This is another excerpt from my book
In my opinion, the absolute best way to improve ourselves is to look to others who have “been there, done that.”
In fact, this mentality is exactly what led me to writing my first book Building Championship-Caliber Football Programs. Every playoff bracket ends with one coach lifting the championship trophy, and countless others searching for solutions for how or why their program couldn’t quite reach the summit. Building Championship-Caliber Football Programs takes coaches where they’ve never been able to go before . . . . . . inside the locker room of the most successful high school football coaches in the nation, and reveals the top 10 characteristics of State Champion programs.
I interviewed 108 Head Coaches who won State Championships in 42 different states! Boy did I learn a lot.
This question we cover in this chapter, What is the most important piece of advice for someone who wants to become a Head Coach, was asked of almost 500 Head Coaches; it just might be the best question for this book! This stuff is GOLD! Take notes, highlight the highlights!
“BE yourself. Be prepared. Find great and trustworthy mentors. If you need assistants seek the best qualified men who believe in your philosophy of coaching. do not be fearful of someone who might have knowledge you have yet to acquire. do not fear a position that will certainly challenge all of you. Nowhere to go but up!” – Gregory Ireland, 48 years as a Head Coach, Bradbury, CA
I battled against Coach Ireland for four straight years when I was at The Linfield School in Temecula. If I remember right, he took over as the Head Football Coach at Calvary Murrieta one year before I became the Head Coach at Linfield. We were absolute RIVALS! Two private Christian schools serving the same valley off the 15 freeway in South Riverside County. Those were some GREAT battles!
We beat the brakes off of them for a few while as they transitioned from 8 to 11 man football. Under Coach Ireland, they closed the gap a little each year, he was a very, very good Head Coach. (He was Ricky Fowler’s, PGA Golfer, Head Golf Coach when Ricky was in high school!) They closed the gap in 2004 to just a 10 point loss 17-7, and then finally beat us in 2005 21-14. They scored the winning touchdown in the last few minutes in a heartbreaker at their place.
I love what Coach Ireland says here because this is why he improved that program so much. I saw his philosophy first hand. He hired a bunch of great assistants who were willing to follow his lead, and the proof was in the pudding!
“Try your best to help kids. do not get caught up in all the noise around you.” – David Ochoa, 42 years as a Head Coach, Upland, CA
This is a tremendous point. There is SO much “noise” during your first year as a Head Coach. It comes from EVERYWHERE! Players, parents, admin, community, your own staff, and even from within. Block it out. Put those blinders on like horses do when they run their races. Focus on just the few feet in front of you, or you WILL get sidetracked. Your career WILL get derailed if you do not block out the noise.
“Try to see a chance to be successful by evaluating as many variables as possible. Administration, players available, facilities , booster support, school culture, opponents, ability to get quality staff, be careful of those already in the program. I know that’s a lot but they will all have some effect on your program.” – Bob Burt, 41 years as a Head Coach, Goodyear, AZ
Coach Burt (pictured below) was still coaching, in his early 80s, when he answered my survey. Coach started coaching in 1962, and he “retired” from a stellar career here in Southern California out to Arizona. His first Head Coaching job was way back in 1966 at Pater Noster in Los Angeles, CA. In 2016, he was inducted into the California Interscholastic Federation Hall of Fame. He just can’t step away from the sport he loves, and the impact that he loves to make on students. This is TREMENDOUS advice about even accepting that first Head Coach position. He knows. He has worked for some tremendous administrators, and some not so great administrators over the years.
BOB BURT, ARIZONA
These quotes above, and the three below are some of my favorite quotes from all of these coaches.
“Love the kids, love the game.” – Gene Tundo, 40 years as a Head Coach, Blasdell, NY
“Do not be afraid to ask questions before you decide to become a HC, but most importantly do your homework about the school and how you would fit.” – Rick Pontious, 1 year as a Head Coach, Moreno Valley, CA
“Listen, ask questions, hire good people around you that are player and solution oriented.” – Peter Abe, 6, Irvine, CA
Now, let’s look at what more Head Coaches have to say about their MOST important advice for a Head Coach just like you!
The format below is NAME of Head Coach, how many YEARS they’ve been a Head Coach, and the CITY/STATE they reported living in, not necessarily where they coach, and their quote is below this information. Also, I didn’t change what they wrote at all, wanted it to be authentic, so vocab, etc. might be inaccurate. (Lastly, note that these quotes were acquired in 2023, as I completed my research for this book, so the years and location might no longer be accurate!)
David Adams, 4, Orono, Mn
“Understand why you want that responsibility. Understand what you want your program to stand for. Make sure you have some experienced mentors available to call when you face challenges. And have a plan for building a great staff because you can’t do it alone.”
