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.
Head coach responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real head coach resumes:
- 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.
- Assist head coaches at the freshman, junior varsity, and varsity level.
- Help developed the freshman team and provide guidance from personal experience as a lacrosse player.
- Plan, set up, and run basketball practices for varsity and JV boys' basketball teams.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of NAIA rules; inform and educate student-athletes of all appropriate NAIA eligibility rules.
- Prepare boats for dual meets and large regatta races, including compliance with race and NCAA regulations and requirements.
- Develop quality student-athletes and championship level program.
- Volunteer as a basketball coach for elementary school-age children
- Turn around disorganize organization to be a championship organization.
- Coach and help run a weekly basketball program serving developmentally disable adults
Head coach skills and personality traits
We calculated that 31% of Head Coaches are proficient in CPR, NCAA, and Athletic Program. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Dedication, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Head Coaches that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CPR, 31%
Create and develop a community training program; inclusive of Learn-to-swim classes, lifeguard and CPR training and water safety courses.
- NCAA, 7%
Provided guidance and support regarding higher education opportunities and NCAA Eligibility requirements
- Athletic Program, 5%
Developed relationships with prospective students and families to provide complete detail regarding athletic programs, academic programs, and admission policies.
- Player Development, 4%
Supported and assisted with player development by positively demonstrating team drills and team building activities.
- Softball, 4%
Promoted and taught baseball to surrounding high-schools and organized city-wide softball tournament among eight regional high-schools.
- Leadership, 4%
Organize and conduct youth baseball camps An enthusiastic commitment to the Baseball Program Skills Used Management Organization Leadership Communication
Most head coaches use their skills in "cpr," "ncaa," and "athletic program" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential head coach responsibilities here:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a head 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 coaches often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "gained experience with communication with parents and became a role model for the team. "
Dedication. Many head coach duties rely on dedication. "coaches must attend daily practices and assist their team and individual athletes in improving their skills and physical conditioning," so a head coach will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways head coach responsibilities rely on dedication: "provide cheerleaders with leadership, dedication and knowledge"
Interpersonal skills. This is an important skill for head coaches to perform their duties. For an example of how head coach responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "being able to relate to athletes helps coaches and scouts foster positive relationships with their current players and in recruiting potential players." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a head coach: "fostered soccer and interpersonal skills while making soccer and physical activity fun. ".
Leadership skills. For certain head coach responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "leadership skills." The day-to-day duties of a head 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 coaches do: "provided & taught leadership, discipline, while acting as a positive role model to the team. "
The three companies that hire the most head coachs are:
- Nike25 head coaches jobs
- JEFFERSON FRANKLIN COMMUNITY ACTION19 head coaches jobs
- Wayne RESA16 head coaches jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable head coach resume templates
Build a professional head coach resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your head coach resume.
Compare different head coaches
Head coach vs. Assistant softball coach
An assistant softball coach performs various support tasks to assist a softball coach and team. Their responsibilities usually include setting up and preparing equipment and facilities, arranging schedules, coordinating transportation and other services for the players, and purchasing supplies as necessary. They also help in facilitating warm-up exercises and drills, providing one-on-one guidance to players, implementing policies and regulations, and maintaining practice records. Together with the softball coach, they monitor the players' progress and develop strategies to hone their skills as an individual and team.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, head coach responsibilities require skills like "cpr," "athletic program," "softball," and "grade girls." Meanwhile a typical assistant softball coach has skills in areas such as "softball program," "assist head," "varsity softball," and "naia." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Assistant softball coaches really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $44,435. Comparatively, head coaches tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $47,322.assistant softball coaches tend to reach similar levels of education than head coaches. In fact, assistant softball coaches are 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Head 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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real head coach resumes. While head coach responsibilities can utilize skills like "cpr," "athletic program," "softball," and "grade girls," assistant soccer coaches use skills like "assist head," "soccer players," "video analysis," and "athletic conference."
Assistant soccer coaches earn a lower average salary than head coaches. But assistant soccer coaches earn the highest pay in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $46,607. Additionally, head coaches earn the highest salaries in the education with average pay of $47,322 annually.In general, assistant soccer coaches achieve similar levels of education than head coaches. They're 1.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Head coach vs. Assistant basketball coach
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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, head coaches are more likely to have skills like "athletic program," "softball," "volleyball," and "soccer program." But a assistant basketball coach is more likely to have skills like "varsity girls," "assist head," "head coaches," and "academic eligibility."
Assistant basketball coaches earn the highest salary when working in the education industry, where they receive an average salary of $44,765. Comparatively, head coaches have the highest earning potential in the education industry, with an average salary of $47,322.Most assistant basketball coaches achieve a similar degree level compared to head coaches. For example, they're 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Head coach vs. Assistant volleyball coach
Assistant Volleyball Coaches are responsible for supporting the head coach in managing a volleyball team. Their duties include demonstrating game strategies, running drills, strength training, nutrition advice, and weight training. They also administer adequate equipment supplies, organize schedules for teams, maintain player records, and help demonstrate training strategies. Assistant volleyball coaches also organize fundraising activities and work with subject faculties in tracking and ensuring athletes' academic performance.
Types of head coach
Updated January 8, 2025
