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The differences between head coaches and assistant basketball 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 coach and an assistant basketball coach. Additionally, an assistant basketball coach has an average salary of $44,476, which is higher than the $44,062 average annual salary of a head coach.
The top three skills for a head coach include CPR, NCAA and athletic program. The most important skills for an assistant basketball coach are CPR, player development, and varsity girls.
| Head Coach | Assistant Basketball Coach | |
| Yearly salary | $44,062 | $44,476 |
| Hourly rate | $21.18 | $21.38 |
| Growth rate | 20% | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 22,027 | 14,795 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 36 | 36 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
An assistant basketball coach helps in the basketball team's conceptualization and guidance to enhance their play and coordination on the court. The assistant basketball coach works closely with the head coach and provides all the necessary information needed to develop plays. There are instances where the assistant coach will research opponent players, coaches, and their strengths and weaknesses. The effectiveness of the team relies heavily on both the players and the team of coaches.
Head coaches and assistant basketball coaches have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Head Coach | Assistant Basketball Coach | |
| Average salary | $44,062 | $44,476 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $63,000 | Between $28,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Hempstead, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | Kern Community College District | Holton-Arms School |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a head coach and an assistant basketball coach in terms of educational background:
| Head Coach | Assistant Basketball Coach | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Kinesiology | Kinesiology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between head coaches' and assistant basketball coaches' demographics:
| Head Coach | Assistant Basketball Coach | |
| Average age | 36 | 36 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.3% Female, 33.7% | Male, 78.2% Female, 21.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |