Athletic Coaching Bachelor’s Degree and Career Information

What does an Athletic Coach do?

In sports, in order for an individual player or for a team to prepare for competition, an Athletic Coach is asked to teach and to train the specific techniques required to achieve success in the given sport. The Coach can perform a wide range of roles as he instructs his athletes on tactical performance, or the art of making quick decisions during game play, as well as in cardiovascular enhancement, strength improvement skills, coordination improvements and flexibility training. Usually focusing on one individual sport, the Coach offers insight in all of these areas in order for his team members to gain optimum performance levels. Further teaching of suitable hydration, proper diet, and equipment selection and care are also other factors that come into play when acting as a Coach for a group of young athletes. The coach will also often act as a psychologist to the young people in his charge, providing mentoring skills to assist in the teammates’ understanding of motivational techniques, competitive stress, time management skills and the achievement of individual and team goals.

A wide range of administrative tasks may also become part of an Athletic Coach’s daily routine, depending upon the institution or organization by which he is employed. Budgeting, scheduling, equipment procurement, inventory, and risk management assessment may all be incorporated into the professional life of a Coach. He/she may get involved in the scouting and recruiting of new talent. A coach may be asked to be the public persona for the team by granting interviews and actively publicizing the team or sport for the university or sports program for which he works. Fund raising or advocacy work may also become part of the job. So, a Coach can have a very diverse, but rewarding, set of roles and responsibilities, almost like a mult-tasking entrepreneur. They must enjoy working with people. They must have excellent communication skills. But the performance rating of the Coach can be judged in a variety of ways as well. It could be based strictly on the number of wins and losses per year. Or it could be based upon a more assorted series of factors, such as sportsmanship, team building, individual athlete progress, or team satisfaction. The requirements and valuations of coaches rest largely within the organization that employs them.

Preparing for a career as an Athletic Coach

The educational requirements for a coaching position are as varied as the possible range of responsibilities. And again, it is dependent upon the institution or club in which they are working. Usually, prior coaching experience, past achievements, and independent knowledge about the particular sport far outweighs the educational background. At the High School Level, it is typically required that the Athletic Coach possess a bachelor’s degree, though it can be in any major area of study, not solely in coaching or in a particular sport. And most States will require a coach to not only have a coaching license, but also a teaching license in addition to CPR certification and First Aid training documentation. Some colleges and universities are now beginning to offer academic programs specifically geared towards coaching, so that the graduate may gain a higher quality of expertise, knowledge and preparation for the field of coaching young athletes.

Get related work experience before deciding on an Athletic Coaching Bachelor’s degree

It is very advantageous for individuals interested in coaching to gain some experience prior to college, if not before. It is a very important factor in the future success of an aspiring coach to fully understand the rules, regulations, and lifestyle of the sport in which they are most interested. Therefore, it is recommended that aspiring coaches should make themselves knowledgeable about the sport that they want to eventually coach by learning and excelling at the sport itself, either by joining a school team, attending sports clinics, or participating in workshops. They should make themselves informed about the maturity levels and decision making skills of the average player in that particular age group that they want to focus their coaching talents upon. There are many areas of opportunity to gain this experience outside the school environment as well, such as with youth recreational clubs, summer camps, and church leagues. Even Middle Schools, High Schools and Colleges welcome outside assistance in multiple areas of which they always need assistance, such as equipment maintenance and storage, score keeping, statisticians, and even scouting and recruitment.

Job Opportunities for those with an Athletic Coaching degree

Unfortunately, coaching at the High School level or below is not financially lucrative enough to be your sole means of support. High School Coaches usually begin by accepting a teaching position, then showing interest in the specific sport or by accepting an Assistant Coaching Position to start. Once an opportunity has appeared and a coaching position is achieved, a leading and experienced coach may rise to a higher level. But it is very difficult to reach a college level coaching position without experience. Again, one can begin their career by accepting an Assistant Coach Position while working towards their graduate degree, gaining valuable coaching and mentoring experience along the way while waiting for their chance to lead the team in the future.