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Post by coachscdub on May 9, 2021 20:04:32 GMT -6
Hello Coaches,
For those of you who have had experience as a collegiate coach how did you go about acquiring your position?
More specifically how did you go about applying for the job?
In todays modern world i imagine alot of applications and initial contacts are made over the phone or through emails and as a result of this who do you apply to (contact initially)? The Head Coach? the AD? the AD's assistant?
Recently a coach i admire (from afar) was named as the head coach of a collegiate program and i have always had a desire to become a collegiate coach/work for a college staff and i am just wondering how to go about doing this.
Thank you coaches.
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Post by coachd5085 on May 9, 2021 20:19:29 GMT -6
Hello Coaches, For those of you who have had experience as a collegiate coach how did you go about acquiring your position? More specifically how did you go about applying for the job? In todays modern world i imagine alot of applications and initial contacts are made over the phone or through emails and as a result of this who do you apply to (contact initially)? The Head Coach? the AD? the AD's assistant? Recently a coach i admire (from afar) was named as the head coach of a collegiate program and i have always had a desire to become a collegiate coach/work for a college staff and i am just wondering how to go about doing this. Thank you coaches. Well, is there a position open? Lots of advertisements on footballscoop.com for unknown applicants. After that, it is contacts and networking. For me, I started as volunteer undergrad asst and networked. Also, as shown in the "jobs" thread as well as NUMEROUS threads that have come before it- I would suggest you really dig into how the landscape of college coaching is set up. |
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2021 20:41:56 GMT -6
If you get college coaches on your campus, talk to them. You would be amazed at what they will do.
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Post by coachscdub on May 9, 2021 20:57:44 GMT -6
Hello Coaches, For those of you who have had experience as a collegiate coach how did you go about acquiring your position? More specifically how did you go about applying for the job? In todays modern world i imagine alot of applications and initial contacts are made over the phone or through emails and as a result of this who do you apply to (contact initially)? The Head Coach? the AD? the AD's assistant? Recently a coach i admire (from afar) was named as the head coach of a collegiate program and i have always had a desire to become a collegiate coach/work for a college staff and i am just wondering how to go about doing this. Thank you coaches. Well, is there a position open? Lots of advertisements on footballscoop.com for unknown applicants. After that, it is contacts and networking. For me, I started as volunteer undergrad asst and networked. Also, as shown in the "jobs" thread as well as NUMEROUS threads that have come before it- I would suggest you really dig into how the landscape of college coaching is set up. That is a good point, the specific school i was talking about was more of a jumping off point for getting into college ball. Also for some reason i just assume new Head Coach means new everything, when that in fact is not the case. Thank you, i totally forgot about footballscoop, i only use it looking at HS Jobs. |
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Post by coachd5085 on May 9, 2021 21:17:20 GMT -6
Well, is there a position open? Lots of advertisements on footballscoop.com for unknown applicants. After that, it is contacts and networking. For me, I started as volunteer undergrad asst and networked. Also, as shown in the "jobs" thread as well as NUMEROUS threads that have come before it- I would suggest you really dig into how the landscape of college coaching is set up. That is a good point, the specific school i was talking about was more of a jumping off point for getting into college ball. Also for some reason i just assume new Head Coach means new everything, when that in fact is not the case. Thank you, i totally forgot about footballscoop, i only use it looking at HS Jobs. Well, it may mean "new everything" but he may already have people in mind. |
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Post by wingtol on May 10, 2021 5:18:17 GMT -6
I could be wrong but I would say the most important thing when looking at college jobs is who do you know there or who do you know that knows someone there? Seems to be the most common way of making the jump from HS to college ball.
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Post by coachjm on May 11, 2021 4:49:01 GMT -6
Agree with the above.... If you are trying to make that jump here is my recommendation..
