I want to keep coaching, but don't know if I can afford it

Though I am not in the same situation I am struggling as a grad assistant with a cross country team. I enjoy what I do and I am getting a degree in the process but I have no money. Luckily I am single and not expecting a baby, but I don't even have a salary. It is unfortunate that I have to live completely poor for a couple of years, but I guess with proper budgeting, I can do ok with the money I have saved (haha) and the money I receive from a part-time job. Also, since I have other expenses (books, rent, etc) I may be taking out a small federal student loan. That could be a good option for you. Since you are expecting a baby, you and your wife would be eligiable for some subsidized loans. The interest rates are astronomically low and it is generally very easy to pay back. It is something to consider while you and your wife continue your education. And the extra interest is a small price to pay for making ends meet while you get a Master's.

Does your wife have health insurance? this is the biggest question, no what YOUR dream job is. My suggestion. Put you Masters on hold, you aren't completing it very fast anyway. Don't put in 60 hrs, your an assistant. See if you can just do it in the evening, and get a real job to pay the bills.

I think your Head Coach would give you the same advice unless he can get you full-time status.

If you are single or married without kids, you can do what you want. Once you have a child, you need to be responsible for that child and be a good provider. $15,000/yr is not much, sorry to say. With a master's, you could get a high school teaching job and probably double your salary, and still coach (high school, instead of college).

$15k/year and you work 60 hours a week? I hope that is not consistent, year round, because if so, you're making something like $5.21/hr.

I woke up, postponed my MS in Exercise Phys and took a couple of science classes. Got a teaching job in Biology and Physical Science. good benefits for the expectant mom and child, more time for the kid and definetly more satisfaction than being an asst. Coaching is a dead end for a family. Try naming a few.

I appreciate the input from everyone. Just to clarify, I'm already considered a full-time employee at the school I'm at. Out of the two of us, I'm the only one elgible for Federal student loans. I was trying to stay away from taking out loans for my Masters because we already have about 25k in loans that we are still paying back from our bachelors. We also have a mortgage, but it is very affordable at less than $500 a month.

I love coaching at the college level. I did coach high school for a year, but I really enjoy college coaching a lot more. I also did the full-time job, while coaching part-time thing after the high school coaching job, and didn't enjoy it much.

I know having a family is going to change my life, and my family is definately my priority. I think my wife is in denial a little bit, and doesn't want to think about me having to quit my job because she knows how much I enjoy it. I just know that with each week that goes by that something is going to have to give. We only have so much resources and I want to take care of my family properly. I've just put so much into coaching that I'd hate to give it up.

Yeah, I know my pay rate totally sucks for some one with a bachelors degree. When you look at the national averages, I actually make less the average person who didn't graduate from high school.

The lesson we learn here is to know what you can and cannot do if you want to stay coaching. Want to be a coach and stay single? Great. Want to be a coach and be married? Okay. Want to have a family and coach? Good luck. Nothing against you guys because I'm sure that you have taken up these responsibilities because you find fulfillment in them, but examples such as these make me pretty happy that I will be single and childless for a very long time to pursue what fulfills me.

You've got to get some for yourself, b/c they sure aren't giving you any. Kinda sounds like your being exploited. I mean kids working at fast food joints are doing better. You could make more bagging groceries. Wait tables or something at night and cut back your hours unless they're going to give you better than slave wages.

How can being an assistant coach take up 60 hours per week?

I don't think so.

100% agree. 15K, full time/ 60 hours per week is abuse, man. I had a similar position a couple years ago - Head XC, assistant track at a small college. I made 18k, but I was literally right out of college. Did it for 2 years while getting my Masters. Then, because 18k just doesnt cut it, I asked to be made part time (which the AD shot a load over, we agreed on 10K PT, no benefits) and took a full time position outside of the school making 33K. Still not a lot of money, but decent. You could maybe got this route. Does it suck?? yeah, sometimes -things were a lot easier when I was just coaching. I end up working about 10-12 hours/day during the week, plus saturday meets. But, I still get to do what I love and make a fair living at least. You've got to think about more than just paying your current bills/expenses - you need to have enough income to pay into some investments for your childs future/education and your retirement someday.

ahafdo wrote:

How can being an assistant coach take up 60 hours per week?

