What does a head football coach do?
A head football coach leads the team during competitions, is in charge of game plans, and gives tactics and instructions to the players during practices and training on the field. Aside from on-the-field football activities, you may also have to do other activities like promote programs, manage outreach, and host sports camps. Generally, you are required to ensure the athletes follow the highest standard possible in their training.
Head football coach responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real head football coach resumes:
- Provide guidance for individual athletes and assist them in achieving spots within elite summer rowing programs in Philadelphia.
- Provide instruction on leadership, physical development and group management for adolescent football athletes.
- Scout opponents and break down film on HUDL system.
- Coach freshman to a conference championship (8-2) record.
- Coach the team to an 8-0 season and a league championship.
- Work with college recruiters to secure scholarships for athletes, and keep Scarborough NCAA compliant.
- Create and present in class presentations on many subjects including motivation, stress management, study skills, NCAA requirements.
- Direct football operations and travel logistics.
- Develop tremendous leadership and communication skills under this work experience.
- Display positive leadership skills conducive to maintaining healthy relationships with students.
- Study, evaluate and implement innovations in baseball strategy and equipment.
- Monitor and enforce student eligibility criteria for extracurricular participation according to district policy and UIL rules.
Head football coach skills and personality traits
We calculated that 30% of Head Football Coaches are proficient in CPR, Student Athletes, 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 Football Coaches that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CPR, 30%
Trained a variety of activity courses such as First Aid and CPR and a freshmen seminar course.
- Student Athletes, 23%
Advised student athletes on NCAAA eligibility requirements and standards.
- Athletic Program, 5%
Developed fundamentals and skills required for a competitive athletic program.
- NCAA, 5%
Worked as Head Linesman in NCAA Division II postseason most years.
- Physical Education, 4%
Communicate regularly and assist classroom teachers with integrating health and physical education into instructional program.
- Role Model, 3%
Developed positive relationships w/ parents, schools and the community while serving as a positive role model.
Common skills that a head football coach uses to do their job include "cpr," "student athletes," and "athletic program." You can find details on the most important head football coach responsibilities below.
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a head football coach to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "because coaches instruct, organize, and motivate athletes, they must be able to convey information clearly." Additionally, a head football coach resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "developed tremendous leadership and communication skills under this work experience. "
Dedication. Another essential skill to perform head football coach duties is dedication. Head football coaches responsibilities require that "coaches must attend daily practices and assist their team and individual athletes in improving their skills and physical conditioning." Head football coaches also use dedication in their role according to a real resume snippet: "captured metro area championship skills used leadership organization commutation dedication teamwork"
Interpersonal skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of head football coaches is interpersonal skills. This skill is critical to many everyday head football coach duties, as "being able to relate to athletes helps coaches and scouts foster positive relationships with their current players and in recruiting potential players." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "lead summer coaching volleyball camps for girls, ages 10 - 16, developing their interpersonal skills and athletic abilities. "
Leadership skills. For certain head football coach responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "leadership skills." The day-to-day duties of a head football 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 football coaches do: "assumed leadership position within the department of athletics in the transition of our program to ncaa division ii. "
The three companies that hire the most head football coachs are:
- Wayne RESA2 head football coaches jobs
- New Brunswick Public Schools2 head football coaches jobs
- Santa Fe Public Schools1 head football coaches jobs
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Compare different head football coaches
Head football 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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between head football coaches and swim coach. For instance, head football coach responsibilities require skills such as "athletic program," "ncaa," "physical education," and "alumni." Whereas a swim coach is skilled in "customer service," "lifeguard," "kids," and "water safety." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Swim coaches earn the highest salaries when working in the education industry, with an average yearly salary of $35,539. On the other hand, head football coaches are paid more in the education industry with an average salary of $47,085.The education levels that swim coaches earn slightly differ from head football coaches. In particular, swim coaches are 11.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a head football coach. Additionally, they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Head football 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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real head football coach resumes. While head football coach responsibilities can utilize skills like "athletic program," "physical education," "alumni," and "head varsity," coaches use skills like "customer service," "food handling," "safety rules," and "customer satisfaction."
Coaches earn a lower average salary than head football coaches. But coaches earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $48,931. Additionally, head football coaches earn the highest salaries in the education with average pay of $47,085 annually.coaches earn lower levels of education than head football coaches in general. They're 6.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Head football coach vs. Lacrosse coach
A soccer coach manages a team of players, guiding and providing them with strategies to win as a team. Moreover, a soccer coach is primarily responsible for developing programs and plans that will help players better understand and appreciate the game, facilitate training and practice sessions to sharpen their skills and discipline, and emphasize the value of teamwork and sportsmanship. Furthermore, they closely watch the game to identify areas that need improvement, evaluate players' progress as a team and individuals, and maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone.
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 football coach is likely to be skilled in "athletic program," "physical education," "head varsity," and "academic performance," while a typical lacrosse coach is skilled in "jv," "grade girls," "player development," and "skill development."
Lacrosse coaches make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $45,876. On the other hand, head football coaches are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $47,085.Most lacrosse coaches achieve a lower degree level compared to head football coaches. For example, they're 8.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Head football coach vs. Soccer coach
Even though a few skill sets overlap between head football coaches and soccer coaches, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a head football coach might have more use for skills like "athletic program," "physical education," "alumni," and "head varsity." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of soccer coaches require skills like "kids," "girls soccer," "soccer program," and "jv. "
Soccer coaches enjoy the best pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $46,054. For comparison, head football coaches earn the highest salary in the education industry.In general, soccer coaches hold lower degree levels compared to head football coaches. Soccer coaches are 8.6% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of head football coach
Updated January 8, 2025
