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Athletic coordinator vs head coach

The differences between athletic coordinators 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 athletic coordinator and a head coach. Additionally, a head coach has an average salary of $44,062, which is higher than the $42,957 average annual salary of an athletic coordinator.

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

Athletic coordinator vs head coach overview

Athletic CoordinatorHead Coach
Yearly salary$42,957$44,062
Hourly rate$20.65$21.18
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs24,02122,027
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age3636
Years of experience66

What does an athletic coordinator do?

An Athletic Coordinator supervises the athletic programs of a facility or institution from planning to execution. They usually work at schools where they are in charge of coordinating the athletic committee, organizing various activities and events, liaising with external parties such as sponsors and suppliers, delegating responsibilities to staff, and monitoring operations to ensure that everything runs smoothly to schedules and budgets. Moreover, as Athletic Coordinator, they are responsible for overseeing athletes' performance and welfare, encouraging them to reach their athletic and academic goals.

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.

Athletic coordinator vs head coach salary

Athletic coordinators and head coaches have different pay scales, as shown below.

Athletic CoordinatorHead Coach
Average salary$42,957$44,062
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $61,000Between $30,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MANew York, NY
Highest paying stateMassachusettsNew York
Best paying companyCentral State UniversityKern Community College District
Best paying industryMediaEducation

Differences between athletic coordinator and head coach education

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

Athletic CoordinatorHead Coach
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Athletic coordinator vs head coach demographics

Here are the differences between athletic coordinators' and head coaches' demographics:

Athletic CoordinatorHead Coach
Average age3636
Gender ratioMale, 68.6% Female, 31.4%Male, 66.3% Female, 33.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 5.5% White, 66.3% 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 athletic coordinator and head coach duties and responsibilities

Athletic coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage, supervise and oversee tournament completion for several NCAA tournaments and championships.
  • Transport softball and baseball teams in team van.
  • Organize game and practice schedules for all baseball, basketball, football, golf and softball participants.
  • Help Medicaid eligible members to secure both physical and behavioral services in the community by reviewing and preparing prior authorization requests.
  • Check GPA's of each team every semester to ascertain that each student are eligible.
  • Work cooperatively as a part of a team setting, proven ability to demonstrate leadership skills when assign individual tasks.
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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.
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Athletic coordinator vs head coach skills

Common athletic coordinator skills
  • CPR, 11%
  • Student Athletes, 10%
  • Athletic Events, 9%
  • NCAA, 8%
  • Physical Education, 8%
  • Athletic Program, 7%
Common head coach skills
  • CPR, 31%
  • NCAA, 7%
  • Athletic Program, 5%
  • Player Development, 4%
  • Softball, 4%
  • Leadership, 4%

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