Coaches "graduating" to college -- the process?

Here are some things that come to mind:

Coaching this season might be tough outside of volunteering since all coaching spots are probably filled.  Maybe find a good college program near you that will take a volunteer to throw BP, hit fungos, etc.  You can work full-time and do that on the side.  When you are in, you can assume more duties as needed.  At this point, it's probably not the money you need.  It's the recommendation from a good college program/coach.  Let the money to support the family come from a job outside of baseball.

Might want to focus on setting up a summer college league coaching spot.  You'd work with college level players and you'd be able to network with more college coaches as well.

If you live in a spring training area (Florida/Arizona), volunteer at the pro level.  This time of year, pro hitters can not get enough BP.

It's a tough road but you never know.  Good luck!

BaseballByTheYard.com 

Coach,

If the long term goal is a head coaching position in college baseball, it is most likely you will need a Masters degree.  If you don't have a Masters, I would suggest that should be part of your thinking and process.

In terms of getting a position, it is very challenging.  For every open slot, there are usually hundreds of applicant's, especially at the DI level. Expect many no's along the path.  Be willing to sacrifice and expect to, hopefully, start in an operations position perhaps even before a volunteer position.  You might well look at starting in a volunteer spot at the D3 or D2 level.  The problem and additional challenge will be the time commitment will eliminate any regular outside job unless you are really lucky and D2 and D3 volunteers don't make camp money. They volunteer..

Candidly, college coaching is a full time job from September to November. It is more than full time from January to May.

You have to be really good, really persistent, have some luck, be ready for major sacrifices and expect to put in 12-15 hour days, sometimes more, with very irregular hours.