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Post by irishdog on Jan 17, 2013 8:44:06 GMT -6
I started my coaching career on accident. I was injured my junior year in college during the spring game. Back in those days those types of injuries meant you were through playing. My old HS coach heard about what happened and contacted me. He asked if I would be interested in helping coach the 9th grade team. I loved football, and figured what the h*** so I gave it a shot. I was hooked after the first day of practice, and have been doing it ever since for the last 40 years!
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Post by coachdag on Jan 17, 2013 9:44:40 GMT -6
Came very late in life to coaching football. I played rugby in college and was set to play in various clubs but a knee injury and being hesitant playing made me realize that it wasn't in the cards. I was laid off and my wife knew the coach of one of the local schools and since I decided to be a teacher I set up to meet with him and talking about football and coaching. It was really supposed to an informal informational meeting but it turned into something more.
He offered me a position to help out with the video and assist on D-line and to learn the ropes of football. I so loved working with the athletes and being a huge part of their lives on and off the field that I felt at home and it was the right thing to do with my life. Now as special teams coordinator and video coordinator, I feel right at home and love what I do.
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Post by msubmoore on Mar 9, 2013 17:32:05 GMT -6
I realized coaching was for me, when I realized their wasn't a need for a 5'6 safety with "football" speed in college. I loved the game and wanted it to be in my life, and coaching was the best way to do that. I love working with kids and I have not worked one day for the past 2 years of my life. Its not work if you're having fun.
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Post by coach2013 on Mar 9, 2013 17:44:38 GMT -6
I decided it when I saw the PE teachers office. Trophies, game balls, posters, pictures, the weight room and so on.
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Post by indian1 on Mar 9, 2013 20:24:07 GMT -6
I think the people who hired me to teach decided for me
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Post by 42falcon on Mar 9, 2013 20:45:30 GMT -6
Great thread. I played football because it was fun, I often injured in High School stupid knee cap kept dislocating and they had to take me to the ER to get it slipped back right, I kept coming back because well..... I liked football. Grade 12 same thing happened but worse knee cap dislocated and went sideways, had ER surgery to get it right, came back to start for our playoff run and a championship. I had always wanted to play after HS but I wasn't very gifted physically, I was skinny and weak and slow.
Somehow I made a CJFL team that was starting a re-build ended up playing a lot in the first year and had to figure out the game just to survive out there. I ended up doing more film study, and extra reps pre and post practice to get better. Who knew I'd actually turn out to be a good athlete (crazy what the weight room will do) went onto play at a University. All the while I really enjoyed things like: -watching film -training in the off season -working on skill -understanding the complexity of what everyone did
I guess I just always enjoyed being around the game it was special and unique and I never wanted to stop being around it. Coaching was a natural extension.
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Post by charger11 on Mar 10, 2013 13:35:56 GMT -6
I knew at a very early age that I wanted to coach, certainly before I was out of grammar school. I loved all sports, especially football and was extremely competative. I was going to be the next Bear Bryant or Woody Hayes (weren't we all). I became a very good SS, playing in high school and college and knew my position fully. I was fortunate to be hired by my H.S. DC who had become HC at the rival school. I immediately realized how little I actually knew. I became a student of the game and like a sponge I absorb as much as possible. Coaching is very different from playing but the hard work, overcoming adversity and constantly striving to get better is similar. I was truly blessed to know that this is what I've wanted since I was 8-10 yrs. old.
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Post by holmesbend on Mar 10, 2013 21:32:44 GMT -6
I think I always knew, but for some reason tried thinking that I wouldn't be when I was in high school and even college. I think I wanted to be something else because I always had football. But, not two months after the last game I played my senior year of college, I knew.......it was gone & the only way I could get it back was to coach.
My grandpa (head FB coach in KY for 33 years) and my dad (27 year coaching vet, half of that as a HC) were. I've been on a sideline since I was 5. Literally grew up with it and lived it.
Once it's in your blood, you can't get it out of you I don't guess. Next year will be my 9th and 2nd as a HC.
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redbug
Sophomore Member
Posts: 188
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Post by redbug on Mar 13, 2013 8:19:47 GMT -6
9th grade I was in a new school with new coaches and a new offense. My previous school was split back veer and my new school was a slot I. I loved the different coaching styles one school was go hard or go home the next let's teach you how to do this to execute what we're asking you to do. Made my final move just before 10th grade to a team that ran the wing t and a little twin I. Was my first experience with pulling guards and loved the offense.
