Thinking about going into coaching but looking for some advice - any coaches out there willing to share?

dont waste your time

I coach high school (plus a few postcollegiates), not college, but if you want to hear what the high school level is like, email me.

The best adviceis, it is not what you know, but who you know. Try not to out coach the head coach. Some have eagos bigger than a country mile.c

I saw this posted on Letsrun a few years ago. I forget the original poster, but I thought it was good and it does a good job of explaining the truth to college coaching...

If you ever get an interview ask the college how many applications they received. The answer for almost every Div I school is over 100.

You can assume the following.

1. There is a core group of people, like myself, who have some level of coaching experience somewhere. Whether its big college, small college, or even high school. We all want to move up, so we all apply thinking "maybe if they just interview me they'll see I'm worth it". You can include all the GA's in this boat as well.

2. Alums. Every college has a handful of unqualified alums who think they should be the coach because of the simple fact they are an alum. The bigger the school, the bigger this pool is.

3. The marry-go-round coaches. These are the ones who are a step above the group mentioned in number 1. They are actual established coaches that are part of the annual carousel of coaching. They have one foot in the door and a realistic shot of getting the job. Unless you were an Olympian, nobody from group 1 or 2 will get the job, but we keep trying.

Tried and true facts about getting a job in college coaching.

1. Don't be a distance coach.

2. If you're distance coach, be a former Olympian.

3. Be a woman. Be a minority.

4. Start as a volunteer, then move up to barely paid grunt, then up to real assistant, then MAYBE get a better assistant's job at a better college. Then kiss a lot of ass, get lucky with a couple of All-Americans. THEN get a decent head job at a decent-sized school.

By this time you have no wife (or one that hates you), your kids don't know you, and you have weekly mailers being sent to 10 different previous addresses.

If this sounds like something you want to be a part of, then do it. Otherwise, choose another career option.

Mary,

I coached at the college level for 19 years (1977-1996), so some of this data is dated. Started at the junior college level assistant and ended my career as a head coach at a smaller Division I school. Loved my years of coaching, but it did entail long hours and low-moderate pay. I was typically busy and away from home 26 weekends a year, with many of those weekends on the road. Generally the benefit packages at most schools are good, especially state schools. I am a white male, and did feel the gender/ethnic equity issues did not favor my ability to move up the ranks. I was clearly the top qualified candidate for several jobs I applied for but did not line up with the gender/ethnic makeup that was targeted. In the end, I felt it was time to move on, spend more time with the family, live and work where I wanted. No regrets for the decision to coach, no regrets for the decision to quit coaching. I have really enjoyed being home on the weekends and watching track meets from the easy chair.

Igy

You wouldn't be looking to get a start at a great HS program in the Pacific NW would you? I know of a guy who is leaving a job but wants to mentor his replacement.

Is D1 coaching much harder then D2, D3?

>>>Is D1 coaching much harder then D2, D3?

Why would it be any harder? If you are a committed coach you are putting in 60+ hours regardless of level. There are D1 coaches that are going through the motions just like some coaches at the lower level (much more at the lower levels than D1 though) A lot of lower levels coaches have no asst. coach and maybe no graduate asst. They are doing every single aspect of coaching: recruiting, scheduling, budgeting, coaching, meeting with runners, planning the entire trip (making all reservations), driving the bus and so on

A head coach regardless of level is hard work and not worth the $ but if you love the sport and love to see students do well academically and athletically it is a rewarding profession.

What about Jerry Shumacher?