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Post by warriorstrength on Mar 15, 2007 5:13:27 GMT -6
I am currently coaching at the high school level. The money is ok and I like what I am doing. I have been recently given the opportunity to coach at the college level. It is not a GA but an actual position coach. There will be a significant pay cut if I take the college job. But it would be one hell of an opportunity. I have no kids and my wife is very supportive of my endevours. Just wondering what you guys would do in this situation. Thank in advance.
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Post by coachd5085 on Mar 15, 2007 6:15:31 GMT -6
some things to consider
Relocation..do you have to move (most likely not, as most high school to college moves are local).
Teaching--do you like it, or just tolerate it to coach?
Compensation--As you said, on the high school teacher/coach makes a lot more in salary than a most college coaches. Of course, if you hit the lotto (top 50 Div 1) well, then it is different.
Job security--plenty in most high school situations, absolutely ZERO in college. Your head coach gets fired, you are fired. Your head coach goes on to another job and doesn't take you, you are fired. Your head coach needs a scapegoat, you are fired. A couple of your recruits don't pan out, you are fired. The school cuts football program (which is happening more frequently at the college levels) , you are fired. Nothing is more fun than searching the net for that every elusive restricted earnings position. Picture a glorious sunday morning in dec/january" Hey honey, how do you feel about moving to Staten Island. Wagner needs a new Dline coach. "
Benefits--lack of job security leads to a lack of benefits. No real retirement plan here, nothing you can really rely on anyway.
Time--There is a good chance that you will spend more time than you possibly thought you could on football at the college level. At first, this seems exciting, countless high school coaches say "I wish I could just do football all day instead of teach" Trust me it gets old too. Get into week 6 or 7... and think "Ahhh..yes,its 10:35 at night let's watch the lovel trap cut up." Plus nightly recruiting calls. After the last horn sounds, get out your AAA card because it is recruiting season...which can be a fun filled 2 months of ego massage, paperwork, financial aid forms, admissions visits.... and if you don't coach at a school with NLI's.... well then that fun doesn't stop till school starts.
Football wise, depending on the school and conference, it can be a lot more fun than high school. You have time for meetings, increased learning curve, increased expecations, more details to cover. You learn a great deal in a short period of time, which is probably the best benefit.
Finally, there is always that shot at the pinnacle. Someone has to be the head coach at Notre Dame, Oklahoma, LSU, Nebraska, USC, Florida, Alabama....why not you?
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Post by stud17 on Mar 15, 2007 14:30:00 GMT -6
good points indeed about the comparisons. at the same time i think you need to think about what your long term plans are. are you planning on coaching high school or college in the future? if its college, than take the job despite the negatvies associated with it, because in the long run the experience will lead you to a better college job. if your future is in high school, i say screw the college job and stick to high school. its just a thought (CCR song)
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Post by jjkuenzel on Mar 15, 2007 15:44:03 GMT -6
DEAL!!!
That is just me, but I am currently aching for one of those elusive restricted earnings jobs that coachd5085 talked about so I would take it. The pros and cons have pretty much been discussed, but one thing I will add is that this opportunity may not present itself so cleanly. As you said, you have no kids and a supportive wife, which seems to me to be almost ideal. You should still be able to pay your bills and if you decide that college isn't for you, you can always go back to HS. The same thing may not be able to be said for college.
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Post by coachd5085 on Mar 15, 2007 16:53:10 GMT -6
I agree with jjkuenzel 100% with regards to the timing. Something that must be considered is that the opportunity might not ever be this "easy" financially again. I also agree that it would be much easier to find another high school gig than it will be to find a college job. Those fators need to be considered and apporpriate weight in the decision must be made.
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Post by fbdoc on Mar 16, 2007 7:08:35 GMT -6
This topic comes up every now and then with similar discussion (usually very good!). Coach5085 discusses the main points with an attention to detail and accuracy - especially the one about being in the office at 10:35 PM and the ol' coach saying, "Let's watch that cutup tape of State U. one more time to see if the O-line are leaning on their right hand more when they're running iso-trap-option..."
Timing is crucial and being "younger" with no kids AND a supportive wife (make sure she has seen the community where the college is!) is a huge factor. The cut in salary is also something to consider, although the cost of living can be offset by living in the dorm and getting a meal ticket for you and your wife.
I discussed this on the Job Board but here are some more particulars about my Deal or no deal. I'm 49, married to a lifetime teacher-coach, 2 kids in college, and our youngest daughter is currently a junior at the high school where we teach and coach.
Currently at a private Christian school (Dean of Students and Head FB) with a potential opportunity to return to college coaching as an OC at a D-III school. I don't teach right now but would teach a couple of Ed classes with the college gig. Recruiting, meetings, etc. I know about from my 7 years earlier in my career coaching college. Here are the Deal components -
HS Salary now $68,000 D-III Salary $48,000 Sell our house $380,000 Buy similar house $150,000 Wife's salary now $45,000 No job at college $ 0 Benefits now OK Benefits there Pretty Good
Obviously they are many other factors, including actually getting offered the job. My Headmaster told me he had a great phone conversation with their Head Coach + search committee so we'll see.
The point I'm trying to make is that the change from HS to college is pretty much the same. It's the PERSON who is making the change that is different!
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