The Elephants in the Room

[reddogblitz]

Well, put Johnny without any material fact evidence to support the claim the case is dismissed. Someone is always floating rumors out on programs about such recruiting tactics ,but get back to the thread question there has been a lot of good post and every single one has some merit.

 

[coachsatcher]

All I know is Richland Springs beat the pants off us two years in a row with six guys on the field. Their kids practiced the same amount of time we did, they just did it better. Now back to the thread topic. The problems I see in keeping a job or not attaining a job are the questions that are never addressed during the interview. Some simple questions to ask, so you're never in a position of saying "I wish you would have told me that in the interview". Because trust me, those administrators are saying "You should have asked".

1. What is the goal for athletics in the eyes of administration, district, school board, and community?
They're rarely the same, but considering the administration has first decision on your job, you will need to see if their expectations match yours, and then if it's even possible to blend the others.
2. What are your responsibilities off the field?
Find out first hand what your responsibilities are away from the field, and if you're comfortable with the requirements.
3. What's the total athletic budget, and if you're responsible for the allocation of funds throughout the athletic program?
Many school districts will take Title IX way too far and allocate funds equally, and it's typically because they don't know any better. However, you and I all know you can't justify giving volleyball the same budget as football.
4. What are the scheduling limitations and what are their transportation solutions for athletics?
Nothing worse than scheduling a game and then finding out you don't have a bus until all routes are completed, or it's too far.
5. What are your teaching requirements and how they balance your schedule as a coach?
Every AD should have a minimum of one conference period and one AD prep period.

There are plenty more, that many of the coaches on this site could add, but these are the ones I never leave an interview without knowing. You should already have an idea of your salary , but don't forget the stipends. Ask if there is a stipend list, and if you have any say on it's allocation. When I arrived in Mount Calm, they had a list and I had to make changes. They had the head football coach and the head volleyball coach making the same amount. It wasn't a matter of disrespect, they just didn't realize the difference. Never leave an interview wishing you had asked something, but also, never accept a job that crosses your lines. I hate to hear coaches leaving because they thought they could change a school's stances, but they were addressed before they ever came. My final bit of advice is if you're interviewing for an AD position, always be willing to adjust your own stipends to benefit the coaching staff. I have given away and adjusted my stipends to increase my assistants stipends, or to land another coach on the staff. This is just a preference thing for myself. I know what I need financially, and everything over that was adjustable. I want the best staff possible. If that means I have to take a little less; so be it!

 

[ol' gus]

Thanks Satch. I didn't ask any of those questions last time. I have no doubt I can do all that but the other guy doesn't. Duh on me.

 

[coachbronk]

All I know is Richland Springs beat the pants off us two years in a row with six guys on the field. Their kids practiced the same amount of time we did, they just did it better. Now back to the thread topic. The problems I see in keeping a job or not attaining a job are the questions that are never addressed during the interview. Some simple questions to ask, so you're never in a position of saying "I wish you would have told me that in the interview". Because trust me, those administrators are saying "You should have asked".

1. What is the goal for athletics in the eyes of administration, district, school board, and community?
They're rarely the same, but considering the administration has first decision on your job, you will need to see if their expectations match yours, and then if it's even possible to blend the others.
2. What are your responsibilities off the field?
Find out first hand what your responsibilities are away from the field, and if you're comfortable with the requirements.
3. What's the total athletic budget, and if you're responsible for the allocation of funds throughout the athletic program?
Many school districts will take Title IX way too far and allocate funds equally, and it's typically because they don't know any better. However, you and I all know you can't justify giving volleyball the same budget as football.
4. What are the scheduling limitations and what are their transportation solutions for athletics?
Nothing worse than scheduling a game and then finding out you don't have a bus until all routes are completed, or it's too far.
5. What are your teaching requirements and how they balance your schedule as a coach?
Every AD should have a minimum of one conference period and one AD prep period.

There are plenty more, that many of the coaches on this site could add, but these are the ones I never leave an interview without knowing. You should already have an idea of your salary , but don't forget the stipends. Ask if there is a stipend list, and if you have any say on it's allocation. When I arrived in Mount Calm, they had a list and I had to make changes. They had the head football coach and the head volleyball coach making the same amount. It wasn't a matter of disrespect, they just didn't realize the difference. Never leave an interview wishing you had asked something, but also, never accept a job that crosses your lines. I hate to hear coaches leaving because they thought they could change a school's stances, but they were addressed before they ever came. My final bit of advice is if you're interviewing for an AD position, always be willing to adjust your own stipends to benefit the coaching staff. I have given away and adjusted my stipends to increase my assistants stipends, or to land another coach on the staff. This is just a preference thing for myself. I know what I need financially, and everything over that was adjustable. I want the best staff possible. If that means I have to take a little less; so be it!

Great post Coach Satcher. I think it's always good to have a topic like this because its honestly a refresher course of things to think about, especially if you haven't gone through the interview process in a few years.

I think once you do get the job, one thing that I think is very important to sustainability is developing a culture of winning throughout the entire department. Don't be a singular sport focus coach. Regardless if you're the AD or not, promoting the other sports and challenging the players to successful in every sport will only help your particular program, especially in those schools who don't have a deep history of success throughout the athletic programs.

 

[ol' gus]

STEP 1... Be yourself.
STEP 2... Be genuine.
STEP 3... Don't give the "correct answer" Give a realistic answer that represents you.