I really think the x's and o's are what appealed to me so much. I sat around and drew plays since 7th grade had a buddy in study hall who would draw with me and then we would look at what the defense had to do to stop certain plays. Once I moved it was just me. I still doodle at least daily, have a door sized mirror in my living room with formations and plays drawn on it now.
I was never a good football player(I was the every third play run the qb the next play guy) but I remember sitting down and discussing some things our offense coordinator that we weren't utilizing and wouldn't be expensive to install. With us running wing t and twin I we never ran to the weak side on wing t unless it was a reverse. I discussed a tb dive or a fb lead to backside b. We installed it the next week, an I sprung a block on the cb to get a td.(at least that's how I like to remember it) I have always been in love with this sport and it is the only thing I have ever wanted to do. Granted there are times it's not all peaches and roses, but I couldn't imagine a job where I have this much fun day in and day out.
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Post by pirates2012 on Mar 15, 2013 8:55:25 GMT -6
kind of got started in coaching in an odd way. Was walking onto a football program when I reinjured my knee that I hurt in HS and couldn't get cleared to return to playing. The HC let me help out as a student assistant / manager the following spring, then got certified to coach that summer.
I had thought about coaching already since I was an Education major and knew I'd be done with football as a player after college and I loved the game and wanted a chance to make an impact on someone the way some of my coaches did on me. It just got started a little earlier than I expected
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Post by casec11 on Mar 25, 2013 9:33:28 GMT -6
I was probably a bit different from most. I played in high school but was probably into Science, drafting and art with a main focus on girls and having fun then anything. I was injured (not football) as a JR and started helping the JV Oline some days. Really enjoyed helping the younger guys on technique. Then senior year injured (football this time) was in the coaches office and two of the coaches were watching film and raving about a play a kid made on the other team. I couldn’t understand, the kid missed the tackle, the coach explained that his responsibility was to force the RB back into the Defense, which he did. Anyway that peaked my interest as I always like to know how things work. Fast forward to college and I am going into engineering / industrial design, while studding in the library I often find myself in the magazine section reading scholastic coach articles on football ect.. Then my sister asked if I would takeover coaching her intramural flag football team, I did it was a lot of fun and did it for two years getting to the championship games but losing twice. Plus the interest in girls was still there Anyway fast fwd again to my 30s and there was a youth team close that was in real bad shape and I offered to help, I just wanted to be an assistant but they made me head coach, yes that bad of shape. We didn’t win a game that first year, select league and cuts from other teams were our starters, But it was the most rewarding feeling, and to this day that team is the one I was most proud of, because of how the kids consistently got better and kept fighting. I was hooked I saw the change in the team and felt good about what we did, parents wrote thank you letters for helping the team ect.. Did that for two years and then my wife got pregnant so took a break… and thought I was done. A friend of mine from college was hired as HC of a high school in the area and he asked me to come and coach the younger teams (fresh, JV), talked it over with the wife and my work and said yes. Been moving up since and love it, but will wait till my little girls (still into girls now as a father) get older before moving up to varsity.
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Post by fasterthanthefly on Mar 25, 2013 14:28:19 GMT -6
I decided when in college as a business major sitting in a micro-economics class! All of a sudden it hit me as the question popped into my head..."Do I really want to sit behind a desk all day crunching numbers??"
Changed my major the next day and the rest is history.
In addition I was always the one to organize neighborhood football, baseball, basketball games when younger. Create playbooks, etc. It was just a natural fit.
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Post by rsmith627 on Mar 26, 2013 7:06:47 GMT -6
I was in college and looking for some volunteers. I emailed my high school coach looking to help. I figured I'd get some menial task. I went up to meet him and he told me I'd be coaching o line. I was hooked immediately.
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Post by kboyd on Mar 26, 2013 9:34:41 GMT -6
I knew at a young age that I wanted to coach, as my dad coached me in hockey and soccer (couldn't start football until 10th grade here back then). I saw how much he enjoyed it and knew how much my teammates and I learned and how much fun we had. As a football player, I was blessed with some great coaches/mentors through high school and college - one of my college coaches was coachjd here on the board, great coach (thanks Jay).
