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.
Head basketball coach responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real head basketball coach resumes:
- 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.
- Conduct practices in the head coach's absence as well as independent JV practices.
- Lead the team to a city championship in first year of holding a head coaching position.
- Pass a require NCAA recruiting test every year in order to maintain all recruiting capabilities per NCAA rules.
- Initiate alumni relations, beginning alumni basketball game and reception.
- Instruct student-athletes in an organize baseball program that include financial responsibility.
- Study, evaluate and implement innovations in baseball strategy and equipment.
- Help in fund-raising and continuing development of positive public relations with alumni and the community.
- Inform student-athletes and families of NCAA clearinghouse compliance expectations & monitor academic progress with bi-weekly academic logs
- Commit to providing an environment of high competitive sportsman and promoting individual confidence, self-esteem and leadership skills.
Head basketball coach skills and personality traits
We calculated that 22% of Head Basketball Coaches are proficient in CPR, Basketball Program, and NCAA. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Dedication, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Head Basketball Coaches that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CPR, 22%
Received Pupil Activity Certificate and CPR Certification.
- Basketball Program, 11%
Re-positioned Tulsa as nationally recognized college basketball program through recruiting and personnel strategy resulting in two NCAA Sweet Sixteen seasons.
- NCAA, 7%
Transformed underachieving program into perennial Big East Conference contender, NCAA tournament team and national powerhouse.
- Player Development, 7%
Assisted in player development and Conducted individual workouts.
- Athletic Program, 5%
Established the school's first athletic program to include recruiting new students to participate in additional programs increasing school-wide involvement.
- JV, 4%
Directed all phases of training, coaching, and preparation of Varsity, JV, and Freshmen boys basketball teams.
Most head basketball coaches use their skills in "cpr," "basketball program," and "ncaa" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential head basketball coach responsibilities here:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a head basketball coach to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "because coaches instruct, organize, and motivate athletes, they must be able to convey information clearly." Head basketball coaches often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "developed exceptional leadership skills and excellent communication skills. "
Dedication. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling head basketball coach duties is dedication. The role rewards competence in this skill because "coaches must attend daily practices and assist their team and individual athletes in improving their skills and physical conditioning." According to a head basketball coach resume, here's how head basketball coaches can utilize dedication in their job responsibilities: "acted as a positive role model for dedication and sportsmanship to 2 -7 graders. "
Interpersonal skills. head basketball coaches are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to head basketball 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." A head basketball coach resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "organized parent / player meetings completed skilled practice programs practiced injury prevention, safety and health developed interpersonal relationships"
Leadership skills. For certain head basketball coach responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "leadership skills." The day-to-day duties of a head basketball 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 head basketball coaches do: "provide leadership for entire high school athletic program within a private independent school setting. "
The three companies that hire the most head basketball coachs are:
- Cincinnati Public Schools4 head basketball coaches jobs
- Broward County Public Schools3 head basketball coaches jobs
- Perris Union High School District3 head basketball coaches jobs
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Head basketball 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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between head basketball coaches and athletics assistant. For instance, head basketball coach responsibilities require skills such as "basketball program," "player development," "jv," and "leadership." Whereas a athletics assistant is skilled in "athletic events," "soccer," "athletic equipment," and "sports programs." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Athletics assistants earn the highest salaries when working in the education industry, with an average yearly salary of $48,659. On the other hand, head basketball coaches are paid more in the education industry with an average salary of $43,839.On average, athletics assistants reach lower levels of education than head basketball coaches. Athletics assistants are 6.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Head basketball coach vs. Assistant soccer coach
An assistant soccer coach helps soccer coaches oversee and manage players, aiming to help develop the players' skills and sportsmanship. As an expert of the sport, they typically perform support tasks such as preparing facilities and setting-up equipment, assisting coaches in developing game and training strategies, facilitating practice sessions, managing practice schedules, performing maintenance check on facilities, and motivating players to reach their goals. Moreover, an assistant soccer coach must monitor the progress of players, coordinating and reporting to the coaches regularly.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, head basketball coach responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "cpr," "basketball program," "athletic program," and "physical education." Meanwhile, an assistant soccer coach has duties that require skills in areas such as "soccer program," "training sessions," "assist head," and "soccer." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, assistant soccer coaches earn a lower salary than head basketball coaches. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, assistant soccer coaches earn the most pay in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $46,607. Whereas head basketball coaches have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $43,839.In general, assistant soccer coaches achieve similar levels of education than head basketball coaches. They're 3.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Head basketball 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.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a head basketball coach is likely to be skilled in "basketball program," "player development," "athletic program," and "physical education," while a typical coach is skilled in "customer service," "food handling," "safety rules," and "customer satisfaction."
Coaches earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $48,931. Comparatively, head basketball coaches have the highest earning potential in the education industry, with an average salary of $43,839.When it comes to education, coaches tend to earn similar degree levels compared to head basketball coaches. In fact, they're 1.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Head basketball coach vs. 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. Demand for swimming teachers is growing, especially during summer where people travel to the beach and resorts to enjoy their vacations. A swim coach should know how to determine a student's skill, provide suitable teaching methods, and enhance the student's current swimming skill through specialized and customized swimming lessons.
Types of head basketball coach
Updated January 8, 2025











