Personal Information: Jim Richardson Tiffin University Associate Head Baseball Coach [email protected], |
Coach Jim Richardson assists with all aspects of running a NCAA Division II College Baseball Program. This includes, but is not limited to Budget Management, Coaching, Recruiting, Evaluating, Practice Planning and Organization, Grade/Degree Monitoring, Student Athlete Mentoring, Facility Management. The best part of coaching is that everyday is something different, more specifically, the relationships with the players and the ability to help mentor them to be better versions of themselves. As in everything there are always downsides and for Coach Richardson he does not like the travel and the constant fundraising. In order for him to gain a position like this he posses an AA in Liberal Arts, BA in Organizational Leadership and MA in Cognitive Psychology. Most full time positions require a Masters Degree. To add to his time in the classroom, he has personally spent his entire professional life working towards a career in Collegiate Baseball. He has done numerous trade related jobs to make a living while staying involved with coaching the game. In order to obtaining a full time coaching position he has never turned down an opportunity to help coach.
More specifically for the job itself, there are no set hours, but in season it is usually all day every day. Out of season, there is a lot more flexibility – but you are also out on the road recruiting a great deal. The job is certainly not a 9-5 type of thing. Attire is business casual in the office, but when out on the road whatever is comfortable. At the NCAA D2 level of College Baseball the salaries can range from absolutely nothing (Volunteer) to $80K on the high end. I would say the average head coach salary is $50K and the average assistant is $22K. Not all programs are afforded a fulltime assistant, so this average is skewed a little low. As you can see the salary range can commensurate with experience, but a full time assistant coach with collegiate coaching experience should be in the $25K to $40K range. There are many part-time and volunteer coaching positions available out there – this is what skews the average salary as mentioned above.
The collegiate coaching landscape is highly competitive. There are roughly 290 D1 NCAA Baseball programs and (again roughly) 285 D2 Programs. This means that there are only 575 Head Coaching positions and the top two levels of college baseball. I can’t speak to the number of programs that have full time assistant coaches but I would venture to guess that not all of them do. In short, there are roughly 1,000 baseball coaching jobs at the top 2 levels of college baseball. Turnover and demand are very high for these positions. If you secure work for an established program that consistently wins there is a great opportunity to advance within the coaching field. Very rarely do you see College Coaches making the jump to professional baseball, but it has happened. However, often times the game weeds out coaches who’s teams do not perform. It is hard to get another chance once you’ve established a track record of losing. In all honesty, this career path is not for the faint of heart. You will never be paid in accordance to the amount of work/time you put in. You will work long hours, spend a great deal of time away from your family and constantly be second guessed/told that you are wrong. BUT, for those that understand the road in front of them and truly love the game and helping young people there isn’t a better profession than coaching college athletics.
In regards to tips – work for free where you can, network and get your name out there. Stay up to date on all of the technical aspects of coaching and player development. Get involved and stay positive. Your network and your reputation is what is going to land you a job in this industry.
More specifically for the job itself, there are no set hours, but in season it is usually all day every day. Out of season, there is a lot more flexibility – but you are also out on the road recruiting a great deal. The job is certainly not a 9-5 type of thing. Attire is business casual in the office, but when out on the road whatever is comfortable. At the NCAA D2 level of College Baseball the salaries can range from absolutely nothing (Volunteer) to $80K on the high end. I would say the average head coach salary is $50K and the average assistant is $22K. Not all programs are afforded a fulltime assistant, so this average is skewed a little low. As you can see the salary range can commensurate with experience, but a full time assistant coach with collegiate coaching experience should be in the $25K to $40K range. There are many part-time and volunteer coaching positions available out there – this is what skews the average salary as mentioned above.
The collegiate coaching landscape is highly competitive. There are roughly 290 D1 NCAA Baseball programs and (again roughly) 285 D2 Programs. This means that there are only 575 Head Coaching positions and the top two levels of college baseball. I can’t speak to the number of programs that have full time assistant coaches but I would venture to guess that not all of them do. In short, there are roughly 1,000 baseball coaching jobs at the top 2 levels of college baseball. Turnover and demand are very high for these positions. If you secure work for an established program that consistently wins there is a great opportunity to advance within the coaching field. Very rarely do you see College Coaches making the jump to professional baseball, but it has happened. However, often times the game weeds out coaches who’s teams do not perform. It is hard to get another chance once you’ve established a track record of losing. In all honesty, this career path is not for the faint of heart. You will never be paid in accordance to the amount of work/time you put in. You will work long hours, spend a great deal of time away from your family and constantly be second guessed/told that you are wrong. BUT, for those that understand the road in front of them and truly love the game and helping young people there isn’t a better profession than coaching college athletics.
In regards to tips – work for free where you can, network and get your name out there. Stay up to date on all of the technical aspects of coaching and player development. Get involved and stay positive. Your network and your reputation is what is going to land you a job in this industry.
