NFL Tackle Football

I have been asked this question a number of times during the course of my 37 year career and here are some of my thoughts on what makes a really good assistant coach. I was an assistant coach at DeMatha for five years before taking over the Varsity football program so I can speak from that perspective as well as the perspective of a head coach managing and working with assistants.

Loyalty is the first and most important attribute I look for in an assistant coach; loyalty to your head coach, to the program and to the school. The head coach has invited you because he believes that you will do an outstanding job as a coach and teacher. Therefore, you should do everything to uphold the philosophy of the program. At DeMatha we first believe in God, then family, then academics and then our football program. The job of the assistant coach is to promote the program and the philosophies to the players, parents and others throughout the community who he may come into contact.

The second quality I look for in an assistant coach is open-mindedness and a willingness to learn. An assistant coach should become a student of the game. Being an assistant coach is an excellent opportunity to learn about coaching. If you keep an open mind you can learn something new every day; how to teach; conduct practice; run drills; motivate and deal with players, parents and administrators as well as fellow assistant coaches. It is not all X’s and O’s by any means. A good assistant coach is one willing to listen more than talk and, as a result, become more knowledgeable each season. Ask questions. Keep notes. Write things down.

A third quality I look for in an assistant coach is for him to understand his role. What does the head coach want you to do? I want my assistant coaches to “learn and teach.” The role of an assistant may evolve over time as you are entrusted with more and more responsibility. Eventually the head coach may promote you to be a coordinator and give you more say in the program. It is important that an assistant coach understand his role at practice, in the locker room before a game and at half time as well as on the field during the game and during team meetings and events.

A fourth quality I look for is the ability to positively interact with fellow coaches, players and parents. By far the greatest reward of an assistant coach is the friendships and relationships you enjoy over the years with coaches, players, parents and fans. Respect and develop these special relationships. It is a great deal more fun if you are on the same page working together. It is no fun and detrimental to your program if the assistant coaches are at odds with each. Get to know your players. Earn their respect, be a role model by demonstrating good values and principles. Ask the players about their schoolwork and classes, show a genuine interest and stress how education is far more important than football. Help teach them how to be part of a team. Everyone likes to feel appreciated and needed, no one likes to be ignored. Help maintain a positive atmosphere and have fun with the players.

Lastly, professionalism is another great quality in an assistant coach. Look and act professional. Be clean and dress neatly. Conduct yourself in a positive, friendly manner. Get along with others. Demonstrate good sportsmanship. Also, always be on time for meetings, practice, games and all team functions.

We, as coaches, are the luckiest people in the world. We get up in the morning truly excited about our work. I think it is because we have the blessed opportunity to work with, positively influence and to learn from the worlds’ most valuable resource-its young people. Always do it right and to the best of your God-given ability.

The opinions of the writers do not necessarily represent the opinion of the NFL.