Expectations of an Assistant Coach

“A good coach makes better players out of border line athletes and often makes good players out of mediocre ones. A good coach emphasizes their abilities –enables them to make the most of their god given talents –gives them the best chance for success by putting the right player in the right place.”Robert Zuppke

It is the athlete’s responsibility to please the coach and not the coach’s place to please the players. Our job as coaches is to run a top-flight program that will eventually lead to continued success. As coaches we have an obligation to run a disciplined program that will be successful in the long run. To do anything else is unfair to the coaches and athletes who want to win. Don’t worry about what your fellow coaches are doing. Just do your job and do it well. When hanging out around the football office and our kids are in the locker room and you find yourself with nothing to do please go and visit with your players.

“Treat a person as he is, and he will remain as he is.  Treat him as what he could be, and he will become what he should be.” Jimmy Johnson

Don’t allow anything to lie around the athletic area, which includes the locker room, weight room and practice fields. the strength coach as well as your assistant coaches should be responsible for the up keep of the weight room. All coaches please pitch in to help in keeping the athletic areas clean.
If you have an assignment that requires you to supervise the locker room, and weight room areas please make sure our athletes keep it clean and they are picking up after themselves.

Don’t run off right after practice, pitch in there’s always something to do, check in with the coordinators or head coach before leaving.

Don’t expect anything less than perfection in every aspect of the football program.

Don’t leave the locker rooms unsupervised when our athletes are still inside.

Don’t keep score; coaches must take pride in their assigned responsibilities.

Coaches will be expected to be on time for all staff meetings and practices, unless you have notified the head coach of a problem. Follow the fifteen-minute rule, if we expect our athletes to follow this rule then we as coaches need to follow it also.

To do everything you can do to develop a winning attitude.

To study and work hard to make yourself a great coach. Educational growth is a must for any coach in order to maintain, sustain and develop new innovative ways of coaching, new teaching techniques, and better ways to improve teaching.

To be professional in attitude, responses, work and personal appearance.

Never involve your spouse in the coaching situation in a negative manner.

To be sincerely interested in the success of our players and other members of the coaching staff.

Never give up on a player. He can always change and likely will if given the chance by you. To be positive and never doubt that we will be successful.

To be creative and have the ability to think on your own and apply gained knowledge of the game. Please don’t wait to be told what to do.

To be on the same page with each other (offense, defense) when taking the practice or game field. Never take your disagreements to practice.

Don’t get complacent as the season goes on. Don’t let the little things slide in the discipline of our players; this will lead to bad habits.

Have a plan for everything. Be organized.

Do not choose favorites. Work with every player on the squad.

If you are going to leave campus or be absent from assigned duties please check in with the appropriate staff member in charge of teachers.

When taking the field know where you belong, be waiting for your players, don’t have players waiting on you.

Utilize instruction time before and after practice. As a rule of thumb use the “15 minute rule”if I arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled meeting time then I’m on time; if I arrive 10 minutes early I’m 5 minutes late; if I arrive 5 minutes early then I’m 10 minutes late; and if I arrive on the scheduled time then my players are waiting for you.

Have something to say after each effort. Remember, this is coaching and “don’t coach out of frustration.” Don’t just tell an athlete what he is doing wrong, show him how to correct it; this builds credibility.

Stay alert for players with injuries or heat problems. Refer to trainer.

Do not deny an athlete requesting water if they need it.

Strive to make your group the best on the field, take pride in your work.

Do not experiment with drills during practice, have your work thought out, and make sure it fits the scheme.

As a position coach, expect to be talked to if something avoidable goes wrong.

Our practices must be organized; talk in meetings not on the field, repetition is the most important key, repetition instills learning. Don’t hold clinics on the field.

Players must perform on the practice field with a since of urgency, hustle is the key ingredient.

Pay strict attention to the scheduled time segments. Wear a watch to practice, take a whistle to the practice field and don’t forget your practice schedule.

Gain the respect from your players, don’t demand respect, you must earn it.

Coach your players all year long, “talk football”. Encourage them to“hang around the field house”,to work on a position specialty skill, and to work in the weight room.

Talk the importance of classroom demeanor, doing well in class, staying current on all classroom assignments and homework. Character in the classroom is key.

If you get tired pray for strength, because as a staff we are only as strong as our weakest link.

Coaches will be asked to make thorough preparation for carrying out their responsibilities at each and every practice session, off-season and in-season events. Coaches will be asked to personally assume the responsibility for preparing any necessary charts and drill situations to accomplish smoothly and efficiently the teaching expected of him on and off the field.

Always be Optimistic: The glass is half full

Assistant Football Coaches Evaluation Form

1) Unsatisfactory 2) Improvement Needed 3) Average 4) Good 5) Excellent N/A Does Not Apply

Evaluation of Personal and Professional Relationships:

1) Demonstrates Self Control
2) Vitality and Good Health
3) Appropriate Language
4) Appropriate Dress
5) Establishes Good Rapport With Staff
6) Establishes Good Rapport With Players.
7) Establishes Good Rapport With Parents.
8) Punctuality in Attendance Of Meetings and Events.
9) Willing to Make Necessary Sacrifices.
10) Cooperates With Administration and Staff.
11) Loyalty to Program is Evident.

Comments:

Assistant Coaches Evaluation of Adherence To Football Program Philosophy

1) Properly Dressed Out and On Time.
2) Follows Assigned Instructions.
3) Has Assigned Drills Ready and On Time For Athletes.
4) Provides Proper Supervision Before and After Practice.
5) Insists on Helping Keep Facilities Clean and Neat.
6) Available After Workouts To Discuss Days Activities, Will Check with Head Coach before leaving.
7) Gives Good Effort Towards the Goals Set Forth By The Head Coach.
8) Works Towards Daily Improvement.
9) Keeps Poise and Confidence On Field.
10) Is Well Prepared For Practice and Athletic Periods.
11) Demonstrates a High Degree of Care For His/Her Athletes.
12) Loyalty To The Program Is Evident.

Comments:

Assistant Coaches Evaluation of Organization and Administrative Responsibilities:

1) Assists in Planning Of Practice, Contest and Special Events.
2) Is Dependable In Performing Assigned Duties.
3) Is Punctual In Performing Assigned Duties.
4) Prepares To Insure Maximum Efficiency In Presentation To Players.
5) Cooperates In Submitting Eligibility Lists, Trip Request, Bus Request,
Sub List, Program Needs, and Program Information To Proper Channels.
6) Encourages Students To Participate In Athletic Programs Of Their Interest.
7) Helps With Proper Care Of Equipment and Facilities.
8) Follows Proper Chain Of Command When Dealing With Problems.
9) Accepts and Implements Athletic Department Decisions and Policies.
10) Makes Maximum Use Of Time Available.
11) Willingly Contributes Additional Time To Summer and Off- Season Programs.

Comments:

Evaluation of Organization Administrative Responsibilities

1) Firm But Fair Along With Consistent With Individual and Team Discipline.
2) Displays Knowledge Of The Sport.
3) Possesses The Ability To Relate Knowledge Of The Game To His Athletes.
4) Shows a Desire To Grow Professionally.
5) Displays a Sincere Interest In Coach His Sport.l
6) Is Loyal To The Program And Head Coach.

Comments:

About the Author of this post:

Jerry Campbell has over 30 years of high school and college coaching experience. He has experience as a head coach, offensive coordinator, and various position coaches. He has written numerous football coaching articles in various publications, is the author of over 30 books on coaching football, and has produced 12 coaching video series. Additionally, he is a nationally sought after speaker on the coaching clinic circuit.