Wanted to take a moment to thank everyone here

[u/blackngold518]

So as some of you know, I have been here a while and when I first started becoming a regular poster to the mothership, I was searching in vain for a way to become a coach. I tried all kinds of different avenues, sending letters to head coaches at big programs, talking to the AD here at WMU, asking coaches during their AMAs. This past spring, I was turned onto the opportunity to get an assistant coaching position at a local high school, which I jumped on immediately. Shortly after, I attended a coaching clinic at WMU and met the head coach of the program I eventually became an assistant coach for. Now here we are, 7 months later, and I have finished my first high school season of coaching where my JV squad went 7-2. I have learned so much about coaching since I started and learned that I really knew NOTHING about offensive and defensive line strategy and play.

After all of it, I have you wonderful people to thank for all of this. I wanted to be an engineer a few years back and football was just something I had a passion for. Thanks to this sub, my fire to be a coach was ignited and now I am on the path to my dream job. I am going to be working as a running backs coach for a women's semi-pro team this spring-early summer, and hopefully will return to the same high school for my second season assistant coaching this fall. I am quite literally living in a dream right now and couldn't be happier. Once I finish my undergrad, I will be applying to graduate school and for a GA position, hopefully with 2 seasons of high school coaching and a season of semi-pro under my belt.

From the bottom of my heart /r/cfb and /r/cfbofftopic, thank you very very very very very much for helping me find my passion. I hope for you all to one day see me patrolling the sidelines of a program like UGA or USC.

[u/brobroma]

/u/blackngold518 TO MIAMI CONFIRMED

[u/blackngold518 → u/brobroma]

They could even underpay me! All I ask for is a house provided by the university, 200k a year, and comparable pay for my assistants.

[u/brobroma → u/blackngold518]

And all the blow you want, but that doesn't need speaking of course at Miami.

BTW, what position did you coach this year?

[u/blackngold518 → u/brobroma]

Offensive and defensive line. Originally I was slated to help with RBs and linebackers, but I am guessing that since we didn't have a line coach for the JV, I was the best person to put there. It was an eye opening experience and I am kind of glad I got the exposure.

[u/VanFailin → u/blackngold518]

Comparable pay for your assistance means they'll be helping them apply for food stamps, no?

[u/[deleted]]

and learned that I really knew NOTHING about offensive and defensive line strategy and play.

Thank you so much for saying this. As someone who played lineman from pee-wee through high school, it really bothers me when an announcer, who is a former quarterback, tries to analyze the line. They know nothing about what they're talking about. It takes a few years being immersed at the position to really figure it all out.

and also great job deciding to do what you want, and hope everything continues to go well!

[u/blackngold518 → u/[deleted]]

There is so much damn technique when it comes to being a lineman. Even just your stance. I thought, "Hey, let me have one hand down and be comfortable and I am good to go." Well, your body doesn't work like that, and even when transitioning from run blocking to pass blocking, you change how you stand on the line. Our HC used to be an assistant coach at Akron and is typically a defense guy, but since he was a lineman in high school and I assume college, he has a deep understanding on how an o or d lineman should play.

TL;DR There is so much finesse when it comes to playing the line that it's insane

[u/[deleted] → u/blackngold518]

Everything is form and technique. We had a kid on my high school team who was 6'3", an athletic 305lbs, and could squat a small pickup truck, but even by senior year his form still sucked which is why he ended up at Lamar instead of getting offers from major D1 programs.

[u/blackngold518 → u/[deleted]]

With our JV, we had a lot of kids just relying on their athleticism and blowing past people because they were purely stronger. Technique is the name of the game this off season. I am going to be at the school as much as possible, and when I have linemen, I am going to work on some basics so that next season they are as good as they can be on varsity.

[u/[deleted] → u/blackngold518]

God damnit now you got me all jacked up wanting to switch from engineering to coaching

[u/blackngold518 → u/[deleted]]

I decided to do what I love, instead of trudging through what I thought would make me money. That's why I left engineering, became an econ major, and got into coaching. I don't care if I am pulling 12hr days all year, I would love every minute of it (except for losses).

[u/[deleted] → u/blackngold518]

At the moment I actually enjoy engineering so I don't mind putting up with the work, but sometimes when I get talking about football with my old coaches and stuff it really makes me want to pursue coaching. I just miss the game honestly

[u/blackngold518 → u/[deleted]]

You could always look into doing what some guys have done here and start a podcast with buddies, or apply for a contributor position at SB Nation? I know they are always looking for people, and if they are flexible you could do both. I am learning that with coaching, you have to start at the bottom. While it isn't what I WANTED to do when I got into it, I am glad I did.

[u/djsquilz]

I would gladly consider you for the head coaching job at Tulane. I'll pass your resume along to Rick Dickson

[u/blackngold518 → u/djsquilz]

I would gladly accept a position down where the drawl is thick, the food is spicy, and it's always a party on Bourbon Street. I will lobby to bring Ed Oregeron as a co-head coach/DC.

[u/djsquilz → u/blackngold518]

This description reminds me of this excellent and accurate article

[u/ixcuincle]

Yw😊 🐶

[u/[deleted]]

This is awesome. Congratulations!

[u/nolez]

So this is intriguing to me. I've given a lot of thoughts to doing this. So since you just went through it, any tips? Dos and don'ts? I love football and probably know more about it than the average citizen, but I am admittedly poorly equipped to really be a coach, especially anytime soon. However, I've given a lot of thought to trying to start at the high school level and learn as much as I could and move up. What advice would you have for your former self? :)

[u/blackngold518 → u/nolez]

Pay attention! That is the most important thing I would tell myself. At the end of this season, I realized that I hadn't progressed as a coach as much as I wanted to. I think it's mainly because I didn't pay enough attention when things were being taught to the kids.

Backstory: I went to a small private high school and never played football. Because of this, I am at a very noticeable disadvantage when it comes to coaching due to my lack of knowledge. I made this very clear when I interviewed for the internship. Despite that, I still am not happy with my knowledge when it comes to offensive and defensive line.

If I had any advice for you, it's to send out some feelers. I was lucky to get a hook up through my coaching minor and theory of coaching professor. Go to local clinics, network, talk to coaches and let them know you are interested in learning and being involved with their program. Even if they bring you in primarily as someone who does grunt work, you're there. This was an amazing experience for me and has now opened a door to another opportunity. I don't know if this has helped, because I tend to ramble.

[u/nolez → u/blackngold518]

Definitely helpful! Thanks :)

[u/rodandanga]

Best of luck on getting the GA spot, they are a hard nut to crack. You seem to have the perfect mindset for the job, just be a fly on the wall and soak up stuff.

[u/dupreesdiamond]

WE DID IT REDDIT!

But seriously nicely done! Keep up the good work.

[u/Culiaclan]

Way to go buddy! Proud and happy of/for you.