football coaching

Question
Hello, i was wondering if you had any advice for starting my coaching career. i played all four years of high school and was going to go play college football at a small school. upon graduation of high school i felt obligated to serve my country so i joined the Marine Corps. i continued to play for the battalion team for two seasons but for the past two seasons i have been injured due to a injury that took place while serving. i was told that my injury would never get better. so i feel as if my passion has been taken from me. So now i have been discharged and am looking for my passion again. i don't care about the money, i just love flat out love the game but i just don't know my next move and i would do anything to be apart of the game that i love again. can you help me?

Answer
Moses

First and foremost, thank for serving this country!
Upon discharge, think about going to college to get a degree.  Most all coaches have at least a BA degree.  Also if you go to a school with a football team you may have a chance to get involved in the program and eventially become a graduate assistant coach.   If you choose to go to college but don't have an opportunity to get involved with the college team, try walking on to a local high school coaching staff as a paid or volunteer coach.  I'd recommend you take some coaching classes in school or at a coaching clinic to learn the basics.  Some times these classes are offered during summer school or at commumity colleges.


If coaching doesn't work out think about becoming a football official/referee.

Bigining-level coaching positions require only experience derived as a participant in the sport or activity. Public high school head coaches and coaches 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: require experience from participation in the sport, to become a cerified coach, those who are not teachers must meet individual state requirements for certification. Certification may not be required for private schools. Knowledge of the game, through years of experience at lower levels, is required. Coaches must possess good communication, teaching and leadership skills. They must be resourceful and flexible.  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.

Median Annual Earnings in the Industries Employing the Largest Numbers of coaches were as follows: (U.S., 2008)

旵olleges, universities, and professional: $39,550
昈ther club and recreation : $28,720
昈ther schools and instruction: $25,740
旹lementary and secondary schools: $22,390

I do not endorse any of the clinics, but I do suggest you consult resources such as:

http://www.usafootball.com/resource-center/coaching/clinics
http://www.coacheslearningnetwork.com/
http://www.outreach.psu.edu/psu-sport-camps/football-coaches/    Penn State's clinic
http://www.footballcoachingsites.com/main/default.asp
http://www.oregoncoach.org/2010-OACA-Nike-Football-clinic-schedule.pdf


I also suggest you read the following article:  "How to Become a Football Coach Advice on the Qualities, Skills, and Steps Needed to Coach Football" by Brian Tubbs Feb 1, 2008  
See on-line article:
http://how-to-play-football.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_become_a_football_co...

2010 Schedule USA Football Coaching Schools; USA Football Coaching Schools are one-day clinics conducted by top local youth and high school coaches. You learn how to properly teach football fundamentals, improve your season and practice organization, and be exposed to new offensive, defensive and special teams schemes


USA Football Coaching School hosted by the Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: Saturday, May 22, 2010
Location: Pittsburgh, PA


USA Football Coaching School - Columbus, OH
Date: Saturday, May 22, 2010
Location: Dublin, OH


USA Football Coaching School - San Diego, California
Date: Saturday, May 22, 2010
Location: Corona, CA


USA Football Coaching School hosted by the St. Louis Rams
Date: Saturday, May 22, 2010
Location: St. Louis, MO


USA Football Coaching School hosted by the Philadelphia Eagles
Date: Saturday, June 05, 2010
Location: Philadelphia, PA


USA Football Coaching School hosted by the Carolina Panthers
Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010
Location: Charlotte, NC


USA Football Coaching School - Ann Arbor, Michigan
Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010
Location: Ann Arbor, MI


USA Football Coaching School hosted by the Atlanta Falcons
Date: Saturday, June 19, 2010
Location: Hoschton, GA


USA Football Coaching School hosted by the New York Jets
Date: Saturday, June 19, 2010
Location: Florham Park, NJ


USA Football Coaching School hosted by the Denver Broncos
Date: Saturday, June 26, 2010
Location: Englewood, CO


USA Football Coaching School hosted by the New Orleans Saints
Date: Saturday, June 26, 2010
Location: Metairie, LA


USA Football Coaching School hosted by the Seattle Seahawks
Date: Sunday, June 27, 2010
Location: Seattle, WA


USA Football Coaching School hosted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Date: Saturday, July 10, 2010
Location: St. Cloud, FL


USA Football Coaching School - Phoenix, Arizona
Date: Saturday, July 10, 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ


USA Football Coaching School hosted by the New York Giants
Date: Saturday, July 10, 2010
Location: East Rutherford, NJ


USA Football Coaching School hosted by the Oakland Raiders
Date: Saturday, July 17, 2010
Location: Alameda, CA


USA Football Coaching School - San Diego, California
Date: Saturday, July 17, 2010
Location: San Diego, CA


USA Football Coaching School hosted by the Kansas City Chiefs
Date: Saturday, July 17, 2010
Location: Kansas City, MO


USA Football Coaching School hosted by the Minnesota Vikings
Date: Saturday, July 24, 2010
Location: Eden Prairie, MN