old_school posted:Smitty28 posted:Maybe it's time to break D1 baseball into 2 tiers, kind of like football did. There is such a disparity between the top 100 and the bottom 100 as it is - talent, facilities, financial resources, etc. Does it make sense to lump them into the same division? We're at a point where the bottom 200 is holding back progress for the top 100 teams, maybe it's time to move on and address this in a more structural way.
This is no different then the player issues. Everyone, including myself, thinks 11.7 scholarships sucks...but it is a supply and demand issue. As soon as the schools can't field a team properly they will change the totals. Right now there are way more players wanting the spots then spots needed.
Asst. Coaches are no different. There are way more interested candidates then spots needed. Here is an idea, stop working for free. Get a real job, open an academy, give group lessons...tell State U that you can't afford to work for free.
This is simply a case of supply and demand. It is out of whack and until it gets balanced you will only see things remain the same. JMO but I think it is correct.
Unfortunately, "stop working for free" isn't a real option for most who have the goal of coaching in college. To expand on your statement that it is no different than the player issues, it is even more like MiLB player issues. Unless you are a 1%er with serious name cache, you will have to pay your dues and toil in the minors (be a volunteer coach or low pay at low level schools), paid very little in a war of attrition. Maybe you can stick it out and make it to a reasonable salary at some point but the numbers of supply and demand are definitely not on your side. Step off the hamster wheel and you likely give up your place in line for good. Meanwhile, it can be exciting to climb the ranks and experience different programs. Just figuring out how to eat, pay rent and take a girl out once in a while can be a bit of a thorny issue 
The right situations actually can have some pretty nice perks along with the challenges, though.
You can detour to academies but ya still gotta come back to the wheel, only now you've had a taste for burger and gotta go back to ramen.
Many of these guys are balancing other jobs to pay the bills and/or trying to complete masters programs so they will meet qualifications when that HC position finally comes (or just to qualify themselves for grad assistant status.)