Coaches Gear Research

[GoDogs95]

Interested to know what ya'll are doing for your coaching staff gear/clothing. I'm part of a new staff at a small school and last year we got one pair of pants, three pairs of shorts, two hats, three different colored polos, two t-shirts, and one hoodie. It obviously ended up costing a ton. This year the head coach is looking at doing something similar. My closet is going to burst at some point. There's gotta be a better way, right? What does your staff get each year, and how much do you budget for your staff gear each year? Any best practices would be greatly appreciated. Also, do you go name brand?

[lws55]

as an assistant coach last year we received 2 t-shirts, 1 hat, 1 pair of shorts, 1 game day polo. All of our gear was Nike (we are a Nike school). Don't know the cost

[QBCoachDurham]

I buy our coaches 1 t-shirt, 1 pullover jacket, 1 polo, 1 cage jacket, and one 1 pair of shorts. I have been at schools where you get all kinds of stuff and you never even wear some of it on the field.

[coachtconkle]

One school where I was an assistant, we got 1 pair of breathable shorts (dark color), and a t-shirt (white with team logo imprinted) for practice, a pair of black coaching shoes for all occasions, 1 collared coaching (dark color), and a sweatpants/sweat shirt set (same dark color). We wore our own khaki pants for game, our own black belt, and whatever coat or jacket we owned that fit the weather. It was a small school and low funds.

I coached at 1 school where we got a white collared coaching shirt with team logo, and one in our dark color.

The best gig I've had we were able [EACH YEAR] to get 1 dark coaching shirt and 1 white coaching shirt (both collared) for games. Several gray practice shirts with team wording across the front, each year. Sweat set in the team's dark color. A high-end cap, and a coach's jacket that was quite nice each year. We also got a gray pair of coaching slacks a and a khaki pair each year, and a flexible belt in the team's dark color.  We all were bought matching coaching shoes too.

I say purchase quality gear, and get what the budget can stand without creating a hardship. I'm not a fan of each coach having to do everything on their own like I had to do at 1 school. No 2 coaches matched (EVER) on the entire staff of 6....the budget was zilch at that school.

[lws55]

I would echo the above post in that the coaches gear is important. As an assistant we want to feel taken care of and that what we do matters. If only to show that your staff can look professional on the sideline during the game. When I was an HC the one thing that surprised me was socks. Our kids got home and away sock each year and one year I had a bunch extra so I threw them in the coaches swag bag, I really didn't think anything of it. The next year I did not include them (I had them available I just didn't put them in). That was the first thing the coaches asked about, so I have included them every year from then on.

[Defcord]

When I got where I am now, I bought guys 1 Hoodie or Crew Neck-their choice, 2 tees long or short sleeved their choice and two pairs of shorts for the summer. For the season I got them a game day shirt, pair of shorts and a hat.

They were ecstatic because prior to my arrival they got nothing and had to buy their own game day polo.

Gear adds up fast. I think you definitely want to show coaches you appreciate them with nice gear.

In a perfect world I would get my guys:

Summer 2 Tees and 2 Pairs of Shorts (off brand)
Season Nike Hoodie/Crew Neck, Nike Game day shirt, Pair of nike golf pants, Nike shoes
Christmas Gift Nike beanie

I am not a style guy so I don't care if we all match on Friday nights. I ask the guys to wear khaki bottoms and any top that has our football stuff on it.

[QBCoachDurham]

Mar 27, 2024 9:45:42 GMT -6 Defcord said:

When I got where I am now, I bought guys 1 Hoodie or Crew Neck-their choice, 2 tees long or short sleeved their choice and two pairs of shorts for the summer. For the season I got them a game day shirt, pair of shorts and a hat.

They were ecstatic because prior to my arrival they got nothing and had to buy their own game day polo.

Gear adds up fast. I think you definitely want to show coaches you appreciate them with nice gear.

In a perfect world I would get my guys:

Summer 2 Tees and 2 Pairs of Shorts (off brand)
Season Nike Hoodie/Crew Neck, Nike Game day shirt, Pair of nike golf pants, Nike shoes
Christmas Gift Nike beanie

I am not a style guy so I don't care if we all match on Friday nights. I ask the guys to wear khaki bottoms and any top that has our football stuff on it.

