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Post by fballcoachg on Jun 2, 2010 18:53:47 GMT -6
How do you guys network? It comes up time and time again that "it's not what you know, it's who you know" but I don't know many people. I have moved from one state to another so I obviously don't have that many contacts. Networking is obviously beneficial for several reasons but I'm not sure how to approach it especially if there is the possiblity of future job interest. I don't want to be "Hey, how you doing, my name is Coach G, if a job comes up in the future here is my resume." When it comes to football matters I have no problem but job or just in general I'm not comfortable.
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Post by brophy on Jun 2, 2010 18:59:45 GMT -6
Do you go to clinics?
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Post by kylem56 on Jun 2, 2010 19:07:46 GMT -6
Most people do it by accident without realizing they are networking.
Example:
BS'ing with other coaches at clinics
Working college camps
Visiting spring practices
7 on 7 tournaments, etc.
Introduce yourself to people and try to make a connection. The big thing is following up on those connections. Congradulating a coach after a big win, sending them a short email telling them good luck in their big game this weekend, asking them questions, etc.
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Post by wolfden12 on Jun 2, 2010 19:17:30 GMT -6
Kylem makes great points. As an assistant I try to be in the Head Coach's hip pocket at functions knowing they will interact with other coaches. I will attempt to engage when necessary and try to seem friendly and attentive. I also try to seek advice from several veteran coaches around the state each year on a variety of topics. I attend several clinics and work 2 or 3 college summer camps as well. I try to send emails as mentioned above whether positive or negative events that happen.Lastly, keeping in conatct over the years. Things are a lot easier with technology these then in the past. Take advantage of it.
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Post by warrior53 on Jun 2, 2010 19:55:54 GMT -6
BE PATIENT! I have been coaching for 13 years now and just now feel like I have a network that is worthwhile. It takes a while for people to get into positions where they have influence. I also coached in college for a while and that hurt me a little, so don't let the number of years freak you out.
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Post by fballcoachg on Jun 3, 2010 10:57:42 GMT -6
Appreciate it, I guess at clinics I need to take better advantage of the down time, stop being a dbag, and get my head out of my notebook! Guess it's a whole new thread but how do you get to work college camps?
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Post by tothehouse on Jun 3, 2010 11:12:42 GMT -6
I don't think you "get your head out of your notebook". Just get somebody else to help you look at the notes in the notebook. "Hey Coach, I had this idea....what do you think? What do you guys do?" "Thanks Coach". That sort of stuff.
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Post by endersgame on Jun 3, 2010 19:33:50 GMT -6
I ask questions on here and try to answer other peoples' questions with what small amount of knowledge I have. When I start going to clinics in the future, I'll do the same thing there.
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Post by coachdubyah on Jun 3, 2010 20:00:35 GMT -6
From what I have learned you cant be afraid to be told no. I have been working our state 7 on 7 tournament that is a qualifier to go to Hoover, AL for the national tournament. It helps that the State Tournament is held at our school, but I have been able to meet a ton of people that way. Well, last year we (members of our staff) were asked to go to Hoover and work the National 7 on 7 tournament. Now, we have asked to go numerous times. I even threw subtle hints out there to the directors of this tournament that we would be interested and they denied us. They told us that they had enough workers, until last year we actually got to go because they knew we wanted to. Got to meet some great people/coaches from Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Arkansas. Heck I even got cussed out by Rush Propst for calling a sack on his QB in the 7 on 7 tournament. (Turns out Propst is actually a pretty cool guy.) Anyway, you just got to put yourself out there. Whether its High School Coaches or College Coaches you are meeting, if they "Big Time" you, then so be it. You will be surprised how many people you can make an impression on. To me that's how you network. It worked for me anyway.
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Post by wolfden12 on Jun 4, 2010 19:49:31 GMT -6
I have worked at the same college camp the last 2 years, a MAC school. Myself and another coach on our staff sent out emails and made phone calls to 75 D1 programs across the country expressing our interest in working their camps. We express interest and follow up. We are located in central Ohio and recieved invites this week from Alabama, Oregon, and Colorado. We are taking cost into account, but you can't replace an experience. Plus, other coaches on staff who might be hesitant or lazy graviate and want to be included. It is a win win in my opinion.
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Post by jlenwood on Jun 4, 2010 22:04:15 GMT -6
Call a coach at another program you admire, ask if you can meet with them and more often than not the answer is yes. I think that people are afraid that the answer is no, or that the person you want to meet or talk to is too busy. But the reality is that coaches (if not d-bags) are more than happy to open up and talk football (their wives won't listen to them-so why not another coach).
I recently out of the blue emailed a back to back state champ defensive coach. I got a response that said come on over, got to meet the guy and pick his brain for several weeks...it was great and he said they never get calls from other coaches, I couldn't believe it.
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