Aside from teaching the skills and fundamentals of basketball, a great basketball coach can have a tremendous impact on the life of a child.
The coaching community is in need of quality role models to enter the profession… and more importantly, young people are in need of these role models.
Maybe you aspire to one day be a high school head coach, or maybe you would simply like to help out at the local community center.
Regardless of your coaching aspirations, there are several ways to give yourself the best chance of finding your “dream job.”
Are you passionate about basketball and think you’ve got what it takes to coach a team? Mentoring young athletes and leading a program to success can be an incredibly rewarding career.
But how exactly do you break into a coaching career in basketball? What kind of education. experience and certification is required?
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the typical steps and qualifications needed to become a basketball coach
Here’s what I’ll cover:
- What does a basketball coach do?
- Why become a basketball coach?
- Education requirements
- Getting coaching experience
- Earning certification
- Applying for coaching jobs
- Understanding the career outlook and salary
Let’s jump right into the skills and preparation you’ll need to become a successful basketball coach!
What Does a Basketball Coach Do?
Basketball coaches lead and instruct athletes in all aspects of the sport. Their main duties include:
- Developing players’ skills and physical conditioning
- Planning and directing practices and training programs
- Teaching offensive and defensive strategies and techniques
- Motivating and providing encouragement during competitions
- Evaluating player strengths and weaknesses and planning drills accordingly
- Selecting team members and determining game line-ups/substitution patterns
- Analyzing game film and statistic to improve performance
- Overseeing team budgets, travel, recruitment and scouting
It involves a mix of technical knowledge, people skills, and business administration. The ability to build rapport with players and teach the mental aspects of the game is also crucial.
Why Become a Basketball Coach?
There are many appealing reasons to start a career in basketball coaching:
- Share your passion for basketball and help develop young talent
- Enjoy the thrill and competitiveness of high-performance athletics
- Motivate and inspire youth to strive for excellence on and off the court
- Take a leadership role and enjoy the team environment
- Earn a good living pursuing your love for the sport
- Leverage your basketball knowledge and experience
Whether you coach professionally or as a hobby, it’s incredibly rewarding to use your skills to help others grow.
Basketball Coach Education Requirements
What kind of education and credentials do you need to coach basketball? Here are the typical prerequisites:
High School Diploma or GED
At minimum, you’ll need a high school diploma or equivalent. Strong grades in science, anatomy and math are helpful.
Some employers require candidates to have some college coursework or an associate’s degree as well.
Bachelor’s Degree
Most coaching jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree. Common majors include:
- Sports management
- Exercise science
- Physical education
- Kinesiology
- Business administration
Choose electives like nutrition, sports psychology and athletic training.
Master’s Degree (Optional)
A master’s degree isn’t essential for most positions but can make you more competitive. Programs like exercise physiology, sports management or coaching science are applicable options.
Advanced education may be preferred for higher level coaching roles. Previous coaching experience also counts.
Getting Basketball Coaching Experience
Gaining hands-on coaching experience is a must before seeking a paid position. Here are some smart ways to build up your skills:
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Volunteer to be an assistant coach for a youth rec league or school team. This gives you initial exposure to helping run practices, working with athletes, etc.
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Attend coaching clinics to sharpen your technical knowledge and network with other coaches. Look for clinics offered by coaches associations or governing bodies.
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Complete a coaching internship program either through your college or with a professional team. These provide immersive training under the guidance of a head coach.
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Consider playing basketball in high school or college to build your knowledge of offensive and defensive systems.
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Join a coaches association like the National Association of Basketball Coaches which offers development resources.
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Watch game film and read books on basketball strategy to keep strengthening your coaching skills over time. Master the fundamentals inside and out.
Getting Certified as a Basketball Coach
Most schools and leagues require certification or licensure for paid coaching positions. The main options are:
State Coaching License
Every state has their own requirements to coach at public K-12 schools. This usually involves:
- Submitting fingerprints for a background check
- Completing approved coaching education courses
- Passing a state coaching exam
- Maintaining current CPR/first aid certification
Some states require an annual license renewal process as well. Review guidelines for your target state.
Coaching Certification Programs
For non-school teams, private coaching certification programs can provide the credentials you need. Two popular options are:
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ASEP: American Sport Education Program offers coaching certificates focused on principles of coaching, sport first aid and more.
