Great, all the programs are going to specialize in the most boring spectator events because of money. What little entertainment value exists for non-participants will be completely gone due to the short sighted decision to cut jumps, throws, and even sprints and hurdles.
Been struggling with getting a job.... had a few interviews go well and get told I'd be making it to the next round only to get an email a week later saying they hired somebody else. Not gonna give up on my passion so I'm gonna keep applying. Wondering if I should just bite the bullet and lock in a volunteer spot somewhere. Only experience is competing in college, private coaching, and high school coaching. Curious if a USATF coaching certification will make me more appealing?
Been struggling with getting a job.... had a few interviews go well and get told I'd be making it to the next round only to get an email a week later saying they hired somebody else. Not gonna give up on my passion so I'm gonna keep applying. Wondering if I should just bite the bullet and lock in a volunteer spot somewhere. Only experience is competing in college, private coaching, and high school coaching. Curious if a USATF coaching certification will make me more appealing?
Why do you want to coach? Good coaches are educators first. There aren't many young coaches out there who are true educators.
I coach because I love the sport and want to help athletes achieve things they didn't know were possible, as well help my athletes develop great character. I love building team culture and helping build the bonds between teammates that last a lifetime. I'm obsessed with the sport and everything about it essentially.
I'm an educator in the sense I pass on knowledge, either about running or academic knowledge, to my athletes. That's what I do with my highschoolers. I explain the reasoning and science behind their training because I don't want them to think something is pointless. When I was a high schooler my coach never did that and I never "understood" running until years later. It makes a big difference in a young athletes devotion to the program and trust in their coach.
Does it matter where or does it just matter that I have college experience? There is a small D3 school in my hometown (and they are in shambles) that I plan to volunteer at if I don't land a job.
I’m part of the problem now but that ain’t a job or a “coaching position” my friend. There has been 7 posts mentoring some guy who can’t get a job and the suggestion is “volunteer at a D3 of someone I know. And list your contact on this website so someone can steal your identity”.
The real advice here is apply for every single job available in your event area. Be above nothing. Expect to get passed up by many people you deem yourself more worthy then. And then keep applying. In the meantime, make sure you have an actual, paying job. Do not, and I repeat, do not up and leave for a volunteer opportunity with this guys buddy at a d3 school. Even the term “take you on”. Yes, he will take you on to work for free, receive zero benefits, no actual work experience and you will be applying again this time next year talking about the athletes you mentored to personal bests but really you just gave away a year of your life working home meets at their dilapidated indoor facility
Does it matter where or does it just matter that I have college experience? There is a small D3 school in my hometown (and they are in shambles) that I plan to volunteer at if I don't land a job.
Your collegiate experience does matter. Whatever your athletes have achieved in high school is not enough. If you’re young enough, go get a masters degrees and be a volunteer assistant at a DI. You volunteer at D3, you’re staying at D3.
Amen to that, my first coaching job was D3 and $1500 a year. This past year was my 22nd year coaching college and I’m happy to say I’m making MUCH more than when I started. I can now upsize my value meals 😆
These type of posts happen often. Here is the skinny. When I was a D3 head coach I had multiple volunteer coaches, all who got full time jobs. Then I went D1 and had many volunteer/GA coaches, and all of them got full time jobs, some head coaching jobs. Then I went to a top 20 program DI and had a couple of volunteer coaches/GA's and all of them got full time jobs. Everyone has to start somewhere. The most important thing is to get associated with a collegiate program, and meet everyone you can. Get to know everyone. True story. I had a full time assistant position open. Interviewed a young coach who was a part-time coach someplace else. I didn't choose him. But he stayed in touch over the next couple of years just calling to check in and talk track. Two years later I had an opening and hired him. He did a great job and ended up moving on to a top 10 program and then a head coaching collegiate position. Network like crazy and make sure the coach you are working with introduces you to every coach out there. Good luck.
Biggest shock of the summer that they didn't hire the interim. For a variety of reasons I didn't think they'd have the courage to pull the trigger to hire someone else.