I'm with you on the matching part. I only have two rules on game nights: 1 - all coaches must wear long khaki pants.  It is hotter thatn 3 he!!s early in the season, but it just looks more professional.  2 - coaches must wear team issued Nike tops (polo or pullover, no t-shirts) and hats.  Our Nike contract requires theat we be in Nike gear.  I don't care if they wear the current stuff or something from past years.

Two recent trends that I can't stand in coaching:  1 - coaches wearing t-shirts on the sidelins.  Put on a polo or a pullover.  T-shirts just don't look 1st class.  2.  Gym shorts on the sidelines.  If you want to wear shorts, fine.  At least put on some khaki or other colored buttoned shorts.

As the AD, I tell all of our head coaches for other sports to dress they way a college coach dresses in your sport.  Be professional and 1sr class.

[Defcord]

Mar 27, 2024 13:08:03 GMT -6 QBCoachDurham said:

Mar 27, 2024 9:45:42 GMT -6 Defcord said:

When I got where I am now, I bought guys 1 Hoodie or Crew Neck-their choice, 2 tees long or short sleeved their choice and two pairs of shorts for the summer. For the season I got them a game day shirt, pair of shorts and a hat.

They were ecstatic because prior to my arrival they got nothing and had to buy their own game day polo.

Gear adds up fast. I think you definitely want to show coaches you appreciate them with nice gear.

In a perfect world I would get my guys:

Summer 2 Tees and 2 Pairs of Shorts (off brand)
Season Nike Hoodie/Crew Neck, Nike Game day shirt, Pair of nike golf pants, Nike shoes
Christmas Gift Nike beanie

I am not a style guy so I don't care if we all match on Friday nights. I ask the guys to wear khaki bottoms and any top that has our football stuff on it.

I'm with you on the matching part. I only have two rules on game nights: 1 - all coaches must wear long khaki pants.  It is hotter thatn 3 he!!s early in the season, but it just looks more professional.  2 - coaches must wear team issued Nike tops (polo or pullover, no t-shirts) and hats.  Our Nike contract requires theat we be in Nike gear.  I don't care if they wear the current stuff or something from past years.

Two recent trends that I can't stand in coaching:  1 - coaches wearing t-shirts on the sidelins.  Put on a polo or a pullover.  T-shirts just don't look 1st class.  2.  Gym shorts on the sidelines.  If you want to wear shorts, fine.  At least put on some khaki or other colored buttoned shorts.

As the AD, I tell all of our head coaches for other sports to dress they way a college coach dresses in your sport.  Be professional and 1sr class.

I have a massive head so I hate wearing a hat. I volunteered to coach baseball this year so I could get our head baseball coach to join our football staff. He has a hat rule in practice and games and I comply but he is challenging my loyalty. It wouldn't be so bad if we had fitted hats and he would get a 7 3/4 or 8 for me, but these stretchy options were not made for us big headed guys. 

We played you guys when I was in South Carolina. I can't remember how you guys looked clothing wise, but your option game was first class. Wish you would have had more clothing rules and spent less time working with your fullback. 

[QBCoachDurham]

Mar 27, 2024 13:30:25 GMT -6 Defcord said:

Mar 27, 2024 13:08:03 GMT -6 QBCoachDurham said:

I'm with you on the matching part. I only have two rules on game nights: 1 - all coaches must wear long khaki pants.  It is hotter thatn 3 he!!s early in the season, but it just looks more professional.  2 - coaches must wear team issued Nike tops (polo or pullover, no t-shirts) and hats.  Our Nike contract requires theat we be in Nike gear.  I don't care if they wear the current stuff or something from past years.

Two recent trends that I can't stand in coaching:  1 - coaches wearing t-shirts on the sidelins.  Put on a polo or a pullover.  T-shirts just don't look 1st class.  2.  Gym shorts on the sidelines.  If you want to wear shorts, fine.  At least put on some khaki or other colored buttoned shorts.

