Post by davecisar on May 11, 2010 12:15:35 GMT -6
Interviewing for Youth Football Coaching Positions
In many parts of the country getting even an assistant coaching position can be very difficult. Many of the better programs have long lists of coaching candidates and getting a coveted head coaching or coordinator position can be nearly impossible. On the other end of the spectrum in other areas of the country, in many inner-city areas and in organizations that have not had much success, these programs are often in dire need of coaches.
What can you do to improve your chances of getting on as a coach with a youth football program? I had one hopeful prospective youth football coach approach me during a clinic a few weeks ago that asked me that very question. He was complaining about how he had gotten turned down by an organization for a coaching position without even an interview.
After speaking to him for just a few moments I could tell why he was turned away without any explanation. His appearance was a complete turn off and as we all know first impressions are extremely important in youth sports, especially these days. Allowing young men to work with adult males in close quarters for an extended period of time, means any prospective coach is going to be heavily scrutinized. This coach had facial hair that would have made Charlie Mansons beard look thick and unkempt, with plenty of moustache hair hanging right into his mouth. He wore a pair of saggy torn (plumbers crack) and dirty sweat pants to my coaches clinic and hadn’t bothered to shave or brush his teeth. He was a “close talker” and he had the most awful sewer smelling breath I’ve ever smelled. While he seemed a nice enough fella, his outwardly appearance would be a complete turn off to most people making youth football coaching decisions.
I used to have 90 coaches per year in my Omaha youth football program, where I live now I only have 3 teams and 15 coaches. I’ve interviewed and recruited hundreds of youth football coaches, I know what these guys are looking for.
If you want to get a youth football coaching position there are a few things you want to do:
Always be clean and well groomed. You don’t have to be Daper Dan, just be presentable.
If your beard or moustache is something only a 13 year old boy would be proud to wear, shave it off. Tight well kept ones are OK
Don’t wear t-shirts or hats with advertising or slogans on them.
If you have lots of tattoos, keep them covered.
Use social pleasantries and refrain from using juvenille slang or profanity.
Present a copy of your criminal background check.
Present a copy of your coaching resume with references.
Get reference letters from your previous coaching peers or parents.
Get reference letters from your employer, church or influential friends.
Let them know why you want to coach youth football.
Make it easy for the organization to say yes to “hiring” you.
Always be well organized and prepared.
Remember the names of everyone you meet and call them by name.
Find out about the organization, do research.
If you get invited to an interview, dress for the part. You don’t need a suit and tie, but wear dress slacks and a polo type golf shirt or the like. Bring a notebook and pen and make sure to ask the interviewers questions as well. Look everyone in the eyes when you answer.
Be prepared to answer questions like the following:
Why do you want to coach for us?
What do you know about our organization?
What is your football philosophy?
How would you teach safe blocking and tackling?
How do you handle discipline?
What has worked best for you in handling problem parents?
How do you improve a player that is really struggling?
Tell us how you motivate players?
Have you ever gotten an unsportsmanlike penalty or been reprimanded by a referee or your league?
How have you handled working with a poor and what appears to be biased referee?
How do you feel about following the directives of a head coach if that philosophy conflicts with your own?
What positions do you feel the most comfortable coaching and why?
Some questions you might ask the interviewers:
What is your organizations mission statement?
What kind of coaches have worked out well in your organization?
What kind of coaches have failed in your organization?
What are you looking for in a youth coach?
How do you evaluate your coaches at seasons end?
What type of responsibilities and freedom are given to assistant coaches?
What do I need to do to get this position?
In areas with plenty of coaches, they can be picky. When I had my computer company I wouldnt hire anyone that wasnt "socially aware" which meant no wild facial hair, unibrows, inner nose hair "moustaches" or ear hair that could be combed
My guess is many youth orgs look at that too, as a sign of guys that "get it"
If you do not answer from the heart, most interviewers are going to be able to figure that out right away. Be prepared to answer these questions and answer honestly, you don’t want to get into an organization that is a poor fit because you told the interviewers what they wanted to hear. For most organizations, if you are responsible, bright, socially adept, organized and willing to follow directions they will find a spot for you somewhere.
No matter the job you have, there are eyes on you. I know one VERY strong youth Head Coach that started out as the “water guy.” That year coach DP had the most organized, most clean and coldest water in the history of the organization. The next year he was given an assistants job and a few years later was promoted to head coach. Make sure whatever you do, no matter the job that you exceed the expectation.