Find the nearest small college, ask to meet with them to learn as much as you can... Ask to attend practices and after you get a handle let them know you would love to volunteer if they ever have openings.... They will as most small colleges have many entry level positions that have transition you in time may have an opportunity for that or to be a more stable assistant. This gets "college coaching" on the resume and can lead to either a GA opportunity at a larger institution or a full time position in a small school. Keep networking and building contacts and there will be opportunities. You can't worry about money and commit 5-10 years of walking a potential hard road without a lot of say prior to being in the position you might "dream about".
The other option for HS guys is being at a school with a bunch of division 1 players that can be potentially swayed with your hiring although I would like to note these types of hires are very rare if the HC isn't a former D1 or NFL player themselves but it does happen....
The Kevin Kelley situation that I think your referring too is EXTREMELY rare.... What other HS coach in the country does Bellichek call.... I wouldn't look at this as a likely scenario if your goal is to get in college ball.
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Post by coachd5085 on May 11, 2021 6:08:22 GMT -6
Agree with the above.... If you are trying to make that jump here is my recommendation.. Find the nearest small college, ask to meet with them to learn as much as you can... Ask to attend practices and after you get a handle let them know you would love to volunteer if they ever have openings.... They will as most small colleges have many entry level positions that have transition you in time may have an opportunity for that or to be a more stable assistant. This gets "college coaching" on the resume and can lead to either a GA opportunity at a larger institution or a full time position in a small school. Keep networking and building contacts and there will be opportunities. You can't worry about money and commit 5-10 years of walking a potential hard road without a lot of say prior to being in the position you might "dream about". The other option for HS guys is being at a school with a bunch of division 1 players that can be potentially swayed with your hiring although I would like to note these types of hires are very rare if the HC isn't a former D1 or NFL player themselves but it does happen.... The Kevin Kelley situation that I think your referring too is EXTREMELY rare.... What other HS coach in the country does Bellichek call.... I wouldn't look at this as a likely scenario if your goal is to get in college ball. Coach- that doesnt sound very motivational! You need to tell him that everything will be Ok, and if he just wishes on it , Notre Dame will call him up and offer him a full time position!!  / sarcasm off For those who didn’t read the “jobs” thread or other breaking into the profession type thread, you probably won’t get the humor here lol I absolutely agree with the above post. What I think many coaches fail to realize is just how competitive the climate is for those “walking down 5-10years of hard road” On this board , every year or two there seems to be a few posters who don’t realize they are NOT special, and that 50 other guys are also looking to get that $3,000 no benefits spot across the country to get their foot in the door. |
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Post by Deleted on May 11, 2021 6:58:20 GMT -6
It’s a who you know business. Go to clinics, go visit staffs.... if for no other reason than to shake hands.
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Post by undcovcoach on May 11, 2021 7:31:06 GMT -6
Most small colleges will take volunteers, many look for them. Work for free, work your tail off, spots will come open or people will know people who have openings. Got to be patient, don't expect anything.
