There is an opening at my old high school for the position of Assistant Cross Country Coach. The Head Track & Field Coach position will likely be available in the spring.
I would really enjoy being a coach. I get along great with the young runners and am extremely interested in the art and science of improving performance.
The problem is that in May 2013, I was charged with a misdemeanor for a small possession of marijuana for personal use. Since then, I have quit using the drug and have focused my energy on exercising. I am much happier now.
I would never encourage my athletes to use drugs, in fact if the subject ever got brought up, I would use my personal experience to illustrate how damaging it can be.
On the application for the assistant coach position, it says to indicate any crimes other than a minor traffic offense (however, it does say that if a conviction has been expunged, you do not need to report it).
Hopefully I will be able to get the charge expunged before they list the Head Track Coach position. However, I have no official coaching experience, and doubt that I would be able to get the job. My chances of landing that job would obviously increase if I became the Assistant Cross Country coach.
Basically, here are the possible outcomes:
1. Apply for the Assistant Cross Country Coach, explaining the nature of my offense and my rehabilitation to the best of my ability. Hopefully, the Athletic Director gives me a chance. I could then have a good chance of becoming the Head Track Coach in the future.
2. Apply for the Assistant Cross Country Coach, get denied. Then, even after getting the charge expunged, I would be unable to become the Head Track Coach, as the Athletic Director would obviously remember me.
3. Do not apply for the assistant position, and be a volunteer instead. Hopefully, whichever assistant they hire is some teacher without any head coaching aspirations. Then, I could get the charge expunged in time to apply for the Head Track Coach, which I might have a chance of getting if I do an excellent job as a volunteer, basically acting as a de-facto assistant coach without the official title.
4. Do not apply for the assistant position. Some other guy gets hired to be the assistant, and he happens to be a great coach that eventually becomes the head track coach, causing me to miss out on the opportunity.
What should I do?
I am not looking for any sympathy, I understand that my actions were incredibly stupid, and if it prevents me from ever being a coach, I will accept that reality.