A coach organizes amateur and professional athletes and teaches them the fundamentals of a sport. He or she trains them to compete as a team or individually. Some coaches recruit new players for college and professional teams.
Quick Facts
Coaches’ median annual earnings were $31,000 in 2015. Along with athletic scouts, whose primary responsibility is recruiting athletes, they held approximately 251,000 jobs in 2014.* Most coaches worked for educational institutions, including high schools and colleges. Others work for community organizations. Professional teams also employ coaches. This occupation has a good job outlook. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ predictions, employment will grow as fast as the average for all occupations through 2024.
*Note: The US Bureau of Labor Statistics combines wage and employment data for Coaches and Scouts.
Job Duties
These are some typical job duties taken from online ads for coaching positions:
Initiate problem resolutionAssist in scouting and recruiting activitiesMonitor individual student-athlete progress to ensure academic eligibilityTeach and instruct all aspects of gamePromote sportsmanship and foster good character in student athletesSupervise students in practice areas, locker rooms and on busesEncourage student participation and establish rapportMaintain equipment and uniforms
What You May Not Like About Being a Coach
Since games are often on evenings, weekends, and holidays, coaches can expect to work during hours that many other people do not.Those whose work involves outdoor sports may have to deal with exposure to inclement weather.
Educational and Other Requirements
Coaches who work in high schools are usually teachers and therefore must meet all the qualifications for that occupation, including having a bachelor’s degree. Those who work in a college usually need a bachelor’s degree too. Degree programs specifically related to coaching include exercise and sports science, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition and fitness, physical education, and sports medicine.
Most employers expect those they hire to have participated in the sport they want to coach. High school coaches, particularly those who work in public schools, usually need to be certified. This typically requires training in CPR and first aid, and sometimes in sports safety and coaching fundamentals as well. Some private schools do not require certification.
What Soft Skills Do You Need?
In addition to knowledge about the sport you want to coach and certification, you will also need certain soft skills. They are:
Leadership: This skill set will allow you to influence the athletes you are coaching Listening and Speaking: You will need excellent communication skills in order to effectively teach and convey information to your team or individual athletes. Decision Making: During games, you must quickly be able to make decisions. Interpersonal Skills: These “people skills” are essential as they will allow you to relate well to your players.
How to Advance As a Coach
It is likely you will begin your career as an assistant coach, as many who work in this occupation do. After gaining the necessary knowledge and experience, you may eventually become a head coach. If you want to compete at the highest levels of a school sport, you will need substantial experience as a head or assistant coach at a smaller school. Head coaches at larger schools that strive to compete at the highest levels of a sport require substantial experience at another school. Coaching a professional sports team requires years of experience and a winning record in the lower ranks.
What Employers Expect From You
To learn what qualities employers are looking for when they hire coaches, we took a look at jobs listed on Indeed.com. This is what we found:
Demonstrates organizational ability, and attention to detail and accuracyBe able to give clear and precise directionsMust possess good safety awareness and judgmentFun, positive, enthusiastic attitudeKnowledge of and interest in diverse cultures and populationsYou need to immerse yourself in the sport and keep up to date on all the latest developments and innovative training methods and techniquesBackground check required
Is This Career a Good Fit?
Holland Code: SER (Social, Enterprising, Realistic) MBTI Personality Types: ESTJ, ESFJ, ESTP, ISTP, ESFP
Occupations With Related Activities and Tasks
Title Description Annual Salary (2015) Educational Requirements
Umpire / Referee Makes sure players and teams are following rules during sports competitions $24,870 Varies by state
Choreographer Creates new dance routines or interpretations of established ones; auditions dancers $45,940 Dance training
Professional Athlete
Competes in an organized sport individually or as part of a team $44,680 Private or group lessons
Director Tends to the creative aspects of films, tv shows, and stage shows, making sure these productions run smoothly $68,440 Bachelor’s degree in the discipline in which you want to work
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A coach organizes amateur and professional athletes and teaches them the fundamentals of a sport. He or she trains them to compete as a team or individually. Some coaches recruit new players for college and professional teams.
