1. MOVIN’ ON UP: PREPARING
FOR A COLLEGIATE
COACHING CAREER
By Robin Potera-Haskins

2. Introduction
 Getting to the top of any career field is analogous to a
good infantry soldier who finally becomes a five-star
general. While possible, it can’t happen overnight. The
soldier must be battle-tested and earn their way up the
ranks. Collegiate coaches like Robin Potera-Haskins
know that a career in post-secondary athletics is no
different. Very few coaches can enter that arena right
out of college themselves. Like Robin Potera-Haskins,
they begin as a high school teacher and coach, and
must establish themselves not only by winning, but by
learning to wear a number of hats.

3. About Ms. Potera-Haskin’s example
 What skills does it take to follow Ms. Potera-Haskin’s example? First
and foremost, a coach looking to begin a collegiate career must
prepare him or herself to become human resource specialist. Head
coaches must learn to identify strengths and weaknesses in “team
personnel” that need to be addressed and become effective
recruiters of prospective talent. They also must become public
relations experts, putting in time with the boosters, making public
appearances, and issuing statements at press events. They will also
have to become knowledgeable in finance, properly administering a
budget, which must provide for all recruiting, travel, and scholarship
costs. If they are successful in mastering these and other roles, they
too may hope to progress to NCAA Division III, II, and I institutions
and beyond.