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DR DEATH
Junior Member

Posts: 17

Need Advice Feb 23, 2006 13:28:51 GMT

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Post by DR DEATH on Feb 23, 2006 13:28:51 GMT

I am in a dilemma and asking for any insight or advice toward my coaching dilemma.

Here goes:

I am getting set to begin my third season at the high school varsity football coaching level. My first year I was at a large classification school in Central Ohio and was a volunteer coach. I learned alot but pretty much worked under a postition coach and learned some things and enjoyed my time there but really had no say in JV or Varsity contests but my imput was taken. After the season, a coaching change was made and I was not asked to return. I instead was hired on a school two classifications lower by a coach who was my teacher and coach in middle and high school. I was given an opportunity to be a position coach. I was able to work with the offensive coordinator from the box on Friday nights and call the offense for Freshman and JV. I was paid and learned alot. the coach gave me alot of free will to try things out and let me coach how I thought the kids would best respond to the system. Earlier this week I met with the school I had first coached at and they offered me a position. However, it is a position with another gentlemen to run the offensive and defensive scout teams for the week and coach the JV's on Saturday with control of at least one side of the ball. I told him I would think about it. I am kinda torn as to which way to go. Big school small role or small school and big role.

Any advice or infoermation is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

The Doc

The Desire For Greatness Is Not A Sin.

Lou Cella
Senior Member

Posts: 1,486

Need Advice Feb 23, 2006 13:52:40 GMT

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Post by Lou Cella on Feb 23, 2006 13:52:40 GMT

Doc, you have to answer the following question:

Do you want to be a BIG FISH IN A LITTLE POND or a LITTLE FISH IN A BIG POND?

Personally, I would call coaches at other schools and meet with multiple coaches. Then, take the best offer which gives you the best chance for professional growth. I have a friend who is in the EXACT SAME SITUATION as you. My advice to him was to take the offer which gives him the most responsibility and the best chance for personal growth. That's what I advise to you as well. Don't be afraid to move around... it's expected nowadays in our profession. If you need any more help post or Email me at CellaFBall@aol.com. Good luck and God Bless!

Lou Cella
Head Varsity Football Coach
Greater Nanticoke Area High School (PA)

TIGER ONE
Senior Member

Posts: 6,423

Need Advice Feb 23, 2006 16:01:50 GMT

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Post by TIGER ONE on Feb 23, 2006 16:01:50 GMT

Hey Doc,

Obviously the shcool that offered you the meanial position, does not have any faith in your ability or having worked for them before they would have made you a more substantial offer, IMO. I am NEVER for taking a position ( as a young coach) with a lesser program over a well established WINNING PROGRAM. Coach Cella and I discuss this all the time. BUT, IN THIS INSTANCE, I would take the position offered at the smaller school BECAUSE THEY OBVIOUSLY HOLD YOU AND YOUR ABILITIES IN A DIFERENT LIGHT.

To be asked to run the scout team in tandem with another coach seems to be demeaning at the HS level, IMO. Not that at a higher level it would not be a great starting point, because it would! This one of those VERY RARE MOMENTS FOR ME TO RECOMMEND THAT YOU TAKE THE STEP DOWN IN CLASSIFICATION, BUT WOULD APPEAR A STEP UP IN FURTHERING YOUR CAREER .

You watch and see if I am wrong on this next statement: After you establish yourself as a good position coach at the lower classification, and provided you stay in the same area to coach, YOU WATCH THE BIG SCHOOL COME CALLING IN A YEAR OR TWO WITH A GOOD JOB OFFER! At that point you will have some established credentials and a lot more bargaining power in order to better deal with the big program! Hide and watch if I'm not right on this issue. Best of luck whichever path you choose!

Coach Easton

J.C. EASTON<BR>HEAD COACH<BR>GA TIGERS FOOTBALL<BR>PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE

AZJaz
Senior Member

Posts: 275

Need Advice Feb 24, 2006 6:48:20 GMT

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Post by AZJaz on Feb 24, 2006 6:48:20 GMT

Coach,

If the school is big enough where they might have two freshman teams, a sophomore team, a JV and a varsity, and they offered you a job coaching the JV and scout teams with someone else? IMO thats a pretty lowball offer. Like Jerry said that is an offer that they would give to someone if they had no confidence in their abilities. Dont sell yourself short. Sometimes there are big schools that dont want to take chances with people that dont have years and years of experience, regardless of what they know, how hard they are wiling to work and what their committment level is. This can sometimes be tough on a young coach. I am in a similar situation in some ways.

