How to become a high school coach

Coaches help student-athletes improve their performance in a range of competitive sports. Whether leading students in rec-league soccer or preparing football players to play in the NCAA, coaches instruct, teach and inspire.

But how do you become a high school teacher who can coach, and do you need a college degree? Coaches are often teachers who take on coaching duties, including after school hours. This means most coaches need some higher education but not necessarily all need it.

If you are interested in becoming a high school coach, consider starting as a teacher. You can then consider a coaching role and start growing your experience leading youth athletes. Here’s what you need to know.    

High school teachers: Can they coach?

Every school and district has its own policies regarding who can work as a high school coach. Some schools require coaches to also be full-time teachers  with a teaching degree or certificate, and follow the same hiring process as any other educator.

There are some exceptions for niche roles within the school. A high school might have an athletic director on staff  who works as part of the administration team. This person usually manages the budget for sports and guides the teachers who also work as coaches.

Coaching vs. teaching

There are multiple similarities between teachers and coaches in high school. Both teach skills to high school students, for example, while preparing them for life after graduation.

While teachers, generally speaking, may focus on an array of subjects, like English, history or math, teachers who choose to be coaches typically specialize in health and physical education during their teaching hours. 

Important skills for a high school coach

Work history also plays a role in qualifying for a high school coaching role. Coaches rely on several important skills  when working effectively with students. These are:

• Communication: Coaches must clearly explain what students need to know and why it is important.
• Decision-making: Leading a team means making objective decisions that are also fair. 
• Interpersonal skills: High school students are still maturing. Coaches must know how to connect with them in ways they understand.
• Resourcefulness: Coaches might not have the budget or equipment they want to run their team. This means they need to get creative.

High school coaches also need a deep understanding of the sports they oversee in order to lead their teams.

Some requirements for a high school coach

Many professional coaches have to follow the same path as K-12 teachers , who must earn education and certification credentials. Many schools prefer to hire teachers or administrators for coaching roles because those employees already know how the education environment works. 

If high school coaching is your ideal outcome, here are a few steps you can take.

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree

Most states require at least a bachelor’s degree  to work at a K-12 school. Consider completing this degree if you haven’t already and think about what kind of degree program would help you lead a classroom effectively.

2. Obtain a state teaching license

After you secure a bachelor’s degree, check your state licensure requirements  for teaching. You may need a certain number of field hours to pass a test to receive your certification. Some states expect you to renew this certification every few years.

3. Complete additional courses or requirements as needed

Many districts have additional requirements for teachers and coaches before they are ready to work at a school, including fingerprinting and background checks. Seek out CPR certification and other first-aid training that could prepare you to work with athletes as well as for classroom emergencies.