How To Overcome Lack of Experience

Blackhawk1
Member

Posts: 71

How To Overcome Lack of Experience Feb 23, 2008 20:10:38 GMT

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Post by Blackhawk1 on Feb 23, 2008 20:10:38 GMT

I have interviewed at several schools for a head job and have come up short every time. Each time the reason given to me was "lack of head coaching experience" At least three of those times, the job was given to someone with a mediocre to poor coaching record. Why are schools so infatuated with "experience" even when the coaches record isn't that good? Why are they afraid to take a chance on an eager assistant. I have nearly ten years experience as an assistant and have coached nearly every position. What gives? Any suggestions on things I can do to help me break in and beat out "experienced" coaches for these jobs?

COACHE
Member

Posts: 91

How To Overcome Lack of Experience Feb 24, 2008 13:06:37 GMT

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Post by COACHE on Feb 24, 2008 13:06:37 GMT

Coach,

Two words of advice: BE PATIENT! I went through the same things you are going through. I interviewed for three straight years before I final got a yes. I was turned down the year after I was the defensive coordinator of a state finalist team. Then the next year, we won the state finals and I was still turned down for a guy who had more experience. The same year I finally accepted a head coaching job and was able to whip those previous two places. The one team we beat twice. ADs and principals are too worried about pleasing the public and hiring the peoples choice instead of who truly deserves the job. It seems like the same good ole oys network is not only true in the NFL, but also college, and now in high school. I think I was lucky that it happened for me so fast. Other assistants in my area have waited 5-10 years before fianlly breaking through. One other piece of advice, be completely confident during the interviews. I think committees are spending more time focusing on the person instead of what they know and can do. Complete confidence in yourself is borderline arrogance. Sell yourself. Good luck.

jrkelly
Senior Member

Posts: 820

How To Overcome Lack of Experience Feb 29, 2008 7:16:45 GMT

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Post by jrkelly on Feb 29, 2008 7:16:45 GMT

One thing I have learned working in the school systems throughout my career, both on the west coast and in the midwest, schools as a whole (no matter how much they "say" otherwise) are absolutely petrified of change. If you work in a K-12 school system, you know how many times you have these fleeting fads and catch phrases that come sweeping through, but very rarely do they ultimately cause major change because people in and around the school get very uncomfortable whenever anything changes. I think this is why those teams who are yearly "doormats" in thier leagues often stay that way because they are not comfortable with anyone coming in and changing how things have "always" been done and approached. So when it is all said and done, these jobs are offered to coaches who are better known to the population around the team. The whole "experience" tag is code for "we know him better" in some of those jobs, I'm sure.

Ryan Kelly
Offensive Coordinator
Austin High School
Austin, MN

There is nothing that will show a man's true character like the 2 yard line.

Coach Tinglof
Member

Posts: 186

How To Overcome Lack of Experience Mar 8, 2008 7:03:59 GMT

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Post by Coach Tinglof on Mar 8, 2008 7:03:59 GMT

Coach,

As Coach E said "Be Patient". I went throught the same thing for a few years before I was given my first opportunity. The thing that always baffled me was the old "Head Coaching Experience" thing, well you can't get head coaching experience until someone hires you as a Head Coach??? Every coach out there most likely started as an assistant themselves and then got the "Head Coaching Experience" when they landed there first job. Keep interviewing and your job will come and you may stay at the program for years or decide to move up or on and then you will have that "Head Coaching Experience" for bigger or better schools if they arise.

Good luck. I know it gets frustrating, politics plays a big role, but some school will not be able to deny you if you show them you are the best canidate for the job or do not have any insiders or favors to give out!!!

MaxPreps

Concordia University Irvine

Texas HS Football

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Post by Blackhawk1 on Feb 23, 2008 20:10:38 GMT

Post by COACHE on Feb 24, 2008 13:06:37 GMT

Post by jrkelly on Feb 29, 2008 7:16:45 GMT

Post by Coach Tinglof on Mar 8, 2008 7:03:59 GMT

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