Benjamin Alberry, 5, San Luis Obispo, CA
“You will never be 100% ready but do not be afraid to take a chance. You do not know if you’re resting until given the chance to see.”
Bill Alexander, 15, Hendersonville, TN
“Be willing to grow both personally and professionally. The 3 most important things in order are to build a good staff, have a great team culture, and be a student of your sport. All of that is your responsibility.”
Allan Amrein, 12, Hays, KS
“Networking and learn everything you can from everyone. Good and bad. You’ll know what to use and what to discard. Do everything you’re asked to do as an asst. You’ll have to do some of that sometime.”
Thomas Andrew, 6, Location Unknown
“My advice would be to make sure you are willing to deal with all the non-football things involved with the job. Coaching the kids and being at football practice is The easy part. Dealing with parents/academics/athletic directors etc. is the most exhausting part.”
Tyrone Armstrong. 27, Killeen, TX
“Understand that it is a serious time commitment. If you have a spouse then you need to talk it over with her. If you have children then they should be in the discussion also.”
Wes Arnold, 4, Elizabethtown, KY
“do not be a play caller if you…you have enough going on…be realistic do not burn yourself out for something that’s not attainable.”
Jon Arthur, 5, Yukon, OK
“Do the best job at your current role. That’s why I got this opportunity because everyone knew I was ready, prepared, and would work harder than anyone else.”
Stephen Basore,14, Boerne. TX
“It’s highly competitive and you have to be exceptionally well rounded, flexible, personable, knowledgeable and professional. Luck may play a factor, but control the controllables and go all – in if you really want the job. Your passion should shine through.”
Seth Bass, 9, Leonard, MO
“You’re never as ready as you think, but if you have prepared well you can fall back on that preparation. Also, do not try to do everything yourself and be willing to admit when you mess up or do not know something.”
Derek Bedell, 9, Long Beach, CA (seen below, right)
“Do your research about the school site and district administration.”
Ariel Bellofiore, 2, Torrance, CA
“While you’re an assistant, pay attention to the other assistant coaches. You will end up building your staff with guys you worked with. Find the good ones and hire them when you get your chance. A huge one, I wish someone told me, was do not hire coaches because they promise to “get kids for the program.” I made a huge mistake hiring coaches because they promised access to a lot of kids. I started with low numbers so that was music to my ears. Turns out they couldn’t get kids and really were not good coaches.”
Brian Berkefeld, 8, Oakdale, CA
“Work for a quality Head Coach, do every job possible, become a master at a position group to where u get a rep for it, treat your position group as if you are the Head Coach of it, become the best coach on the staff but let the Head Coach declare that before you start to mentor others.”
Justin Bienkowski, 7, Location unknown
“Do not try to pretend you need to know everything about the game.”
Matt Bilchak, 4, Portage, PA
“Understand going in every choice is a potential political move. Communication with parents and administration can be the difference between cooperation and termination.”
Aaron Blatch, 9, Wellsville, OH
“Have a blueprint outlining your values, philosophy, style of play, culture, etc and clearly articulate and live that vision. You’re never fully ready so do not be afraid to seek jobs and learn on the fly, but keep your values and vision in the forefront of your mind.”
Brett Bogert, 7, Oklahoma City, OK
“Start doing the administrative stuff now. See what the HC will let you take off his plate. Save all practice plans and do your own mock practice plans. Ask to sit in on meetings with ADs, principals, parents, college coaches etc. Soak everything in and never have an ego. Get on a staff that has experienced coaches. You never want to be the smartest guy in the room. Learn and build relationships.”
Jason Bohannon, 4, Sayre, OK
“Over-prepare.”
Ryan Bolland, 5, Ventura, CA
“Ask for as much responsibility OUTSIDE of ‘between the lines’ coaching as you can while an assistant. Between the lines coaching is less than half of my job over the course of the year and I still coordinate on one side of the ball.”
Justin Crawford, Texas (below, second from left)
Brandon Boswell, 1, Plattsburg, MO
“Be a transformational coach, not a transactional one. Stick to your values and surrender the outcomes. Teach your players to be servant leaders. You have to be willing to model the behavioral standards you want your players to follow. Be vulnerable with your athletes. If you have a family do not neglect them. Be able to unplug from your job and mentally recover.”
Bart Bowen, 5, Logan, UT
“Hopefully you enjoy the political side of the job. You will do very little coaching.”
Steve Bowers, 2, Temperance, MI
“Find a mentor who has been a Head Coach. Learn as much as you can from that person before you become a HC. Stay close to them after getting your job (bring them on staff if at all possible).”
