How To Write a Coaching Resume
To generate interviews for head coach positions in your sport, you’ll need to build an accomplishment-driven resume that draws attention to your most compelling achievements from throughout your coaching career. Prospective employers want candidates who have a proven track record of coaching success. This includes success off the field, as academic institutions also want coaches who can support the academic development of student-athletes. Throughout this guide, we’ll provide a variety of expert tips to help you translate your experience into a strong professional resume.
1. Write a compelling profile summarizing your qualifications
You need to create an eye-catching professional profile to make a strong first impression on the hiring manager. Rather than simply listing skills, highlight the most compelling aspects of your coaching experience. For example, if you had an exceptionally high win percentage, you may want to include this in your opening summary. The same is true if you led your team to a major championship. These types of specific details are precisely what hiring managers are looking for in their coaching candidates.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Profile
A seasoned High School Basketball Coach with 10+ years of experience coaching, mentoring, and developing student-athletes. A strong history of building high-quality sports programs, driving personal growth, and achieving an 89.35% winning percentage.
Entry-Level Profile Example
Profile
A High School Baseball Coach with three years of experience specializing in fitness training, coaching, team leadership, and physical education. A proven track record of mentoring student-athletes to achieve academic and athletic goals.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Your professional experience section should draw attention to your most prominent achievements as a sports coach. The best way to substantiate your success is by incorporating relevant data to showcase your ability to develop student-athletes. For example, if your coaching strategies correspond to a direct increase in defense win share rates for your basketball team, this should be featured in a bullet point.
Incorporating advanced analytics has become extremely important in modern sports coaching, so you’ll want to feature your knowledge of these stats whenever possible. Your ability to coach students on a personal level is also important, as communication skills are essential to build relationships with your team members.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Professional Experience
Head Football Coach, Lowell High School, Lowell, CA
May 2019 – Present
- Serve as the head football coach for the Lowell Knights Football Team, develop offensive and defensive game plans, nurture talent and growth, and achieve Valley Big 12 League Conference Titles in 2021 and 2022
- Deliver coaching and mentorship to support student performance on the field and academically, contributing to a 98% graduation rate among football student-athletes
- Achieve a record of 51-9 from 2016-2022 with a winning percentage of 83.35%
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Professional Experience
Assistant Baseball Coach, Colonial High School, Detroit, MI
May 2021 – Present
- Coordinate with the head coach to devise practice drills, evaluate player strengths, and implement coaching strategies to enhance athletic performance
- Provide coaching to a high school baseball team with 15 players, mentor students to achieve fitness and academic goals, and lead drills to improve performance in defensive categories, contributing to a championship appearance in 2022
- Supervise preparations and travel for away games, organize and manage equipment, and coordinate team members to ensure on-time arrival
3. Include relevant education and certifications
In addition to your bachelor’s degree, you should consider pursuing additional certifications to add to your resume. The most important credentials are First Aid and BLS certifications, as athlete safety is the top priority for schools. You can also pursue a national certification in sports medicine to demonstrate your ability to create effective sports training programs.
Certifications
Template: [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Examples:
- First Aid Certified, Red Cross, 2017
- Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association, 2017
Education
Template:
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
Example:
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Sports Management
- COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, New York, NY September 2012 – June 2016
4. List relevant key skills and proficiencies
Most schools and universities use some form of applicant tracking system (ATS) to identify qualified candidates for coaching positions. If your resume lacks a certain number of keywords, you may be rejected before your document reaches the hiring manager. To prevent this, you should incorporate key skills and terms directly from the job posting into your profile, professional experience, and skills sections. Below, you’ll find a list of keywords you may encounter while searching for coaching positions:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Analytics | Athletic Program Development |
| Athlete Development | Coaching |
| Communication | Defensive Gameplans |
| Film Review | Gameday Strategy |
| Game Planning | Leadership |
| Mentorship | Offensive Gameplans |
| Personnel Development | Physical Education |
| Program Management | Recruiting |
| Sports Management | Strength Training & Conditioning |
| Talent Scouting | Team Leadership |
| Team Management | |
5. List High School or College Sports Achievements
If you played sports, especially at the college level, consider listing this information on your resume. High schools and universities are more likely to hire a coaching candidate with hands-on experience with the sport, as it can be challenging to coach effectively without this knowledge. Identifying your experience with sports that are not aligned with the coaching positions for which you are attempting to obtain is not mandatory.
How to Pick the Best Coaching Resume Template
When selecting a coaching resume template, consider using a well-organized, straightforward format with limited color. Although flashy modern templates may seem appealing, overuse of color and graphics are often distracting for the hiring manager. It’s important to remember that your coaching experience and accomplishments will always be the determining factor in whether or not the school decides to bring you in for an interview.
Coaching Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Kevin Morrison
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Detroit, MI 12345
Profile
A High School Baseball Coach with three years of experience specializing in fitness training, coaching, team leadership, and physical education. A proven track record of mentoring student-athletes to achieve academic and athletic goals.
