Getting into College Coaching

A former college summer ball teammate returned his high school to glory. He then took a job at a D3 and turned them into a powerhouse. He was then offered the head coaching job at a D1.

A foot in the door at a lower level college can work. Then attend every possible baseball function to build connections. You never know when a connection who likes you shows up at the program with opening for assistants. Do you have a college baseball playing background? Use your connections.

I played D3 ball and have a lot of connections from guys who I played with, but got into coaching a little later (I'm 30 now). I try to build connections in the HS game as often as I can and starting this past fall have made it a point to visit college fall practices to build relations and grow my knowledge of the game too. I know there's tons of routes into that realm of coaching, but want to be somewhat proactive too.

College coaching is completely different than HS coaching.  In many cases it also involves recruiting, so it's just not all about being a coach.  Most college coaches begin as volunteers. They get stipend or tuition, no benefits.  Son was pretty lucky he fell into a paid position, but he also brought to the program 3 years from being a D1 college player, almost 10 years professional ball, as well as being a student assistant at a power conference program (same where he attended).  Not sure he would have gotten a paying job without most of that experience.

My son at 31 just began his coaching career at a D2 as the paid assistant pitching coach and head recruiter and I can't tell you how hard he has worked at trying to help his program to improve their record as well as improve his own future. He brings some great experience as a former player, but he has learned that there is a lot to learn in being a college coach.

Yeah I understand that it is a different animal than high school coaching with the recruiting factor. I have a buddy who made the jump from high school to college coaching and have picked his brain a little on the subject. Thanks for the reply! 

If you get a chance, read the first part of Sean Payton's book.  I know its about football, but he talks about his journey to becoming the head coach of the Saints.  He talks a lot about working your way up from volunteer coach at a small college to making it to the NFL.  In the  beginning its a pretty thankless and not-for-profit career.  He also talks about how a lot of it has to do with connections and who you know.  Well worth reading.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll definitely go pick up the book (always looking for good reads on coaches regardless of sport). Yeah I understand I've got to pay my dues, but have to find a way where I still make decent money for my family. That's the tricky part at my juncture. 

"My current idea is to just teach at a bigger high school school in the area that pays more and try to volunteer coach at one of the 2 nearby colleges (great juco and d3 program) if possible to get my foot in the door. 

Do you think think this is the best route or is there a possibility of me making close to what I do at some schools (sorry for my ignorance on the subject of college pay)? "

Coach, my thoughts would only apply to the D3 option.

First, while my information is a bit "dated", I would guess  it is very doubtful you would be able to earn close to $40,000 as a D3 assistant in either the ASC or SCAC. I would question if the paid  option would seem viable.

As to the second option, I would think the a main issue could be the logistics of being a full time teacher,  a volunteer assistant and having some family life.  In that realm, travel for weekend series,  mid-week away games and especially post season conference tournaments would likely  create considerable friction  with a full time teaching position, unless you have an awful lot of teaching flexibility. During the Fall, it would not be travel so much as practice time which could overlap with school hours or possibly start very late (5pm to 9pm) coupled with early and late work.

Good luck. I hope these ideas are of some assistance for your planning and thinking.

Thank you for the advice! Yes, the logistics of it all is going to make it very difficult. I would love to make it work out in some way, but the more I research and get advice the harder it seems like it will be. Worst case scenario I just try to continue my way up the HS coaching ranks and maybe way down the line it leads into some sort of college job. 

I really do appreciate all the honest replies! 

Coach,

To provide some encouragement, it can be done.  Coach Bunch at Trinity University was a longer term volunteer (through 2015 season) while also teaching High School full time in San Antonio. Coach Smith, the pitching coach, has had full time employment during his entire stint as a very, very successful volunteer at Trinity.

I would also suggest keeping your ear to the ground about who the better HS coaches in your area are that might be picked up to coach college. These normally aren't going to be the guys who have built strong programs and have been in the same place for 30 years; these are the guys your age or slightly older who are having consistent success. It may be easier to get in on their current staff and ride their coattails to the next level.

http://abca.org/jobs/index

ABCA web site always posting openings for coaches.... Good luck 

Thanks for the replies guys! I'll definitely take this all in to consideration when trying to figure out my next move. 

At my sons old College, he always had a ex HS coach from the area helping out. I do not know if it was paid position or not. Most of these guys were between jobs at the HS level or trying to break into College. The gentlemen I am talking about were all older (But not compared to me. Most of them would be young, compared to me) than the typical volunteer assistant. One eventually went back to head coach at the HS ranks, another is still there, but I do not know his plans for next year.

Both taught at there respective HS'. One school had real issues with the amount of time it took away. The other coach, If he could not make it because of teaching duties he did not go. For instance he was unable to travel for the spring trip or when the team made it to the regional tournament at the D3 level.

Coachsprad - Just to give you more information.  My son served as a volunteer coach (student assistant) for the JuCo once played for.  He had gone on to a D2 (played ball) but after one year they did not renew his scholarship (grades slipped) so he went back the JuCo to finish is Associates and move on.  While there he served as a volunteer coach.

Anyway - he moved on to another university where he is working on his degree.  Ironically he umped a "scrimmage" between his JuCo and the D2 university he once played for.  While there the JuCo coach offered him a paid position (assistant coach), but it only paid $500/month for 4 months (spring season). 

My son would have loved to do it but he's 3+ hours from the campus and still working on his degree.

I'd have to say you'd really need a full time job if you go the JuCo route and start as an assistant.  Maybe other schools are different and pay more, but somehow I doubt it.

Matt13 posted:

I would also suggest keeping your ear to the ground about who the better HS coaches in your area are that might be picked up to coach college. These normally aren't going to be the guys who have built strong programs and have been in the same place for 30 years; these are the guys your age or slightly older who are having consistent success. It may be easier to get in on their current staff and ride their coattails to the next level.

A lot of what Sean Payton talks about in his book.  

I appreciate the information guys. Trying not to focus too much on this so I can stay focused on the upcoming HS season, but want to be prepared.