Although coaching experience is a primary requirement for college-level football coaches, a bachelor's degree and certain certifications are typically required as well. In addition to well-developed football knowledge, football coaches need to have excellent leadership and interpersonal skills.
Essential Information
College football coaching positions require a knowledge and love of the game, gained from years of experience with lower-level teams. These professionals typically have bachelor's degrees and years of experience, sometimes at lower job levels or team levels. Many states have certification requirements for college football coaches.
| Required Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Other Requirements | CPR certification; first aid certification; additional state or employer-specific certifications may be required |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | 12% for all coaches and scouts* |
| Median Salary (2021) | $61,677 for head football coaches** |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **PayScale.com.
College Football Coach Salary Information
Coaching salaries span a wide range because they are dependent on multiple factors, including the candidate's experience, the size of the university or college and the team's record. As of May 2020, the BLS indicated that the median annual salary for all coaches and scouts in general was $36,330. However, in 2021, PayScale.com reported that head football coaches had a much higher median salary of $61,677, and that the top 10% of professionals earned $102,000 or more annually.
Competition will be very strong for the top tier of jobs at the college level because there are very few positions available. On a larger scale for coaches and scouts at all levels, however, the BLS projects employment of coaches and scouts to grow by 12% from 2019 to 2029.
Career Information
Job Description
College football coaches are involved in many aspects of a football team, from recruiting players to leading daily conditioning activities. They are often the face of the team and must have good managing skills, as well as an intricate knowledge of football. Recruiting is arguably the most important duty of the college football coach because the coach must be able to bring together players that would build a successful team. Coaches must also be prepared to mentor their players because collegiate athletes often need assistance in other areas of their lives or education.
Education and Training
For a coaching position, the minimum requirement is a bachelor's degree; however, many schools prefer to hire a coach with a master's degree or higher. In some states, certification is required. Additionally, most coaches are required to be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The path to a college football head coach position begins at a lower-level school, either a high school or a small college. Teaching at the high school level requires the coach to also be employed as an academic teacher. With a winning record, a coach may move on to larger teams or to athletic departments with more renown. Coaching positions at universities with the largest and most successful football programs may be difficult to obtain because those positions generally open only when the previous coach retires.
College level coaches are responsible not only for creating training programs and overseeing a team's strategy, but for recruiting new students to the team and mentoring students on and off the court. Job competition could be tough for football coaches in the coming decade, but certification and extensive experience in lower-level coaching positions may help with job prospects.
