The first step to becoming a college basketball coach is to make sure you’re prepared. To do so, you’ll need to have an understanding of the game, as well as a degree in sports management or a related field.
If you want to become a college basketball coach, you must also understand the business side of things. Be sure to know how colleges work and what it takes for them to hire new coaches.
It’s important to start networking with people who can help your career along. Do this by contacting former players who have gone on to become coaches themselves. They may be able to give you some advice on what you need to do next in order for them to recommend hiring you as their replacement at their current school (or another one).
Get involved with local high schools and colleges by volunteering at their practices or games. This will help them get used seeing you around campus so they won’t feel like they’re meeting someone new when they finally decide who should replace their current coach when he retires or moves away from town altogether!
How To Become College Basketball Coach
If you are a strong basketball player and enjoy teaching others how to play, you may want to consider a profession as a college basketball coach. These professionals work with college students on a basketball team and teach them how to be more effective when playing this sport. College basketball coaches need specific experience and education to be considered for this position. In this article, we’ll explore what a college basketball coach does, the requirements to become one and steps you can take to pursue this career choice.
Find the best companies to work for on Indeed
Get access to millions of company ratings and reviews
What does a college basketball coach do?
College basketball coaches teach college students how to play basketball as part of a team. Many college students who are part of a basketball team already have a certain level of skills in the sport, and a coach is there to help team members hone these skills and work together as a team to win basketball games. A college basketball coach should expect and be able to:
- Perform administrative responsibilities that include submitting health forms, filling out rosters, creating budgets for the team, developing training schedules and ordering equipment needed for training and practice.
- Learn different basketball organizations’ rules and goals that are expected to be followed when playing games as part of that organization.
- Ensure team members are safe during practice and games.
- Recruit new basketball players to the college team.
- Work one-on-one with players to help them develop their skills.
- Select players to fill in certain positions in a way that is effective.
- Facilitate team-building activities to promote a sense of teamwork and comradeship.
- Developing team rules and enforcing the rules during practice and at games.
- Creating game plans for each game based on the knowledge available of the other team.
- Participate in public relations activities to broaden awareness of the basketball team and the college in general.
- Conduct media interviews and participate in fundraising activities to raise money for the team.
Related: How To Become a Basketball Coach
Top job searches near you
How to become a college basketball coach
The following are the steps you should take if you want to pursue a career as a basketball coach:
1. Hone your own basketball skills
Most college basketball coaches originally started as players themselves. If you are in high school, join the basketball team and learn everything you can about how the game works. Spend time each day playing basketball to get a better understanding of the ins and the outs of the game and the skills needed to be a top performer.
2. Earn a bachelor’s degree
Once you’ve graduated from high school or received your GED, you should pursue a bachelor’s program. Common subjects that aspiring college basketball coaches choose to major in include physical education, coach training and related field. Majors that emphasize leadership are also a good choice for those wishing to pursue a career as a college basketball coach. There is not a specific major that a basketball coach must possess; rather, most colleges who hire college basketball coaches just want to see that you did complete a bachelor’s degree in general.
3. Get coaching experience
Most college basketball coaches are not hired straight out of college. Rather, they typically spend time coaching lower levels such as high school or middle school before they are eligible to coach at the college level. One idea is to teach part-time and coach at a local junior high or high school. Schools are more apt to hire sports coaches who also teach at their institution.
Once you’ve gained lower-level basketball coaching experience, you can now apply for an assistant college basketball coach position. You can also consider applying as a team manager for the college basketball team you’d like to eventually coach. Both of these positions give you hands-on experience of coaching at a college level and teach you the ins and outs of training and practice preparation.
Most college basketball coaches spend a few years working up the ranks on the basketball program’s staff, so each position you hold on this staff will be valuable to your future career as a coach.
Related: 18 Jobs for College Athletes
4. Obtain a basketball coach certification
Many colleges that hire basketball coaches seek out candidates who hold a basketball coach certification. One of the most popular basketball coach certifications is the USA Basketball (USAB) Associate’s license. This license requires a background check and a series of courses to be completed. Once this is done, you are licensed for the season. You can also pursue a USAB gold coach license, which is required for those who coach in NCAA-certified events. Other certifications that are important for college basketball coaches to possess include first aid and CPR.
5. Choose whether you want to coach men’s or women’s basketball
Another important step in pursuing a career as a college basketball coach is to decide whether you want to coach men’s or women’s basketball. While there is not a significant difference between the two, it’s a good idea to understand how each type of basketball varies and what the expectations are for each individually.
Related: 15 Highest Paying Jobs in Sports
6. Participate in networking events
There are several opportunities to network within the field of college basketball. The USA Basketball Coaches Network is one place where you can find other aspiring and current college basketball coaches and build relationships with them. You can also use online networking platforms or attend college basketball events where other coaches and members of the coaching staff will be. A good network can support you when finding a college basketball coach job as well as if you choose to change positions in the same field in the future.
7. Continue gaining professional experience to advance to higher roles
Most college basketball coaches do not get their starts in a head coach position of a major college basketball team. College coaches spend years in lesser positions on the coaching staff, such as positions as a coordinator, manager or assistant. When first applying for a position in college basketball, look for these opportunities first before applying for a head coaching position, especially if you don’t have prior college basketball coaching experience.
