Im a coach, now what?

Congrats on a great start. I think everyone feels overwhelmed at first. If they don't they aren't being honest with themselves or others. The greatest coaches I have ever had the privilege of speaking with said they always have so much more to learn. The game has a lot of different aspects so sporadic learning happens.

Don't be afraid to ask a coach any question. The good ones will give you a good response and not belittle you. You do need to be a little careful on the message boards and other electronic forums because a lot of people won't be as kind.

As coach2013 mentioned, find one aspect and study it as much as possible. I find it is always best to approach every O or D with a critical eye so that you know the answers to the tough questions.

As you can probably tell from the general theme, take every opportunity to sit down with a coach and pick their brain. Good or bad in this case. Both will give you ideas that work and that don't work. I've learned more from a few "unsuccessful coaches" than I have from the good ones. When I asked why something didn't work, they usually gave me tremendous advice that I could apply to our situation. I put unsuccessful in quotes because they don't have great win/loss records. I think they are great men.

Finally, I'm a Glazier Clinic junkie. I don't listen to the radio when I work. I listen to archived webinars and videos. If I hear something that interests me, I back it up and watch it.

foster a relationship with a (dedicated, or at least passionate) coach on staff that you can spend time with and absorb something from.

OTHERWISE, be the hardest working assistant on staff to serve your header.
From there, I would foster as many relationships with area college staffs to learn from them (learn more about HOW to do than WHAT to do).

whats going to make you a good coach isn't going to be the schemes or drills, it is knowing how to take care of the details and personal relationships with players in the program

Brophy's advice is pretty good. My advice will come from a situation in which I didn't take advantage of and regret it to this day. First, become a master of your positions within your system. Then, branch out to another coach on staff--like Brophy suggested--to learn the nuances of other position groups but still within your system. Then, you can branch out into other methods of football to gain overall knowledge. I worked with a GREAT staff my first three years of my career, but I didn't take advantage of the opportunity to fully learn from the other guys.

Don't become discouraged by your "lack" of knowledge right now. Like you said, you feel like you've "doubled" your knowledge over the past year, that will continue to happen year to year. If it doesn't you're not doing something right.

I'm 24 and just finished my 4th year of coaching and I can tell you looking back on day 1 it's amazing how far I've come in just a few years in terms of understanding the game. And there's still a TON I don't know. The day you think you know it all is the day it's time to hang up the whistle. Like everybody has said find a mentor and become a sponge. If he likes a play vs that weeks defense ask why. Learn how he thinks. And do everything you can to learn OL play. It all starts upfront. Luckily for me, I am an OL guy but I'm getting into the WR/secondardy stuff now. I actually coached DL this past year, that too I feel can help you gain a tremendous amount of knowledge.

Attention to detail and passion are huge. I like to think of those as two reasons I've been able to gain responsibility in the few years I've been at it.

wow, I cant believe all the great feedback I've received. It says a lot about the credibility of this site as it does the character of some in this great profession, and I certainly appreciate it guys. I am constantly reading and have a great HC who is always giving the thorough responses to my question. I had never really thought to learn the single wing and wing T first, that really does make sense though. I have heard people say O line is the way to go for aspiring coordinators, and now I really explore it. to Send_the_house, I have a hard time believing that is the "best advise" you could give, but I think that you're totally right, and I appreciate you pointing it out, I didn't realize I was even doing it, and I see how that could convey the message that I's only in this for personally gain. All the encouragement is HUGE, and I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who has ever felt a little overwhelmed. Thanks again guys, y'all are awesome!

I love what Brophy said. The only thing I will offer that I was told early on, is that you cannot watch enough football. If you have a dvr, use it and do not put constraints on yourself.