Kraig Broach, 18, Murrieta, CA
“Less is more for you and your assistants. Burnout is a real thing. I see too many assistants that are very motivated in the off season, do too much, and by the end of the season they’re done.”
Matt Brothers, 11, Westminster, CO
“Program is about people and you , as a coach, will orchestrate dreams.”
Randy Bryant, 5, Troy, AL
“Absorb info about each and every aspect of the program, have a plan for everything.”
Ben Bullock, 8, Apopka, FL
“Put together a binder with your ideas and philosophy on every aspect of a program. How will you handle all aspects of running a successful program? Put this down on paper and have it all planned out. Take the time to research what HCs have done well and not well. Talk to other Head Coaches in the area.”
Charles Bussey, 8, San Diego, CA
“Have a plan on how you are going to manage the load. Know your limits and ask for help. If there is no help maybe it needs to be tabled.”
Chris Casillas, 2, Thousand Oaks, CA
“Make sure you find a place where your sport is part of the culture of the school. Make sure the administration is 100% supportive of your sport.”
Steve Castille, 10, Las Cruces, NM
“Make sure the family is on board entirely. Nothing, besides family, can take precedence over your program to do it correctly.”
Don Cayer, 10, Ontario, CA
“75 percent of your time is spent on non coaching activities, be ready for it.”
Chris Chaddick, 5, Highland, CA
“Do not be in a rush! Let it marinate. Home cooked meals always taste better when you take your time and get the ingredients right. Get seasoned. You do not know what you do not know.”
Chuck Chastain, 9, Norco, CA
“Must have a great support staff, make sure admin and yourself are on the same page, and more importantly if in relationship make sure you have their support and understanding about what the family unit is about to take on- it is a family business and it takes everyone for success on the field and a healthy home life.”
Keith Chattin, 10, Riviera Beach, FL
“Be true to yourself and take care of the little things.”
Terry Chestovich, 8, Valparaiso, IN
“Do your research on what type of school you are looking into. Ask around and find out the support you have from the administration and the community.”
Kory Cioroch, 6, Farmington hills, MI
“Make sure you know what it actually entails. Learn from others. Have a mentor. Ask them questions.”
Jonathan Clark, 4, Bullhead City, AZ
“Do as much of the administrative stuff (outside the lines) as possible for your current school. Deal with parents. Take in fundraising, do community events and be a part of booster meetings etc. Get used to it. That way you can be sure if you want it or not. Coaching is the easy part.”
Tyler Clough, 6, Baltimore, MD
“Do not hire coaches that you have to manage their personalities”
Jaron Cohen, 17, Parker, CO
“Make sure the family is on board. Make sure you have a staff ready. Make sure you have a thick skin. Be organized.”
Adam Colman, 6, Location Unknown
“Good or bad, ignore parents/admin. Too many are results-oriented. Have a big picture plan and stick to it.”
Brandon Corbin, 2, Olathe, KS
“Reflect on if you really want to be a Head Coach. Being a HC is the least amount of football coaching I’ve ever done in my career and 75% of it is just putting out fires and handling all the headaches that go along with managing large groups of people.”
Mark Cory, 8, Lakeport, CA
“Really do your due diligence on researching the school. Talk to anyone who will give you feedback on the program, admin and current culture of each.”
Tony Courville, 6, Breaux Bridge, LA
“Remember Faith, Family and then YOUR Family.”
Emily Crabtree, 16, Location Unknown
“Be prepared to work many additional hours all year round not just during the season”
Rob Cullinan, 15, Palm Desert, CA
“Be prepared for all that you believe in to change at some point in your Coaching career … expect the unexpected from all angles.”
Raudric Curtis, 5, Long Beach, CA
“Patience.”
Joe D’Agostino, 4, Hanford, CA
“Research the school and people you’ll be working with in admin to make sure it’s a good fit.”
Dan Davis, 7, Elk Grove, CA
“Understand the job, talk with other Head Coaches, see if AD will sit down with you. Do your homework, find out about the school, staff, admin.”
Philip Dean, 5, Louisberg, KS
“You cannot imagine the things that will come up on your plate as a Head Coach, it’s not just coaching football.
Also, the support systems around you are highly important from admin to assistant coaches. It’s tough to do the job if either or both are not in your corner.”
Christian Dearborn, 5, Moorpark, CA
“Do your research on the school! Talk to previous Head Coaches and make sure that Admin wants football to succeed and that they are committed to the sport.”
Hayden DeLano, 5, Stromsburg, NE
“Admit what you do not know. Learn all you can about it. Repeat. Do this routinely throughout the whole year. Never stop learning. Also, better brush up on your people skills. Coaching comes second to working with stakeholders when you’re the Head Coach.”
