Roles of an Assistant Head Coach

It means whatever they want it to mean. Just depends on how they set up the program.

Usually the Asst. HC is either the OC or DC. If your not either you mine as well be the HC's errand boy.

I agree it would make sense that the Assistant Head Coach be either the OC or DC. I also imagine this position would be someone the Head Coach could delegate some of their duties to in preparation for a head coaching position of their own.

I do not agree, however, that if you are not one of those positions that you are the HC's errand boy. If you take pride in coaching your position group as well as you possibly can, that is certainly not being an errand boy.

Frankly I have never heard of or had an "Assistant Head Coach" at HS level.

But most everything Pros and Colleges do, good or bad, eventually filters down to HS level.

As much as possible, I would like all of us to work together, not for the head coach. However, someone must make decisions and be ultimately responsible.

All of our coaches have collateral, or off the field, duties. If someone thinks they're above doing them, that they make them an "errand boy", they can coach elsewhere.

This is not just a 3-5 PM and Friday nights for few months, blow a whistle and call plays job.

I'm with you Coach..."work with" NOT "work for". But you're right, someone has to have the final say and be responsible for it...that's the Head Coach.

You're right also, about everything the Pros and Colleges do, good or bad, eventually filtering it's way down to the high school level. Some things are appropriate to have filter down to the high school level and some not.

The Assistant Head Coach concept is one that I believe could stay at those levels as far as I'm concerned. If you cannot distinctly define the responsibilities of the position, then chances are it doesn't need to exist.

The Pros and Colleges are really big on titles and the high school staffs I've been a part of were not. They've been more concerned with responsibility and helping young men accomplish their goals regardless of titles.



Now that's what I call "dropping the hammer." Boom!!! Case closed. I love it Coach.

I agree with blb!

I dunno, I kinda see it as OC or DC with more autonomy and a few of the 'unpleasant' tasks that the HC wants to delegate. I'm sure it's a nice hat to wear if you're serious about your advancement, but not sure how necessary it is at the HS level.

That said, if our HC wanted to name me AHC, I'd be in favor of it. He's going to holler at me either way, at least with one there's a title that's a bit fancier.

I can somewhat understand the chain-of-command bit. If I'm reading this right though, other than that, there was no other change except for more money for you. Is that correct? Is having an AHC absolutely vital to the program? Was this a suggestion you made? Or did it come from the HC and AD?

LOL!!! ;D

I demanded it, or I would have taken my Anniahilator offense and gone home.



No, it wasn't anything I ever suggested or even knew was an option. They simply asked if I would be willing to do it and outlined to me the responsibilities I've shared above. It's not like I got a frigging business card and an announcement in the local paper. Is it "absolutely vital?" No, but then again neither is my left ball. That doesn't mean I'm better off without it though. Does it help everyone understand the pecking order? I guess so.

Why the big deal?

Come on loch, nobody...and I mean nobody in their right mind would let you leave and take your "Annihilator" offense with you. It would slap them silly. We all know that. I'm not trying to make a big deal here at all. Just wondering...is a hierarchy or "pecking order" necessary?

I could see the most serious of circumstances for the HC (suspension, family emergency, leaving with an injured kid) warranting someone else being in charge. These are not situations that are just now popping up for HCs. They've been dealing with these issues for years. Why now is the position of the Assistant Head Coach becoming prevalent?

Now you didn't make the suggestion in your situation. But I'm sure there have been coaches that have. Why? The only explanation I have is ego across the board and a new generation of coaches concerned entirely too much with titles and less about responsibility.

I feel confident speaking on behalf of the entire forum when I say nobody wants to hear about any body parts you've determined are not absolutely vital...gross!

Hilarious exchange ;D You sound like you've rehearsed this in your mind a few times. Well at least you're prepared Coach. Hopefully his grandson is around more often.

As the High School level if you're not going to be the OC or DC then I have no idea what the job description of the Asst. HC would be. So would you be above the OC and DC in the chain of command or like someone mentioned earlier, would you be the Asst. TO THE head coach which means you are pretty much lowest on the totem pole.

When I've finally had enough of being the big cheese, I want the title and responsibility of being Assistant Second String Freshman Left Guard Coach.