5 answers
R'el
Student
Memphis, Tennessee
1
Question
Updated
657 views
How do I become a college basketball coach?
They make good money ova 40k
They keep they body in shape
They get most kids famous
#nba #basketball
5 answers
Anthony Rizzo
Graduate Assistant- College Athletics
30
Answers
Tallahassee, Florida
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Hello R'el, I am happy to help answer your question. I would say that in order to become a Head Coach, you will need three things; knowledge, experience, and connections.
First off, if you do not have the knowledge of the game of basketball, or the knowledge of how to coach athletes, you probably will not be able to make it as a head coach, and if you do, you probably won't be successful. Therefore, if this is a career path you wish to pursue, I would tell you to become a student of the game. Watch as much as you can and try to take notes of offensive and defensive strategies. Try to find books written by successful head coaches to learn their philosophies and thoughts on coaching.
In addition to knowledge of the game, it is also helpful to have experience playing and/or coaching. For the most part, successful coaches have a background playing the game, and then transitioned to being a coach after their career ended. There are a select few coaches who did not play, but this is very rare. Playing the game, especially at the college level, gives you a great insight into what is required to be successful. In addition to playing experience, you also need to get experience as a coach. It is very likely that you will have to start at the high school or low-college level, but with years of experience and success, you can start to move your way up the ladder. Eventually, with the right amount of experience, you can potentially become the head coach at a small college or university. Once at this level, you will need to have a strong record and show the ability to recruit well. Several years of being able to maintain a level of success will lead to a head coaching job at a larger school.
Lastly, you need to have connections. At the college level, Athletic Directors are the ones hiring head coaches. Often times, they go after coaches that they know personally, or have some connection with. Therefore, you need to take every opportunity to meet as many coaches and Athletic Directors in college athletics as you can. This can be done at conferences or meetings, but can play a vital role in your career trajectory as a potential head coach.
First off, if you do not have the knowledge of the game of basketball, or the knowledge of how to coach athletes, you probably will not be able to make it as a head coach, and if you do, you probably won't be successful. Therefore, if this is a career path you wish to pursue, I would tell you to become a student of the game. Watch as much as you can and try to take notes of offensive and defensive strategies. Try to find books written by successful head coaches to learn their philosophies and thoughts on coaching.
In addition to knowledge of the game, it is also helpful to have experience playing and/or coaching. For the most part, successful coaches have a background playing the game, and then transitioned to being a coach after their career ended. There are a select few coaches who did not play, but this is very rare. Playing the game, especially at the college level, gives you a great insight into what is required to be successful. In addition to playing experience, you also need to get experience as a coach. It is very likely that you will have to start at the high school or low-college level, but with years of experience and success, you can start to move your way up the ladder. Eventually, with the right amount of experience, you can potentially become the head coach at a small college or university. Once at this level, you will need to have a strong record and show the ability to recruit well. Several years of being able to maintain a level of success will lead to a head coaching job at a larger school.
Lastly, you need to have connections. At the college level, Athletic Directors are the ones hiring head coaches. Often times, they go after coaches that they know personally, or have some connection with. Therefore, you need to take every opportunity to meet as many coaches and Athletic Directors in college athletics as you can. This can be done at conferences or meetings, but can play a vital role in your career trajectory as a potential head coach.
Kiirsten Suomu
Sales Representative at Universal Orlando Resort
96
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Kiirsten’s Answer
Hello Re'l,
Being a coach is an important job-- not just about winning, but about developing your team into better players, and shaping their future! I would start out by volunteering at local gyms or clubs where you can coach or be an assistant coach. While doing the volunteering, I suggest that you read up on some leadership books as well to help shape more of that "coach" mentality. Also, I would suggest that you maybe ask one of the local basketball coaches to mentor you as well!
Good luck!
