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Head basketball coach vs assistant coach

The differences between head basketball coaches and assistant coaches can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a head basketball coach and an assistant coach. Additionally, a head basketball coach has an average salary of $44,688, which is higher than the $43,838 average annual salary of an assistant coach.

The top three skills for a head basketball coach include CPR, basketball program and NCAA. The most important skills for an assistant coach are CPR, NCAA, and player development.

Head basketball coach vs assistant coach overview

Head Basketball CoachAssistant Coach
Yearly salary$44,688$43,838
Hourly rate$21.48$21.08
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs22,00814,724
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age3636
Years of experience66

What does a head basketball coach do?

Head Basketball Coaches are responsible for training and guiding athletes in achieving skills, sportsmanship, and discipline in the basketball sport. Their duties include organizing basketball programs, demonstrating individual and team development techniques, communicating team regulations and rules, and conducting basketball tryouts. They also work with the athletic director in scheduling practice dates, conduct informational parent meetings, and organize uniform fitting. Head Basketball Coaches also report on injuries, educate on safety procedures, and maintain model sportsmanship conduct.

What does an assistant coach do?

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.

Head basketball coach vs assistant coach salary

Head basketball coaches and assistant coaches have different pay scales, as shown below.

Head Basketball CoachAssistant Coach
Average salary$44,688$43,838
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $68,000Between $30,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYBoston, MA
Highest paying stateNew YorkMassachusetts
Best paying companyAugusta UniversityThe Branson School
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between head basketball coach and assistant coach education

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

Head Basketball CoachAssistant Coach
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Head basketball coach vs assistant coach demographics

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

Head Basketball CoachAssistant Coach
Average age3636
Gender ratioMale, 83.3% Female, 16.7%Male, 62.5% Female, 37.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 5.5% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 5.4% White, 66.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between head basketball coach and assistant coach duties and responsibilities

Head basketball coach example responsibilities.

  • Manage staff and monitor practice plans and game tactics for JV , 10th grade and 9th grade teams.
  • Lead a group of young teenagers to a championship season, making tough decisions regarding playing time while maintaining team chemistry.
  • Provide leadership in helping each participating student achieve a high level of skill necessary for successful performance.
  • Assess all freshman athletes and community college transfers.
  • Name all-conference first team player in 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.
  • Finish with team GPA of 3.8 by providing regular study hall sessions.
  • Show more

Assistant coach example responsibilities.

  • 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.
  • Show more

Head basketball coach vs assistant coach skills

Common head basketball coach skills
  • CPR, 22%
  • Basketball Program, 11%
  • NCAA, 7%
  • Player Development, 7%
  • Athletic Program, 5%
  • JV, 4%
Common assistant coach skills
  • CPR, 15%
  • NCAA, 13%
  • Player Development, 7%
  • Assist Head, 6%
  • Soccer, 6%
  • Volleyball, 5%

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