Quick Facts
Coaches’ median annual earnings were $31,000 in 2015. Along with athletic scouts, whose primary responsibility is recruiting athletes, they held approximately 251,000 jobs in 2014.* Most coaches worked for educational institutions, including high schools and colleges. Others work for community organizations. Professional teams also employ coaches. This occupation has a good job outlook. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ predictions, employment will grow as fast as the average for all occupations through 2024.
*Note: The US Bureau of Labor Statistics combines wage and employment data for Coaches and Scouts.
Job Duties
These are some typical job duties taken from online ads for coaching positions:
Initiate problem resolutionAssist in scouting and recruiting activitiesMonitor individual student-athlete progress to ensure academic eligibilityTeach and instruct all aspects of gamePromote sportsmanship and foster good character in student athletesSupervise students in practice areas, locker rooms and on busesEncourage student participation and establish rapportMaintain equipment and uniforms
What You May Not Like About Being a Coach
Since games are often on evenings, weekends, and holidays, coaches can expect to work during hours that many other people do not.Those whose work involves outdoor sports may have to deal with exposure to inclement weather.
Educational and Other Requirements
Coaches who work in high schools are usually teachers and therefore must meet all the qualifications for that occupation, including having a bachelor’s degree. Those who work in a college usually need a bachelor’s degree too. Degree programs specifically related to coaching include exercise and sports science, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition and fitness, physical education, and sports medicine.
Most employers expect those they hire to have participated in the sport they want to coach. High school coaches, particularly those who work in public schools, usually need to be certified. This typically requires training in CPR and first aid, and sometimes in sports safety and coaching fundamentals as well. Some private schools do not require certification.
What Soft Skills Do You Need?
In addition to knowledge about the sport you want to coach and certification, you will also need certain soft skills. They are:
Leadership: This skill set will allow you to influence the athletes you are coaching Listening and Speaking: You will need excellent communication skills in order to effectively teach and convey information to your team or individual athletes. Decision Making: During games, you must quickly be able to make decisions. Interpersonal Skills: These “people skills” are essential as they will allow you to relate well to your players.
How to Advance As a Coach
It is likely you will begin your career as an assistant coach, as many who work in this occupation do. After gaining the necessary knowledge and experience, you may eventually become a head coach. If you want to compete at the highest levels of a school sport, you will need substantial experience as a head or assistant coach at a smaller school. Head coaches at larger schools that strive to compete at the highest levels of a sport require substantial experience at another school. Coaching a professional sports team requires years of experience and a winning record in the lower ranks.
What Employers Expect From You
To learn what qualities employers are looking for when they hire coaches, we took a look at jobs listed on Indeed.com. This is what we found:
Demonstrates organizational ability, and attention to detail and accuracyBe able to give clear and precise directionsMust possess good safety awareness and judgmentFun, positive, enthusiastic attitudeKnowledge of and interest in diverse cultures and populationsYou need to immerse yourself in the sport and keep up to date on all the latest developments and innovative training methods and techniquesBackground check required
Is This Career a Good Fit?
Holland Code: SER (Social, Enterprising, Realistic) MBTI Personality Types: ESTJ, ESFJ, ESTP, ISTP, ESFP
Occupations With Related Activities and Tasks
Title Description Annual Salary (2015) Educational Requirements
Umpire / Referee Makes sure players and teams are following rules during sports competitions $24,870 Varies by state
Choreographer Creates new dance routines or interpretations of established ones; auditions dancers $45,940 Dance training
Professional Athlete
Competes in an organized sport individually or as part of a team $44,680 Private or group lessons
Director Tends to the creative aspects of films, tv shows, and stage shows, making sure these productions run smoothly $68,440 Bachelor’s degree in the discipline in which you want to work
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies
A coach organizes amateur and professional athletes and teaches them the fundamentals of a sport. He or she trains them to compete as a team or individually. Some coaches recruit new players for college and professional teams.
