Advice for Pursuing A Head Coach Position

Sally Polhamus – Winthrop University

Derek (Dex) Schroeder – Samford University

Erich Hinterstocker – North Dakota State UniversityErich Hinterstocker – North Dakota State University

Why?Why? Factors to consider before you make the move Factors to consider before you make the move

Reasons

Timing

GoalsWhy is this the time?Why is this the time?

Possible ReasonsPossible ReasonsScenario 1Scenario 1

Don’t get along/agree with your current bossDon’t get along/agree with your current boss

Don’t like your current positionDon’t like your current position

Create your own schedule/be in chargeCreate your own schedule/be in charge

Just want to be a head coachJust want to be a head coach

If so, consider if these reasons will help you find If so, consider if these reasons will help you find happiness, success, meet your goals etc.happiness, success, meet your goals etc.

Possible ReasonsPossible ReasonsScenario 2Scenario 2

Your Personal/Professional Your Personal/Professional Experiences have led to a Experiences have led to a Foundation of Philosophies, Foundation of Philosophies, Beliefs, and Values.Beliefs, and Values.Examples of items you should Examples of items you should have in writinghave in writing

Personal Mission StatementPersonal Mission StatementAcademicAcademicRecruiting Recruiting Technical & Tactical training Technical & Tactical training skills (systems of play)skills (systems of play)SchedulingSchedulingMotivationalMotivationalDisciplinaryDisciplinaryEtc.Etc.

Should I Stay Or Should I Go?Should I Stay Or Should I Go? Timing Is Almost Everything Timing Is Almost Everything

What are the What are the upsides of your upsides of your current position?current position?

What career What career advantage does this advantage does this create for you?create for you?

Are you being Are you being hunted or are you hunted or are you doing the hunting?doing the hunting?

Professional GoalsProfessional Goals

What level would you like to ultimately What level would you like to ultimately

coach at?coach at?

Win a National Championship?Win a National Championship?

Win Conference Championship & Win Conference Championship &

Get to the NCAA Tournament every yearGet to the NCAA Tournament every year

Needs to be more than “just want to be a Needs to be more than “just want to be a head coach.”head coach.”

Personal GoalsPersonal Goals

Increase salaryIncrease salary

Quality of lifeQuality of life

How To GuideHow To GuideRight FitRight Fit

InterviewInterview

Get StartedGet Started

Expect the UnexpectedExpect the Unexpected

How to find the How to find the Right FitRight FitSelective ThoughtsSelective Thoughts

Job CriteriaJob Criteria

Deal BreakersDeal Breakers PrioritiesPriorities FluffFluff

Relationships/InvolvementRelationships/Involvement FacilitiesFacilities Ball MachineBall Machine

Administrative SupportAdministrative Support Academic Support # of Shoes Academic Support # of Shoes

Financial Commitment Scheduling FreedomFinancial Commitment Scheduling Freedom

# of Scholarships Admissions Standards# of Scholarships Admissions Standards

Recruitability MarketingRecruitability Marketing

GeographyGeography Why is the previous coach is no longer thereWhy is the previous coach is no longer there

Why This Position?Why This Position?How to determine if it’s a good fit for youHow to determine if it’s a good fit for you

Does the position help you reach your personal and professional goals?

Is this position one that YOU believe you can be successful in?

Is this the move that is right for your family

How To InterviewHow To Interview

PreparePrepare – – Do your homeworkDo your homework

Current program statusCurrent program statusWhat are the other sport programs likeWhat are the other sport programs likeWhat is the state of the universityWhat is the state of the universityTop academic programsTop academic programsKnow something about the individuals that are Know something about the individuals that are going to be interviewing yougoing to be interviewing you

Be ready for anythingBe ready for anything

How To InterviewHow To Interview

Market YourselfMarket YourselfWhy are you the person that Why are you the person that should be in charge of this should be in charge of this program to help take it to the program to help take it to the next levelnext level

Selling yourself as a first-time Selling yourself as a first-time head coach is going to be your head coach is going to be your most challenging/important most challenging/important interview you’ll encounterinterview you’ll encounter

Have a portfolio that you can Have a portfolio that you can present to the decision makers present to the decision makers on the search committeeon the search committee

How To InterviewHow To Interview

Questions to AskQuestions to AskOperating budgetOperating budget

In state/out of state In state/out of state scholarships scholarships

Fifth year aid Fifth year aid

Summer School Summer School

# of strength coaches# of strength coaches

G/A or Full-time G/A or Full-time Certified Strength Certified Strength CoachCoach

How to get startedHow to get started

You can’t do it all – what are your prioritiesYou can’t do it all – what are your priorities

Hire staff Hire staff RecruitingRecruitingMarketing Marketing

TrainingTrainingTeam ChemistryTeam Chemistry

Community/Alumni RelationsCommunity/Alumni Relations

What needs to happen now to help the program be successful What needs to happen now to help the program be successful and what can wait?and what can wait?

Unexpected ItemsUnexpected Items

Academically ineligibleAcademically ineligibleBecome Pregnant Become Pregnant High maintenance players, administrators, High maintenance players, administrators, boostersboostersTrainers no showing upTrainers no showing upMoving expenses coming from budgetMoving expenses coming from budgetBeing in the Public eyeBeing in the Public eyeCriminal ChargesCriminal Charges