For instance, you could say to the coach, “Hi, coach. I know I didn’t make the team, but I’d still like to help out. Is there a spot open for a volunteer?”

To develop a specialty, play or manage in one area if you can. Educate yourself on that specialty by reading up on it and taking related courses.

A coaching degree is rarer, but you can use a college search engine to find schools that offer it.

If you don’t make the team, consider volunteering as a team manager to gain experience. Let your coaches know that you’d like to eventually be considered for a graduate assistant position, if that’s your goal.

While these internships aren’t coaching related necessarily, you’ll gain invaluable insight into the NFL, which can benefit you in gaining a coaching job later. For both programs, you’ll apply in your senior year. You’ll need at least a 3. 0 GPA for the summer program and at least a 3. 2 for the rotational program. Apply on the NFL’s website

You’ll only be able to hold this position for 2 to 3 seasons at most. Check on college websites for their job listings, as well as the job boards for the NCAA and NAIA. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a program you love, and ask if they have a position for you. [7] X Research source Typically, you’ll apply for a graduate position before you enroll in the school, so you know for sure you have a job there. [8] X Research source

To find talks, check out YouTube videos by winning coaches. Attend any lectures offered by coaches in your area.

Build good relationships with coaches. That way, when you see them do something you don’t understand, you can ask them later why they made that decision. Learning their thought process will help you develop your own coaching strategies.

For instance, you can go to the AFCA’s annual convention, which provides educational opportunities. The convention is usually in January. Membership dues range from $60 USD to $200 USD as of 2018, which includes the cost of the convention. You can also just pay for the convention, which ranges from $15 to $60 USD, plus travel. You don’t need to be coaching currently to attend. Glazier Clinics, which are hosted across the United States and online, run $119 for a single year season pass, as of 2018.

For instance, Football Scoop has all levels of football coaching jobs, while both the NAIA and the NCAA have advertisement boards for college-level coaches.

If you start in these positions, you can build up a reputation as a solid coach and work your way up to tougher college programs.

It will be your job to inspire your team. Show your interviewers how you’ll do that. Check out footage of the team ahead of time, so you can discuss what the team is doing well and where the team can do better.

For instance, analyzing film from other teams can be helpful, and you may have noticed coaches doing this in your past. Watch videos of a team to see how they play, and use that information to figure out what the biggest threats are. Adjust your team’s play to help win the game. [12] X Research source Alternatively, maybe you’ve noticed that your team is literally dropping the ball too much, which is what cost you a recent game. Focus on drills that encourage your team to hold on to the ball.

The goal of this fellowship is to encourage and assist more minority coaches in obtaining NFL coaching positions.

Also, ask your contacts if they know of any open positions. Let people know you want to move up to the NFL. If you’re coaching in a high-profile college position, NFL CEOs and managers are more likely to give you a chance. Let any contacts you have know that you’d like to move up to pro ball if possible. [16] X Research source

An agent can help you evaluate players if you don’t have the time.

Pick one based on recommendations from friends and colleagues.

Often, these long interviews are reserved for head coaches, and the head coach will decide who they want to work under them.