Getting Excited!

Question
Dear Coach Louis,
   This is actually my first time on your site but I was looking at some of your information you have on here and I see you know your stuff. I am in college and I have two years left. I am a Physical Education Major, with a Driver's ed endorsement. I am getting to the point now where I got all of my basics out of the way so now all I have is my coaching and P.E. classes so I am getting pumped. I have been doing research on different offenses and defenses on every site on the internet. Trying to learn as much about everything as I can. I came from a big football school where I played for 4 years. My first question is how hard is it getting a job at the high school level when you graduate from college? My counselor sorta freaked me out because she said that coaches weren't needed as much as in the past. I do not wanna coach jr high at all but I was wondering what looks good on resumes and during interviews? What should I do now to get me ready? I know I will be an assistant for a while coaching backs and recievers and I will learn alot from the head coach.I have been lifting everyday I have been in college because I had some coaches tell me as soon as you graduate people doing the interviews look at your appearance to see if you are in shape and look like you know about football. I don't expect some high school kids to really respect a 23or 24 year old who doesn't look like they have ever played a game of football in their life. But I appreciate your time. If you have any info or tips I am open for anything. Thank you very much.

Answer
Dear Tyler,
I always get in to trouble because I tell things the way they are. Here I go one more time. I have yet to find a school counselor that knows anything about anything. There are new schools opening up everyday. And each new school needs to hire a new football coaching staff.

If I were you, I would spend as much time as possible with the head football coach at your college. Be his assistant coach for the next two years that way when it is time for you to leave you can ask him for a letter of recommendation. That letter can goes a long way towards  getting you a new job. Also ask some of the other coaches on staff to write you one. You will need three letters of recommendation for your resume.

After graduation, call the nearest High school and ask to talk to the head football coach. Tell him you would like to coach football and that you are willing to do it for free. Most football coaches are happy to have the additional support.

If that high school has no openings, try another high school or try the Pee wee football program. All you have to do is get your foot in the door; this will open all kinds of opportunities for you in the future.

Let me know how things work out for you. And if you need any more help please let me know.

Your friend, Coach Louis

PS
Let me start by saying that I am not trying to sell you a book. I make no money what so ever off this book. Nor do I work for anybody that is selling it or anything else. That being said lets move on.


If you want to be a good coach, you have to know the technique of the position you are coaching or you are not going to be coaching very long.

"Play Football the NFL Way" by Tom Bass

You do not have to read the whole book just the chapter that covers the position you would like to coach.