Additional Information
Becoming a coach means becoming a student of the game. Today, coaches at
the college, professional and upper-tier high school levels have college degrees.
Some specialize in sports management or exercise science, but most coaches
agree that a general education is enough. And while most coaches have played
basketball, some of the best coaches in history were mediocre players.
Shelley Jarrard is an assistant coach of a women's basketball team. She
says one of her own coaches was never a player. Instead, he was like a bartender:
he stayed in his own place and observed the action from a distance. "He didn't
ever play, but he was just around the game for a long time and studied it
and wanted to be a part of it," she says.
Get involved in any aspect of the game, advises Jarrard. "I'd say go for
it and be around it as much as you can. Go to different camps. Expose yourself
as much as you can. Do it and watch it on television. Watch the pros and talk
about it with people."
Low-paying positions are valuable for the experience they provide, and
most professional coaches do time at high schools or small universities. Coaching
is a ladder, with obscure, low-paying positions at the bottom and notoriety
and financial rewards at the top.
According to Ross Tomlinson, who used to coach university men's basketball,
a degree in any subject will increase your chances of earning a decent income.
"Should [anyone] choose to get into coaching, number one they'd have to get
a degree, if they expect to get any pay."
Contact the association in your area to get hooked up with a seasoned coach
who can show you the ropes...or, the hoops!