Certification and Salary Requirements to Become a High School Sports Coach in Texas

Eric Weinberger
3 min readApr 26, 2022

There are several methods to become a high school sports coach. If you’re looking for a coaching position, one of the best ways to display your passion for the field is to volunteer your time for a local sports group. Volunteer roles may also be used to gain expertise in a certain sport or profession. Some schools may not have the funds to employ full-time coaches, therefore academic professors with college degrees and teaching credentials are hired instead. Volunteering as an academic instructor is one of the most dependable methods to become a high school sports coach.

According to Eric Weinberger, the ability to communicate clearly and concisely is critical while working as a high school coach. You’ll be teaching the rules and directing the participants to follow them. In order to be a high school coach, you’ll also need to have strong leadership capabilities.. Mentoring young kids requires the ability to communicate effectively with them and to remain cool under duress. Finally, being a good role model is a crucial aspect of being a successful high school sports coach.

Before you begin your path on how to become a high school sports coach, you will need to earn a Bachelor’s degree. A criminal background check and a medical exam are also required. The TB test may be required in certain states while the vaccination against infectious illnesses is required in others. If you’re interested in becoming a coach, an education degree may offer up additional opportunities for you to accomplish so.

Eric Weinberger pointed out that you will require a certification in first aid or CPR after graduating from college. Even if learning first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is difficult, it is essential if you want to protect your kids. The American Red Cross, the National Safety Council, and hospitals provide certification courses through which you may earn these credentials. It just takes a few hours to finish one of these courses and you will get a two-year certificate.

You’ll also have to submit a résumé in addition to your certifications. All relevant coaching and playing experience should be included. In order to make it through the hiring process, your resume must be succinct and simple to understand. You’ll also need to write a short cover letter stating your credentials and why you’d want the employment. When it comes to your resume and cover letter, you want to create a great first impression, since you will be the one looking at them!

To become a high school sports coach, you must acquire the appropriate credentials. Many school districts will favor candidates who have a degree in education, but it is not a must. Having a teaching credential is also a requirement for certain institutions. Coaches at the high school level may also be subject to district-imposed rules and regulations. It’s possible to climb your way up the coaching ladder without a teaching degree if you start at the bottom and work your way up.

You may learn about offensive and defensive plays and sports strategy while working out. In Finding the Winning Edge by Bill Walsh, coaches learn how to go beyond defense and offense, which is a terrific resource. Tom Osborne’s Faith in the Game, a book on the influence a coach can have on young players, is another book you may wish to read. These books should stimulate your curiosity in coaching.

Eric Weinberger disclosed, if you’re a sports fanatic, try becoming a basketball coach at a high school. A bachelor’s degree is often necessary for high school basketball coaches. However, education degrees in other subjects, such as sports medicine or physiotherapy, aren’t necessary. There are several certifications that have a minimum age requirement. Instead of becoming a coach, you may want to think about working as a manager or extra on a movie set.

Another option is for a school board to employ a non-teaching staff member to assist in sports like cheerleading, volleyball, and more. However, this employment does not need a contract, but you must satisfy specific UIL requirements. The board must establish a salary and tell you of any UIL regulations before you begin coaching. Before beginning work, you will be required to sign the UIL Professional Acknowledgement Form.

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Eric Weinberger

Eric Weinberger has worked in the entertainment media and live sports event industries for over 25 years.