Following my college career I had been drafted by the Edmonton Eskimos in the CFL and had been released due to health issues. I was heading back to university to finish my degree and got a call to coach HS football in North Dakota and jumped at the opportunity. I fell in love with coaching and am now going into my 21st year, the last 20 with my old HS team. I turned down 3 offers from CFL teams to keep coaching so I guess I knew where I belonged.
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CoachF
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Post by CoachF on Mar 26, 2013 19:17:30 GMT -6
I started to love football in 7th grade. In 8th grade I sprouted to 6'0 190 and was flying around at MLB and although my size abd speed gave ne an advantage i was as much of a vocal leader as by example.
My junior year I dislocated/shattered my ankle and fractured my leg. I was devastated because my career was over and all I wanted was to play college ball.
Found out coaching was a way to stay in the game; coached my senior year. now I am a freshman college student and will be volunteering for a high school in the states largest class this fal. Also pursuing teaching but i still have the fire to move onto the college ranks.
*BTW* I draw out plays anywhere and everywhere; jyst about all the time!
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Post by coachseth on Mar 26, 2013 19:25:50 GMT -6
I decided to coach when my grandfather died. He had taught me about football, and I was still playing when he died. I knew I couldn't play forever, but I wanted to leave a bigger mark on football than it left on me. I had developed the hunger to be one of the absolute best in my profession, and still to this day I have that hunger. I carry around my grandfather's picture during every game, I have it in my QB wristband I keep attached to my wrist for my audible calls. It's not the flashiest story, but it's one I like sharing.
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gatorjamey
Freshmen Member
Potential is another word for haven't done anything yet
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Post by gatorjamey on May 1, 2013 19:19:49 GMT -6
I first wanted to become a coach, because when I was young I would draw up plays and everything. So I guess its a real calling. When I first volunteered to coach football (this year) I just from the start fell in love with it. I think it is awesome just teaching the players what I know and how to get better. To build not only athletes but also building men. I think this is God's calling in my life. I am in college and volunteering for a semi pro football team. I just truly love it, I could spend every day and countless hours with these guys, they have become my second family.
That is why I want to coach. To change the make of a boy to become a man. To make them better athletes and men of character.
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Post by craines10 on May 3, 2013 8:39:58 GMT -6
After becoming a student assistant my 5th year of college. I enjoyed that side of football almost more than I enjoyed playing it.
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Post by olcoach53 on May 3, 2013 8:53:43 GMT -6
I really first started thinking about it when I was a freshman in college and wrote an entire playbook while sitting in my dorm room (Not much of a social life)
The passion was a little dormant for the next few years, I played football in college though so I was around the game.
My former position coach in HS got the head job at my alma mater so I figured I would go help out, 7 years and a new head coach later I love coashing and could not think of doing anything else.
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Post by 33coach on May 3, 2013 9:00:03 GMT -6
Coaches, I did not see this thread anywhere and I figured it would be a good discussion point and could bring even more activity to the forums. If there is one, I guess I must have overlooked it or just did not search hard enough. When/why did I decide to coach? I decided to coach when I was in middle school. I lived in a rough spot in town and there was a playground and about 200 yards of grass around it. I created a football field and started inviting the neighborhood kids that were younger than me or around the same age to come out and play after school and on weekends. I would teach the younger kids how to catch footballs properly, run various routes, and some on how to grip and to throw a football with a spiral and accurately. One of these kids that I taught the game to is now a Senior in high school and is being recruited by various universities (Alabama being the big one). He sent me a message on Facebook the other day saying he did not forget about me and that if he made it to the NFL, he would be sure to tell everyone about me. I honestly hope this kid has success not only on the football field but, in life general. This is why I decided to coach football. I look forward to seeing more responses and hopefully memories shared. I have the classic story. Injured playing. Decided to spend my recovery time working with the youth team. Got hooked and never went back to playing Sent from my ADR6410LVW using proboards
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Post by tigercoach11 on May 3, 2013 9:15:45 GMT -6
I guess I was later than some. always LOVED the game and I was pretty good athlete but I understood the game better than most in HS. when I got to college (later than most bc my football chances in college were cut short half due to an injury and half due to me screwing up my grades and making bad decisions so I didnt go right out of HS) I gave it one last shot to walk on. it didnt last long so I started coaching a youth team. at the time I was a business major and with my mother high in the corporate ranks I prob could be making some good money right now, but I decided I hated being in an office. Along with coaching youth i started working with troubled teens, you see I was a real dumba$$ when I was a kid and I screwed up a lot of good opportunities because of the bad crap I did. After learning I could actually help the kids and becoming obsessed with coaching the youth team I switched my major to education and became a coach at the HS level.
