2022 College Track & Field Open Coaching Positions Discussion

Anyone know why this is a volunteer position? He is one of the better throws coaches in the nation

Add Chico State Head Women's Track

I would guess he is waiting for a specific paid gig or Arkansas may have an opening coming up, possibly even combine.

U of Illinois dismisses HC Turk.

I see it was posted above.

I'm guessing that Eastern Washington (mens & womens head coach, though I'm hearing second hand info that it's going to the director model) isn't listed because the school still hasn't officially posted it?

I think just about every state school in CA has an opening right now. Some yet to be announced.

Part of the job is recruiting. In a high school where the number of kids is small, have numerous interests, and many with no connection to track. Thus must be done every year where your reputation of a successful program has little weight until they get to know you. Then you have to get them to join over sports they have played all there life. Yes somethings have parallels and some do not. Some are more challenging. Additionally, a high school teacher must teach! That is the majority of our pay and thus must be given the time plus effort you would give as a coach. I am aware of all of the phone calls for recruiting and paperwork. However, the teaching in the classroom and every that comes with it cannot be understated in its challenge to balance with running a successful high school program year in and year out. If you can't see that level of work and the challenge it creates you underestimate the job. My point. High School teachers that are also head coaches with long term success have the skills and fortitude to do the job and be quick learns. Of course in my humble opinion COULD be a better option if given the chance and respectable compensation.

South Dakota XC

Yes there are many capable and intelligent teachers who coach high school that could quickly learn and be successful college coaches. But there are very few that have the experience level and record of success that they could immediately be considered for $80k+ jobs in the NCAA. Those positions make up at most 5-10% of all the available jobs in college track and those coaches will be fully expected to hit the ground running. You can’t expect to move to a different (thought related) sector and immediately be the CEO. So if the high school coach wants one of the hundreds of $35k jobs I’m sure they’ll be strongly considered, but most don’t want the pay cut.
The issue, therefore, is not so much that HS coaches don’t get considered, it’s that their salary needs don’t match the position.

Adrian Wheatley for Illinois.

Given that I have coached both HS and College. To run a good program both require hard work period. There is a big misconception about HS and College coaches on both sides. A good coach is a good coach. At the College level recruiting and a lot of overnight trips. HS 75 plus kids, lesson plans for 4 or more classes, additional school duties, putting in entries for every kid and not necessarily having 5 assistant coaches who enjoy Track and Field. When I was coaching HS I trained the athletes from August-May. I had to work hard at both levels. In College, I have had regional and national qualifiers. Many of my high school athletes would have scored points in most D1 Mid Major conferences. It just depends of the HS and College that you coach at. Some HS don't have standards for winning and don't care. Some D1 AD's don't have a standard for Track and Field. Most of you guys know Latif Thomas a HS Coach there is no doubt that he could Coach at the College level if he wanted too. Carmen Jackson Miami Northwestern HS, June Viller Former Desoto TX HS Coach. If a HS Coach wants to make that jump, you have be okay with a pay cut and starting off someone modest instead of thinking you're going straight to Power 5

I coached high school and division 1 and I think everyone should either shut up about this or start a new thread.

I agree. What's the word on SFA?

Co-head coaches

He's coming from Tennessee where, for better or worse, they didn't retain some of the best staff available in the country. This is a way to stay in the game and be ready for whatever the next opportunity is. He's a good coach, he'll end up some place more permanent soon.

I agree with you on that point. The pay gap is to large and honestly the biggest problem in the first place for all college coaches. They need a respectable wage first. No matter who is applying.

How does this work? Sounds like a terrible idea

I don't know who the "twins" are, but Yogi's children have moved on to EWU and Utah State.