If they don't like you for you in the interview then why would they like you after they hire you.

Sums it up.

Wow. I didn't expect that answer but ok. That should be common sense. Is that really what long term coaches do each day/year in order to stay employed? Because I assure you I've known guys that did that and were non-renewed. How does that help a coach get a job then keep that job and build the program?
OAN, does anyone have any idea how many applicants each AD/HC job gets? And then how many interviews would they do? And if they call you in for an interview, wouldn't that earn a notification regarding the results of the job search? At least a Thanks but no thanks. Have any of you guys ever hired personnel in other career fields?

(First time replying using a quote. Apologize if doesn't work perfectly this go-'round.)
To answer your questions IMHO, which that and a dollar, still can't buy you a Coke anymore, my initial post was how to get employed. I have interviewed for 11 Jobs since graduating college to this point in my life. Everything from AAA-A and A.D. to assistant girls bball. I have been offered the job EVERY TIME I have been to an in face interview (only accepted 3). So I have faith in what I know is true for me, if I'm me, nothing more and nothing less, that encourages them to be themselves and we both will get an idea what the other is about.
To answer the second part is that how you keep a job. YES!!! Do what you said you would do. Stand by your word. This business is about people and relationships not X's and O's. I have won more games because my kids love me than I ever will out coaching someone.
My question for you: The guys that are themselves but don't get renewed, were they themselves in the interview? Not every school/admin is the right fit for every coach. There are many places I would not fit and I would not accept/be offered the job. I have said "no thank you" to 8 schools because they were not the right fit for me. I think people paint themselves into a corner during interviews by selling what they think the admin wants to hear when in reality that is not fundamentally who they are. So when it gets down to it the admin/board aren't getting what they paid for. The flip side can be true also. The admin at times can be disingenuous during the interview. You have to be able to spot the politician-admin types and be willing to walk away from them.

It's pretty incredible to be offered a job from every single interview you've ever gone to. Even your first interview straight out of college? That's incredible.
How is it even possible to know if any school is the right fit for you? Look at all of the 6man schools that hire a new coach at least every 3 years. Some every year. Some have gone for a decade with only 1-3 wins a year. I kinda get what you're saying about if they don't offer you a job then it could have been because they were looking for what they thought was a different kind of guy. How does that explain the fact that they're looking again the next year for another guy? Did they hire the wrong guy? They never come out and tell you what they really want. Doesn't make it an easier pill to swallow and the coaching carousel itself should be evidence enough that something's gotta give.
I consider myself a morally sound and ordained, research based, character driven, well read, multi certified, family man, student centered yet with a winning record, homework giving, library book requiring, no free days giving, bell to bell teaching, teacher coach yet I struggle to find a place to call home. There are dozens of us I'm sure. Is it really all of us that aren't the good fit? What passes for a good teacher these days? I'm stumped and I hope I figure something out soon.

 

[Johnny South]

I consider myself a morally sound and ordained, research based, character driven, well read, multi certified, family man, student centered yet with a winning record, homework giving, library book requiring, no free days giving, bell to bell teaching, teacher coach yet I struggle to find a place to call home. There are dozens of us I'm sure. Is it really all of us that aren't the good fit? What passes for a good teacher these days? I'm stumped and I hope I figure something out soon.

Gus, What ages and sizes are your kids? What does he run the forty in? Does he have good hands and a lot of quickness? Can he adapt to a new system quickly? Is he a hard hitter? Does he have a couple of younger brothers that are even more athletic than him? Are his sisters close to six feet? And NBN on three pointers?
(and would you happen to be Math certified?)

 

[Oldiebutagoodie]

Gus, without knowing you and your situation(s) its hard to say. If we are trying to narrow it down to something with in the interview my only guess is: what questions are you asking in your interview? Be blunt and direct. I asked once "why did the last coach get reassigned?" He was in the room as part of the panel interviewing me. hahaha. But I got my answers. Interview them more than they interview you.

 

[Coach Fryar]

The real elephant in the room.....
Getting a job and keeping a job simply comes down to this. Make the person or persons that rank above you (athletic director, principals, superintendents, and school boards) happy. Not that this should be our goals, but these people determine whether you have employment. I've seen where winning at all costs made everyone happy. I've seen where the same mindset costs someone a job. I've seen great classroom abilities help keep a not successful athletic career alive. I've seen great teachers with not up to standard win loss records get told to go. I've seen teaching kids great character and morals go a long ways to make a community want that coach to stay forever. I've also witnessed communities turn on that same style and desire a coach that will, "quit teaching ethics and morals, and cuss at the kids a little more!!" So, just be you. If the powers that be don't like it, it's time to go. You were looking for a job when you found that one. If you want to sell your soul to keep a job, shame on you.

 

[ol' gus]

Gus, without knowing you and your situation(s) its hard to say. If we are trying to narrow it down to something with in the interview my only guess is: what questions are you asking in your interview? Be blunt and direct. I asked once "why did the last coach get reassigned?" He was in the room as part of the panel interviewing me. hahaha. But I got my answers. Interview them more than they interview you.

So true. I suck at asking the hard questions. My bad. That explains a lot.
Plus my kids are slow so...

 

[ol' gus]

I think there's been a lot of good things come from this thread and I want to thank all who are participating.