How many years of coaching experience did you have...

[vince148]

before you became a HS HC? To include anything from middle school up.

[realdawg]

14 and still havent been a HC yet. All at HS level.

[cenglish56]

Next year will be my 15th year coaching. Three of those are coaching small college ball. Been a DC at two schools for 8 total years and I have been strength coach in college and high school. Never been a HFC, I use to really push for a hfc gig now I realize the job has to fit you and I am very selective about what I apply for. It will happen if/when the you and the job mesh.

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[blb]

Four. Two as an assistant at Class A (highest level) HS, one at D-III college, one at D-II.

[s73]

7 years, all HS. 

Thought I was ready for 1st HC gig, but I was not. Took me 2 more years to figure it out. Fortunately, the school I was at was so bad we still improved despite me not being ready.

[larrymoe]

6. Was a HC for one year, made the playoffs, got fired. Spent another 4 years as an assistant and 3 as a DC before I got another chance. Have been the HC here for going on 6 years now.

[coachdawhip]

8 years, all at the HS and it's not about titles that help you get there, but learning from people and working for the right people.

[s73]

Dec 20, 2014 9:46:14 GMT -6 coachdawhip said:

8 years, all at the HS and it's not about titles that help you get there, but learning from people and working for the right people.

Whip,

COULD NOT AGREE MORE!

My 1st season as HC I THOUGHT I was ready. It took me that 1st year to realize that just b/c you can draw it up on paper doesn't mean you can coach it.

I didn't realize the importance of all the little details. After 2 seasons I became the "networker" of the universe. Calling successful like minded guys from all over. It was EXTREMELY helpful, and shortly thereafter we became a competitive / play off program.

Since then, whenever I get a chance, I network with other coaches & staffs. I consider this more valuable than any clinic.

Nice post. 

[bluboy]

43 years in high school football, 41 as an assistant and 2 as a head coach. The most important thing I have learned is that it is better to work with good men in a good program than to be the HC at a place where football is not important. The only title that means anything to me is FOOTBALL COACH.

[coachwilcox]

6 total before HC gig.

1 as college GA.

5 as anywhere from hs position coach to hs assistant HC/coordinator.

First year HC this year. This is my 7th year.

[racehorse]

18 years. 16 as any position possible (mostly D-Line), the last 2 as DC.

I wanted to learn as much as possible and know my strengths and weaknesses before moving up. No plans to be HC. I've seen too much crap (delusional, trouble-making parents) that several HCs has to go through for me to want to put up with it. Now, if they came to me and asked nice, I might consider it on an interim basis until they find a replacement.

[vince148]

I'm not a HC. I just clicked n "0" so I can see my own poll.

[mrjvi]

9 years as an assistant and 24 as a head.

[coachjm]

2 Years as an assistant 1 at D3 College (line coach) 1 as OC at HS that I would get first HC job at. Currently have 12 years as a HC one additional assistant season after getting let go prior to the next gig (NAIA Co-OC). I really enjoy being the HC, I like managing all the challenges from motivating kids, dealing with admin/parental challenges, organizing infrastructure. I hardly ever personalize that stuff and tend to view it at as logistics (helps father was a coach for 40 years so I have watched that stuff my entire life). I'm fortunate to have a very loyal group of guys I work with that are great coaches and don't want to deal with any of those things. We make a good team.... Due to us having a good Team of guys we are having a lot of fun..... Other stops the Team (of coaches) hasn't been as united we didn't have as much fun regardless of record.

[runitupthemiddle]

7 all as a dc, 2 has head , lasted 2 years, that school since has been through 4 head coaches
Since then I've been a dc for 1 , an oc for 2 and 2 years as wr coach, last 5 years as been a much better situation

[indian1]

2 years as a HS assistant before being a HS HC for the past 10 years. Really hard to tell how deep that water is until you jump in.

[agap]

5 years. All in high school.

[rpetrie]

22 Years in total coaching football
(1) MS Coach
(2) JV Coach/Coordinator
(6) Var Assistant
(14) Head Coach...current position since 2001

[freezeoption]

26 years with one year off because school i was at did not have football and decided to not volunteer somewhere, mostly asst. o line and d line, dc and 6 yrs as a hfc all at the hs level, did some double duty and was lucky to coach my younger boys in the ymca since they don't go to the same school that i coach at

[dubber]

I don't know why anyone would want to be a Head Coach.

[CanyonCoach]

I have 3 years at NAIA level as position coach, 2 years as HS volunteer, 7 as HS assistant OC and 3 as the HC.

[coachtua]

12...NAMED ASSISTANT OC  LAST YEAR...HC IS THE OC...

OLINE
TE
RB

[coachdawhip]

Dec 22, 2014 18:48:37 GMT -6 dubber said:

I don't know why anyone would want to be a Head Coach.

I don't know, I just like having the chance to mold young kids lives and I happen to think MY vision is a good one.

Also it's a test on does my philosophy work. Nothing like dealing with 120 kids problems and seeing them succeed.

Yes, I did this as an ASS-istant, but it was someone's vision.

I wonder did those who changed our world, only focus on the bad stuff, they said came with the job!

[irishdog]

40 years. 8 as a college coach (2 years as a club assistant and HC; 2 years as a JC assistant; 2 years as a D2 DC; and 2 years as a D3 assistant). 32 years as a high school coach (unpaid volunteer assistant; freshman coach; JV HC; varsity assistant; varsity DC; varsity HC 16 years). There is MUCH that can be said about gaining experience.

My won/loss record as a HC may not be as impressive as others, but rebuilding struggling programs takes time. It has always been a process, but I've enjoyed the journey…and the results!

[33coach]

Dec 20, 2014 7:39:06 GMT -6 vince148 said:

before you became a HS HC? To include anything from middle school up.

7 years.

5 at 8th grade (DC), 2 at varsity (DB coach) and i still dont think im ready.

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[Coach V]

Dec 20, 2014 7:39:06 GMT -6 vince148 said:

before you became a HS HC? To include anything from middle school up.

7 years total. 5 in high school, 2 in jr high. I was HC of a freshman team only. Been an OC at the JV level & last 3 years varsity DC. I want to be a HC of a varsity program one day.

[blb]

Dec 20, 2014 13:37:10 GMT -6 vince148 said:

I'm not a HC. I just clicked n "0" so I can see my own poll.

According to Poll results there are three people who voted that had NO experience before becoming a HS HC.

How does that happen?

[rsmith627]

Dec 25, 2014 11:42:24 GMT -6 blb said:

Dec 20, 2014 13:37:10 GMT -6 vince148 said:

I'm not a HC. I just clicked n "0" so I can see my own poll.

According to Poll results there are three people who voted that had NO experience before becoming a HS HC.

How does that happen?

One said he voted to see his own poll.

That said, it happens. They pulled the last HC I worked for from little league. He had zero high school experience, but was a QB in college. Some principals and ADs see you played D1 ball and assume you can coach it, so a lot of those guys get jobs.

[vince148]

Yeah, I'm the OP. I had to click on something to see the poll.

But of the other 3 that voted on "0 or Youth Ball", I am interested in how you were able to get a HS HC position. Please feel free to PM me.

[viking]

1. Started at small school, head coach left and teaching position was reduced. I wasn't ready, but learned a lot fast. Still had success due to relationships and focus on playing hard and together.