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Post by coachwoodall on May 11, 2021 7:55:46 GMT -6
Agree with the above.... If you are trying to make that jump here is my recommendation.. Find the nearest small college, ask to meet with them to learn as much as you can... Ask to attend practices and after you get a handle let them know you would love to volunteer if they ever have openings.... They will as most small colleges have many entry level positions that have transition you in time may have an opportunity for that or to be a more stable assistant. This gets "college coaching" on the resume and can lead to either a GA opportunity at a larger institution or a full time position in a small school. Keep networking and building contacts and there will be opportunities. You can't worry about money and commit 5-10 years of walking a potential hard road without a lot of say prior to being in the position you might "dream about". The other option for HS guys is being at a school with a bunch of division 1 players that can be potentially swayed with your hiring although I would like to note these types of hires are very rare if the HC isn't a former D1 or NFL player themselves but it does happen.... The Kevin Kelley situation that I think your referring too is EXTREMELY rare.... What other HS coach in the country does Bellichek call.... I wouldn't look at this as a likely scenario if your goal is to get in college ball. Coach- that doesnt sound very motivational! You need to tell him that everything will be Ok, and if he just wishes on it , Notre Dame will call him up and offer him a full time position!! / sarcasm off For those who didn’t read the “jobs” thread or other breaking into the profession type thread, you probably won’t get the humor here lol I absolutely agree with the above post. What I think many coaches fail to realize is just how competitive the climate is for those “walking down 5-10years of hard road” On this board , every year or two there seems to be a few posters who don’t realize they are NOT special, and that 50 other guys are also looking to get that $3,000 no benefits spot across the country to get their foot in the door. I will just add that the reverse pipeline might be more of the norm. We currently have 3 former college position coaches working on our staff. And I'm not talking about guys who interned for a year after they finished their playing careers to try and figure out their next step. These are guys that spent multiple years working to climb the ladder. One was a DC at a small college. |
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Post by coachd5085 on May 11, 2021 8:22:38 GMT -6
Coach- that doesnt sound very motivational! You need to tell him that everything will be Ok, and if he just wishes on it , Notre Dame will call him up and offer him a full time position!! / sarcasm off For those who didn’t read the “jobs” thread or other breaking into the profession type thread, you probably won’t get the humor here lol I absolutely agree with the above post. What I think many coaches fail to realize is just how competitive the climate is for those “walking down 5-10years of hard road” On this board , every year or two there seems to be a few posters who don’t realize they are NOT special, and that 50 other guys are also looking to get that $3,000 no benefits spot across the country to get their foot in the door. I will just add that the reverse pipeline might be more of the norm. We currently have 3 former college position coaches working on our staff. And I'm not talking about guys who interned for a year after they finished their playing careers to try and figure out their next step. These are guys that spent multiple years working to climb the ladder. One was a DC at a small college. That is usually how the spots open up. Coaches trying to make coaching a “career” (college/pro) but who reach a point where they no longer can live the heavily financially restricted lifestyle drop out of the rat race, opening up spots for the next person trying to get into it |
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Post by blackknight on May 14, 2021 10:22:40 GMT -6
I coach at a JC in California. Our Head Coach and our DC both coached at the DI level. We bring on young volunteer coaches that basically train as future grad assistants. We have had a string of these young coaches get grad assistant jobs at Hawaii, Washington, Washington State, Cal, Old Dominion, etc.
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Post by Defcord on May 15, 2021 6:21:00 GMT -6
I could be wrong but I would say the most important thing when looking at college jobs is who do you know there or who do you know that knows someone there? Seems to be the most common way of making the jump from HS to college ball. This is very true. Have to know someone or be willing to work for basically free. Sometimes need both. |
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Post by coachwoodall on May 15, 2021 10:28:53 GMT -6
Just look at Jeff Scott. Yes he is the HC at South Florida now, but even coming from a 'blue blood' football family and given his career track; he had to take a GA job to get on at Clemson..... and that was with his old man in the football operations there.
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Post by vicvinegar on May 15, 2021 10:39:54 GMT -6
I see this question a lot. Go to footballscoop.com. There are postings almost daily (mainly in the off-season). They all have different requirements. Some want you to have played college ball, so on and so fourth. Some offer housing and tuition, some offer partial, some offer nothing but a coaching position.
I (who only has HS experience) applied for a TON that I qualified for. I got very few responses. I ended up getting two interviews for a GA position. A DII school actually hired me.
Unfortunately, I had something happen in my life where I had to call the week before I was supposed to leave and turn down the position. Long story short, go to footballscoop.com daily and apply for anything you halfway meet the qualifications they're asking for.
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2021 10:40:48 GMT -6
And it is going to get harder to get in if you are not a d-1 athlete or relative because at the very top, they cannot make a mistake in hire. Ex. You hire a kid who has to post, his political view, social stances, his thought on twitter, it may cost everybody their job, careers. And yes the nepotism runs the exact same risk, maybe more because you think you know the person.
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Post by blb on May 15, 2021 12:53:55 GMT -6
Generally speaking getting a College Coaching job starts with being a Graduate Assistant at the school you played at (especially at upper levels), or
having a college coach you played for who will help you get a GA job at another college-university.
