Professional Athlete
Comprehensive Sites
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Athletes, Coaches, UmpiresA description of what it is like to be a professional coach is found at this site, as well as information on career preparation, job pay, and sources of further information on related careers, such as an athlete or umpire. Work environment, education and training required for a variety of sports, employment, and job outlook are all explored. The latest wage information can be accessed from links near the bottom of the page.
Princeton Review: CoachThis all-in-one resource offers information on work activities, preparation for a career as a coach, wages, and job information. Facts and figures about the profession, as well as information on the quality of life you could expect after two, five, or 10 years as a professional sports coach, are presented.
Occupational Titles
Coach
Athletic Coach
Athletic Director
Athletic Instructor
Baseball Coach
Baseball Scout
Basketball Coach
Coach, Professional Athletes
College Coach
Cross Country/Track And Field Coach
Director Of Athletics
Director Of Physical Education
Diving Coach
Field Hockey And Lacrosse Coach
Football Coach
Golf Coach
Gymnastics Coach
Head Coach
Ice Hockey Coach
Soccer Coach
Softball Coach
Swim Coach
Tennis Coach
Accredited Academic Programs
Google: Top Sports Colleges and UniversitiesIf you are interested in looking into colleges with strong athletic programs, go to this all-in-one search engine, and find a host of links on your chosen sport. For example, click on “football” and find schools grouped according to NCAA division, and rankings.
Princeton Review: Coach College MajorsA variety of college majors would be good choices if you want to be a coach, and this list provides you with a few of them, including athletic training and sports management. Click on your selection to be brought to a list of colleges and universities across the U.S. that offer your selected major. Access these schools individual websites for more program information directly from this site.
Salary Levels
Indeed.com: Coach SalariesThousands of jobs for coaches are compiled at this site, part of the Indeed.com database, where several job search tools are combined in one place. Nationwide career databases and private companies comprise this extensive listing.
PayScale.com: Head CoachThis leader in online career compensation offers a basic salary chart here for head coach of a university. Information on similar job titles, such as athletic coach, can be accessed from this page.
U.S. Department of Labor: Coaches and Scouts Occupational Employment and WagesThe U.S. Department of Labor offers national estimates and mean wages for the coaching industry, as well as state and metropolitan area profiles for coaches.
Professional Organizations
American Football Coaches AssociationFootball facts can be found at this page, which provide detailed information on real football coaches around the country. Football legislation, injury prevention, awards, and professional development are all departments that you might be interested in along with your pursuit of a career as a professional sports coach.
National Alliance for Youth SportsThis organization can be your advocate if you are interested in pursuing a career as a kid’s coach. A guide of standards for coaches is available, an official magazine of the organization, and links to coaching material and other resources to help kids enjoy sports more.
National Athletic Trainers’ AssociationYou will find plenty of information on athletic training from this site, including work settings and several online brochures about the career. Included are facts about certified athletic trainers, an education overview, and a career guide. The student link will bring you to information about the board certification exam, student membership in the organization, and links the next steps to take if you are really interested in a career as an athletic trainer.
National High School Athletic Coaches AssociationAssociation news, a national coach of the year award program, and an annual convention are all part of this organization’s commitment to providing a career and professional resource to coaches and those interested in the profession. Notable keynote speakers from professional sports teams offer their advice to members.
Licensing & Certification
Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training EducationThis search program allows you to enter the state you wish to study in or select a specific college. Undergraduate and graduate program listings are returned for states, with links to contact information for department heads and further program details.
ISeek: Certifications for Coaches and ScoutsSeveral certifications for coaches are found at this page, which provides links to the certification type and the name of the sponsoring organization. A variety of safety certifications and instructor credentials are available from several fitness and coaching organizations.
Job Opportunity Sources
Indeed.com: All Coach JobsThousands of professional coaching jobs are listed at this site, collected from nationwide career databases and private companies across the nation.
SportsJobs.comClick on the job subsection you’re interested in, and find a variety of job search boards dedicated solely to team and sports industry jobs. Under coaching, you will find further links to coaching positions, skills, and team coaching resources. Football coaching and sports training also offer separate portals that might provide job leads.
Publications
International Journal of Sports Science and CoachingPublished four times per year, this professional publication is dedicated to sports science and critical coaching practice. Its primary purpose is to evaluate coaching skills and methods and how they enhance the effectiveness and performance of your athletes. You can view a synopsis of any article and learn more about coaching technique, insights from real coaches, and also scan real case studies.
Sports IllustratedA quintessential American sports magazine, this publication offers headline sports, history, and regular segments on the NFL, the NBA, baseball, college sports coverage, the NHL, tennis, and golf. SI.com, the online version, provides high school sports information. The menu at the top of the page offer scores, video, specific sport departments, and much more than you can imagine for an online publication.
Online Forums & Blogs
SportingNews.com: Sporting BlogsCollege bloggers make up the news and views from this site, for those interested in college sports teams. Click on the team you are interested in to gain access to personal blogs from across the nation.
SportsBlogsSeveral news blogs covering a multitude of sports topics are available from this site, intended as a general sports blog resource.
SportsForums.netDiscuss any sport at this site, which includes chat boards for baseball, basketball, football, golf, college sports, and other general sports discussions.
TrueHoop: Sports BlogsDifferent blogs can be accessed here by clicking on the sports tab, which connects to more than 25 separate blogging pages. Each page offers coverage of the selected sport, with headlines, scores, and must-read commentary, of interest to those pursuing any sports career.
Career Videos
ISeek: Coaches and ScoutsClick on “View the Career Video” to find an overview of a professional coache’s career. You will find a description of career preparation, techniques of professional coaches describes the preparation and techniques of professional athletes and their role in understanding sporting equipment.
