I get a lot of emails, DMs, etc. from coaches all over the nation.  I really wish I could make a full time job out of communicating and helping coaches nationwide!  Unfortunately, my wife wants me to have a “real job that pays the bills!”

BUT, I had a thought this weekend about doing “mailbag” posts when I have some that might apply to a bunch of you at one time.

Here is my first shot at this “mailbag” series!

I will NEVER post your names, the school you are from, and in most cases not even the state.  These two one sentence questions below come from long emails.

Hey Coach Fore

From an Athletic Director point of view, do you think many schools would consider hiring a guy as an IT technician by day, coach after school?

Hi Coach!

The best coach I’ve hired in 8 years as a Head Coach and 6 years as an AD was our “Director of Classroom Technology.”  He was hired as an IT guy, and after one year, he was so dynamite at that job, they had him start training teachers and students with our 1 to 1 I pad program, and he was given that title.  Teachers were to report to him about how they were using technology in the classroom. He reported directly to the principal.  

SO, having said that, it definitely can happen.  Now, the other side of it is this: I hired a head soccer coach here at this school I just worked at for the past 18 months, and he was looking for a job. He was an IT guy at a NCAA D3 college where he was also the head boys soccer coach. But our Human Resources dept. said no, because the IT job was basically an 8-4 job, and he would have to leave early on game days.  A little different from football.  But if the IT job has specific hours, and football practice starts during those hours, that will be the rub. 

That first school I told you about, it was a private school who bended over backwards to get coaches on campus.  He was an excellent coach, and excellent at IT stuff.  So, the admin saw value in him to do both.  

Does this make sense?  It’s a tough question.  It’s not black and white.  It’s all going to come down to the administration and their support of athletics, period.  

Those are two examples of how the pendulum can swing on this issue.  

Signed, Coach Fore

 

Computer guys who love football can be a phenomenal resource on your staff!!
Computer guys who love football can be a phenomenal resource on your staff!!

Coach Fore,

I’m wondering if you have a list that shows me what are the first things that need to be done in the first 100 days?

– First Time Head Football Coach

Hi Coach!

I don’t have one for 100 days, but I do have one for the first 30 days in “The Seat!”  I created this back in 2006 when I was asked to interview at Capistrano Valley Christian Schools in San Juan Capistrano.  I went to my interview with this “First 30 Days On The Job” handout for the panelists.  It helped them to see my organized side, my visionary side and my ability to handle the job at hand.  (This is in no particular order.)

  • Meet with all stakeholders                                                                                                                                

Administration – one on one                                                                                           
Athletic Department Staff – one on one                                                                       
Asst Coaches – one on one
Student-Athletes – two groups of six; one on one with leader from each team                          
Faculty and Staff – one groups of four; one on one as well                                                         
Boosters/Alumni – one group of six; one on one                                                       
Parents – one group of six; one on one with five to six                                                    

  • Survey all stakeholders via SurveyMonkey.com
  • Get the staff in order; who is OC, DC, STC, S/C Coach?
  • Evaluate and recommend changes to football website
  • Budget meeting – Analyze last year’s budget; Get briefed on this year’s budget
  • Develop my May through December calendar (this interview was in April); Spring Ball, Summer Ball, Summer Passing League, Training Camp
  • Evaluate game schedules/contracts for upcoming years
  • Evaluate game film of returners; key positions
  • Start a preliminary depth chart
  • Tour game and practice facilities; make suggestions for changes (adding/subtracting things)
  • Set up Twitter and Facebook accounts (if not already established)
  • Meet with Admissions/Financial Aid Departments to learn their process
  • Get acquainted with league by-laws, procedures, meeting schedule, officers, etc.  Reach out to the other Head Coaches in our league, introduce myself, set up film trading schedule.
  • Evaluate equipment inventory; determine needs list for upcoming year (if not done yet)
  • Have first Booster Club meeting; officers?  Policies/procedures?

Day 30 (or so) – All Coaches meeting to cast vision for the future of the Football Program, and share findings of stakeholder meetings, surveys, etc.      

(This document above is just one document of about 105 in my OUTSIDE THE LINES COACHING MANUAL.  This is a PERFECT manual for any first time head coach. I put this together from 8 years of experience as a head coach.  It has more than 100 documents, forms, templates, etc. for you to use right away upon an instant download!  You can find this form at www.footballforms.com)

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