Aspiring Coach wrote:
I want to be a coach, but I'm not sure how I'd get by financially. This is my sole passion though, so I want to make it work. I came on here to find out how you coaches who aren't teachers get food on the table consistently. I'm definitely willing to take suggestions from people that don't fit this description too. The more the merrier.
I am a head Track & Field coach in a CA public HS. I work for a Silicon Valley tech company, and they let me leave when I need to for practice or meets. After two years, I'm still in disbelief about the flexibility, but I am proof that it can be found.
That said, I am well aware that I am the exception. I have a staff of six assistants, none of whom have a traditional full-time career: Three are retirees, one owns his business, one is a grad-student, and the last a city lifeguard. Every other head coach in the county is a teacher (I think).
Bottom line is, the right company and certain industries can be amenable to the flexibility you need, provided you can get your work done. But until you ask, they can't say yes.
Alternatively, what aspects of coaching are you most passionate about? You might be able to transform those into a business or career too - maybe personal/life coaching, personal training, some sort of work with kids, etc.