Michael Echaves, 8, Fullerton, CA
“Ensure you have an actively supportive admin and build the best staff possible with coaches on campus. That may take a long time to get done so be patient and be ready to endure a lot of trial and tribulation.”
Chris Ehorn Jr, 5, Easthampton, MA
“Learn from the coaches around you. Even if you disagree with a coach on philosophy or how they run a program, there is always something to learn. Then surround yourself with smarter coaches. If you are the smartest coach and a first year Head Coach, you may not be coaching long.”
Dan Finger, 4, Chicago, IL
“It’s essential to research the school. Not just the hard facts about the school such as population and program history, but the people in charge of the search and in the administration. Knowing what they value and making sure that aligns with your vision is crucial to earning the position and then succeeding in it.”
Scott Fisher, 9, La Quinta, CA
“Build positive relationships and be totally committed to the job.”
Jason Fowler, 6, Location Unknown
“Communicate! With everyone, Players, Coaches, Parents, Admin.”
Scott Fulton, 10, O Fallon, MO
“Be sure your family is “all in” on your decision”
Richard Gaskel, 17, Makawao, HI
“It’s not about you. Seek out the big picture.”
Jason Gelber, 7, Redondo Beach, CA
“Be yourself, build a list of potential assistants”
Jesse German, 5, Denver, CO
“Do your homework and have a plan for your first 12 months. This encompasses so much that you have to start putting your information together now. Update and add to it. If your dream job opens and you throw it all together then it could be too little too late. Also find a mentor. Let them know your goals. Make sure you are the best assistant and prioritize any job given by the Head Coach. It will be tough to get a good job without the strong recommendation from the Head Coach and AD at your previous jobs.”
Jeff Gibbins, 17, Myrtle Beach, SC
“Be a good assistant coach first. Have a clear understanding that you will have to concede to a number of issues regarding a strict program policy. do not put yourself in a position where your admin can’t support you when dealing with community concerns.”
Jim Gibbons, 11, Raleigh, NC
“Make sure you have at least one assistant who can run your team when you get tied up. As an assistant over the last 15 years of football, I have run practices, summer 7v7s, film sessions, and end of season meetings in place of the HC.”
Westley Gillum, 7, Denton, TX
“BE READY FOR ANYTHING”
Joey Ginn, 5, Midwest City, OK
“Do not be afraid to Apply for jobs, even if you’re not sure you’re qualified for them, because you never know what they’re looking for in potential candidates.”
Roosevelt Gipson, 5, Kansas City, MO
“Be consistent. Kids struggle when the expectations are not consistent.”
Scott Glabb, 31, Costa Mesa, CA
“Build authentic relationships with your players. Get to know them.on.a personal level. Take time to find.out their home life, what.motivates them and why they play the sport. do the best you can to invest.in them.outside.of.practice and be available to them when they need someone to talk too. People do not care what you know until they know that you care.”
Ron Gladnick, 12, San Diego, CA
“Never take a job where you get a sense there will not be good administrative support of the program and you.”
Bill Godsil, 14, San Tan Valley, AZ
“Know who you are as a coach!!! What do you want to accomplish and how you plan to accomplish it”
Shane Goodwin, 12, Tomball, TX
“Collect all the research on the job. Reach out to 3 successful Head Coaches and ask, “When you were at this stage in your career would you have taken this job, and why/why not?” Then listen to their response. If all three say no, so should you.
Remember, the coaching profession is the only profession where a criminal record is better than a losing record.
Your Coaching career is like the stock market. You better know when to buy, when to sell, and when to stay long. You will always be wise to reach out to the same people as advised above to help you answer that. Your personal feelings can keep you from having a clear understanding of the future.”
Martez Graham, 4, Tuskegee, AL
“If you do not have time it’s not worth it”
Will Gray, 11, Pine Bluffs, WY
“Hire good people, and people you can trust to run things if you had an emergency and missed some time–you can teach them the game! But hiring a jerk just because of their sport specific knowledge will create issues.”
Dennis Gregovich, 12, Winchester, CA (seen below as the Head Coach at Hemet High)
“Make sure it’s a right fit, do not just take a job to take a job….and you’re NEVER really ready”
Dean Grosfeld, 4, Cypress, CA
“Passion for the student athletes and football.”
Michael Gross, 7, Chula Vista, CA
“Be fair, but not necessarily equal. Every situation requires a different thought process for resolution. One size does not always fit all.”
Michael Gutierrez, 8, Bakersfield, CA
“Be willing to make this your whole life. You will have to sacrifice other things to make sure you can keep this as your number 1 priority. Have an inner circle you can trust and will always look out for the whole program and be honest with you even if it’s not what you want to hear.”
