How to get into coaching?

[BwineLAX42]

How do you get into coaching at the Division 1 level. Most of the time it seems that the coachs(starting at assistant than becoming head) were top players that played D1. But for everyone else that can't play D1, what is a suggested way to get into collegiate coaching and than working your way up the ladder to Division 1? What to do in college? and what to do directly after? Either give suggestions or what you've done to get to the point you're at. I know the majority of the people here are youth coaches, but maybe you have a friend or someone you know.

[BurnSomeRope]

Do you coach or have coached in the past? I'm sure a DI school would want a pretty seasoned coach who knows what hes doing out there. As for knowing how to become a coach, the most i could offer you is to look online for postings for jobs for coaching staff at DI schools.

[BwineLAX42]

I'm still in High School... lol. I would like to do that when I graduate from college though. I was thinking start at the HS level and work my way up?

[CTLaxer]

Complete waste of time to try to become a D1 coach.

Once again, your optimism makes me warm and fuzzy on the inside.

Anyways, back to the topic at hand. Usually, lately, it would seem that you have to be a former D1 player to get on the coaching staff any given school. Usually former players get roles as assistant coaches. Afterwards, depending on their performace, they can potentially get bumped up to a head coach position either at their current school or somewhere else.

Now if you think about it, there are a lot of schools, and not all the coaches can come up this way. Common sense would dictate that there are some coaches who have come up through different avenues.

Personally, I would suggest starting to coach as soon as you can. Succeed at whatever level you're coaching and try to move up gradually as the years past. There is a lot of growth in lacrosse currently, schools are adding programs all the time. You may have to coach at a lower level for a while, but theoretically, you could move up in time and hopefully get to a level and institution that you desire.

You can also do a degree program in college related to a similar field such as sports management. Most programs, clubs, and institutions will gladly take volunteers as well. If you prove your merit in that role, you could be considered for a paid position and advancement in the position as well.

When all else fails, you can pray to the lacrosse gods for a miracle.

Hope this helps and good luck!

[The Doors]

start at the HS level once you graduate or help out with club teams as a volunteer. after college, talk to one of the schools in your conference or area and see if you can become an assistant and work your way up. I know from personal experience that it is all who know and performance.

I completed college and remained as an assistant for a season. Afterwards I went back home and help coached HS club ball. The other people in my league saw how I helped start up a program, and how I ran my team. After my inaugural season, I received job offers from varsity programs in the area. I'm sure if I succeeded at this level, I could easily become an assistant, or even head coach of a college team, given my track record and previous positions.

Granted, I'm sure it is much more difficult to coach at the collegiate level. But if you are dedicated to your craft and are good at what you do, you'll get noticed soon enough

If you want very specific examples on how some others have done it, feel free to PM me. I have a few stories to share

[BwineLAX42]

I already know that I want to major in sports management.

Would you recomend starting where I grew up, near the college, or in a new place (established or not)?

[The Doors]

i say once you get into college, volunteer with local HS varsity and club teams as either an assistant or position coach. No program will turn down good volunteers who can help out their team. Just take small steps and make the most of each experience.
I know many areas in the midwest and west are looking for coaches with any experience at all, so if you decide to go to college out this way, take that into account.

[coaches gal]

Start now with any team - the feeder teams to your high school?

Take the level 1 coaches course offered through US Lacrosse...

I know a guy who coaches while in HS, then played club in college, helped coach that team after he graduated and is now coaching a DIII school in another state...

It is possible to get there, you just need drive and determination. Also - don't forget to get that teaching certificate in addition to your major... will help alot with coaching....

good luck!

[BwineLAX42]

What is the pay for an assistant and head coach at D3, mid level. ANd the same for D1. Just for knowledge's sake. I'm assuming most D3 coaches have another job too.

[CoachE]

I once read the vacancy listings on laxpower and It was for one of the d3 schools in Ohio (forgot which one) and it said I believe 23,000 to be an assistant coach. It was that or a little more. But it varies from place to place

[The Doors]

No seriously. Why would your career plan be to become a lacrosse coach?

You would have to get a degree in education, teach highschool and find a school to coach (most likely a bad school to start out at), then either try to form a good team at the school you are at or wait until another coach leaves at a good school. Then you would have to establish a strong reputation there and then move up to a lower tier assistant at a big school. Then eventually, you MIGHT get into a head coaching spot.

Why would you waste your entire career on something that you have a small percentage of actually becoming?

I'll tell you exactly what would happen if you take that route. You are either going to A) be stuck in highschool your entire career (nothing wrong with being a teacher, but its foolish if you are doing it only to be a coach) or B) you would be on the staff at most likely a struggling program that is in too much disarray to do anything. Of course there is always C, where you realize in your thirty something that you are in the wrong career field and go back to school.

Like I said, its a waste of time. Im not being pessimistic, Im just against people making dumb choices off foolish ideas.

Unfortunately, You are mistaken. I am living proof of how wrong you actually are. I turned down and assistant coaching job at a DIII school a year after finishing my bachelor's degree. That is, a year after being out of college I was offered an assistant coaching job at the collegiate level. Not only would I have recieved a small stipend monetary wise, but would have also had my entire graduate education covered by the school as long as I remained on staff.

Getting into coaching was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. I am too old and not nearly skilled enough to compete at the highest level, but I can still be around the game and contribute in a positive way if I were so inclined. Coaching is a rewarding job, and if one really wants to pursue it, why would it be a foolish choice? Money isn't everything. Why take a job you hate for a few extra dollars when you can do something you love?

[Lax_Hitman]

Marc Van Arsdale played at the Division III level in college (Hobart) and is now instrumental at Virginia coordinating the offense. Previously, he had been the head coach at Penn.

[stegmakk]

No seriously. Why would your career plan be to become a lacrosse coach?

I think I understand the point you are trying to make, it is just coming off bad.
If someone WANTS to be a teacher and or wants to coach for the coaching aspect that is great. If you love kids, or you want to help mold young people into leaders, or just love the subtle strategies of the game then these are all reasons to be a coach.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think the point you are trying to make is that only the ELITE college coaches make a decent amount of money, while most other coaches make fairly little and you are telling him not to get into coaching for the wrong reasons.
This I would agree with. The chances at becoming an elite D1 coach are slim. And the prestige/pay/recognition is not the reason to want to be a coach. (Doing it for the reasons in my first paragraph are perfectly OK).

[shiftylax]

What is the pay for an assistant and head coach at D3, mid level. ANd the same for D1. Just for knowledge's sake. I'm assuming most D3 coaches have another job too.

Assistant salary is between 1,000 - 2,500 for D3. For D2 it's around 8,000 for the 1st assistant, 4,000 for the second. There are also a lot more grad assistants in D2. D1 assistants make between 14k and 20k on average at the smaller schools. They may also get a little more for running a camp and also free tuition. It all depends on the situation. I worked at two D2 schools and two D3 schools as an assistant and each situation was different. I will tell you that the more a school throws at you at the lower levels (D3, D2) the crappier the school is and the more desperate they are to snag you. I was paid 8k and got free grad school at a D2 school and it was one of the worse experiences of my life. I was also a D3 head coach for a summer and then they refused to pay me so I bounced and took and assistant job at their rival instead. The college coaching game is a dirty street fight of a career choice - make sure you love the game enough to ply it as your trade or you will get burnt out very quickly. That being said, I am lucky enough to be in a good position with my current school and players and the entire cohcing staff has affected change in not only the lacrosse program but athletics at the institution. I'm proud of everywhere I coached, but it was a tough road to get to the point I am at now and some woudl say not worth the sacrifices that I made.