In many parts of the country getting even an assistant coaching position can be very difficult. Many of the better programs have long lists of coaching candidates and getting a coveted head coaching or coordinator position can be nearly impossible. On the other end of the spectrum in other areas of the country, in many inner-city areas and in organizations that have not had much success, these programs are often in dire need of coaches.
What can you do to improve your chances of getting on as a coach with a youth football program? I had one hopeful prospective youth football coach approach me during a clinic a few weeks ago that asked me that very question. He was complaining about how he had gotten turned down by an organization for a coaching position without even an interview.
After speaking to him for just a few moments I could tell why he was turned away without any explanation. His appearance was a complete turn off and as we all know first impressions are extremely important in youth sports, especially these days. Allowing young men to work with adult males in close quarters for an extended period of time, means any prospective coach is going to be heavily scrutinized. This coach had facial hair that would have made Charlie Mansons beard look thick and unkempt, with plenty of moustache hair hanging right into his mouth. He wore a pair of saggy torn (plumbers crack) and dirty sweat pants to my coaches clinic and hadn’t bothered to shave or brush his teeth. He was a “close talker” and he had the most awful sewer smelling breath I’ve ever smelled. While he seemed a nice enough fella, his outwardly appearance would be a complete turn off to most people making youth football coaching decisions.
I used to have 90 coaches per year in my Omaha youth football program, where I live now I only have 3 teams and 15 coaches. I’ve interviewed and recruited hundreds of youth football coaches, I know what these guys are looking for.
If you want to get a youth football coaching position there are a few things you want to do:
Always be clean and well groomed. You don’t have to be Daper Dan, just be presentable.
If your beard or moustache is something only a 13 year old boy would be proud to wear, shave it off. Tight well kept ones are OK
Don’t wear t-shirts or hats with advertising or slogans on them.
If you have lots of tattoos, keep them covered.
Use social pleasantries and refrain from using juvenille slang or profanity.
Present a copy of your criminal background check.
Present a copy of your coaching resume with references.
Get reference letters from your previous coaching peers or parents.
Get reference letters from your employer, church or influential friends.
Let them know why you want to coach youth football.
Make it easy for the organization to say yes to “hiring” you.
Always be well organized and prepared.
Remember the names of everyone you meet and call them by name.
Find out about the organization, do research.
If you get invited to an interview, dress for the part. You don’t need a suit and tie, but wear dress slacks and a polo type golf shirt or the like. Bring a notebook and pen and make sure to ask the interviewers questions as well. Look everyone in the eyes when you answer.
Be prepared to answer questions like the following:
Why do you want to coach for us?
What do you know about our organization?
What is your football philosophy?
How would you teach safe blocking and tackling?
How do you handle discipline?
What has worked best for you in handling problem parents?
How do you improve a player that is really struggling?
Tell us how you motivate players?
Have you ever gotten an unsportsmanlike penalty or been reprimanded by a referee or your league?
How have you handled working with a poor and what appears to be biased referee?
How do you feel about following the directives of a head coach if that philosophy conflicts with your own?
What positions do you feel the most comfortable coaching and why?
Some questions you might ask the interviewers:
What is your organizations mission statement?
What kind of coaches have worked out well in your organization?
What kind of coaches have failed in your organization?
What are you looking for in a youth coach?
How do you evaluate your coaches at seasons end?
What type of responsibilities and freedom are given to assistant coaches?
What do I need to do to get this position?
In areas with plenty of coaches, they can be picky. When I had my computer company I wouldnt hire anyone that wasnt "socially aware" which meant no wild facial hair, unibrows, inner nose hair "moustaches" or ear hair that could be combed
My guess is many youth orgs look at that too, as a sign of guys that "get it"If you do not answer from the heart, most interviewers are going to be able to figure that out right away. Be prepared to answer these questions and answer honestly, you don’t want to get into an organization that is a poor fit because you told the interviewers what they wanted to hear. For most organizations, if you are responsible, bright, socially adept, organized and willing to follow directions they will find a spot for you somewhere.
No matter the job you have, there are eyes on you. I know one VERY strong youth Head Coach that started out as the “water guy.” That year coach DP had the most organized, most clean and coldest water in the history of the organization. The next year he was given an assistants job and a few years later was promoted to head coach. Make sure whatever you do, no matter the job that you exceed the expectation.
Of course they refuse to play or srimmage 