Tyler Hall, 5, Johnstown, NY
“Be aware of all the responsibilities that might not show on tv or in the newspapers or on social media. There are so many behind the scene responsibilities that you have to deal with on a day to day basis. One of the last responsibilities are the x and o’s.
Along with it, find the best assistants that you can. Find assistants that could potentially be HC themselves. Your staff that supports you will essentially be one of your more important decisions.”
Trevor Hanson, 4, Tacoma, WA
“Head Coaching is about creating a culture, investing in and advocating for kids’ success on and off the field. There is a lot more that goes on off the field than on it – so it’s important to go in with that expectation.”
Pay Harlow, 5, Location Unknown
“Be ready for the unexpected, hire the best staff possible and learn to delegate where possible.”
Walter Harmon, 27, Anchorage, AK
“Create a philosophical foundation along with a list of ‘immovables’ that everyone can subscribe to. Solicit members in your school for support and work with them to help achieve mutual goals. Beware shaky assistants.”
Dallas Hartwell, 7, Vacaville, CA
“Community matters. Talent matters. If you win, most people will love and respect you. If you lose, they won’t. Doing things the right way and working your ass off does not guarantee wins. It’s a very thankless job. You have to be ready for that.”
Ryan Heffley, 8, Basehor, KS
“Relationship building is the most important thing. Far more important than scheme.”
Anonymous, 9, Louisiana
“Do not become a Head Coach just to say you are a Head Coach. Ask those around you who will give you an honest answer if you are prepared. Ask yourself if you are equipped to deal with parental issues, organizational tasks, and not being “liked” by your players. Do not take any Head Coaching position just to say you are a Head Coach – is there support from admin and parents; facilities to support you and the athletes.”
Derwin Henderson, 10, Hawthorne, CA
“Have a plan and think of realistic goals. Know your area and you will be much happier.”
Kevin Hennessee, 16, Location Unknown
“It’s so much more than X’s and O’s. You have to be willing to be the first one there and the last one to leave, you have to be a little bit of a politician and be patient.”
Dean Herrington, 16, Redondo Beach, CA
“Get good assistants.”
Keegan Hill, 4, Mendota, IL
“Research the track record of the administration, school history and depth of the coaching staff. What are they about? What do they take pride in? Value their previous action more than what they say they will do.”
Kurt Hines, 12, Chula Vista, CA
“Pay your dues, do not rush it, and have an unshakable WHY!”
Andrew Hofer, 11, Aledo, IL
“Talk to other Head Coaches and go watch them. I’m constantly learning from others. I realized quickly that I didn’t know nearly as much as I thought I did and needed the help of others.”
Michael Holst, 6, Clovis, CA
“You need to learn how to do administrative and program things while you’re a Head Coach. You need to volunteer for things a Head Coach normally does. You need to work with your parents. You need to be in charge of other adults in some form.”
Brandon Houston, 4, Location Unknown
“Have a plan.”
Aaron Huerta, 4, Stevenson Ranch, CA
“Make sure it’s a job worth taking.”
Dan Hughes, 9, Volga, SD
“Know yourself. Be yourself, this will be your foundation. This will be your anchor in rough seas!”
Kimberly Hykey, 12, Lyndhurst, NJ
“Get to know as much as possible about the school and admin. It’s important to know how involved/supportive admin is and how the student population is. Are parents very active / involved or do they let the coach run the program. Know that just loving the game isn’t enough. You’re a role model, a teacher , a therapist – you wear many hats. Be sure to be ready to commit a lot of time in and out of season to run the program well.”
Armando Jacinto, 10, Location Unknown
“Networking and having experience in multiple facets of a program.”
Chris Jackson, 5, Saint Simons Island, GA
“You may get 1000 no’s for Head Coaching positions but it only takes one yes. do not get discouraged.”
Dustin Janz, 10, Portland, OR
“Make sure you know what you’re getting into before you pursue Head Coaching. It is much less about the sport and much more about all the things that surround your sport. Ask your current HC for tasks that will allow you to practice what it takes to be a HC before taking it on full time.”
Bart Jernigan, 5, Kemmerer, WY
“Get to know and love people. All types, because you need them all. Love and serve your players, coaches, admin, and community and it will love and serve you back. You do not have to be perfect, but you have to give perfect effort when it comes to the way you treat people.”
Greg Johnson, 12, Covington, GA
“Get a mentor. Someone who has sat in the seat and soaks up as much knowledge around not just the sport but leading, communication, relationship building as possible.”
