in December. I played in High school, but was just ok, player a year at college as a walk-on before failing out. I just called around all the high schools in my area until someone returned my phone call. went and interviewed. I still hope to get back and coach at the college level, get on as a GA at at a small school, but so far haven't had any bites. I figure that tells me I need to build my resume a little more before applying.

Started late....Finished my playing career at 25...started coaching at 28. Head Coach by 31, now coaching my second year at the collegiate level at 35!
I enjoy fighting father time!

LOL You mean you don't like how I've combined Sean Connery's 2 finest cinematic moments in my avatar? You should see the movie that pic is from...

Seriously though, thanks for the thoughtful post and words of encouragement.

Thank you, sir! If you think that pic is disturbing/hilarious, Netflix "Zardoz" sometime. Or hell, just google it and read some of the reviews, keeping in mind this movie actually got made... with Sean Connery in that costume...

Good point...