How to hire an assistant head coach

How to hire an assistant head coach, step by step

Here's a step-by-step assistant head coach hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an assistant head coach job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new assistant head coach
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an assistant head coach, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An assistant head coach's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, assistant head coaches from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents assistant head coach salaries for various positions.

   Type of Assistant Head Coach	Description	Hourly rate
   Assistant Head Coach	Coaches teach amateur or professional athletes the skills they need to succeed at their sport. Scouts look for new players and evaluate their skills and likelihood for success at the college, amateur, or professional level... Show more	$14-30
   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... Show more	$12-31
   Swim Coach	A swim coach is someone who teaches and trains people how to swim. A swim coach provides tips and techniques for people to follow if they want to learn how to swim... Show more	$11-22

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Assist Head
   • Player Development
   • Soccer Program
   • JV
   • Volleyball
   • NCAA
   • Role Model
   • Championship
   • Varsity Head
   • CPR
   • Practice Schedules
   • Athletic Program
   • Training Sessions
   • Football Program

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead JV team to 64-21-2 record while also assisting varsity program in practice every day.
   • Provide guidance for individual athletes and assist them in achieving spots within elite summer rowing programs in Philadelphia.
   • Undefeat season [] 13-0 and city championship
   • Coach varsity for both sports and are the JV defensive coordinator for the football team.
   • Develop practice plans, work on both individual and team concepts and skills, and provide leadership during practices and games.
   • Provide leadership, mentoring, coaching and training to intercollegiate student-athletes.

   More assistant head coach duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your assistant head coach job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An assistant head coach salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, assistant head coaches' average salary in wyoming is 61% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level assistant head coaches earn 52% less than senior-level assistant head coaches.
   • Certifications. An assistant head coach with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an assistant head coach's salary.

   Average assistant head coach salary

   $43,678yearly

   $21.00 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level assistant head coach salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average assistant head coach salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Massachusetts	$61,605	$30
   2	New York	$59,268	$28
   3	California	$52,293	$25
   4	South Carolina	$47,077	$23
   5	Texas	$46,909	$23
   6	Washington	$44,285	$21
   7	Illinois	$37,462	$18
   8	Idaho	$33,659	$16
   9	Indiana	$31,611	$15
   10	Iowa	$31,206	$15
   11	Montana	$27,549	$13

   Average assistant head coach salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Mercy College	$66,239	$31.85
   2	Columbia University in the City of New York	$59,008	$28.37	2
   3	State University of New York College at Cortland	$58,449	$28.10	3
   4	Harvard University	$56,596	$27.21
   5	French American International School	$53,024	$25.49	5
   6	The City University of New York	$51,643	$24.83
   7	Tenet Healthcare	$49,995	$24.04	2
   8	Indianapolis Public Schools	$48,375	$23.26	1
   9	Drake University	$48,171	$23.16	22
   10	Genesis Health Clubs	$46,386	$22.30	1
   11	Town Pump	$42,567	$20.46
   12	University of South Carolina	$37,832	$18.19	6
   13	Indian Hills Community College	$37,760	$18.15
   14	Orangetheory Fitness	$32,749	$15.74	1,194
   15	Chautauqua Institution	$32,487	$15.62	2

4. Writing an assistant head coach job description

   A good assistant head coach job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an assistant head coach job description:

   Assistant head coach job description example

   Assistant Varsity Girls Track Coach
   
   QUALIFICATIONS:
   
   1. Has the ability to organize and supervise a total sports program.
   
   2. Has previous successful coaching experience in assigned sport (preferred).
   
   3. The coach must have knowledge of the technical aspects of the sport and, at the same time, must continue to examine new theories and procedures pertinent to the field and area(s) of expertise.
   
   4. The coach must serve as an appropriate role model for student athletes through his/her instructions and actions.
   
   REPORTS TO: The Athletic Director and High School Principal
   
   JOB GOAL: To instruct athletes in the fundamental skills, strategy and physical training necessary for them to realize a degree of individual and team success. At the same time, the coach must instruct and demonstrate behaviors that lead to socially acceptable character development, self discipline, self confidence, and pride of accomplishment in the student athletes. The coach will also grow in his/her knowledge and skills through coaching clinics, observation/feedback, consultation, etc.
   
   GENERAL:
   
   1. The success of athletic programs has a strong influence on the community's image of the entire system. The public exposure is a considerable responsibility and community/parent pressure for winning performance is taxing, but must not override the objectives of good sportsmanship and good mental health.
   
   2. The position includes other unusual aspect such as extended time, risk injury factor and due process predicaments.
   
   3. It is the express intent of this job description to give sufficient guidance to function. In cases not specifically covered, it shall be assumed that a coach shall exercise common sense and good judgment.
   
   Note: Pursuant to PA 131, the selected candidate must receive clearance, from the Michigan State Police Department, prior to the offer of employment. The candidate is responsible for the background check fee.
   
   It is the policy of the Board that no staff member or candidate for a position in this District on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, creed or ancestry, age, gender, marital status, height, weight, political belief or disability which does not impair an individual's ability to perform adequately in that individual's particular position or activity, shall be discriminated against, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to, discrimination in any program or activity for which the Board is responsible or for which it receives financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find assistant head coaches for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your assistant head coach job on Zippia to find and recruit assistant head coach candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit assistant head coaches, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new assistant head coach

   Once you've decided on a perfect assistant head coach candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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