Spread 'em out
Sophomore Member
"It's not the load that breaks you down, but how you carry it." -Lou Holtz
Posts: 156 
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Post by Spread 'em out on Mar 30, 2020 23:48:02 GMT -6
I'm quite certain that I'm not the only position coach on the board who has aspirations of moving up to become a coordinator and eventually a head coach. Therefore my question is simple, what would those of you who have made that transition advise to the young'uns that hope to do so?
a coupe more specific questions that may help myself and others:
1. If you're a position coach at a the highest classification; would you recommend staying a position coach at that level until a coordinator opportunity arises, or moving down to a lower classification to become a first time varsity coordinator?
2. Same scenario but coordinator looking to become a head coach?
3. To the head coaches on the board; what do you want/expect to see from applicants for a coordinator position? Both from the side of the ball you focus on, and the opposite side of the ball?
4. What materials did you bring into an interview to become a head coach? Was it enough? How would you improve your interview for your first head coaching position?
5. What is the best lesson you learned in your first year as a Varsity Coordinator or Head Coach?
Thanks in advance, I look forward to hearing the wisdom of the board
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Post by bluboy on Mar 31, 2020 7:22:47 GMT -6
Sorry if this is a long response. Hopefully, it will at least give you some food for thought.
I started applying for HC positions when I was a young buck who was just a position coach. I was a DC at a big, successful school and only applied for HC jobs at smaller schools because I thought a small school would be a good place to start; I could work my way up to a bigger school.
IMHO, the three most important things to look for in a coordinator/assistant are loyalty, work ethic, and willingness to learn. If an assistant has these three traits, the rest will take care of itself.
When I interviewed, I took a binder that contained the following items.
COACHING EXPERIENCE, OVERVIEW, PHILOSOPHY, WHAT I EXPECT FROM AN ASSISTANT COACH, WHAT ASSISTANT COACHES CAN EXPECT FROM ME, HEAD COACH RESPONSIBILITIES, VARSITY ASSISTANT RESPONSIBILITIES, FRESHMAN COACH RESPONSIBILITIES, WEEKLY PRACTICE BREAKDOWN, WHAT I EXPECT FROM PLAYERS,
TEAM RULES, COMMUNITY RELATIONS, COACHING REFERENCES
Looking back (hindsight is always 20/20) the two biggest mistakes I made were:
#1-Not having a clue who would coach with me if I got the job. I got the job in middle of summer and had to really scramble to get assistants. Ended up having to take guys who had VERY limited football background. I had teach them everything on the run. Because these guys were not football guys(a few not even in the building), I ended up doing everything during the off season(very stressful).
#2-Not understanding that it would take time to change things and to make the changes I needed administrative and parental support. I was young and brash; I wanted to make this school like the big, successful one I came from. I wanted this change to happen NOW. I got into a few dogfights, with suits and parents, that did not help my cause but could have been avoided.
Hopes this helps...
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Post by dubber on Mar 31, 2020 10:51:15 GMT -6
It does not always hold that “moving down to move back up” is the way to go....
Sometimes the bigger guys think that as a position coach at the larger school they are better than a coordinator at a small school.
You gotta understand they are different beasts, and that while you may have a more complicated/in depth scheme knowledge at the higher levels (because of resources/time), that is only about 10% of the job.
Your success will always be predicated on getting good athletes out and to get them committed to developing themselves, and how you do that at smaller schools is different than larger ones.
THAT is the reason a lot of big guys will struggle when they come down to smaller schools.
I think a lot of coaches want to grow up before they are ready......and they chase things too early and get burned out....this board is littered with those stories.
I would think most HCs would never hire a coordinator who hasn’t been on their staff proving themselves for a few years.......
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Post by badtotheflexbone on Mar 31, 2020 11:53:19 GMT -6
I've only been a HC at the middle school but I think this eye-opening experience for me may help you. I'm sure other more experienced HS HC can add on:
First, know thyself
My passion & IMO strengths are techniques & X&Os (constantly researching & asking questions) and building authentic relationships with players. This is where I can most help any football team. When I took over as HC, it was so administrative which is a fancy word for babysitting (putting out fires, dealing with grades, behaviors, fundraising, parents, attendance, etc. etc.) that by the time I got to the football field to actually coach football I was so drained. The first few weeks was fine but dealing with BS outside of football got tiring as the season drags on.
I'd imagine this problem is magnified 100x as a HS HC and understand you won't be coaching football anymore or at least at a very minimal level.
Now I'd imagine the opposite is true also, if you enjoy working with systems and finding & putting people in places where they can excel, then maybe HC is right for you
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Post by 44dlcoach on Mar 31, 2020 18:36:33 GMT -6
Based on my experience I would say the best way to get a coordinator job at any level is to have been a good position coach on that same staff already.
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