Quick Facts
Coaches’ median annual earnings were $31,000 in 2015. Along with athletic scouts, whose primary responsibility is recruiting athletes, they held approximately 251,000 jobs in 2014.* Most coaches worked for educational institutions, including high schools and colleges. Others work for community organizations. Professional teams also employ coaches. This occupation has a good job outlook. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ predictions, employment will grow as fast as the average for all occupations through 2024.
*Note: The US Bureau of Labor Statistics combines wage and employment data for Coaches and Scouts.
Job Duties
These are some typical job duties taken from online ads for coaching positions:
Initiate problem resolutionAssist in scouting and recruiting activitiesMonitor individual student-athlete progress to ensure academic eligibilityTeach and instruct all aspects of gamePromote sportsmanship and foster good character in student athletesSupervise students in practice areas, locker rooms and on busesEncourage student participation and establish rapportMaintain equipment and uniforms
What You May Not Like About Being a Coach
Since games are often on evenings, weekends, and holidays, coaches can expect to work during hours that many other people do not.Those whose work involves outdoor sports may have to deal with exposure to inclement weather.
Educational and Other Requirements
Coaches who work in high schools are usually teachers and therefore must meet all the qualifications for that occupation, including having a bachelor’s degree. Those who work in a college usually need a bachelor’s degree too. Degree programs specifically related to coaching include exercise and sports science, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition and fitness, physical education, and sports medicine.
Most employers expect those they hire to have participated in the sport they want to coach. High school coaches, particularly those who work in public schools, usually need to be certified. This typically requires training in CPR and first aid, and sometimes in sports safety and coaching fundamentals as well. Some private schools do not require certification.
What Soft Skills Do You Need?
In addition to knowledge about the sport you want to coach and certification, you will also need certain soft skills. They are:
Leadership: This skill set will allow you to influence the athletes you are coaching Listening and Speaking: You will need excellent communication skills in order to effectively teach and convey information to your team or individual athletes. Decision Making: During games, you must quickly be able to make decisions. Interpersonal Skills: These “people skills” are essential as they will allow you to relate well to your players.
How to Advance As a Coach
It is likely you will begin your career as an assistant coach, as many who work in this occupation do. After gaining the necessary knowledge and experience, you may eventually become a head coach. If you want to compete at the highest levels of a school sport, you will need substantial experience as a head or assistant coach at a smaller school. Head coaches at larger schools that strive to compete at the highest levels of a sport require substantial experience at another school. Coaching a professional sports team requires years of experience and a winning record in the lower ranks.
What Employers Expect From You
To learn what qualities employers are looking for when they hire coaches, we took a look at jobs listed on Indeed.com. This is what we found:
Demonstrates organizational ability, and attention to detail and accuracyBe able to give clear and precise directionsMust possess good safety awareness and judgmentFun, positive, enthusiastic attitudeKnowledge of and interest in diverse cultures and populationsYou need to immerse yourself in the sport and keep up to date on all the latest developments and innovative training methods and techniquesBackground check required
Is This Career a Good Fit?
Holland Code: SER (Social, Enterprising, Realistic) MBTI Personality Types: ESTJ, ESFJ, ESTP, ISTP, ESFP
Occupations With Related Activities and Tasks
Title Description Annual Salary (2015) Educational Requirements
Umpire / Referee Makes sure players and teams are following rules during sports competitions $24,870 Varies by state
Choreographer Creates new dance routines or interpretations of established ones; auditions dancers $45,940 Dance training
Professional Athlete
Competes in an organized sport individually or as part of a team $44,680 Private or group lessons
Director Tends to the creative aspects of films, tv shows, and stage shows, making sure these productions run smoothly $68,440 Bachelor’s degree in the discipline in which you want to work
A coach organizes amateur and professional athletes and teaches them the fundamentals of a sport. He or she trains them to compete as a team or individually. Some coaches recruit new players for college and professional teams.
Quick Facts
- Coaches’ median annual earnings were $31,000 in 2015.
