How to Become a College Soccer Coach

Becoming a soccer coach at the college level can require a combination of coaching ability, good luck, and your skills with networking. You should take advantage of every chance you get to hone your coaching skills and learn the game. According to Payscale.com, college soccer coaches earned a salary between $34,191 and $58,466. The same data found that men made up a majority of positions at about 79 %, and only 21 % of soccer college coaches were women.

Instructions

    • 1

      Major in sports medicine in college. Contact local high schools or colleges about volunteer opportunities as a coaching or training assistant. You might end up running errands, but the proximity to the sport offers learning experience, networking opportunities, and future recommendations

    • 2

      Study the strategy of soccer. You can improve your overall coaching ability by developing a broad awareness of soccer strategy, including the compact formation, the 2-3-5 formation or the "Pyramid" formation, and the 4-3-2-1 or "Christmas Tree" formation. This awareness will give you flexibility with finding jobs and contributing to your new team.

    • 3

      Learn about a variety of soccer drills. Even if you're already coaching on a team with its own set of drills, you should be constantly finding new training strategies. Drills should refine your team's passing, shooting, and dribbling ability.

    • 4

      Establish contacts with opposing coaches. Though you play against one another on the field, these coaches often hold the key to getting a job, either directly hiring you or providing recommendations to other coaches.

    • 5

      Put together a coaching resume. Focus on your experience as a coach, as well as your training in sports medicine or other related fields. If you highlight your versatility, you will become a more attractive candidate generally.

    • 6

      Search for openings at the college level. Call coaches that you know personally. Often, you will have to start as a poorly paid assistant or even as a volunteer before you get a permanent position. You could also try to find jobs as a high school coach, but rarely do those jobs lead to jobs at the next level.

    • 7

      Find jobs in administration, training, or sports medicine, if you can't find a coaching position. Your versatility can provide you an entry into a program, which might lead to a chance as a coach.

    • 8

      Develop relationships with high school coaches across the country. Schools like Collins Hill in Suwanee, Georgia, or Oakton in Vienna, Virginia, regularly produce soccer talent for the college ranks. Your relationships with high school coaches will become pivotal when you choose to find possible recruits and then try to encourage those athletes to join your program.

    • 9

      Network with the coaching staff of the Under-17 and Under-14 Men's and Women's National Team. These teams compete in an international tournament. For college teams, those teams can also be a source for finding and recruiting talent. You should be aware of all NCAA rules regarding contact between coaches and high school players.