A coach must be a leader who can draw out the talent of each individual player and, at the same time, mold the players into an effective team. A good coach uses sports as a means of developing the personal qualities as well as the physical abilities of the athletes.
Most athletic coaches are employed in secondary schools where they are regular members of the faculty. They usually teach physical education classes and some classroom subjects and may coach several different sports.
Athletic coaches are also employed by colleges, professional teams, and, in a few instances, by elementary schools. Colleges, professional teams, and large high schools employ one or more assistant coaches as well as a head coach.
A coach is usually an experienced player in the sport he or she coaches. The coach must be able to teach the finer points of the sport, direct the physical training of the team members, judge abilities and personalities, plan game strategy and playing schedules, and, in some instances, function as a substitute parent. In addition, a coach should be able to administer first aid in emergency situations.
New laws that require equality for women in school sports programs have resulted in a substantial increase in athletic programs and scholarships for women athletes. The need for qualified women coaches should remain high for some time because high school sports for girls has grown especially fast in the past few years.
Places of employment and working conditions
Athletic coaches work throughout the country with the most job opportunities in metropolitan areas large enough to support a number of secondary schools.
Working conditions vary depending on the employer. In a sports-minded community, a coach will usually have modern equipment and a liberal budget; in other areas, a tight budget and poor facilities. During the sports season, a coach's life can be hectic, but this is offset by the fact that coaches have the summer months free.
Qualifications, education, and training
Coaches need physical stamina and good health and, of course, must possess athletic ability. They should like to work with young people and possess qualities of honesty and fair play.
High school courses should include English, public speaking, biology, and sports. Volunteer work or a part-time job at a summer camp or community center can provide valuable experience.
In college, a physical education major plus experience in competitive sports at the varsity level are considered the minimum requirement. A graduate of a small college who has varsity experience will find it easier to get a job than the physical education major from a big university who lacks varsity experience.
Most states require high school coaches to be certified teachers and some require them to be certified coaches. Coaches who wish to maximize their job opportunities usually have at least one additional area besides coaching in which they can receive certification, since budget restrictions in some schools require that the athletic coach be able to fill a teaching position as well.
Potential and advancement
Over 100,000 athletic coaches are employed in the United States. The demand for qualified coaches should increase in the next decade because of population growth and the increase in athletic opportunities for girls and women.
Coaches usually advance by moving to larger schools or colleges as they build a reputation for turning out winning teams. In large schools, a coach can be promoted to athletic director or move into educational administration as a school principal or superintendent. As they reach the end of their peak physical years, some coaches prefer to move into related fields such as sports writing, physical rehabilitation, or sporting goods sales. Some become managers or owners of health centers or summer camps.
Income
High school and college coaches earn salaries ranging from about $20,000 to $44,000 a year. Many coaches earn extra salaries for their coaching responsibilities, depending on the sport and the amount of time involved. Top colleges pay their coaches $60,000 a year or more. Top professional coaches earn up to $300,000 a year.
Additional sources of information
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation 1900 Association Drive Reston, VA 22091
National High School Athletic Coaches Association Ocala, FL 32678
