Coaching Move

quote:

I have been contacted by a very successful baseball program/coach about joining their program as an assistant. The drive would cause me to probably lose money, but I would learn and gain great experience in a big time program.

Assuming that we're talking about non-recruiting high schools, I'm skeptical that you'd learn more in a big time program than at your current program. Chances are, the big-time program is the beneficiary of a big-time feeder program--a steady pool of pre-trained athletes.

If we're talking about learning how to recruit--for private HS or college programs--then I can see where you could learn a lot.

Fortunately for me, I was able to start my career as a varsity assistant at a premier program. After 4 years, my wife and I started a family and relocated, out of state, closer to her family. Financially, the move was great (30% increase in salary); professionally, I took a step back in a sense. I went from the next, young, up-and-coming coach in a highly competitive, yet smaller pond, to a nobody with an above average resume in a metropolis where my name carried no weight.

Having the experience at a 5A championship caliber program, not only gave me a great deal of confidence, but also helped separate me from other candidates when it came time to apply for HC jobs. I'm in a good situation now: great classroom situation; great co-workers; good kids. But once you've had a taste of multiple state tournaments (including a finals appearance), it's tough to work in a program where just making the playoffs is a huge accomplishment.

My take: accept the job w/ the better program if you can swing it financially [ONLY if your wife is 100% on board; having your first child is life altering enough (for the better!)]. You will likely get greater job satisfaction from your new post, learn some new tricks from a veteran coach (my greatest fortune thus far in my career was spending 5 years under a brilliant head coach), and make contacts that will, potentially, open some doors down the road. Bite the bullet now while your kid is young; he/she wont remember if you're late a few nights a week anyway (though mama will!). Best of luck making a tough decision

I won't speculate on the odds that his wife will be 100% on board with his taking on a demanding far-flung baseball coaching job just as a his first child is being born.

Thank you, cmcconnell, for the thoughtful and sincere reply. Obvisouly a lot goes into a decision, a lot more than one would post on here, but I do appreciate your insight.