coaching football with no previous experience

Question
QUESTION: Dear Coach,

I want to begin coaching football- but I've never played at any level.  I've been learning so much through reading, watching film, and reading more.  I want to try and slip in at the high school level to start learning more about coaching.  Do you have any tips for me?
ANSWER: Dear Timothy,
Salutation! It is always nice to greet a fellow coach. If you want to be a coach, you are going to have to ask yourself a few questions.

The first question you have to ask yourself is what position would I like to coach? When you have answered that question, you might want to read "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.

Next, 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




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I've been trying to do that- I'm moving out to LA this summer and I've already emailed some of the coaches in the area that I'm going to be living in.  I've emailed and called but have not been able to get ahold of anyone yet.

As far as position goes- I'm focusing on learning secondary techniques and coverages.  One of the problems I'm having as I'm learning this is that everyone's techniques and coverages are different.  I know that each coach must develop his own philosophy- but at the same time the techniques, keys, and etc... are all different so it's difficult juggling and interpreting all these things.  Any more help would be appreciated.
ANSWER: Dear Timothy,
I am glad to hear that you are looking for a coaching position early. Do not get discouraged if you have trouble making contacts it takes time to meet people out here.

If you study the techniques used in "Play Football the NFL Way" you will learn the right way to coach the position of defensive back.

I do not know who told you that the technique for defensive backs is different (from school to school) but I have not found that to be the case.

However, coverages are different but easy to learn. Do not get disheartened by trying to take in too much information at one time. Take it slowly, one step at a time. You will be all right. The only thing that will drive you crazy is the terminology. Each coaching staff speaks their own language. It is just something you learn to live with as a coach.

If you would like some help finding a coaching job let me know. I can send you a list of websites for football coaches that are looking for coaching positions.

Your friend, Coach Louis


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your responses.  I appreciate it- Yes, I would like some help finding a coaching job.

I guess something I would like to let you know is that I consider myself a strong Christian and I would really like to learn under a Christian coach.  The reasoning behind this is that I really want to learn from someone who is an example to the kids and teaches not only about football- but about how football applies to the rest of one's life.

Answer
Dear Timothy,
Try these links.

http://cifss.org/

http://www.edjoin.org/searchResults.aspx?keywords=football

http://www.afca.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9300&KEY=&ATCLID=639454

Your friend, Coach Louis