How to Become a Football Assistant

Network with football coaches, associations and programs to get the inside track on assistant coaching positions.

Becoming a football assistant requires extensive determination. Competition for the jobs is tough, largely because some people consider the opportunities as glamorous. That often leads to lots of candidates for jobs assisting football teams in grade school, college and with professional teams. Football assistants are usually assistants to the head football coach, but some assistants serve as aides to the medical and training staff or in the scouting department. Scouting departments review the performances of players on other teams. Scouting helps a team prepare for future opponents, and in professional football, aids in evaluating other players for possible trades.

Instructions

1. Play football in high school and college, ideally, if you want to become an assistant on a football coaching staff. Professional playing experience is even better. Most assistant football coaches have previous experience as a player, and some football teams make that a requirement.

2. Get a four-year college degree for all football assistant jobs. Some jobs may require a master's degree. Take courses necessary for certification as a teacher, if you plan to become an assistant coach at high school. Most high school coaches also double as classroom teachers.

3. Gain education in health, medicine or media if you desire a job as a football assistant in an area other than coaching. For example, earn a four-year college degree in liberal arts or another field, and a master's degree in exercise and nutrition science to qualify for a job as an assistant to a football team's medical staff. Or take classes at a community college or technical school to become an expert in video production. The skills could lead to a job as a video assistant in the scouting department.

4. Extensive networking is required to learn about internships and volunteer assistant opportunities. High school teams may offer unpaid volunteer positions. Identify opportunities working with local youth football programs or network during children's summer football camps. Football camps usually feature staff members working for professional and college football teams. Leverage new relationships to learn about job opportunities for football assistants. Other options for networking include membership in state organizations promoting high school football and other sports, such as the Colorado High School Sports Association. Most states have similar organizations. Join national organizations such as the National Football Foundation or National Athletic Trainers' Association. Such organizations at the state and national level usually offer associate memberships for people not yet working as a football assistant. Attend meetings and network through online sites for the organizations to learn about opportunities for becoming a football assistant.

5. Apply for jobs as a football assistant after learning about openings from contacts or through other networking. Applying through websites for football teams is also an option, but job seekers with contacts inside a football team stand a better chance of receiving an interview.

References

• National Athletic Trainer's Association: Graduate Assistant -- Men's Soccer
• Full Sail University: Advanced Video Production
• Higher Ed Jobs: Assistant Football Coach

Resources

• Colorado High School Coaches Association: Membership
• National Athletic Trainers' Association: Membership
• National Football Foundation: Membership