The Kee to Coaching: How I got my start
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen! I know, I know, It's been a year since I've last posted. The July live period is finally over, and things are starting to settle down a bit. Since my last post, I started and completed my first season at Keuka College. As I enter my sixth season coaching at the college basketball level, I felt that it could be helpful to share with young coaches, how I got my start in coaching.
Growing up, basketball was always my favorite sport. My dad was a youth basketball coach, and as a kid, I always enjoyed discussing game plans and practices with him. What many people don't know about me is that I didn't play basketball at the high school or college level. I attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. After day 2 of tryouts my freshman year, I realized that I wasn't that good. I played other sports throughout high school, but I never lost my love for the game.
Going into my freshman year in college, I reached out to the head basketball coach at Hampton University, Kevin Nickelberry. He was generous enough to offer me a spot as a volunteer student-manager! This job offer is what helped get me my start into coaching, and is ultimately the experience that made me to want to become a college basketball coach.
During my three years volunteering as a student manager, I made a point to work with players in the gym outside of practice, help coaches with small tasks in the office, and I frequently sat in on film sessions with the coaches and players. We had some great coaches during my time at Hampton, and I am forever grateful that they allowed me to pick their brains and observe their daily routine on and off the court. In the summers , I worked basketball camps at email blasted as many college coaches as I possibly could. On average, I would send out 500 emails per summer, and I would maybe hear back from 10-15 coaches. My emails were very generic and were mainly used to seek advice on how to get into coaching. The coaches, who were generous enough to reply, many times would arrange phone conversations with me, and would also offer to serve as mentors. One of the best things I learned was the importance of volunteering. Most coaches won't turn down free help! Also, it is much easier to network and meet other coaches, once you are already in the business.
After another round of email blasts heading into my senior year of college, I got my first coaching opportunity as a student assistant at Christopher Newport University (CNU)! At CNU, I got the opportunity to learn from a handful of coaches who had experience at the Division 1 level. My job responsibilities weren't glamorous and were similar to those of a Director of Operations. Because of my time as a manager, I came with the approach that no job was too small for me, and I embraced all of the tasks assigned. Over the course of the year, I was able to prove my worth in the program, and was given more on-court responsibilities. By the end of the season, I was give the chance to travel on the road to recruit and scout opponents, as well assigned scouts for upcoming games! This brings me to my next point. Be the best you possibly can at whatever role you have!
After winning a conference title and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament at CNU, I was finally offered a paid coaching position at Marymount University. It's nearly impossible to get a job in coaching without knowing somebody. Many times the people who you expect to help you don't and it's extremely important to identify those in the business who will look out for you. I was given my opportunity at Marymount, after my name was given to the coach, by another young assistant who I regularly communicated with.
This brings me to my final thoughts and a recap of what to do to get into coaching:
1. Volunteer! - Everybody loves free help, and it's a great way to get a start into the business.
2. Be the best you possibly can at whatever role you have!
3. Network and keep in contact with everybody! - You never know who can help you get a job.
4. You have to be willing to move! I never envisioned living in Upstate New York, but this is where the opportunities have been, and I've been extremely fortunate to have had my master's degree paid for, and to have received a full-time coaching job up here.
5. Work camps and attend clinics - This is a great way to meet other coaches and showcase your ability to teach the game.
6. Get into coaching for the right reasons - They're many positives of coaching. At most levels, money isn't one of them. It took me five years to finally make a livable salary. For many coaches, it can be even longer
