Things to tell a new/young coach

If coaching CFB - rent, don't buy.

dc, these are 3 of the biggest. I've been on staffs who did a lot socially and of course we were "closer".

I also forgot to include NEVER SPEAK TO THE PRESS. Only the HC does.

Be careful what you say and do. It only takes one parent to cause a big deal.

If you do say or do something and get away with it. Count your blessings and DON'T DO IT AGAIN!!!

if you think you are going to have to deal with a parent on an issue. Think about and write down on paper things you think you are going to be confronted with and have a plan of attack and be confident. Parents love when they smell weakness and uncertainty. You will remember this the first time you are blind sided by a parent, administrator, or even a kid!

You certainly do need to marry the right woman. If your girlfriend is complaining that you spend too much time on football before you're married it won't get better after. You're going to have a big decision to make.

This.

I have seen many promising young coaches get out of the profession or get divorced early on because their spouse did not understand what coaching Football demanded-expected.

It's not a "normal" life, especially if you try to advance in the profession or if you're a head coach.

Luckily for me, I married the best coach's wife, most beautiful and amazing wife, in America 31 years ago.

One of my mentors told me I should "marry up". I did, and it's worked out very well.

And, fortunately she's satisfied by the very best.

;D

You will get fired, it is just a matter of time. Deal with it.

One thing that I've seen here a few times that's surprised me is warnings about backstabbers or disloyalty. I'm sorry that that's been the experience of those people. I've coached an several staffs at several schools. On some of those staffs I've worked with some guys who I consider bad coaches- lazy guys, know-it-alls, etc.-but I've never worked with a guy who I thought didn't have the best interests of the program at heart.

Has there been intramural griping? Everywhere I've been. That's not disloyalty. That's just being human, as long as it stays in-house and stays under control.

Sorry to hear about the bad luck that some guys have had. It isn't universal, though. Young guys, it's always good advice to tell you to keep your eyes open and watch your back. If you keep looking for something, though, you'll find it.

And even somtimes by way of a text message!

You will work for 2 types of head coaches. Those you love working for, and those you absolutely hate and continually clash with.

The one you clash with might fire you through a text message!

1.Keep your trap shut unless you have something meaningful to add to a football related conversation. And, by "meaningful" I mean fundamentally related; as an HC, I am sick and tired of hearing about all of the Xs and Os solutions to problems.

2. Be accepting of criticism and have a thick skin. You're going to be criticized by the staff at some point; take it, learn and move on. Your 'feelings' are of little consequence when it comes to the success of the program.

3. Address issues in the coaches office, not on the field.

4. High school football really isn't the same game you see on TV on Saturdays and Sundays. And, it most certainly isn't the same as the d-mn video games.

1) Have a system YOU believe in and stick it out with what YOU do. Don't let parents, kids, administrators, peers, etc. dictate what you do. While it's always a great idea to attend clinics, read current literature and try to stay abreast of the newest trends and coaching ideas, remember that you have to have a scheme you can hang your hat on. If' you're going to be a Wing T guy, be a Wing T guy. Don't try to be a Wing T AND a spread guy. Have an offensive and defensive identity that you believe in. If you believe in it and tell your kids that your team is going to hang their hat on that identity then they will buy in. Also, remember that half the parents are going to hate your schemes because they don't understand what you're doing. They aren't at practice and don't watch film.

2) Like was stated above, have a thick skin and rememeber that parents AND administrators aren't your friends. Parents that you think are your friends will get you fired. Administrators that you think are your friends will fire you. That's just the way things work in this amazing profession!

Build a coaching network. When you go to a clinic or state association meeting, introduce yourself to people. Your network will help open the doors to new jobs.

Make sure you join your local and state coaching associations and the AFCA.

When you're up to your eye balls in shyt, keep your mouth closed!

This site didn't exist when I was starting, for that matter neither did the internet. These are things that we all should know, but we don't know what we don't know.

Know your place in the program.

Inhale as much information as possible, but keep your mouth shut as long as you are not in the position to speek up.

Only tell your thoughts about football stuff in personal meetings.

NEVER tall anybody if you have personal issues with somebody on the staff.

Try to get in a place where you get encouraged to learn more about football and build your personal thoughts about football.

Work to find the system you like. Don't just teach system A cause your former headcoach had this system installed.

Be yourself, if you are not a speeking guy have somebody else to motivate your guys before the game.

Say please and thank you.

Always be respectful with other coaches, you are not enemies, your are colleagues.

ALWAYS finish the job.