I hired 2 new GA's over the summer.  One of them is not good.  The other one was pretty good.  They ended up getting another opportunity that, on paper, they couldn't pass up.  I advised them to take the opportunity and here's why:

  1. School, books and stipend (we can only offer school)
  2. FBS football (we're low level FCS)
  3. FBS football = good facilities and resources
  4. An FBS football school as a GA can look good on a resume

These are all legitimate reasons, in my opinion.  As much as it put me in a tough spot, I didn't feel right telling them otherwise.

Fast forward a month or so...

The GA that left is not happy.  Very simply, the "promises" made by the new place are not being met.  I understand part of it because they did come in part way through the semester.  By that time teams have been assigned and we're into the meat of fall training.  In my opinion, it's not right to interrupt a team with a new coach halfway through the semester, if you can help it.

Bottom line, the GA isn't getting much experience coaching or programming.  The programming part doesn't bother me too much because that's such a small part of being a coach.  The coaching part is concerning.  The only way to get better at coaching is to coach.

This got me thinking about things.  My advice to the GA was to take the FBS opportunity because of what I mentioned above.  I did say that here (or at smaller places like us) you're not just a GA.  You're actually a coach.  You have your teams, you answer to those sport coaches, you talk to the athletic trainers and figure out injury stuff - you're a real live coach with the title of Graduate Assistant.  I don't just throw them to the wolves and let them fend for themselves.  I help guide them in the direction they need to go.  As they pick up the different points I give less and less input until eventually, they are kind of on their own.  This really means that my control freak nature has been satisfied and I trust them to handle their business.

I'm doing a bit of rambling here, but what I'm getting to is which opportunity is better?

  1. Small school, possibly/probably not great facilities and/or resources, but the chance to actually coach, or...
  2. The FBS (or similar) type of place where the logo is cool, the facilities and resources are good, but you're just a GA

I've always told my GA's that that type of opportunity is better than what I can offer.  Over the last few weeks my former GA has expressed interest in becoming my GA for a second time.  So is it?

Ten or 15 years ago I definitely would've chased the logo.  If it's an SEC, ACC, Big 10, Pac 12, Big 12 logo then it must be a better job.  If people are coaches there they MUST be the best coaches?  The longer I'm around this business the more I'm starting to think that I'm wrong.

Don't get butt hurt if you're at a big school like these.  There are obviously some awesome coaches with fancy logos on their t-shirts.  Certainly better than I.  However, I do think that the smaller school MIGHT be a better route for young coaches.

Just from a programming standpoint, going from a weight room that used to be 3 basketball courts side by side to 3,200 square feet was a massive challenge.  In those huge weight rooms I never had to consider space because we had it.  Because of the limited space and equipment, I really learned how to become creative and simple with what I do.  I do have some things I'd like to try, but I just haven't figured out how to make it work or we just don't have the money.  But, I've really learned how to organize a large group lift (30+ athletes or 2 smaller groups in at the same time).  I think this skill is invaluable.  I've thought about if I ever went to a place with 10,000 square feet - would I change my organization of lift?  Probably?  Why wouldn't I take advantage of resources and space?  But, I don't think that it would be a drastic change because this works so well.

In the talks I've had with my former GA the one thing they keep mentioning is the chance to actually coach and be in charge of their own "little program" within the larger department.  Young coaches,this might be something that you want to consider as you start the job hunt this winter.

Will I get to COACH or will I just be a GA?  I'm not saying this is a bad route.  Obviously, a ton of people have made it following this route.  I'm just saying, don't get caught up in the fancy logo and the crazy facilities.  None of that bullshit makes you a good coach.  Experience makes you better at whatever it is you do (provided you're in a constant state of learning).