I listed a few definite topics you will need to be prepared to address when you apply for a head coach and or athletic director job.

1. Head coach and or athletic director typical interviewtopics.
This is some basic topics you are going to have toaddress on any head coach interviewyou
go on. I game some specific answers onsome and you can fill in the rest.
STAFF
One of the mostimportantrolesasthe headcoach isleaderof your staff. Itstarts will hiringqualitystaff thatcare about
kidsand are passionate aboutteachingandcoaching. Asthe leaderyoumust make sure theyall staff members know
youvalue theirrole and the job theyare doing. You will askthemtogo above and beyondthe call of duty.You have to
make sure you touchthemeveryday.All employeeswanttoknow theyare doinga goodjob. Takingtime to letthem
knowyouappreciate the jobtheyare doingand the fact you know theyare goingabove and beyondisimportantto
keepingapositive chemistryonyourstaff.A leaderhastobe alertforstaff memberswhoare strugglingorfeeling
unappreciatedandanypersonal conflictbetweenstaff members. A leaderexpectsandwantsto hearthe opinions,
thoughtsandideasof the staff he leads. Youwill onlybe asgood as youare if youdon’tinclude yourstaff inyour
decisionmaking. Byincludingall yourstaff membersindecisionmakingyoustrengthenthe decisionsyoumake forkids
and the program.
ACADEMICS
Athleticsisapart of Academics.Tome itspurpose isto enhance academics.We wantto use athleticstohelpcreate a
positive environmentwithinthe school.Inordertodo that we have to make sure we do not separate ourselvesfromthe
processof academics.We will holdourathletesresponsible fortheirbehaviorandtheireffortinthe classroom.
Students,whohave shownthe coachingstaff theyare at riskof failingorpoorbehaviorinclass,will take agrade sheet
aroundto teacherseveryday.A coach will take those upandconsequenceswill be givenfortheirperformance inclass.
We will have ALLfreshmen take agrade sheeteveryday.Alsowe will monitorgradesthroughskyward.We will sendan
email outto teacherstoletthemknowwe want to helpandsupportthe teacherwithour athletesintheirclass.We will
sendoutthis email once amonthto remindteachersthe coachingstaff ishere to be a resource for the teacherstohelp
motivate the student.We will supportourteachersandinsure ourathletesattendtutorials.
ADMINISTRATORS
One of myfirstactionswill be todevelopatrustingrelationshipwiththe Principal andher/hisstaff.Iwill dothisby
meetingwiththemandlettingthemknow I’m here tohelpandanyideastheyhave thatI can do that I’mopento. Iwill
alsobe onduty inthe cafeteriawiththe AP’sinthe morningandat lunchwhenthe athletesgoto lunch. I wantto prove
to the AdministratorsI’montheirteamandwillingtohelp.
TEACHERS
We wantto immediatelyopenlinesof communicationwithourteachers.Assuringourteacherswe are here to support
our teacherswiththe athletesintheirclassandinthe halls.Iwill sendouta school wide email firstdayonthe job
detailingourinvolvementwiththe studentathlete andhow we wanttosupportthe teacher.Grade sheetswill be
passedaroundwiththe “at risk” studentsandwe wantthe teachersto email usor contact me whenwe have an athlete
that ismisbehavinginclass.Iwill findplacesthatIcan talkwithteacherssoI can buildrelationshipswithourteachers,
such as,eatingwiththemat departmentmeetings,servingthemahamburgerlunchorchickfa la on an in-service day
and visitingwitheachteacherthroughoutthe year.Iwant to make myself andthe coachesapproachable.Iwill also
supportmy principal withourassistantcoachesandtheirdutiesandexpectationsof dressinthe classroom.We will
make sure athletesattendtutorials.

2. UIL
We use a calendarlistingthe UILrequirementsanddatesthose requirementsare tobe turnedinto the UIL. We will
have all our UIL paperworkaccessible onthe athleticwebsite soparentswillbe able toeasilyaccessthingssuchas
physicals,acknowledgments,etc.We will follow all UILrulesandwe will notallow playerstoparticipate until all paper
workhas beencompleted.
COMMUNITY
Withinthe first10 dayson the job I will inquire fromotherschool leaderswhoare the communityleadersIneedtoopen
up linesof communication.Iwill alsomeetwiththe boosterclubandresearchwhoour communitycontributorsare and
beganto visitwiththese communitymembers,introduce myself andexchangecontactinfo.Withinthe firstmonthof
the job I will contactthe local pastorsand developandrelationshipwithourlocal clergy.
PROFESSIONALGROWTH
Growingas a professional ineducationandathleticsisatop priority.Sportsare an everevolvingbusinessandinorderto
stay at the top of your game you have to spendtime developingyourself.Ispendagreatdeal of time readingarticles
and researchonthe internetasone waythat I grow.Anotherisspendingtime coaching campsandattendingclinics.
One of the mosteffective waysIbelieve togrowprofessionallyandhelpyourstaff grow is to bringinexpertstoyour
campusand have thempresenttoyou.This givesyouone onone and keepspeoplefocusedonthe taskat hand. Thisis
alsoa costeffective waytogetyourstaff informationwithouthavingtospendmoneyonhotelsandtravel.
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH MINORITY PARENTS
Some schools will ask this question to a perspective head coach and others will ask about minority students. I
believe you treat all players, parents with respect and if you have the student’s best interest in mind when you
make decisions, people will respect you. Treating parents with respect and understanding that they care
about their child and it is a positive that they are involved rather than a burden, you will develop a relationship
with all parents.
FRESMAN
Toughestlevel,thisiswhere mostprogramsstartto lose numbers. Youhave to have the Varsitycoachesspendsolid
qualitytime coachingthese kidsandbuildingrelationshipsinordertokeeptheminthe program.You wantto have the
goal of retaining90%of your8th
gradersgoingto 9th
and at least85% of your freshmangoingtosoph.If youkeepthese
numbersandget thempast9th
grade year a program usuallykeepsmostof the playersafterthispoint.Youhave to
spendtime withthe playersif youwanttoretainthem.
MIDDLES SCHOOL
I don’tthinkI have everbeenonan interviewthisquestionwasn’tasked.Everyinterview panel islookingforthe same
answer.Theywantto knowyouare goingto be a part of thiscampus and involvedinhavingthese kidsrunthe same
program youare runningat the highschool.Wordof advice,whateveryousayyou’re goingtodo withthisprogram,you
betterfollowthrough.