If you are a young coach and want to learn more about the game, then staying at the lower level might be better for you, because you can learn while you are doing it. You have an increased role with the team and you might simply learn more by being involved. Now that certainly doesnt mean that you have to stay there 3+ years or anything like that. I am also a firm believer that if you do your job well where you are at then other jobs will come. There are times when you have to be able to market yourself if you are moving a great distance or something like that but many coaches stay in the same area their whole life. If thats the case for you, then I am sure you would be able to network yourself a little and get a position you really want in short order. Sorry if this seems a little incohesive. I just tried to rattle everything off as it was coming out of my head.

Psalm 27 ... Back Veer Association

rigomez4
Member

Posts: 46

Need Advice Feb 25, 2006 9:42:40 GMT

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Post by rigomez4 on Feb 25, 2006 9:42:40 GMT

I agree with the previous coaches but you have to do what you feel is right for you. What are your goals and will this change help you achieve those goals? Which postion gives you the best opportunity for growth? Define what that growth is. Is it to be part of a large program having a limited role, or staying where you are at and continue gaining responsibilities and knowlege? What is your growth potential at this new job? These are just some of the things to think about.

In my career I made a very tough decision to leave a paid position as an offensive coordinator and joined a smaller program as a volunteer coach. My role was greatly reduce to a position coach. I was given the opportunity to call the offense late in the year and this past season was the defensive coordinator but still as a volunteer coach. Many people told me I was doing the wrong thing. I had to decide what was best for me. I am very fortunate it has worked out.

This year, three Head Coach positions have opened up in the area including the school where I coach. Although I have spoken to AD at each school and they have encouraged me to apply, my current family situation would not allow me to dedicate the time necessary to do the job as I see proper. I have been encouraged to apply just for the experience and I may still do so, but the time is not right for my situation.
Those are the things you really have to weigh for yourself and do whatever you feel is right for your situation.

frmrgriffinsafety
Senior Member

Posts: 216

Need Advice Feb 27, 2006 11:58:03 GMT

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Post by frmrgriffinsafety on Feb 27, 2006 11:58:03 GMT

I faced a similar situation last year. It wasn't between two different schools, but within the same school. I was originally a paid modified assistant. Then I was offered a spot on the Varsity coaching staff with less responsibility, but equal pay. I took the Varsity job due to the fact that I thought I would grow as a coach working with the coaches on that level. Then one month before the season started a JV coach quit and I was offered that position. That position was more money and more responsibility than I was going to have on Varsity. It was a tough decision to make. After talking it over with the Varsity Head Coach and Varsity Asst. Head Coach I took the JV job. What they said to me was that the entire program would benefit from me moving down. I really wanted to stay on Varsity, you know, it's Varsity. But the fact they had that confidence in me made my decision for me. You've just got to have the support and confidence from the upper levels. Maybe that will help you with your decision. I hope so. Good luck coach.

Defensive Back- Canisius College-4 yrs.

Assistant Coach - Bishop Grimes High School- 2 years

Assistant Coach - Cheektowaga Central High School- 5 years

"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." -John Wooden

"I firmly believe that any many's finest hour is that moment when he has worked his heart out for a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle, victorious." - Vince Lombardi

DR DEATH Junior Member Posts: 17	Need Advice Mar 6, 2006 16:50:44 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by DR DEATH on Mar 6, 2006 16:50:44 GMT Thank you all for your insight. i greatly appreciate it. DD
	The Desire For Greatness Is Not A Sin.

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Post by DR DEATH on Feb 23, 2006 13:28:51 GMT

Post by Lou Cella on Feb 23, 2006 13:52:40 GMT

Post by TIGER ONE on Feb 23, 2006 16:01:50 GMT

Post by AZJaz on Feb 24, 2006 6:48:20 GMT

Post by rigomez4 on Feb 25, 2006 9:42:40 GMT

Post by frmrgriffinsafety on Feb 27, 2006 11:58:03 GMT

Post by DR DEATH on Mar 6, 2006 16:50:44 GMT

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