Hello. I am a recent college graduate with a bachelors in Exercise Science. I was wondering which graduate program you think would put me in a better position to eventually become a college coach. I have heard cases for both... any input would be very helpful
Coaching at the professional (okay, any) level successfully depends on a lot more than knowing the training science background. You can even argue that a lot of experience in training is as valuable or more than time with your head buried in journals and a lab. I don't mean to downsize it's importance, but if you have strong experience in training, you probably already know most of the physiology that you need to know. By far, the most demanding part of a college coaching career is the management side.
turkey leg wrote:
Coaching at the professional (okay, any) level successfully depends on a lot more than knowing the training science background. You can even argue that a lot of experience in training is as valuable or more than time with your head buried in journals and a lab. I don't mean to downsize it's importance, but if you have strong experience in training, you probably already know most of the physiology that you need to know. By far, the most demanding part of a college coaching career is the management side.
This is what I am starting to think as well. I don't see any of the graduate work in Ex. Phys being very useful to me as a collegiate coach, and I think the BS in Ex. Sci will provide more than enough physiology for me as a coach.
Better off doing an assistantship or volunteership with a serious, proven winner of a college coach than either of the two grad options.
Dah Dah Dah Coach wrote:
Better off doing an assistantship or volunteership with a serious, proven winner of a college coach than either of the two grad options.
I highly agree that performing a sort of apprenticeship with a proven coach is a very good thing to do. A graduate assistant position makes perfect sense because you could have the grad study option and spend a lot of time around someone who's figured most of it out and applying it every day. Getting into that position will take a lot of work, networking, and luck.