And then, if you decide college coaching is for you - you try to move up from there.
Now, getting a GA job is hard if you didn't play in college.
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Post by undcovcoach on May 16, 2021 18:53:18 GMT -6
Being a GA at a D1 is drastically different than being a GA at D2, D3, NAIA.
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2021 19:21:40 GMT -6
Being a GA at a D1 is drastically different than being a GA at D2, D3, NAIA. You should see the computer screen of any sport much less a football GA at an sec school. Its crazy. |
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Post by Coach Vint on May 18, 2021 8:04:45 GMT -6
**Warning- This will be long**
Nearly every job positing will have a contact email, but the head coach/coordinator will make the decision, not the AD. Send your resume to the head coach and coordinator in the same email. Even if you apply on the website, send your resume to HC and Coordinator.
I got lucky when I made the jump from high school to college. First, we had a lot of success, that helped. I sent my resume and a power point of our offense to the head coach. The job had been posted on footballscoop.com. It happened to be exactly what the head coach wanted to run. He called and we talked for a couple hours. I then made the trip out there for a 12 hour interview. Interviewed again at AFCA and got the job. It was completely luck.
I did take a huge pay cut, but to make the jump I felt it was worth it. When I moved up to a bigger school, it was because I had some connections on staff, and had visited to talk ball a few times.
After getting back into high school coaching, I have had some opportunities come up as a position coach/co-OC at the D2 level. It is more because I got to know the head coaches through recruiting, and we again had success. I also speak at clinics, and that opened doors for some opportunities. With a family I couldn't afford to take a $25k pay cut to go back into college coaching.
If I were trying to make the jump today, I would visit colleges and talk ball. I would network with coaches at AFCA and at clinics. I would talk ball with guys when they came in to recruit. Connections and networking are vital. It is very unusual to get hired cold for a job. A buddy of mine just got an FBS job in the recruiting department. It was a significant pay cut, but he is single and can afford to be broke. He is using it as a stepping stone. Social media helped him get his position.
Starting at an FCS, D2, D3, Juco, or NAIA is very doable. I worked with a guy who got an FCS job coaching linebackers. He was still teaching at the high school we were at, but the principal set his schedule up to only teach in the mornings. He then took days for games and recruiting. He ended up getting hired on as a full-time coach the next year.
Understand also that at D2 and NAIA schools you may still have to teach. At the NAIA I taught English 100 and 101, and a general studies course. Most guys at the D2 I was at taught golf, bowling, weight training, or some other physical education classes.
Recruiting is the key. You have to be a great recruiter to be able to climb the ladder in college. Yes, you must also be a great teacher of your position, but recruiting is the life blood of every program.
To get hired at an FBS school, you most likely coach at a school with a ton of prospects, and you are known as a guy who is a great relationship builder. But again, the NCAA made it tougher because if an FBS school hires you for an off-field coaching position, they can't recruit your players for a few years unless the school gets a waiver.
To put this into perspective... When we hired a restricted earnings coach that paid $5000 a year and a dorm and food for 10 months, we had over 1,000 applicants. College jobs are very, very competitive, even at small programs that aren't very good.
Speaking at clinics is a good wey to meet coaches. 8 or 9 years ago I was speaking at the Nike Clinic in Orlando, and they had a hospitality room for speakers. I was in there with James Franklin, Al Golden, Art Briles, and Bob Stoops. I just sat there in awe. If you have success on the field, speaking at clinics is a great way to network. You can also volunteer to work clinics. You get to introduce speakers and help them set up their video. You get some additional access to them.
A way to break in off the field is with graphics. If you can do graphics and are really good, you can get a job in the recruiting department. It isn't on field, but you will make connections with guys who will be on the field.
To Summarize: Do a great job where you are. Visit college coaches and build relationships. Go to AFCA. Apply for everything. Be willing to be broke as long as possible. If you are a young coach, being a GA is a great way to get started.
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