One man’s loss is another man’s opportunity. At the conclusion of each season, Athletic Directors fire Head Coaches and Head Coaches fire staff members as the coaching carousel spins. While Athletic directors are likely to have a few names on their short list for Head Coaching spots, newly appointed Head Coaches will need to staff up as early in the year as possible. As these openings fill up fast, every aspiring coach needs to position themselves for their next coaching job. Start mapping out your off-season plan using the resources below to position yourself for your next coaching job.
| December | January | February | March | April | |
| College Coaches Schedule | Bowl games, Hiring & firing in full swing | AFCA, Recruiting, Hiring staff | Signing Day, Hiring begins to slow down | Spring practice, Recruiting | Spring practice, Spring Game, Finalize coaching staff |
| Exploration | Stay up to date on the coaching carousel, Attend bowl games | Attend conferences, Update resume | Schedule informational interviews | ||
| Getting Experience | GA & volunteer positions for next season | Volunteer with recruiting | Shadow spring practice | Attend Spring Game, Volunteer for summer football camps | |
Strategies for maximizing the final months of your off-season job search:
- Be in the Know – Follow social media to stay up-to-date on any last minute coaching moves. Examples include footballscoop.com, coachingsearch.com, and sportscareerfinder.com.
- Make an Offer – Volunteering creates opportunities for you to demonstrate your value as a coach. Before asking if there is an open position on the coaching staff, ask to volunteer. Volunteer to help with off-season activities like spring practice and recruiting.
- This Is Me – Your elevator pitch presents your story. It frames accomplishments in terms of what you want to be doing. This is essentially a statement of how you will add value to a program. Tailor your pitch towards coaches’ current off-season objectives.
- Be Prepared – It is true, your resume may not get you a coaching job but it could keep you from one. Working on your resume will help you prepare for interviews Reviewing your qualifications can help you answer questions with confidence. Contact your AthLife Advisor to enhance your resume.
- Online Presence – Beyond LinkedIn, social media provides an opportunity to get on the radar of current coaches. Read Five Things you Can Do (online) to Make Yourself More Hirable for tips on cleaning up your online presence.
- I Am Who I Say I am – It is common for a coach to be asked about his coaching philosophy in addition to the Xs & Os. To help focus your answer, consider what “coach” means to you and what kind of coach you want to be.
- Nail the Interview – Who doesn’t love a good story? Throughout your job search, effectively present information about yourself. Create “SOAR” (Situation – Obstacle – Action – Result) stories to help you demonstrate a specific skill, personal strength, or achievement.
Mark Twain said it best, “The key to getting ahead is getting started.” Contact your AthLife Advisor to get started on your off-season coaching job search.
January 16, 2017
