Athletic Coach: Career Information

Job Description of Athletic Coaches: Coaches organize, instruct, and teach amateur and professional athletes in fundamentals of individual and team sports.

Employment Facts About Athletic Coaches: Coaches and scouts (which the Bureau of Labor Statistics groups together) held 178,000 jobs in 2004.^*

Education Requirements for Athletic Coaches: Some entry-level positions for coaches or instructors require only experience derived as a participant in the sport or activity. Public secondary school head coaches and sports instructors at all levels usually must have a bachelor’s degree. Degree programs specifically related to coaching include exercise and sports science, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition and fitness, physical education, and sports medicine.

Other Requirements for Athletic Coaches: Some entry-level positions require experience from participation in the sport. To become a public secondary school head coach, those who are not teachers must meet individual state requirements for certification. Certification may not be required for private school jobs. Immense overall knowledge of the game, usually acquired through years of experience at lower levels, is required. Coaches must possess good communication and leadership skills. They must be resourceful and flexible.

Advancement of Athletic Coaches: Many coaches begin their careers as assistant coaches to gain the necessary knowledge and experience needed to become a head coach. Head coaches at larger schools that strive to compete at the highest levels of a sport require substantial experience as a head coach at another school or as an assistant coach. To reach the ranks of professional coaching, it usually takes years of coaching experience and a winning record in the lower ranks.

Job Outlook for Athletic Coaches: Employment is expected to increase faster than the average for all jobs through 2014. The importance Americans will continue to place on organized sports for recreation, entertainment, and physical fitness will cause this increase.

Earnings of Athletic Coaches:

Median Annual Earnings in the Industries Employing the Largest Numbers of coaches were as follows: (U.S., 2004^*)

• Colleges, universities, and professional schools: $36,610
• Other amusement and recreation industries: $26,340
• Elementary and secondary schools: $21,970
• Other schools and instruction: $22,560
• Civic and Social Organizations: $19,020

Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much athletic coaches currently earn in your city.

A Day in an Athletic Coach's Life: On a typical day a coach will:

• instruct the athlete on proper form and technique in beginning and, later, in advanced exercises attempting to maximize the players’ physical potential;
• oversee athletes as they refine their individual skills;
• manage the team during both practice sessions and competitions;
• instill good sportsmanship, a competitive spirit, and teamwork;
• select, store, issue, and inventory equipment, materials, and supplies;
• substitute players for optimum team chemistry and success;
• evaluate or "scout" the opposing team prior to the competition;
• direct team strategy and call specific plays during competition to surprise or overpower the opponent;

*This is the most recent year for which this information is available.

Information courtesy of Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Athletes, Coaches, Umpires, and Related Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos251.htm (visited January 17, 2006).