Being a coach is an important job-- not just about winning, but about developing your team into better players, and shaping their future! I would start out by volunteering at local gyms or clubs where you can coach or be an assistant coach. While doing the volunteering, I suggest that you read up on some leadership books as well to help shape more of that "coach" mentality. Also, I would suggest that you maybe ask one of the local basketball coaches to mentor you as well!
Good luck!
Catherine Andrus
Medical Device / Pharmaceuticals / Biomedical Engineer / College Athlete
28
Answers
Updated
Catherine’s Answer
Hi R'el,
Something to keep in mind with becoming a college coach is the personal commitment you must be willing to make. Most coaches need to be open to relocation as coaching positions are hard to come by. You then will be working long hours for film, practices, games, travel, study hall, etc. Games will often require extensive travel and availability on weekends, so there may be personal events you need to miss that you would otherwise attend. You will essentially need to be ready to be on this long hour schedule from October to April and be near campus during the summer to assist with workouts. You also need to be able to hold your players accountable to academic requirements as well as be ready to foster a team environment through all the highs and lows of the season.
Becoming a college coach can be very rewarding and glamorous, but there is a lot of grinding required to get there. My suggestion, as some have already said, is to surround yourself in the game as much as possible. If you are not a player, ask a local school or travel team if they need assistants for scouting, stats, or equipment management. This could give you some experience that could land you a student assistant position in university and perhaps lead to further opportunities after.
Bottom line - your love of the game will make coaching enjoyable, but you need to find a way to motivate yourself to set yourself apart for the small vacancies of positions available at the collegiate level.
Something to keep in mind with becoming a college coach is the personal commitment you must be willing to make. Most coaches need to be open to relocation as coaching positions are hard to come by. You then will be working long hours for film, practices, games, travel, study hall, etc. Games will often require extensive travel and availability on weekends, so there may be personal events you need to miss that you would otherwise attend. You will essentially need to be ready to be on this long hour schedule from October to April and be near campus during the summer to assist with workouts. You also need to be able to hold your players accountable to academic requirements as well as be ready to foster a team environment through all the highs and lows of the season.
Becoming a college coach can be very rewarding and glamorous, but there is a lot of grinding required to get there. My suggestion, as some have already said, is to surround yourself in the game as much as possible. If you are not a player, ask a local school or travel team if they need assistants for scouting, stats, or equipment management. This could give you some experience that could land you a student assistant position in university and perhaps lead to further opportunities after.
Bottom line - your love of the game will make coaching enjoyable, but you need to find a way to motivate yourself to set yourself apart for the small vacancies of positions available at the collegiate level.
Maria Badgett
Program Manager
3
Answers
Round Rock, Texas
Updated
Maria’s Answer
The best way to become a College Basketball Coach is to be a good player yourself or a good trainer.
You need to be associated with a good team.
Expect to spend several years as an assistant.
Endorsements from a High School coach are highly recommended.
Experience coaching - at the YMCA for example - also helps.
A degree in Exercise Physiology and/or marketing are encouraged.
You need to be associated with a good team.
Expect to spend several years as an assistant.
Endorsements from a High School coach are highly recommended.
Experience coaching - at the YMCA for example - also helps.
A degree in Exercise Physiology and/or marketing are encouraged.
Steve Swisher
Category Manager of Procurement
69
Answers
The Woodlands, Texas
Updated
Steve’s Answer
To become a Coach of Basketball, you should Love the game. Important to play basketball most of your younger years in middle and high school while getting on AAU type club teams as you develop in high school or sooner. Be a great player and try all the positions (1 - 5) to see how the game is properly played. As you develop and progress in high school and the club tournaments, set your sites on that NCAA college (assume you are in the US) be it DI, DII or D III level. As you play in college continue to develop and learn to master the game. Let your Coach know your desires during college, and have them assist you in getting notices by other Coaches so that you can get the opportunity to be an Assistant Coach on one of the school programs (regular school or college depending upon your preference, and availability). Above all be a great teacher of the game of Basketball, and always be in high integrity.
Have fun Coach!
Have fun Coach!
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