How to Be an Offensive Coordinator

The offensive coordinator is a rewarding and exciting job. According to 2008 Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average coach could expect to make $36,000 per year. Along with defensive coordinators, offensive coordinators are the second-in-command on the coaching ladder. Offensive coordinators play a vital role in developing an offense. They design plays, teach technique, motivate players, and offer the head coach important advice. Offensive coordinators must act as mentor, instructor, psychologist, and friend to both players and coaches. If you want to take-on the responsibility of becoming an offensive coordinator, there are some important strategies and techniques that are useful to know.

Instructions

    • 1

      Get playing experience. While playing experience is not absolutely necessary, most offensive coordinators were players at one time -- whether it be in high school, college, or the NFL. Playing experience can give you credibility not only with coaches but also with players.

    • 2

      Get a college bachelor's degree. Ideally, the degree will have something to do with coaching or sports, but you do not necessarily have to have a degree directly related to coaching. A sports psychology degree, for instance, could be beneficial to an aspiring offensive coordinator.

    • 3

      Apply to become a graduate assistant in a college football program. Many offensive coordinators get their start as a graduate assistant. Often, graduate assistants are former college players who want to remain with the team in some capacity. Graduate assistants also take college classes at the graduate level, giving them the opportunity to further advance their degree.

    • 4

      Develop an offensive philosophy. You will have to have some sort of philosophy that your offense adheres to. Coaches looking for an offensive coordinator will want to know how the offensive coordinator intends to run the offense. Will you favor a running attack or would you prefer to go through the air and have a passing offense? Coaches will need to know what your offensive philosophy is, so they can acquire players that fit your system.

    • 5

      Develop a playbook. You will need to have a playbook where you can create new plays and amend old ones. Your playbook will say a lot about you as an offensive coordinator, because it is where you make tactical decisions about how your team is going to play football. An impressive playbook may be enough to convince a head coach that you are the right person for the offensive coordinator job.