Thoughts on a Coaching University

The United States is the only first world nation that doesn't have a University specifically to teach people how to coach. You can major in it or minor in it, but there is no University that is devoted solely to teaching people how to coach.

The coaching industry in this country has been, for the most part, a craft system. A young coach gets hired on as an assistant (or a GA in college) and learns from the head coach and the older coaches on that staff. Over time, the young coach moves up in the ranks.

I've often lamented the absence of a Coaching University. There are, however, many things that a coach can do to create his own University of Coaching. Personally, everything that I see I relate to coaching. As a teacher, I believe that coaching is teaching and everything can be learned if it is taught correctly.

I look for coaching tips in everything; the business world, military areas, parenting, psychology, interpersonal relationships, the movies, music, teaching...everything. Somewhere someone is leading others, that person has something to offer to me in terms of learning something about coaching.

I take extension courses at the Universities, read voraciously, spend time in the company of the best people that I can find, anything to try to become a better coach.

At this point in my coaching career I find that the big deal is continuing to learn and grow and improve. I've seen some coaches who have coached for thirty years but have coached one year thirty times, other coaches have coached for ten years and they are infinitely better.

In the final analysis, it has to continue to be fun and challenging. The moment that the fun ends, get out. Once the fire in the belly goes out, find something else.

Huey Coaching Univeristy

I've been looking into a masters from USSA.edu. It almost seemed to good to be true! I was shocked a person could go from undergrad-doctorial work and major in coaching related fields.

I did not participate in the Coaching Master's program, but I know a 9 credit internship is required to graduate. If one could get with a good program somewhere, that would get someone some great experience.

You do learn in the classes, sort of on your own pace, but the great thing is when you have a family, you can do the work at home (when kids are in bed) or at your job when you have a break.