How to become a college head coach.

bostinelosd · 04-04-2008, 02:50 PM

Know the game in and out. Flex your social connections. Get a mentor in the field. Develop a good rapport with people in general. It takes drive and the ability to know a person. If you cant develop trusting relationships a team wont follow your plan.

cybsball20 · 04-04-2008, 02:54 PM

Don't be afraid to pick a coach who's style you like and hound the crap out of them. Start now and they might invite you on when you are in school already.

cyismydog · 04-04-2008, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

Don't be afraid to pick a coach who's style you like and hound the crap out of them. Start now and they might invite you on when you are in school already.

I've emailed Keno Davis, Tubby Smith, and Coach McD, but none of them have replied so far.

hort4cy · 04-04-2008, 03:00 PM

Be persisent, but polite at all times.
Be ready to keep quiet and listen.
Know your fundamentals.
Be patient, because you will have to start at the bottom since most college coaches don't start coaching at the college level.
Get to know a quality high school coach and start there, they will have a whole lot more time to spend with you than a college coach.
Be realistic and work hard.

CTTB78 · 04-04-2008, 03:11 PM

Tell your Dad he should be able to fork over the WV tuition. I assume he's and ISU vet alum?

cyismydog · 04-04-2008, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by CTTB78

Tell your Dad he should be able to fork over the WV tuition. I assume he's and ISU vet alum?

Let me put it this way. When my Mom married my dad, she thought we would be rich. Since my dad runs a small mixed practice and has 4 kids, we aren't anywhere near rich, we're straight middle class.

MaxPower57 · 04-04-2008, 03:16 PM

I would try and play basketball collegiately, probably at a D-III unless you are a real phenom. Through that you would make a lot of great connections and could become a graduate assistant. Majoring in the education field could also be beneficial as you could teach and coach in the high school ranks and move up from there. Good luck!

twittkop · 04-04-2008, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by cyismydog

I've emailed Keno Davis, Tubby Smith, and Coach McD, but none of them have replied so far.

If you're not having any luck getting responses from the coaches, try emailing the ADs. JP might be able to get Coach McD to respond to you.

Phaedrus · 04-04-2008, 03:24 PM

I would also recommend studying the science of the human body and how it performs. A real good start would be the books by Mark Rippetoe, who runs a free website called "Strengthmill". The books are not overly pricey, I believe they are around $20.

In addition to knowing the game, itself, I would recommend studying leadership. For this, I would suggest as many leadership books, classes, etc. that you can stand, and even possibly a tour in the military. The Marines are the best leadership development school in the world, followed the Infantry and Armor branches of the US Army, at a relatively distant second.

spanny · 04-04-2008, 03:36 PM

Become a manager in college, do not be afraid to be humble, work for everything, work every camp that you have even heard of. I agree with phaedrus, kinesiology is important, also clinics are great. Networking is so important.

CloneFan65 · 04-04-2008, 03:44 PM

I wouldn't worry about making connections yet at your age. Focus on learning the game and either play on your high school team (even if your a bench warmer) or explain to the high school coach your goals and volunteer to help as the teams manager.

Once in college if you don't play, you'll definitely want to start making connections then. Again, talk to the Head Coach of the basketball team to see if you can help in some capacity. (This may be easier if you attend a "smaller" college versus a D1 school.) Also, volunteer coaching youth basketball. Also, if you really want to coach you'll probably want to earn a coaching certificate so you can coach at the Junior High and High School level after you graduate.

Good luck. Maybe we'll see you pacing the sidelines at Hilton some day.

kg-cyclone · 04-04-2008, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by cyismydog

A lot of you might not know this, but I'm only 14 years old, and when I'm older, I would like to become a college head coach for basketball. What do you recommend I do to become one? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
(BTW, the reason I've been on CF so much is because I've been sick since Christmas.)

What do you have?

Meet as many people as possible and make them remember you.

It's all about who you know...then learn from them. Do you ever make it to Ames...I know a guy, who knows a guy, that might be able to help you along the coaching path.

chrishull14 · 04-04-2008, 10:30 PM

Always be honest and respectful. Make good life decisions. Push yourself and stay focused on your goal. We live in a big world...but somehow everybody knows everybody. You don't want to burn any bridges. Stay positive and enjoy the process. Be patient and observant. Love the game and don't take yourself too seriously.

zumbro clones · 04-04-2008, 11:31 PM

Start by volunteering. You can pick up a lot of knowledge and skills by helping out. Be a hard worker. People notice when someone gives it their all. As I tell my sons, hard work can open a lot of doors that would otherwise be closed.

bellzisu · 04-05-2008, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by cardinal&gold

Since you are already on CF, you'll be set with connections, as there are many college head coaches on here, who are all too happy to tell you how a real basketball/football program should be run.

I agree with cardinal&gold. You're already on the website with the largest network of Athletic Directors and Head Coaches.

Just be sure to mention this website on an application and your will easily get the job.