Questions To Consider Asking When Seeking a Head Football Coaching Position

Colonious McNeal

It is my belief that coaches play a vital role in the development of their players. This has been the case for many years. There are a lot of things that go on behind the scenes of relationships between an effective coach and his or her players that go unnoticed and are often overlooked by outsiders. Effective coaches aren't looking for public praise for what they do, all they look forward to is the opportunity to make a positive difference in the life of the young people they work with.



All Effective HC's will have a plan ready to go for his assistant coaches and provide them with the necessary guidance needed to help them be successful. The best HC's are the one's that pay attention to detail and are specific when communicating what they need and expect from their assistant coaches. The assistant coaches duties and expectations should be written out as well as shared verbally with organized meetings.



Expectations of an assistant coach on the field:



Assistant Coaches need to make sure they hustle out to the practice field. The offensive an defensive fields should be established so there is no confusion on who has what field. Being organized and hustling out to the field will help set the tone and model the energy and tempo expected from the players. All drills should be set up before practice and if the assistant coach is unable to get out of class early enough to set drills up communicate this to the HC so he can help out. The practice script should be handed out and followed as closely as possible to make sure the practice flows smoothly. All coaches should be moving around with a purpose and teaching with a purpose. The assistant coaches she be the best teachers, motivators, modeler's, mentors, and disciplinarians on the field.



Game day will have the same energy with a different organization flow chart. Coaches will be expected to look the same having on the game day attire representative of the team. Defensive and Offensive warm up areas will be designated so drills will flow smoothly throughout the game day schedule. Our Assistant coaches will heavily monitor kids on the field making sure they are doing what is expected of them leading drills and warm ups. Coaches should always be around the kids motivating and monitoring behavior making sure they are game day ready (equipment, health, mentality).



Expectations of an assistant coach off the field:



Assistant coaches should be the best leaders on campus. When it comes to the classroom our assistant coaches will be the one's recognized as getting teachers of the month and year. Coaches will be expected to take as much pride in the classroom as they do on the field. Coaches will be expected to monitor athletes behavior, grades and keep great communication with teachers and parents.



Weekend scouting and game preparation should flow with what the coordinators have planned out each assistant coach having a role in helping prepare for the upcoming game. All coaches descriptions and responsibilities will be outlined in writing. Everyone will be working with a purpose and all will get together at a scheduled time to discuss the game plan for the upcoming week to make sure everyone is on the same page and knows the expectations going into the week.



Loyalty to the program and to the head coach would apply to the running of a successful football program:



Assistant coaches should always keep any issues in house and speak with the HC if there are some concerns. Assistant coaches should always perform the duties assigned plus more if required by the HC. The HC should never be in a position to where he has to question one of his assistance about getting the job done. The HC should have an open door policy and recognize his or her coaches for being a very important reason why the program is a success. The HC should understand that communication is the key and sometimes just listening helps out more than anything. Again modeling the behavior expected is important from the HC this is how you build trust in your staff. Don't forget to laugh, have fun and hangout outside of work if possible. We use to have Wednesday night BBQ as a staff! This helped with the camaraderie and building of positive relationships with each other.