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Assistant track coach vs head coach

The differences between assistant track coaches and head coaches can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an assistant track coach and a head coach. Additionally, a head coach has an average salary of $44,062, which is higher than the $43,510 average annual salary of an assistant track coach.

The top three skills for an assistant track coach include CPR, student athletes and athletic program. The most important skills for a head coach are CPR, NCAA, and athletic program.

Assistant track coach vs head coach overview

Assistant Track CoachHead Coach
Yearly salary$43,510$44,062
Hourly rate$20.92$21.18
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs15,95722,027
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age3636
Years of experience66

What does an assistant track coach do?

An assistant track coach is primarily in charge of performing various support tasks to assist coaches in managing track teams. Their duties usually include preparing and maintaining facilities, monitoring inventory and replenishing supplies, organizing practice schedules, coordinating with transportation service providers, and facilitating training and practice sessions. Moreover, they work together with the track coach in monitoring the players' progress, developing game plans and strategies to enhance the players' skills, and implementing safety standards and policies.

What does a head coach do?

A head coach is responsible for managing teams, monitoring each player's performance, conditioning the team's skills by conducting training sessions, and encouraging the trainees to reach their full potential. Head coaches assess the team's coordination during training or a game, adjusting strategies and improving techniques as needed. A head coach evaluates the team's strengths and weaknesses while educating them on the proper sports ethic. A head coach must have strong leadership and organizational skills to develop plans and reach set goals.

Assistant track coach vs head coach salary

Assistant track coaches and head coaches have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assistant Track CoachHead Coach
Average salary$43,510$44,062
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $66,000Between $30,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CityBranford, CTNew York, NY
Highest paying stateMassachusettsNew York
Best paying companyInsideTrackKern Community College District
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between assistant track coach and head coach education

There are a few differences between an assistant track coach and a head coach in terms of educational background:

Assistant Track CoachHead Coach
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Assistant track coach vs head coach demographics

Here are the differences between assistant track coaches' and head coaches' demographics:

Assistant Track CoachHead Coach
Average age3636
Gender ratioMale, 63.1% Female, 36.9%Male, 66.3% Female, 33.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 5.5% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 5.5% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between assistant track coach and head coach duties and responsibilities

Assistant track coach example responsibilities.

  • Provide guidance for individual athletes and assist them in achieving spots within elite summer rowing programs in Philadelphia.
  • Develop training regime for male and female NCAA division-1 sprinters.
  • Enforce and implement the rules and guidelines of NCAA as well as of the coaching staff.
  • Prepare projects and leadership activities for fundraisers.
  • Deliver excellent leadership and organization in providing comprehensive and successful sports program.
  • Design and implement sport-specific programming and organize practices and track meets, creating opportunities for physical and character growth.
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Head coach example responsibilities.

  • Coach and lead a group of 50 kids between 10 and 12 years old.
  • Manage JV squad during practice and games, preparing them to move to the varsity level.
  • Lead a professional hockey player camp during the summer consisting of NHL, AHL, NCAA hockey players.
  • Teach young student-athletes to relentlessly pursue their goals and achieve academic success while establishing an exemplary foundation of leadership.
  • Serve in a primary leadership role to manage training academy program logistics and to coordinate team participation in national tournaments.
  • Certify in CPR to ensure the safety of athletes.
  • Show more

Assistant track coach vs head coach skills

Common assistant track coach skills
  • CPR, 45%
  • Student Athletes, 21%
  • Athletic Program, 4%
  • NCAA, 4%
  • Track Program, 4%
  • Role Model, 3%
Common head coach skills
  • CPR, 31%
  • NCAA, 7%
  • Athletic Program, 5%
  • Player Development, 4%
  • Softball, 4%
  • Leadership, 4%

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