I don't think so.

When I was an year assistant coach I worked that many hours too and I made only $8000. That is why I got a head coaching position quickly. I also took out student loans while I worked on my masters. It was the only way to survive. I fortunately did not have a wife. You basically have to decide how badly you want to be a college coach. If you really want it then take out the loans and get a second job at night. Talk to your wife. She has to support you on this. Coaching is not more important than family. If you can't afford to take care of your family then you have to make a career change. It's great being a coach but it's more important to be a man and take care of your real obligations. Maybe high school teaching /coaching is better right now and you can work your way back into college coaching later.

Please explain how you can spend that much time on being an assistant coach.

Easy. Here is a typical week for me. Office hours from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m (30 hours per week substracting lunch). Practice from 3:30 to 5:30 (10 hours per week). Study hall supervision from one hour every evening Monday through Thursday (4 hours per week). Recruit calls twice per week (2 hours a week.) Weight room three times per week in the mornings 6:15 to 7:15 (3 hours per week). Meets on Saturdays ranging from 6 to 12 hours of time spent, we'll go with 8 on average (8 hours per week). That typical week adds up to 57 hours. Plus I have additional duties in the athletic department from November throungh March that total about between 6 to 10 hours a week, so right now I'm in the 63-67 range. The head coach is also the A.D., which puts an extra burden on me because the A.D. job takes up a load of time at our school. The office hours are not all spent constantly working, but I am expected to be in the office if needed.

Anyone who does not know how an assistant can work 60+ hours a week, obviously knows nothing about being a good coach. I put in my time as an assitant making approx. the same amount and other places making more. I now have a family and am no longer in coaching. I hate to break the news, but you have to choose a priority.

This why a bunch of us here who coach in high school wouldn't take a college position unless our lives depended upon it. Regardless of where you are, the real money goes to the head coaching position (and of course AD, if you can get it eventually). You have to understand that you don't get anywhere in coaching without paying your dues somewhow, so you have to decide how much you want it.

If you want to STAY at the college level, you have to stick it out until you can get a higher paying position. Maybe you can coach or start a running club at the recreational level to boost your income, or look into being a personal trainer...something along those lines. The other option would be to get a teaching credential, and coach at high school, and work your way up.

Man, that stinks. I can easily see how you put in that many hours. Just coaching HS my hourly pay worked out to be like $5 per hour.

The thing is they got you by the balls. Anyone who really has the coaching bug would be very hard pressed to leave a college position. I used to say I'd give my left nut to coach in college, but when it came down to it I had to face reality. I could not travel and move my wife to all the various places that collegiate coaching takes you, and have her develop her (much more lucrative) career.

With a child on the way you're wants and needs are secondary (and a distant second at that.) You have to do what is right by your child, if that means taking a day job in an office- or worse. You killed your collegiate coaching dream when you made the decision to become a father.

Think about Real Estate, your hours are very flexible to have the time you need for your team. Make a goal maybe of one sell a month and you won't get over burdened with work and still make nice money.

Oh, so you're not actually acting as an assistant coach for 60+ hours. The 30 hours per week in the office and 4 hours per week of study hall supervision aren't dedicated to training and coaching your athletes, it's just some bullshit you're required to do.

Sounds like the rest - 10 hours at practice, 2 hours making recruiting calls, 3 hours in the weight room, 8 hours at meets, for a total of 23 hours - sounds legit. Though even that 3 hours in the weight room is suspect, I think the team could do that on their own.

Unless I'm missing something.

Why exactly do they force you to be around for the 30 office hours? Sure, some time must be dedicated to meet scheduling, travel logistics, workout planning, etc. but that couldn't be more than a handful of hours each week.

And sorry, don't mean to dwell here, I'm just amazed that a "simple" job like coaching could be so time consuming.