Lawrence Johnson, 8, Jacksonville, FL
“Do a great job where you are, make connections, do not burn any bridges.”
Bill Johnson, 8, Location Unknown
“Do not do it.”
Zach Johnson, 4, Tustin, CA
“Have a good support system on your staff.”
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Cam Jones, 7, Buford, GA
“Create a file or a folder and start painting the picture of the program you want to run. I’m a correct HC and still file ideas away or if I see something on Social I will share with coaches I know are aspiring HCs.”
Mike Judy, 11, Smyrna, DE
“Do not be too thirsty for the job. Desperation puts the power in the interviewers’ hands and adds to your anxiety. Every candidate will say the same basic things- do your research and show enthusiasm for the potential program and the kids. Your energy will separate you from the others. When in doubt, remember to make it clear that EVERYTHING will be for the benefit of the kids. Also, the interview process is as much about YOU interviewing THEM. If it doesn’t feel right then it DEFINITELY won’t feel right when you are struggling to keep the program afloat.”
Joe Jurado, 10, Lake Arrowhead, CA
“Make sure you’ve spent enough time working with other Head Coaches…no matter your playing experience, only working with a good Head Coach can prepare you for what it takes.”
John Kane, 7, Bellflower, CA
“Be a Head Coach of a lower level team FIRST. See what it’s like making every single decision.”
Kennard Kapono, 5, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
“Coach for people who help you through the process and teach you the ins and outs of being a Head Coach. You truly do not understand the scope of the position until you are sitting in the seat. Have a good support system of coaches and family that can help you navigate being a Head Coach.”
Pete Karavedas, 9, Placentia, CA
“1) You have to win people over. Staff, kids, parents….win them over with your energy and positive approach. And it has to be genuine! You won’t win everyone, some people suck. But you have to win the majority so that when complaints do come…it is so few and far between that they do not have enough ears to listen.
2) Be hands on. Make sure it looks just like you want it to, then delegate once expectations are established. do not be in a hurry to hand things off right away, you have to establish your culture and standards, even if it takes more work on you.
3) Make sure your assistants feel valued. Speak love and support to them constantly. Especially in football, you are nothing without your staff”
Nick Karavedas, 6, Huntington Beach, CA
“Know your why. Have it more than just the game. Develop relationships. Truly want to see young men grow through the game.”
Roy Keegan, 4, Santa Rosa, CA
“Pay your dues…understand fully what the job entails. It is very little about X’s and O’s.”
Jake Knese, 5, Banning, CA
“Understand why you want the job and make sure that job can fulfill those wants.”
Jake Knesel, 5, Banning, CA
“Set the tone early and get rid of dead weight as soon as possible. Cut the cancer and do not worry about your record in the first year. Focus on other Measurable aspects to get better on such as Team GPA and Number of Players eligible.”
Jon Krug, 16, Olathe, KS
“If you are married, have an “ALL-IN”, totally committed spouse! Get Sleep!”
Chris Kryjewski, 6, Chula Vista, CA (seen below at Castle Park High School)
“Become a HC in as many other sports as possible first to gain knowledge in the admin side and then continue to realize that you still won’t have all of the answers, not even close.”
Matt La Belle, 15, Moorpark, CA
“Plan on giving up part of your family life. You will have to have someone that totally supports you and understands.”
Andy LaFata, 4, Lake Orion, MI
“Tell me about your assistants and tell me what your life(family, career) looks like in 5 years from now. 10 years from now”
James Lagos, 8, Millis, MA
“Know yourself, know your plan and stick to it. Create your support staff in the school and out of the school. Be sure to carve out FAMILY TIME. Always Be Caring. Be a presence in the school and community. NETWORK. do not take yourself too seriously and remember your WHY!”
Drew Lapic, 5, Fountain Valley, CA
“Have a mentor or mentors you can bounce ideas off of and hire assistants you can trust and are reliable so you are not doing everything.”
Andrew Lapic, 5, Fountain Valley, CA
“You can’t do it all on your own. You need support from your family, admin, and assistants. Also remember if you focus more on wins and losses and less on people (athletes and adults) this is not the job for you. Be great to people and your students and you will succeed.”
Brad LaPlante, 12, Hutto, TX
“Expect the unexpected”
Karl Larsen, 2, Ypsilanti, MI
“Parents are your best friends and worst enemies. They want the “best 10 and their son” on the field. Setting expectations early is important, but include them in the conversation to get in. Ask them what they want from the season going in. Not about the team’s wins/losses, but the experience their kids get. Then make sure you connect what you do with what they want.”