For Coach Terry Ayers his duties are to manage and run the pitching staff. Coordinate throwing, lifting, and conditioning programs in order to ensure healthy and strong athletes. He is also, responsible for all aspects related to coaching, evaluating talent, planning practice, mentoring athletes and molding young men. For Terry the best thing about coaching is the lifelong relationships that are created with players and coaches. While being able to influence young aspiring athletes and watch them go on to succeed later in life in all aspects. His least favorite thing about coaching is the constant travel that comes with the job and having to tell young baseball players that they are not good enough to make the team. In order to get where he is today Terry has a BS in Secondary Education and Teaching and a MA in Education. College coaching positions require a masters degree, while high school coaching positions do not, but it certaintly helps. His whole life has been dedicated to the game of baseball. He has been the head baseball coach at Fenton community High School while teaching Social Studies. After retiring as the head coach he became a member and works for USA baseball. Both as a coach and as pitching consultant. He has worked for the Washington Nationals along with other professional teams in the off-season with their pitchers. He has also been the associate head coach for the Midwest Team USA baseball team.
Hours for a normal work day are different every day, there are no definite set hours in this field. During the season it is a 24/7 type of job that never ends. While in the off-season there is the possibility of more freedom and off days, but the opportunities to be involved in other organizations is always available. Being a retired coach, the pay is nothing since it is a volunteer position that is done solely because of the love for the game and the kids playing. There are opportunities to make money any where you look. From running camps/clinics, personal lessons, working with professional teams, or coaching a high school or college team. Over the course of his extensive career he has had $5 million dollar contracts and given lessons for $20 an hour, so it depends on how hard you work at it.The specific field of coaching is always changing. Since it is a very difficult occupation there are always changes being made. The main thing is if a coach can relate to the players and be successful there will always be a program that is in need.
In regards to the possibility of progressing in this profession, there is always rooms for improvement if an individual really wants it. The coaching position is based off the team's performance throughout the course of the coaches career. This means jobs are ultimately based on their win and loss record. Always keep studying the game and learning from those who come before you in order to move up. It will depend on when you are satisfied with your career and how hard you work. This is an extremely challenging career that it not going to come easy. It takes dedication and a passion for the game and the players that you coach. You will have to make sacrifices at time in your personal life in order to achieve the goals you have set forward. Even though you will spend the majority of your days working there is never ending satisfaction each and every day that makes it all worth it. Take every opportunity you can it will only pay off in the future. Make sure to stay up to date on the latest changes within the game itself and build a reputation that cannot be turned away.
Hours for a normal work day are different every day, there are no definite set hours in this field. During the season it is a 24/7 type of job that never ends. While in the off-season there is the possibility of more freedom and off days, but the opportunities to be involved in other organizations is always available. Being a retired coach, the pay is nothing since it is a volunteer position that is done solely because of the love for the game and the kids playing. There are opportunities to make money any where you look. From running camps/clinics, personal lessons, working with professional teams, or coaching a high school or college team. Over the course of his extensive career he has had $5 million dollar contracts and given lessons for $20 an hour, so it depends on how hard you work at it.The specific field of coaching is always changing. Since it is a very difficult occupation there are always changes being made. The main thing is if a coach can relate to the players and be successful there will always be a program that is in need.
In regards to the possibility of progressing in this profession, there is always rooms for improvement if an individual really wants it. The coaching position is based off the team's performance throughout the course of the coaches career. This means jobs are ultimately based on their win and loss record. Always keep studying the game and learning from those who come before you in order to move up. It will depend on when you are satisfied with your career and how hard you work. This is an extremely challenging career that it not going to come easy. It takes dedication and a passion for the game and the players that you coach. You will have to make sacrifices at time in your personal life in order to achieve the goals you have set forward. Even though you will spend the majority of your days working there is never ending satisfaction each and every day that makes it all worth it. Take every opportunity you can it will only pay off in the future. Make sure to stay up to date on the latest changes within the game itself and build a reputation that cannot be turned away.
Coach Todd Genke manages and operates all aspects of St. Charles North High School baseball program. In addition, he teaches a physical education and drivers education class. The duties of a head coach span a great deal across the spectrum. It changes everyday, to appointing coaches to the freshmen and sophomore teams and hiring quality and experienced coaches at the varsity level. Managing young student athletes both on and off the field. Being a role model as well as improving baseball fundamentals and techniques. Preparing young men for the rigors of a possible college career. Maintaining a budget and inventory list of all equipment utilized by the program. Communicating with parents and working alongside the school board in order to build a successful and lasting program. Preparing and setting schedules for both in-season and off-season.
