6 best college coaching football jobs

Wondering what college football coaching jobs are available? If you’re interested in this type of career, you need to know that the head coach is by no means the only role teams need to fill. In fact, there are many other vital roles on the coaching staff that may appeal to you.

The following examples are some of the best college football coaching jobs to consider. Although each is unique, they all share one commonality: providing you with valuable coaching experience.

Top College Football Coaching Jobs to Consider

1. Assistant Coach

college football assistant coaching positionsIt makes sense that someone interested in college football coaching jobs might one day aspire to take on the role of head coach. However, it takes time to progress to this stage. You’ll likely take on the role of an assistant coach (or a similar position) before moving up to the head coaching position.

Luckily, the experience you would get in this type of role is extremely valuable. As the name implies, it typically involves helping the head coach execute their goals, such as leading a football team to victory on game day. Having the opportunity to work side-by-side with the head coach provides valuable experiences you may not gain in other positions. 

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2. Position Coach

college football position coach jobsIn college football programs (and NFL teams, for that matter) it’s not uncommon for players in key positions to have their own position coaches. These professionals work directly with a given group of players to help them optimize their fitness, skills, and strategy. 

Being a position coach is another one of the best college football coaching jobs available. As with the role of the assistant coach, a position coach gains unique experiences and insights that can help them prepare to move up to the position of head coach. If you have aspirations of working in professional football, beginning as a college position coach is a smart idea. It can make you more attractive to potential employers if you ever decide to pursue the role of position coach with a professional team.

3. Offensive or Defensive Coordinator

offensive and defensive coordinator positions available in college footballJust as individual players work with their own specialists one-on-one, so too do the defense and offense teams work with coordinators who specialize in certain areas of coaching.

The degree to which you would make critical decisions in this role will depend on the head coach’s overall style and approach. In many instances, an offensive coordinator would be responsible for making offensive play calls during actual gameplay, as a defensive coordinator would make defensive play calls. 

Developing strategies, plays, and game plans for either the offense or the defense will help you gain a better understanding of the various components of coaching. On top of that, offensive and defensive coordinators often manage their own assistant coaches, providing them with the management experience needed to thrive as head coaches.

4. Special Teams Coach

special teams coordinator positions available in collegeThe special team’s coach serves the same purpose as an offensive or defensive coordinator. The key difference, as the name implies, is that they work directly with the special teams.

Don’t dismiss this as one of the less appealing college football coaching jobs! The special team’s players play vital roles in the success of their teams. From on-side kicks and kick returns to game-ending field goals, they can make the difference between a win or a loss on game day.

5. Strength Coach

available college strength and conditioning college jobsIt’s no secret that college football players need to be in peak physical fitness to succeed. That’s what makes the position of strength coach so essential. In this role, you will help players build and maintain their strength during the season, potentially develop training programs during the off-season, and coordinate with other important members of the staff to make sure training programs are both safe and aligned with the team’s overall goals.

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6. Graduate Assistant

college football graduate assistant jobsIt’s important to understand that there are various paths to a college football coaching job. You’ll need to explore your options to determine which is right for you.

For instance, many young graduates who played football in college but have since ended their playing careers work as graduate assistants (usually while taking graduate courses) when they first begin the next stage of their careers. While these positions are similar to internships and may be unpaid, they still provide valuable experience in a low-pressure environment. A graduate assistant learns the fundamentals of coaching without typically being required to make major coaching decisions, helping them develop the skills and knowledge they would need as they move on to other positions. 

Graduate assistants also tend to “wear many hats.” They often work with many different people on the coaching team, including the head coach, assistant coaches, and position coaches. As a result, they get a broad overview, helping them better determine what specific position they may want to fill in the future. Consider this option if you’re a student-athlete looking for a way to break into coaching after you stop playing.

Regardless of which position you’d like to fill, serving as a member of a college football coaching staff is a rewarding experience. You get a unique opportunity to help young athletes work together towards a common goal while doing something you enjoy.

Other college football jobs articles:

How to Become a College Football Coach

What Types of Jobs Can You Get with a Strength and Conditioning Degree?

NFL is the Entry Point for Professional Football

How to Become a Strength and Conditioning Coach