Kellie Lawicki, 6, Location Unknown
“You must be a servant leader, someone who values relationships, and good at organization and communication. You are put in a position to serve student-athletes and assistant coaches. Do not think you’re above doing “dirty work” because it’s the assistant’s job. The best leaders are ones that put others before themselves.”
Ryan Lawn, 11, Location Unknown
“Try to learn as much as you can, too many coaches think they know everything and I assure you those people are dinosaurs.”
Richard Lear, 12, Palmdale, CA
“Have a strong supporting cast at home and be able to fill a good staff.”
Matthew LemMon, 7, Richmond, CA
“Do it for the kids. There is a lot of BS that distracts you from the goal of helping student athletes. Find a support system that reminds you why you are doing it all.”
Dan Lever, 6, Woodburn, OR
“Be a great assistant! Be great at your current role!”
Shawn Liotta, 16, Lower Burrell, PA
“Make every player in your program meaningful. Be disciplined, have a plan and the scoreboard will take care of itself. If you are judging the job you do as a Head Coach solely on wins and losses you are destined for failure. The team with the best players generally wins on Friday night.”
Nick Lucey, 9, Bellingham, WA
“Jump in as an assistant and offer to help the Head Coach. Jump at tasks that aren’t fun but necessary. Learn both sides of the ball and coach special teams. Try to think through the lens of the Head Coach.”
Jason Lynch, 4, Cincinnati, OH
“Do not chase a title. I always wanted to be a Head Coach, so I took a position as a Head Coach in a district that was not committed to success and was not supportive of athletics. Looking back, it is far better to be an assistant in a great program than it is to be a Head Coach in a building without administrative support.”
Danny Lyons, 7, Location Unknown
“Make sure you have the time and support from those closest to you.”
Thadd Mac Neal, 16, Vista, CA
“Make sure your wife is on board.”
Jeff Papazian, 8, Bristol, CT
“If you think you’re not ready and that’s holding you back, do not let it. Nobody is ever totally ready. Surround yourself with coaches you can trust and who players want to play for. You can teach them x and o. Can’t teach loyalty or characteristics/personality kids gravitate to.”
Chris Parker, 4, Dyersburg, TN
“If promises are made, have them in writing. Ask questions of others about leadership of school and school system.”
Alan Peacock, 11, Byhalia, MS
“Understand a lot of your job is no longer the sport.”
David Peña, 5, Location Unknown
“Be yourself during the interview and do not be a used car salesman. Stay firm to your beliefs and who you are as a person/ coach.”
Danny Perez, 7, EL Cajon, CA
“Be open to anything and everything. Being the Head Coach isn’t about respect, the leadership, it’s about being able to show your passion through your coaches and athletes. You see the more successful programs, it doesn’t seem like work but playing for them it comes naturally and a lot of fun is being had.”
Mike Perez, 6, Stilwell, OK
“Be ready for the unexpected. Have a plan of attack, but be ready to adjust and keep the end goal in mind when making decisions.”
Dave Perkins, 39, Huntington Beach, CA
“Research the position thoroughly. Visit the school, try to meet with/make contact with the AD prior to the interview.Find out the support level of the Administration, how many returning players, assistant coaches, facilities, upcoming schedule. Do everything to ensure as much immediate success as you can.”
George Peterson, 12, Dunstable, MA
“Understand that the culture within your program will determine your success in the long run. Creating that culture starts with you and how you prepare, how hard you work and the example you set every day for the kids. Kids will follow if you set the tone, it will take time, but they will follow your lead.”
Kyle Pine, 4, La Verne, CA
“The amount and intensity you work to put in to build a program will be what you reap. Make sure to balance job, coaching, personal, and family time appropriately.”
Steve Pinkston, 5, Sun Valley, CA
“Be yourself. do not try and act like some other coach.”
Matt Poston, 13, Ladera Ranch, CA
“Even though it’s difficult, put your family first.”
Justin Price, 16, Yucaipa, CA
“Although the time and responsibilities may seem overwhelming…always make time for the people you love. You will never get that time back. You can be a good father and husband while being a good Head Coach. do not sacrifice the relationships that are important to you. Understand what goes into running a program. Not the X’s and O’s, but the fundraising, parents and other duties.”
Justin Randall, 5, Claremont, CA
“My biggest piece of advice is to take one day at a time and stick to your guns as a coach. It can be very overwhelming at first.”
David Reisinger, 5, Winchester, CA
“Be prepared that it will consume your life if you allow it. You must schedule time for family and relationships or you will lose them.”
Paul Reynaud, 6, Pittsburg, CA
“You have to be more organized than you think, have processes in place before applying. Have coaches committed to coming with you before applying as well.”
Cory Reynolds. 5, Laurel, MS
“Understanding that every part of the program runs through you…the good, the bad and the ugly and you have to have thick skin.”
