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Post by wogitalia on Jul 25, 2008 4:53:08 GMT -6
Hi all,
I am an aspiring coach/player stuck in the great football wilderness that is Australia.
I just have a few questions in regards to getting into the coaching/scouting/managing side of football in the USA as I contemplate packing up my things and heading over to chase the dream, so to speak.
I am just wondering what entry level positions are available for a guy who has essentially just played in a bush league, what are the best ways to dip my feet in the water?
I am interested in coaching, scouting or management of a team, how interrelated are those 3 things, how hard are all of them to get into to and involved with?
Obviously having only participated at the level I have what are the best ways about obtaining knowledge(other than reading here obviously) to aid me, I imagine I have a similar level of knowledge of the ins and outs as a freshmen would have, although I have certainly learned a hell of a lot since basically discovering the sport 4 years ago.
I hope to at the very least be coming over to the USA representing the Australian team(as a player) as they make a tour there(hopefully it gets off the ground) and am wondering how I would go about finding positions whilst over there with the hope of extending the visit to permanent.
Basically in shortform I'm looking for any advice how someone with limited experience and only a basic knowledge base would go about getting into the coaching world?
Look forward to everyones replies and learning more.
Thanks in advance.
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Post by coachweigelt on Jul 25, 2008 6:31:34 GMT -6
I do not want to burst your bubble, but I'm a coach since 8 years and I have been trying to get a coaching position in the staates for that long and I never got anything to work... I even know some coaches in FLA and TX and even have lived in the states for 2 years! So if you make it, let me know how  Good Luck!! |
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Post by ajreaper on Jul 25, 2008 15:56:31 GMT -6
Volunteer your services and be willing to learn and work- without pay first, and provided your work ethic is good and you are meeting the learning curve you'll land a paid position in time. I started out as an unpaid volunteer 20+ years ago and now I'm the HC where I started.
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Post by airitout616 on Jul 25, 2008 16:30:18 GMT -6
If you have a teaching degree that makes it A TON easier to get a job on the high school level. Most high schools where I am from will take you on as a volunteer for the first year or so then you will get a stipend which varies in range depending on the school budget.
If you want to get in the college ranks your best bet would be to attend a small D3, D2, or NAIA school and get on as a student assistant mostly doing grunt work but most staffs will let you listen in on most of there staff meetings and most of the coaches at those smaller schools will be very open with knowledge if your a student assistant. Then work your way up from there.
If you dont have a teaching degree to teach in th states and your not willing to be a student and be a student assistant for a few years when going to school well........you better find a good job becuase JUST coaching high school football with no experiance you will either not get any pay or VERY little pay around 1,000 if that in a stipend.
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Post by wogitalia on Jul 25, 2008 19:41:13 GMT -6
I have a degree in commerce that would allow me to work in corporate finance and accounting, basically I could earn a lot of money if that was what I was focused on, I'm very willing to go to college, perhaps pick up a teaching degree would open even more doors, I'd actually like to try and play over there if possible, hopefully we will be playing a Division 2 school with the Australia team while we are over there.
I don't mind volunteering, I don't particularly mind not earning a lot of money either, the love for the game would mean I'd be happy to have enough to live basically(extra is always nice though isnt it).
Might have to look into getting over there and trying teaching, not actually a job I would dislike doing.
Thanks for the advice guys, keep it coming, it's kind of a big move if I do make it so I certainly want to be as informed as possible.
One additional question, are there any states that it would be easier to get involved with football in? I mean obviously there are more schools in places like Texas and Cali but there are also more people looking for jobs I imagine also, any places where it would be best to get started.
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Post by airitout616 on Jul 25, 2008 22:14:01 GMT -6
In Texas you have to have a teaching degree to coach high school ball. Not sure of any other states that require it.
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tedseay
Sophomore Member
Posts: 165
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Post by tedseay on Jul 26, 2008 7:37:16 GMT -6
Basically in shortform I'm looking for any advice how someone with limited experience and only a basic knowledge base would go about getting into the coaching world? Look forward to everyones replies and learning more. Thanks in advance. As an officer in the U.S. Foreign Service* who has coached in Australia (Melbourne 1988-89), I applaud your initiative and wish you all the best. That said, make very sure you square your work status away with the local U.S. Consulate before you leave Australia -- this will save you untold hours of misery once you get to the States. What you are hoping to do is obviously not the same as uni students from Oz working illegally in the ski fields in Colorado, so don't attempt the same methods they use of just showing up and finding something once you arrive... (BTW -- congrats on the Bledisloe Cup win over the All Blacks -- that was some nice aggressive rugby.) * This message has been brought to you by the U.S. Department of State -- your tax dollars at work.  |
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Post by ajreaper on Jul 26, 2008 9:19:44 GMT -6
Tedseay with your job and love for football I'd guess you've had the opportunity to see the game played in a wide variety of places and that has got to have been very interesting. I'm glad my tax dollars have afforded you that opportunity Wog another thing to consider is that most states only require a degree in order to get a sub certificate- that could help you as well as it says you've gone through background checks and clears you to work alone with students. Also not a bad part time job either- I know our district pays $100 a day for a sub (roughly 7 hours of your time). Good luck to you. |
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Post by wogitalia on Jul 27, 2008 5:27:52 GMT -6
Don't think this stuff is a major issue as Im lucky enough to have American Citizenship through my mum so I don't have to worry about Visas and what not.
Thanks and keep the advice coming guys,
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tedseay
Sophomore Member
Posts: 165
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Post by tedseay on Jul 27, 2008 13:44:36 GMT -6
Don't think this stuff is a major issue as Im lucky enough to have American Citizenship through my mum so I don't have to worry about Visas and what not. Thanks and keep the advice coming guys, You just said the magic word -- visas are a total non-issue for you. You might want to think about a less-obvious situation like helping coach at an Indian reservation school, someplace where your volunteer coaching (and paid teaching) could help make a huge difference... |
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