Guide For Assistant Coaches:

Kyle 

Being a former varsity assistant coach, I fully understand the commitment and the list of thankless jobs that an assistant is asked to do. From collecting dirty game jerseys, setting up or putting away equipment, or putting in hours upon hours of watching film, an assistant coach deserves immense respect and admiration for their efforts. As a head coach, the least I can do is keep them informed on expectations and duties out of respect to them and their time. With this, my coaches will understand and abide by rules and expectations set by the head coach. On & off the field, I expect my assistant coaches to uphold the following, not just as coaches, but as good people too:



To never use profanity and to expect our athletes to do the same

Do your job and respective duties to the best of your ability. Ask questions if necessary!

Be on time for all staff meetings and practices

Be a positive role model that any parent would be happy that their son would be looking up to

Sell and defend the program to all outsiders

Commit to the success of our program on the field and our player's success off the field

To improve your craft and take opportunities to improve as a coach by attending clinics, seminars, etc.

To look and act like a professional in regards to attitude, speech, work ethic and appearance

Never give up on a player. You never know how they might end up in the next few years.

To take interests in all the players and attempt to connect with all of them, even if they are not within your position group

To always coach with a positive attitude

To be loyal to the head coach and program as a whole

To be able to adapt and overcome, especially when situations come up that are out of our control

To keep adult disagreements private and never let them erupt in front of the players.

To never demean, disrespect or call out a coach in front of the team. I find this extremely distasteful and completely disrespectful. Players are looking up to their coaches and should never be put in a situation where they should have to question their coach

Have a plan for everything. Be organized and set up before every practice or game.

Don't choose favorites. Make a connection with every player in your position group.

Encourage! Energy! Enthusiasm! Always be positive and coach with your hair on fire!

Have fun-if the players are seeing that you are having fun, even at practice, they will have fun as well.

Believe in your abilities as a coach but also take constructive feedback that can help you improve!

Loyalty is the most critical element when hiring assistant coaches. From my own personal experience, I have seen a new head coach come in and not maintain the previous staff because he did feel that they could be trusted or that they would be loyal to the new program. Come to find out, the previous staff went to go coach where the previous head coach was now the offensive coordinator . To make things more interesting, they were all coaching at the rival school where there is an extreme dislike for one another. Loyalty is everything when putting together a staff as one disloyal assistant can bring down an entire program. In order to have a healthy and loyal staff, coaches must be openly and freely be able to discuss all differences of opinion in regard to theory, ideas and team policies within team meetings. Staff must be willing to listen, defend and change things for the betterment of the program. Outside of the program and in the public eye, things must stay positive around the staff and only good qualities should be discussed about the program. In addition, if a staff member whole-heartedly disagrees with a decision or viewpoint, a conversation may need to be had in order to come to a compromise, or for both parties to go their separate ways. Either way, the head coach must have loyalty from his staff and vice versa. It is very much a two-way street and in order for a program to be successful, loyalty to the program and the coaches within it is paramount.