want to coach

Question
Coach Perl,
I love the game of football and would love to coach on some level, preferably high school. I was just wondering what is required to be a coach, (i.e. teaching degrees etc) and how I would go about becoming a coach.
Thanks for your time,
Ian

Answer
Ian -

It is always a great thing to speak with others who are as passionate about football as I am.  I think there are several different factors involved in answering this question. Here are a few major ones:

1- What is your background in the sport (playing, other)?
2- What, in your opinion, is your experience level in football?
3- How much time do you have to commit to coaching football (football is probably the most time consuming sport to coach in the world)
4- Do you have a job right now that will allow you to be available for coaching (after school during season, all day for a month during summer 2-a-days)

Once you answer these questions, you will be able to move on and decide if coaching is right for you.  As far as the specific answer to your question, it does depend on the state and school system you would like to coach in.  Some states and/or school systems DO require you to be a teacher, and some do not.  Most however, do prefer it for 2 main reasons: Union issues and time availability.  But in Ohio, it is not a mandatory rule.

As far as becoming a coach, it really does depend on your experience.  If you are highly experienced person, it may just take you turning in applications / resumes to different programs, with the goal of getting hired as a position coach.  If you are not as experienced as others looking for the same jobs, my best advice is for you to get into a program as an inturn / volunteer.  This will allow you to "shadow" that teams coaches, learning not only what it takes to be a coach, but the specifics of the game that are invaluable to someone just starting out.  Also, reading up on anything you can get your hands on will help.  Once you get that base knowledge, you will decide for yourself what is right for you.

I hope that is a start for you.  Please feel free to write back if you have any other questions.  Good luck, Ian!

Coach Perl