Mom has a guy working for her (he's 30 years old) in what I would have prob done had I stayed in business and hes making 6 figs a year
I am 29 years old: have coached all levels (youth/ms/hs) as an assistant and done all the dirty work. Have been a HC for 2 years now (got my chance early) and have coached in a state championship game as a HC (didnt win though), have also had 2 state and 1 national champion powerlifters as a HC for PL. I work 80-90 hrs a week and don't get paid sh!t to do it. And with the experiences I have I wouldnt trade my job for that 6 figures any day. money is nice but I have never "hated" my job (some days are worse than others)but it always is worth it in the end.
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Post by senatorblutarsky on May 3, 2013 9:58:59 GMT -6
I decided when in college as a business major sitting in a micro-economics class! All of a sudden it hit me as the question popped into my head..."Do I really want to sit behind a desk all day crunching numbers??" Changed my major the next day and the rest is history. In addition I was always the one to organize neighborhood football, baseball, basketball games when younger. Create playbooks, etc. It was just a natural fit. Eerily similar... except I wasn't ever a business major. I played football from age 8 through college. Then I was planning on going to grad school to be the next William Cullen Bryant (or another American poet nobody reads). While waiting to start grad school in the 2nd term, I coached he freshmen at my old HS and was hooked. I should have known. I too was the neighborhood organizer. We found the playbook I created as a 4th grader for our recess team (pretty "run-heavy" then too. A lot of "sweep").
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coachfore
Sophomore Member
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Post by coachfore on May 4, 2013 14:35:05 GMT -6
I started coaching my senior year of high school due to a car accident that cut my playing career short. Coming home from church in the middle of summer, my friend who got his license THAT very morning was driving. He lost control of his car as we were driving too fast, and a car pulled from a driveway. We hit a telephone pole doing 65 miles per hour. He was killed instantly. My left leg, every bone in it, was crushed or broken. 7 surgeries and 20 some odd days later, I left the hospital and had to learn how to walk all over at the age of 16. That junior year I was in a wheelchair most of the season. My senior year, I attempted to come back, but reinjured the leg by breaking a bone the very first day of spring practice. That was the last day I "played football." The head coach in our program wanted me to stick around, he encouraged me to stick around the program still. I ended up coaching the freshman team that year - their offensive line. I was on staff with most of the same guys who had coached me just three years before. So, that's the short story as to how I got in to coaching! I've been coaching for 13 years, 8 as a Head Coach here in Southern California!
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stu
Sophomore Member
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Post by stu on May 4, 2013 15:51:12 GMT -6
got started coaching freshmen year of college. had a knee injury in high school and was walking onto a D3 football program when the knee gave out again. Doctor told me I had done enough damage to it over the years that he wasn't going to clear me again. The head coach let me be a student assistant / manager / gopher in the spring and started coaching at the middle school level. Had some guys who coached me and were teachers when I was in school that gave me chances to coach, volunteer at first and then later on paid staffers.
Been coaching 10 years, going on 11 now.
Coaching the 7th graders for 2 years got me hooked... I had thought about coaching one day as a education major and knew that I loved sports and football in particular. But I hadn't planned on getting started quite as early as I did. But that first class of kids got me hooked with their personalities and how much I enjoyed it.
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Post by camppack on May 6, 2013 19:47:11 GMT -6
My father was coordinating a clinic for coaches of military base football teams in Europe in 1971. He asked me to go with him to the base's aircraft terminal to pick up a "couple of people" who were flying in to help at the clinic. Who do we pick up? Bo Schembechler, Vince Dooley and the Oakland Raiders center Jim Otto.I was so impressed by Schembechler that I decided there was nothing I wanted to do other than be a football coach like him. He gave me a couple of small paperback books that outlined both his offense and defense. While they're outdated, I still have them and they are two of my most treasured possessions.
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