- Along with athletic scouts, whose primary responsibility is recruiting athletes, they held approximately 251,000 jobs in 2014.*
- Most coaches worked for educational institutions, including high schools and colleges. Others work for community organizations. Professional teams also employ coaches.
- This occupation has a good job outlook. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ predictions, employment will grow as fast as the average for all occupations through 2024.
*Note: The US Bureau of Labor Statistics combines wage and employment data for Coaches and Scouts.
Job Duties
These are some typical job duties taken from online ads for coaching positions:
- Initiate problem resolutionAssist in scouting and recruiting activitiesMonitor individual student-athlete progress to ensure academic eligibilityTeach and instruct all aspects of gamePromote sportsmanship and foster good character in student athletesSupervise students in practice areas, locker rooms and on busesEncourage student participation and establish rapportMaintain equipment and uniforms
What You May Not Like About Being a Coach
- Since games are often on evenings, weekends, and holidays, coaches can expect to work during hours that many other people do not.Those whose work involves outdoor sports may have to deal with exposure to inclement weather.
Educational and Other Requirements
Coaches who work in high schools are usually teachers and therefore must meet all the qualifications for that occupation, including having a bachelor’s degree. Those who work in a college usually need a bachelor’s degree too. Degree programs specifically related to coaching include exercise and sports science, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition and fitness, physical education, and sports medicine.
Most employers expect those they hire to have participated in the sport they want to coach. High school coaches, particularly those who work in public schools, usually need to be certified. This typically requires training in CPR and first aid, and sometimes in sports safety and coaching fundamentals as well. Some private schools do not require certification.
What Soft Skills Do You Need?
In addition to knowledge about the sport you want to coach and certification, you will also need certain soft skills. They are:
- Leadership: This skill set will allow you to influence the athletes you are coaching
- Listening and Speaking: You will need excellent communication skills in order to effectively teach and convey information to your team or individual athletes.
- Decision Making: During games, you must quickly be able to make decisions.
- Interpersonal Skills: These “people skills” are essential as they will allow you to relate well to your players.
How to Advance As a Coach
It is likely you will begin your career as an assistant coach, as many who work in this occupation do. After gaining the necessary knowledge and experience, you may eventually become a head coach. If you want to compete at the highest levels of a school sport, you will need substantial experience as a head or assistant coach at a smaller school. Head coaches at larger schools that strive to compete at the highest levels of a sport require substantial experience at another school. Coaching a professional sports team requires years of experience and a winning record in the lower ranks.
What Employers Expect From You
To learn what qualities employers are looking for when they hire coaches, we took a look at jobs listed on Indeed.com. This is what we found:
- Demonstrates organizational ability, and attention to detail and accuracyBe able to give clear and precise directionsMust possess good safety awareness and judgmentFun, positive, enthusiastic attitudeKnowledge of and interest in diverse cultures and populationsYou need to immerse yourself in the sport and keep up to date on all the latest developments and innovative training methods and techniquesBackground check required
Is This Career a Good Fit?
- Holland Code: SER (Social, Enterprising, Realistic)
- MBTI Personality Types: ESTJ, ESFJ, ESTP, ISTP, ESFP
Occupations With Related Activities and Tasks
Title Description Annual Salary (2015) Educational Requirements
Umpire / Referee Makes sure players and teams are following rules during sports competitions $24,870 Varies by state
Choreographer Creates new dance routines or interpretations of established ones; auditions dancers $45,940 Dance training
Professional Athlete
Competes in an organized sport individually or as part of a team $44,680 Private or group lessons
Director Tends to the creative aspects of films, tv shows, and stage shows, making sure these productions run smoothly $68,440 Bachelor’s degree in the discipline in which you want to work
Home
Entertainment
Careers
Activities
Humor
About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy Editorial Guidelines Contact Terms of Use EU Privacy
LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
Home
Home
Entertainment
Careers
Activities
Humor
About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy Editorial Guidelines Contact Terms of Use EU Privacy
About Us
Advertise
Careers
Privacy Policy
Editorial Guidelines
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Terms of Use
EU Privacy
Entertainment
Careers
Activities
Humor
LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies
