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What does an assistant coach do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

An assistant coach's role is to provide administrative and organizational support to a coach and team of athletes. Most of the tasks will depend upon the coach's directions. However, their responsibilities primarily revolve around arranging schedules of team events and practices, responding to calls and inquiries, producing and organizing documentation, and taking part in the recruitment and budgeting process of the team. It is also an assistant coach's responsibility to keep records of all players and personnel involved, including data and progress reports.

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Assistant coach responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real assistant coach resumes:

  • Plan practices, lead JV games and practices, assist with varsity practices and workouts
  • Lead the boys and girls teams to strong sectional outcomes, which lead their qualification for the state championship meet.
  • Instruct competitive youth soccer players in basic skill development
  • Train to use see CPR certify
  • Mentor to kids on the team
  • Certify in safety management and CPR.
  • Build relationships with different kids and coaches, and being able to understand how they work.
  • Assist meet director in all aspects of planning and executing in invitational and championship track and field meets
  • Assist JV head coach in performing regular duties and supervision of a girl's high school club lacrosse team.
  • Volunteer as an assistant to the women's club soccer team, run select sessions and help with game day decisions
  • Instruct and advise students on NAIA regulations with regard to academic requirements for scholarships and recruiting practices as they apply.
  • Help plan and lead practice sessions to develop beginning level softball skills for 12 girls ages 10 and under twice weekly.
  • Coordinate with multiple departments to assure student-athlete NCAA regulations and safety.
  • Contact incoming student athletes to ensure all documents meet enrollment and NCAA eligibility.
  • Communicate effectively with the head coach in establishing and coordinating competitive volleyball schedules.

Assistant coach skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Assistant Coaches are proficient in CPR, NCAA, and Player Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Dedication, and Interpersonal skills.

We break down the percentage of Assistant Coaches that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • CPR, 15%

    Certified in CPR, First Aid, and Lifesaving techniques.

  • NCAA, 13%

    Contacted incoming student athletes to ensure all documents met enrollment and NCAA eligibility.

  • Player Development, 7%

    Scouted opponents and developed strategies and tendencies* Implemented drills for player development* Primary coach for summer lifting program

  • Assist Head, 6%

    Assist head coach in communication of admission process and requirements to incoming student-athletes.

  • Soccer, 6%

    Instructed competitive youth soccer players in basic skill development

  • Volleyball, 5%

    Communicated effectively with the head coach in establishing and coordinating competitive volleyball schedules.

Most assistant coaches use their skills in "cpr," "ncaa," and "player development" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential assistant coach responsibilities here:

Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for an assistant coach to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what assistant coaches do because "because coaches instruct, organize, and motivate athletes, they must be able to convey information clearly." Additionally, an assistant coach resume shows how assistant coaches use communication skills: "maintained open communication with athletes and coaches regarding training programs to prepare for international competition. "

Dedication. Another essential skill to perform assistant coach duties is dedication. Assistant coaches responsibilities require that "coaches must attend daily practices and assist their team and individual athletes in improving their skills and physical conditioning." Assistant coaches also use dedication in their role according to a real resume snippet: "work included teaching ages 13-14 the advanced fundamentals of volleyball, as well as being discipline, focus, and dedication. "

Interpersonal skills. assistant coaches are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to assistant coach responsibilities, because "being able to relate to athletes helps coaches and scouts foster positive relationships with their current players and in recruiting potential players." An assistant coach resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "provided practice of interpersonal skills and communication with supervising head coaches, fellow assistants, and the players. "

Leadership skills. For certain assistant coach responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "leadership skills." The day-to-day duties of an assistant coach rely on this skill, as "coaches must motivate, develop, and direct athletes to help them reach their potential." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what assistant coaches do: "assisted head coach in planning and practice managed the jv boys bowing teampromoted teamwork and leadership. "

All assistant coach skills

The three companies that hire the most assistant coachs are:

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Compare different assistant coaches

Assistant coach vs. Coach/instructor

A Coach/Instructor teaches athletes the correct way to play a sport. They offer professional development and improvement guidance to high school students, college students, and other individuals.

If we compare the average assistant coach annual salary with that of a coach/instructor, we find that coach/instructors typically earn a $8,344 higher salary than assistant coaches make annually.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an assistant coach are more likely to require skills like "cpr," "ncaa," "player development," and "assist head." On the other hand, a job as a coach/instructor requires skills like "classroom management," "math," "instructional support," and "student learning." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Coach/instructors earn the highest salaries when working in the government industry, with an average yearly salary of $56,932. On the other hand, assistant coaches are paid more in the education industry with an average salary of $46,911.coach/instructors tend to reach higher levels of education than assistant coaches. In fact, coach/instructors are 20.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.9% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Assistant coach vs. Soccer coach

A soccer coach manages a team of players, guiding and providing them with strategies to win as a team. Moreover, a soccer coach is primarily responsible for developing programs and plans that will help players better understand and appreciate the game, facilitate training and practice sessions to sharpen their skills and discipline, and emphasize the value of teamwork and sportsmanship. Furthermore, they closely watch the game to identify areas that need improvement, evaluate players' progress as a team and individuals, and maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

Soccer coach positions earn lower pay than assistant coach roles. They earn a $222 lower salary than assistant coaches per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Assistant coaches and soccer coaches both require similar skills like "cpr," "ncaa," and "player development" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that assistant coach responsibilities requires skills like "assist head," "volleyball," "softball," and "iii." But a soccer coach might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "student athletes," "kids," "girls soccer," and "soccer program."

Soccer coaches may earn a lower salary than assistant coaches, but soccer coaches earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $46,054. On the other hand, assistant coaches receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $46,911.In general, soccer coaches achieve similar levels of education than assistant coaches. They're 1.6% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Assistant coach vs. Coach

The main responsibility of a coach is to motivate an individual or an entire team. Coaches are focused on improving the performance and skills of athletes by conducting training sessions, coordinating practice drills, and providing guidance. Their work is conducted both on and off the field - not only while an athletic event is in session. Coaches are sometimes tasked with recruitment activities in order to fill a team's roster to help them succeed. Other duties of a coach include fundraising, overseeing facilities, and promoting a safe environment.

On average, coaches earn lower salaries than assistant coaches, with a $1,122 difference per year.By looking over several assistant coaches and coaches resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "cpr," "ncaa," and "soccer." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an assistant coach is likely to be skilled in "player development," "assist head," "softball," and "iii," while a typical coach is skilled in "customer service," "food handling," "customer satisfaction," and "mental health."

Coaches earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $48,931. Assistant coaches earn the highest pay from the education industry, with an average salary of $46,911.Most coaches achieve a similar degree level compared to assistant coaches. For example, they're 3.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Assistant coach vs. Athletics assistant

An athletic assistant provides administrative support to the athletic director and coaching staff. Athletic assistants function as a liaison to the faculty, support staff, students, parents, members of the athletic department, and alumni. They help in communicating with faculty, support staff, students, and parents, complete documents, and uphold confidential information especially student grades and health concerns. It is part of their job to make record-keeping for future use. In addition, they must be able to handle multiple projects and shifting priorities during stressful circumstances without losing focus.

Athletics assistants average a lower salary than the annual salary of assistant coaches. The difference is about $362 per year.While their salaries may vary, assistant coaches and athletics assistants both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "cpr," "ncaa," and "soccer. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "player development," "assist head," "volleyball," and "softball" are skills that commonly show up on assistant coach resumes. On the other hand, athletics assistants use skills like athletic events, athletic equipment, sports programs, and ticket sales on their resumes.athletics assistants enjoy the best pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $48,659. For comparison, assistant coaches earn the highest salary in the education industry.The average resume of athletics assistants showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to assistant coaches. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.4%.

Types of assistant coach

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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