Mike Rhodes, 4, Gate city, VA
“Pay your dues, be a sponge.”
David Rodriguez, 14, Oceanside, CA
“Know what you are getting into. It is more than just a title. You are asked to become a prominent member of that community and the expectation on you is always a big one. If you are not willing to put all time and effort into your pursuit, do not waste yours or other people’s time.”
Paul Rodriguez, 1, Whittier, CA
“Make sure you have plenty of support. 1) Make sure your significant other is on board.. There is a lot of time away from family and a lot of slack that they will have to pick up. 2) Make sure you have a crew of coaches you trust . At least one right hand man and a couple other of your guys.. of course you will hire others as you go.3) Support the admin 4) You are at a place that you can feel a connection with.”
Cody Roelof, 9, Temecula, CA
“Sit down with respected HC’s and ask them questions about what it is like before you get a job.”
Jeremy Rogers, 7, Hamilton, OH
“Make sure you talk to people that have experience and pick their brains for what to do and what not to do in those first years. Like anything you’ll eventually learn with experience but it’s good to get different experiences before taking on an important role like that.”
Carrie Ross, 7, Capistrano Beach, CA
“Make sure to have a great support system to help you get through all the highs and lows.”
Jerry Sarchet, 12, Manassas, VA
“Have a plan.”
Stephen Sayre, 9, Evans, WV
“Have a detailed plan that you believe in and can explain and defend.”
Justin Schaeffer, 8, Winchester, CA
“You need to interview the administration about their plans to support you and your vision. do not let “dad’s” coach the same level of their kid.”
Marc Schilling, 8, The Dalles, OR
“Get a full understanding of what supports you will have before taking the job. Money is a big challenge in the sport of football, so make sure you know how that school treats and handles money.”
Alex Scott, 9, Wilmington, NC
“Know every aspect of on the field elements of the sport you wanna coach. Know how to build relationships with student athletes . The rest of hc can be learned.”
Tyler Sechrist, 9, Canton, PA
“Be humble and willing to continue to learn how to become a better coach every day. Surround yourself with great assistant coaches who share the same vision as you!”
Mitchell Shepherd, 7, Weeping Water, NE
“Organization is key, especially when being prepared to deal with all of the behind the scenes work that must be done. And set clear expectations for everything, all levels.”
Pete Smolin, 24, Beaumont, CA
“Be proactive in everything, parent meetings, meet with admin.”
Greg Spahn, 8, Grand Rapids, MN
“Know the level of support from your AD. It’s a game changer and a deal breaker. Do your research.”
Nick Steenhagen, 8, Nevada, IA
“Take as many notes as possible and work to put together your system so that when the time comes you can present yourself and the system.”
Lance Steffen, 6, Elmwood, NE
“If you want to be a Head Coach, you have to put in Head Coach hours first.”
Chris Stevens, 15, Chino, CA
“Coach it all. Be a student of the entire game. Go to clinics, network with other coaches. Coach all three facets, positions, various schemes, etc. Have a mentor!!”
Ty Stevenson, 4, Location Unknown
“You are never as good or as bad as you think you are.”
John Stewart, 4, Spring Lake Park, MN
“Be yourself, use your mentors.”
Nick Stormoen, 10, Wisconsin Dells, WI
“Stay true to who you are, do not copy what you think a HC should be or do. Ask for help from others that have been there.”
Alex Surprenant, 6, Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, QC
“Start by becoming great in your assistant job. Make yourself essential to the success of the team.”
Andy Swedenhjelm, 9, Newton, IA
“Be patient and find the right fit. Admin support is huge. Also, you will never be fully prepared, so you need to be adaptable.”
Kevin Swift, 20, Gold Beach, OR (seen below at Gold Beach High)
“Make sure your vision aligns with the vision your administration & community have for the program. You will never overcome unsupportive administrators.”
CharlieTeGantvoort, 9, Mission Viejo, CA
“Research the school and program.”
Chris Fore is a veteran Administrator, Athletic Director, and Head Football Coach from Southern California; he currently serves as a Principal. He has written four books and produced coaching manuals, available at EightLaces.org. Both schools where he served as Athletic Director set school records for championships won in a single school year, and were recognized for both sportsmanship and academic excellence. Fore holds a Master’s in Coaching and Athletic Administration and multiple education credentials. A Certified Athletic Administrator, he served as President of the California Coaches Association (2018–2021) and has held various other leadership roles in several different organizations. A sought-after speaker, Fore has contributed to national sports publications and appeared on radio and podcasts. He also serves as an expert witness in athletic lawsuits. Follow him on X!