He enjoys the aspects of high school baseball because it allows a coach the opportunity to really invest time in his players. This includes working with them on the field and also off the field as they prepare to enter college or the work field. The ability to watch athletes grow and mature through their game from entering high school to watching them succeed afterwards. The long-lasting relationships that are created from meeting new coaches and players. He dislikes the fact that at the start of every season we have to make cuts of players and not allow them to pursue their dreams of being high school baseball players. The large time commitment that is dedicated to the program and school, which means you miss out on a lot of things with your own family. In order to secure this position he received a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from Olivet Nazarene University andalso has a Bachelor of Education in Health and Physical Education/Fitness from The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
There are no set hours, a high school coach teaches during the day and any off periods result in planning, consulting and organizing every aspect of the team. There are set schedules for practices and and games, which normally start immediately after the conclusion of classes and on the weekends, Saturdays are all day events during the season. The pay for a coaching position varies with the average in Illinois being around 60K and can range to 90K +. This is not solely from a coaching position. This is a combination of the salary that a coach makes from being a teacher and being an assistant coach in other sports, for example, coaching football in the off-season is very common. There is always opportunities for advancement, which can move to coaching a college program if that is what you attend to do. The possibility of running clinics and camps in the summer time because of the reduced schedule is also an option.
Coaching at the High School level is not as lucrative as at the college or professional level. This does not mean that changes are not made. It is imperative to continue to improve your knowledge of the game and your network in order to keep up with the changes of the game and coaching techniques. Even though winning is still very important at the high school level there is more of an importance in the development of the individual players. You have to be able to communicate with the players and their parents. This being said a successful coach has a better chance of retaining his job longer than an unsuccessful one. For those aspiring to move beyond being a coach of high school baseball there are opportunities if you want to pursue a different career path. High school coaches commonly move on to coach at a University, along with becoming low level scouts affiliated with professional organizations. The ability to work for Team USA and coach teams abroad is something that is a unique possibility for a coach if desired. It is important to never stop learning. Be a student of the game no matter how much experience or success you may have. The game of baseball is a sport based off failure whether you are playing or coaching. The learning curve is always adjusting and it is important to develop contacts across the game. Always be willing to work for free and donate your time. Coaching youth teams is a great way to show experience. A coaching position is a very difficult position because you are dedicating your time to developing young athletes. They will always look up to you for advice so it is important to always be a role model deserving of this respect. The ability to develop a coaching philosophy that you believe in yourself and one that the players can relate to is essential. This is the essence of coaching, ask for advice and never assume that you have figured out the best way because that is exactly when you will stop advancing in your career.
He enjoys the aspects of high school baseball because it allows a coach the opportunity to really invest time in his players. This includes working with them on the field and also off the field as they prepare to enter college or the work field. The ability to watch athletes grow and mature through their game from entering high school to watching them succeed afterwards. The long-lasting relationships that are created from meeting new coaches and players. He dislikes the fact that at the start of every season we have to make cuts of players and not allow them to pursue their dreams of being high school baseball players. The large time commitment that is dedicated to the program and school, which means you miss out on a lot of things with your own family. In order to secure this position he received a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from Olivet Nazarene University andalso has a Bachelor of Education in Health and Physical Education/Fitness from The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
There are no set hours, a high school coach teaches during the day and any off periods result in planning, consulting and organizing every aspect of the team. There are set schedules for practices and and games, which normally start immediately after the conclusion of classes and on the weekends, Saturdays are all day events during the season. The pay for a coaching position varies with the average in Illinois being around 60K and can range to 90K +. This is not solely from a coaching position. This is a combination of the salary that a coach makes from being a teacher and being an assistant coach in other sports, for example, coaching football in the off-season is very common. There is always opportunities for advancement, which can move to coaching a college program if that is what you attend to do. The possibility of running clinics and camps in the summer time because of the reduced schedule is also an option.
Coaching at the High School level is not as lucrative as at the college or professional level. This does not mean that changes are not made. It is imperative to continue to improve your knowledge of the game and your network in order to keep up with the changes of the game and coaching techniques. Even though winning is still very important at the high school level there is more of an importance in the development of the individual players. You have to be able to communicate with the players and their parents. This being said a successful coach has a better chance of retaining his job longer than an unsuccessful one. For those aspiring to move beyond being a coach of high school baseball there are opportunities if you want to pursue a different career path. High school coaches commonly move on to coach at a University, along with becoming low level scouts affiliated with professional organizations. The ability to work for Team USA and coach teams abroad is something that is a unique possibility for a coach if desired. It is important to never stop learning. Be a student of the game no matter how much experience or success you may have. The game of baseball is a sport based off failure whether you are playing or coaching. The learning curve is always adjusting and it is important to develop contacts across the game. Always be willing to work for free and donate your time. Coaching youth teams is a great way to show experience. A coaching position is a very difficult position because you are dedicating your time to developing young athletes. They will always look up to you for advice so it is important to always be a role model deserving of this respect. The ability to develop a coaching philosophy that you believe in yourself and one that the players can relate to is essential. This is the essence of coaching, ask for advice and never assume that you have figured out the best way because that is exactly when you will stop advancing in your career.