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NFHS: National Federation of State High School Associations Fundamentals of Coaching course teaches leadership, growth and development, among other topics.
How to Apply for Basketball Coaching Jobs
Once you have the required credentials and experience, start searching and applying for open positions. Sources of job leads include:
- School and university athletic department websites
- Job boards like SchoolSpring, TeamCoach and WorkInSports
- National and state high school athletic associations
- Youth sports leagues and camps
- Your own networking with other coaches
When applying, highlight your basketball knowledge, leadership abilities, and commitment to helping young athletes learn and improve. School coaches should emphasize their education background.
Be persistent and keep applying until you lock down that first assistant coaching opportunity. Gaining more experience will open doors to advancement over time.
Basketball Coach Salary and Job Outlook
What is the career outlook for basketball coaches like? How much salary can you expect to earn? Here are some key projections:
Career Outlook
The job outlook for coaches is expected to grow 5-9% over the next decade, about on par with average employment growth across all fields.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects over 15,000 job openings for coaches and scouts will become available between 2022-2032. Competition is stiff so those with higher levels of experience and education will have the best prospects.
You can boost your chances by having versatile skills to coach multiple sports. Willingness to relocate helps as well. High school level positions tend to have the most openings.
Salary Potential
According to BLS data, the median pay for coaches and scouts was $37,790 as of 2022. However, salaries vary significantly based on factors like:
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Education level: Coaches with master’s degrees tend to earn 10-15% higher wages than those with bachelor’s degrees.
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School level: High school coaches usually earn more than elementary or middle school positions.
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Full vs part-time: Year-round, full-time roles pay substantially higher salaries.
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Region: Coaches in certain metro areas and states earn well above national averages.
With a few years of experience under your belt, it’s possible to earn $50,000-$60,000 annually as a high school basketball coach. College coaching salaries are typically higher.
Ready to Start Your Basketball Coaching Career?
No Job is Too Small
Once you have your foot in the door as a youth coach or as a high school assistant, do absolutely everything possible to add value to your program.
Some coaches fail because they look down on seemingly minor tasks.
Be grateful for all opportunities you get!
If your head coach needs someone to run the clock at practice, do it willingly.
If a player needs a rebounder, volunteer to rebound and pass.
If the floor needs to be swept, grab a broom.
These things will make a good impression on your head coach and your players.
These tasks may seem small but they need done and doing them makes your team better.
Get Your Foot in the Door
Regardless of your preferred coaching destination, you have to start somewhere.
Few, if any, coaches start immediately with a varsity head coaching position.
Most learn the basics on how to become a basketball coach at the youth level.
If you’re humble enough to start there, you’ll be pleased to know that many schools and community leagues are always looking for help.
You will have to volunteer at first, but it is a great way to gain experience.
There is another advantage of starting at the youth level…
It makes you a better coach!
Because the players are younger and the game is newer to them, you must learn to teach the game simply and clearly. This skill will serve you well if you choose to advance to higher levels later.
Plus, working with young kids is extremely fun and rewarding!
How To Be A Division I College Basketball Coach – Episode 7
How do I become a basketball coach?
You may also consider volunteering at a basketball camp. This could be at your local high school or even at a college. Many colleges look for young coaches to help out at their youth camps, and some even pay their helpers. These camps give you some extra coaching experience and are great networking opportunities. 4. Find a Basketball Mentor
Can you be a successful basketball coach?
While playing experience certainly helps, there have been plenty of excellent coaches who did not play the game at a high level. Coaching requires a completely different skill set than playing. So if you’re a person who loves basketball and would like to make a difference in the lives of young people, you can be a successful basketball coach!
Is playing experience a requirement to become a basketball coach?
Former playing experience is not a requirement to start your journey learning how to become a basketball coach. While playing experience certainly helps, there have been plenty of excellent coaches who did not play the game at a high level. Coaching requires a completely different skill set than playing.
What should I do if I’m a basketball coach?
It’s also good to attend some coaching clinics. Basketball coaching clinics are an excellent way to hear experienced coaches share their knowledge while meeting and networking with other coaches. You may also consider volunteering at a basketball camp. This could be at your local high school or even at a college.
