if you were hiring an assistant coach

An assistant coach must have these qualities in this order:

1. Loyalty
2. Obedience
3. Accesibility

After that, I really couldn't care less.

doesn't teach cheating (holding)....LOL, kidding! : )

1. Passion for the game (do you LOVE football?)
2. An understanding of how to TEACH
3. Patience
4. A ROLE MODEL

(just to add to Tog's list)

Everything's been said here already.

The only thing I would double check for is "will they support and believe in my systems?" I don't need a guy coming in who's going to gripe, complain, and "Monday morning QB" about how we should be running the Urban Myer offense when we run our own system. I think it is important for the coach to LOVE and want to coach FOOTBALL first. If they are hooked into the "I won't coach anywhere that uses shoulder blocking technique" mindset (for example), then we don't want them. We want a teacher of the game, no matter what system or fundamentals our team chooses to employ (as long as they are technically and ethically sound). So, I think there has to be a huge discussion about that.

An assistant coach must have:

1. an Open Mind

2. Self - Discipline

I just finished my first year as a head coach. Let me echo and reiterate what's already been said: loyalty, work ethic, love of kids. I am not all that concerned with how much football you know.

Three questions:

1) Will you buy in or will you resist?

2) Will you work your tail off and go above and beyond what is asked?

3) Do you understand the bottom line that this is about kids?

yknow what might work? or at least be worth a few laughs...bring YOUR EXPECTATIONS for the boss...that is, what youd expect from YOUR LEADER. ...never know. fer example...i might not have bothered taking a job if id had a check list like this one...

1- will return emails and phone calls promptly
2- will speak highly of assistants and all athletes
3- will remain a student of the game and admit to needing to improve every year adn refocus based on vision, mission and priorities. (does he have a plan? can he communicate it or is he all talk?)
4- will have at least one "air it out" session behind clothes doors so the staff can actually be a part of making improvements...ie "we can do better"
5- wont try to do it all alone, can delegate and give ownership- our program, not my program.
6- will promote and defend the sport constantly, will do the same of his staff.
7- will actively work to train the middle school and youth coaches in his systems and make appearances at games, practices and events
8- will introduce any new staff to the others and work on staff relationships
9- will make every athlete feel important to the program
10- will insist on discipline, structure and respect among team and coaching staff
11- and a GREAT BIGGIE , will encourage and support the advancement of his assistants.

just some idea...i mean...ynever know, it might piss him off...then agian, it might show that youre not just blindly following anyone...you have to be led by a LEADER.