Football Coach: Job Description, Salary, & Job Openings 2022

A good football coach can help guide players to success on and off the field.

However, learning how to help players improve and work better as a team requires specialized skills and knowledge.

If you are interested in working as a football coach, here is what you should know.

Football Coach: The Basics

The basic role of a football coach is to organize a team and lead them to victory.

Here’s a closer look at what they do.

What Is a Football Coach?

A football coach is often one of the top figures within a football program.

The coach is responsible for training and instructing players during practice and games.

What Is a Football Coach Called?

People may call a football coach a coordinator, depending on the coach’s role.

For example, the offensive coordinator is responsible for coaching the offensive players, including the quarterbacks.

What Does a Football Coach Do?

A football coach helps players improve their skills and fitness during training sessions and leads the team during competitive matches.

Football coaches develop training programs and identify player strengths and weaknesses.

Work Opportunities in the Football Coach Industry

The football coach industry offers many work opportunities for individuals of all experience levels.

Employment of coaches and scouts may grow at a rate of 45,100 new jobs per year.

Football Coach Job Description

Common tasks for a football coach include:

• Planning and organizing practice sessions
• Analyzing the performance of players
• Developing strategies for each game
• Motivating athletes to perform better

The duties of a football coach often depend on the level of competition.

For example, a football coach at a college or a university may also need to coordinate with a team of coaches, trainers, and scouts.

Top Football Coach Jobs and Careers

Collegiate football programs and professional football teams typically have at least the following three coaching positions:

• The head coach oversees training sessions, selects players, and directs the team during games.
• The assistant coach supports the head coach and performs various administrative duties.
• The offensive and defensive coordinators prepare offensive and defensive players for upcoming competitions.

Where Can a Football Coach Work?

About a quarter of football coaches work for colleges and universities.

One in five coaches works for elementary and secondary schools.

What It’s Like to Be a Football Coach

Before seeking the right education for this job, let’s take a closer look at what it’s like to be a football coach.

Is Being a Football Coach Hard?

Some may find this job hard when dealing with a poor win/loss ratio.

Football coaches also occasionally face challenges when managing players, such as addressing poor behavior.

Football coaches may find the job stressful at times, especially during competition.

Common Football Coach Workday

The workday typically starts with overseeing the team practice.

In the afternoon, the coach and the players may review game footage and strategies.

The team may finish with additional training or time in the gym.

On game day, the coach may meet with the coaching staff to review play calls and the selection of players.

Football Coach Tasks & Duties

As discussed, the daily duties and tasks of a football coach may involve planning practice sessions, analyzing the performance of players, and developing strategies for each game.

Football Coach Work Hours & Schedule

The typical high school football coach works about 60 hours per week during the football season and 20 to 30 hours per week during the off-season.

Football Coach Dress Code

Football coaches do not typically have a fixed dress code.

Most coaches wear comfortable attire, such as sportswear featuring the team’s logo or colors.

Some may prefer to wear slacks and a tie to present a more professional image.

Does This Career Field Embrace Work/Life Balance?

A career as a football coach can provide a decent work/life balance, as coaches work a set schedule and have more free time during the off-season.

However, coaches may also need to devote more time to work during the season.

Football Coach Salary & Income

One of the most common questions about football coaches is how much they make.

Let’s examine the typical pay for a football coach.

How Much Do Football Coaches Make?

Football coaches make decent money at most levels.

However, head football coaches for NCAA Division I college programs and NFL franchises receive the highest compensation.

According to Salary.com, the average annual salary for a head football coach is $59,969.

The hourly wages range from $26 to $32.

Overview of the Football Coach Industry

The football coach career path includes job opportunities at colleges, universities, and schools around the country.

Here’s a quick look at the state of the industry.

Football Coach Field: Career Progression

Those wanting to become football coaches typically enter this field as assistant coaches.

With enough experience, you may become a head football coach.

Is a Football Coach a Good Career?

A football coach is a good career for those who love football.

Demand for football coaches may grow in the coming years, giving you greater job stability.