As the AD, I tell all of our head coaches for other sports to dress they way a college coach dresses in your sport.  Be professional and 1sr class.

I have a massive head so I hate wearing a hat. I volunteered to coach baseball this year so I could get our head baseball coach to join our football staff. He has a hat rule in practice and games and I comply but he is challenging my loyalty. It wouldn't be so bad if we had fitted hats and he would get a 7 3/4 or 8 for me, but these stretchy options were not made for us big headed guys. 

We played you guys when I was in South Carolina. I can't remember how you guys looked clothing wise, but your option game was first class. Wish you would have had more clothing rules and spent less time working with your fullback. 

I appreciate the kind words.  They don't have to wear hats, but if they do, it has to be a team issued Nike hat

[jimrothschild]

Hey fellow coaches, I was wondering if you guys had the same problem with football grip my team has, specifically in the rain. During practice we typically bring 25-30 leather Wilson balls, but after a session in the rain all of them get water logged or dry out and become hard. It’s not worth spending all this money replacing leather balls for a practice so we use composite balls, but they do not replicate the authentic leather. Does anyone else have the problems of: 1. Preventing leather deterioration from water 2. Rejuvenating the leather after being ruined by water 3. Maintaining sustainable grip in the rain


Thanks

[coachp83]

I have a question for the schools that pass out a lot of gear (multiple shirts, shorts, shoes, etc...). Was this done at just the varsity level or was it done at the sub-varsity level too? If so, did that include middle school programs or just freshman/JV? Thanks in advance.

[lws55]

Apr 25, 2024 8:57:43 GMT -6 coachp83 said:

I have a question for the schools that pass out a lot of gear (multiple shirts, shorts, shoes, etc...). Was this done at just the varsity level or was it done at the sub-varsity level too? If so, did that include middle school programs or just freshman/JV? Thanks in advance.

Ours is just the staff we have in the high school.  JV and Varsity, but we all coach everything so it is all the same

[mrcoachklein]

Typically our high school coaches will get 1 loose dry-fit shirt, 1 pair of athletic shorts, 1 nice polo or pull over, 1 hat, and whatever T-Shirts/hoodies the kids get throughout the year (conf. champs, playoffs, etc.) Our HC isn't picky about what we wear on game days so we don't get dress pants or shorts or anything like that, I just typically wear golf pants or something that looks nice. When we want to get shoes we'll all order the same kind. A while back we got nice winter jackets when we made the playoffs and we all still have them, whenever we have a new coach our HC gets them the same jacket if we make the playoffs that year. Our JH coaches and other staff/volunteers will get a shirt, shorts, and hat each year.

Pro tip: Talk to your uniform supplier/rep. The years we have the best coach's gear are the years that we buy new uniforms for any level - this year we bought some Nike uniforms so our rep threw in some nice Nike coach's jackets for free

[mrcoachklein]

Apr 2, 2024 11:59:26 GMT -6 jimrothschild said:

Hey fellow coaches, I was wondering if you guys had the same problem with football grip my team has, specifically in the rain. During practice we typically bring 25-30 leather Wilson balls, but after a session in the rain all of them get water logged or dry out and become hard. It’s not worth spending all this money replacing leather balls for a practice so we use composite balls, but they do not replicate the authentic leather. Does anyone else have the problems of: 1. Preventing leather deterioration from water 2. Rejuvenating the leather after being ruined by water 3. Maintaining sustainable grip in the rain


Thanks

Get a 5-gallon bucket and fill it about 20% full with cat litter. When a leather ball is soaking wet, blot off the excess and then stick it in the bucket (with a lid on it) and shake. Pull it out and lightly brush off the cat litter. If you're lucky, throw it in a ball warmer to dry, if not, dry it by throwing it or spinning it in the air with as tight of a spiral as you can. NEVER scrub a we leather football with a towel or brush to dry it out - you'll make it hard and scrub away all of the texture. We only use leather GST footballs. We break out 1 or 2 every Monday on a game week to break it in throughout the week and try to have 8-10 in good shape for each game. Never had issues. Keep the game balls in a separate bag and never let them hit the field during a wet practice, use your crappy ones and tell the kids you're working on ball control during those days