I served 4 years in the army. I separated this September and enrolled in school I will be graduating this summer with my bachelor's and have been accepted into an online masters program in sports administration. I have been volunteering for the past 3 years I've created an online portfolio and now just need help with touching up my resume and networking with college coaches i have been to numerous coaching clinics and sent hundreds of emails.
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Two quick thoughts:
One (RE: Resume): Get the book, What Color is Your Parachute (Bolles). The 2017 edition is out. Chapter in there on resume writing is the best there is. The rest of the book is not bad either. I am a vocational counselor and that book has proven to be the most valuable to my clients!
Two (Coaching): Here's what Coach Wooden had to say. That is, philosophically, follow his mantra:
No matter how you total success in the coaching profession, it all comes down to a single factor – TALENT.
There may be a hundred great coaches of whom you never have heard in basketball, football, or any sport who will probably never receive the acclaim they deserve simply because they have not been blessed with the TALENT. Although not every coach can win consistently with TALENT, no coach can live without it.
John Wooden, They Call Me Coach
That is, in a short phrase, TALENT TRUMPS EXPERIENCE EVERY TIME. Toot your TALENT horn. Those quality coaches who can hire you will have embraced this concept. Those who think experience more important are shallow and not worth working for.
EM me off this channel if you need more help: hlstevens@att.net
Mr. Cottell,
Thank you for the response. I have definitely considered teaching and coaching that is my backup plan as of now. I've got some volunteer experience with my college and have volunteered with some other teams in the area i am willing to work for a small stipend until i can get hired full time. I've attached a link to a website I've created.
coachallen.net
Hi Maurice, I called someone that I know who works in professional sports, is an expert in Sports Management and is pretty connected, to speak to him about your question. Here are his thoughts for you to consider, but please remember that this is one opinion and I'm sure other advisors will be assisting you as well.
1) Breaking into the college ranks cold is tough as there is a lot of competition. There are feeder programs from graduate schools , high school coaches moving up and large donors asking for help placing a candidate in an entry level position.
2) If a brick and mortar school is an option for you to afford, consider a school that has the masters program , but also a football program that you can join that acts as that feeder opportunity after graduation. This is commonly done successfully as you get coaching experience and people who can make contacts for you at the college level.
3) Research the boards of directors of those schools, alumni etc. and see if there are any ex military or members that have children in the military. You could reach out to them and see if they could facilitate your acceptance and possible tuition support because of your connection to them via the military.
4) Getting a coaching job at the high school level can also start some income and over time, act as that feeder opportunity.
Again, one point of view for you to consider and I wish you the best pursuing your dream. Thank you for your service Maurice and GOOD LUCK!
Best Regards, Mike
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