Football coaches also receive decent compensation.

Coaches who work for the top colleges and universities may receive millions in pay.

Football Coach Job Outlook

The job outlook for football coaches is positive.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects 45,100 job openings for coaches and scouts each year between 2020 and 2030.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for coaches may increase by 26% between 2020 to 2030.

The BLS states that the demand for coaches is likely due to COVID-19 recovery.

Football Coach Facts

Kirby Smart, the head football coach of the University of Georgia’s Bulldogs, signed a 10-year contract in 2022 worth over $110 million.

Jobs Related to Football Coach

Here are a few related jobs to consider as alternatives to football coach:

• Fitness Instructor
• Sports Agent
• School Teacher

Requirements, Skills, and Education Required for Football Coaches

How do you become a football coach?

Here’s what you should know…

• Who Should Consider a Football Coach Career Path? A football coaching career path may make sense for those who love football and enjoy helping others succeed.
• Who Should Not Consider a Football Coach Career Path? Football coaching is not recommended for those who dislike being in charge, speaking up, or expressing their opinions.
• Is It Hard to Become a Football Coach? Becoming a football coach isn’t too difficult. With the right background, you should have no problem finding a job as a coach at a high school or middle school.

What Do I Need to Become a Football Coach?

You first need to meet the educational requirements, which often include a college degree.

Playing the sport that you plan to coach is also recommended.

Requirements for Becoming a Football Coach

The requirements for becoming a football coach vary.

Middle schools and high schools may not require as much experience compared to a college or university looking for a football coach.

Some schools may also require a specific certification, such as CPR certification.

What Skills Does a Football Coach Need?

A football coach needs strong leadership skills.

Coaches should also feel comfortable expressing themselves and telling others what to do.

Good critical thinking skills are also helpful for this career, as coaches need to develop winning strategies.

What Education Does a Football Coach Need?

You typically need a college degree for this career.

About two-thirds of football coaches hold a bachelor’s degree, and about 18.5% hold a master’s degree.

Can You Become a Football Coach Without a Degree?

It’s possible to become a football coach without a degree, but more difficult.

Most schools are likely to require a minimum of an associate’s degree.

What Experience Does a Football Coach Need?

Experience with the sport may help.

However, football coaches may not need experience before finding an entry-level job, such as an assistant coach.

Football Coach Education & Schooling

Football coaches often earn sports-related degrees, such as kinesiology or exercise science.

Some coaches obtain certifications through national organizations, such as the USA Football Youth Coach Certification.

• What Is Taught in a Football Coach Course? Football coaching courses may cover player skills, defensive team skills, and offensive team skills.

How Long Does a Football Coach Course Take?

A training course dedicated to football coaching may take half a day to several months, depending on the type of training.

For example, a certification course may take an afternoon to complete.

However, earning a degree can take several years.

Football Coach Education Options and Degree Programs

Most schools do not offer football coach degree programs.

Coaches typically major in related fields of study, such as kinesiology, sports medicine, physical fitness, or sports administration.

• Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor’s degree is the most common path to becoming a football coach.
• Master’s Degree: About one in five coaches has a master’s degree.
• Schools for Football Coaches: The best schools for football coaches include schools with respected football programs, such as those with NCAA Division I teams.

How to Become a Football CoachBecome a Football Coach

If you want to become a football coach, play football.

You should also study the sport by watching games and learning more about the strategies that teams use.

Steps to Become a Football Coach

1. Complete high school
2. Earn a bachelor’s degree
3. Volunteer with a football program
4. Obtain relevant certification
5. Apply for assistant football coach positions
6. Become a head football coach

Current Career Job Openings

If you’re ready to start looking for football coaching jobs, browse the following listings:

Wrapping Up

You now know what it takes to become a football coach.

You typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and CPR certification.

It’s also a job that provides the opportunity for a good work/life balance.

While you may need to put in a lot of hours during the season, you can enjoy a relatively light workload during the off-season.

If you want to become a football coach, start by obtaining a degree and looking for entry-level coaching jobs.