Professional Experience
Assistant Baseball Coach, Colonial High School, Detroit, MI
May 2021 – Present
- Coordinate with the head coach to devise practice drills, evaluate player strengths, and implement coaching strategies to enhance athletic performance
- Provide coaching to a high school baseball team with 15 players, mentor students to achieve fitness and academic goals, and lead drills to improve performance in defensive categories, contributing to a championship appearance in 2022
- Supervise preparations and travel for away games, organize and manage equipment, and coordinate team members to ensure on-time arrival
Volunteer Coach, Detroit Central Little League, Detroit, MI
June 2020 – May 2021
- Coached 20 children aged 8 – 10 during the season and preseason practice sessions, mentored players to drive personal and emotional growth, and delivered individual training sessions to motivate struggling players and build confidence
- Communicated practice times and game times to parents, discussed conduct issues, and provided updates on player growth
- Created team guidelines for sportsmanship and safety and ensured compliance
Key Skills
- Sports Science
- Baseball Coaching
- Student-Athlete Development
- Mentorship
- Communication
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Sports Science
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI September 2018 – June 2022
Raymond Ortiz
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Philadelphia, PA 12345
Profile
A High School Football Coach with six years of experience delivering coaching and mentorship to student-athletes to nurture talent and drive personal growth. A strong history of building inclusive team cultures and utilizing a wide range of coaching styles.
Professional Experience
Head Football Coach, Lowell High School, Lowell, CA
May 2019 – Present
- Serve as the head football coach for the Lowell Knights Football Team, develop offensive and defensive game plans, nurture talent and growth, and achieve Valley Big 12 League Conference Titles in 2021 and 2022
- Deliver coaching and mentorship to support student performance on the field and academically, contributing to a 98% graduation rate among football student-athletes
- Achieve a record of 51-9 from 2016-2022 with a winning percentage of 83.35%
Assistant Football Coach, Mission High School, San Francisco, CA
June 2017 – May 2019
- Collaborated with the head coach and assistants to create an inclusive football program and team culture, which supported academic, personal, and athletic growth for students
- Managed and developed practice drills for defensive players in the secondary to achieve an average turnover rate of two per game during the 2015 season
- Monitored fitness training and practice regimens, encouraged healthy nutrition, and ensured compliance with player safety protocols to prevent injuries
Certifications
- First Aid Certified, Red Cross, 2017
- Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association, 2017
Key Skills
- Football Coaching
- Sports Science
- Student Mentorship
- Athlete Development
- Physical Education
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Sports Management
University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA September 2013 – June 2017
Sarah Johnson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
New York, NY
Profile
A seasoned High School Basketball Coach with 10+ years of experience coaching, mentoring, and developing student-athletes. A strong history of building high-quality sports programs, driving personal growth, and achieving an 89.35% winning percentage.
Professional Experience
Varsity Basketball Head Coach, Galileo High School, New York, NY
May 2016 – Present
- Serve as the head coach for the varsity basketball team, develop an inclusive sports program, and provide mentorship to empower female student-athletes to achieve athletic goals, academic success, and personal growth
- Implement drill routines to improve zone strategies and player-to-player plays, increasing win percentage by 23% in 2020
- Liaise with students, parents, and colleagues to ensure excellent academic outcomes for all team members, resulting in an 80% passing grade for all subjects
Head Basketball Coach, Northside High School, New York, NY
June 2013 – May 2016
- Served as the head coach of the girls’ varsity basketball team, delivered coaching and mentorship to drive the development of student-athletes, and developed innovative coaching strategies to improve win percentages from 50.6% in 2013 to 78.5% in 2016
- Planned and delivered engaging and challenging sessions to drive progress for all students regardless of ability
Certifications
- First Aid Certified, Red Cross, 2013
- Basic Life Support (BLS), American Heart Association, 2013
Key Skills
- Basketball Coaching
- Athlete Development
- Recruitment
- Sports Management
- Physical Education
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Sports Administration
Columbia University, New York, NY September 2009 – June 2013
Frequently Asked Questions: Coaching Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for coaching resumes?+
It’s easy to find yourself running short on action verbs as you craft your resume. Often there’s only a limited number of verbs you can use to convey your coaching duties and accomplishments. If you use the same verbs repeatedly, your bullet points may appear stale or redundant to the hiring manager. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of action verbs you can use to keep your content fresh and compelling throughout your document:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Achieved | Analyzed |
| Coached | Collaborated |
| Conducted | Coordinated |
| Created | Developed |
| Drove | Educated |
| Evaluated | Improved |
| Led | Managed |
| Oversaw | Planned |
| Prepared | Recruited |
| Reviewed | Scheduled |
| Trained | |
How do you align your resume with a job description?+
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that jobs for coaches will rise by 20% from 2021 to 2031. This equates to 39,900 new positions in the sector, which include coaches for professional teams, colleges, and high schools, as well as scouts for these organizations. The growth is primarily due to increased participation in high school and college sports, especially in smaller schools and women’s programs. Although the average growth rate for coaching positions is encouraging, you’ll still need to align your resume with the job description to secure the most lucrative opportunities.
Organizations value candidates with the necessary qualifications to succeed, but they also want to ensure you’re the ideal cultural fit. For example, highlighting your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is a way to show prospective employers that you’re a forward-thinking coach and educator. As you apply for job openings, you’ll want to analyze the description carefully to ensure that you’re highlighting the right qualifications for each individual application.
What is the best coaching resume format?+
Reverse chronological is the recommended format for coaching resumes. This approach places your most recent experience first, which allows the hiring manager to work their way back through your work history. Skill-based formats, also known as functional resumes, should be avoided in most cases, as this type of approach doesn’t allow you to showcase your coaching accomplishments and experience in a compelling manner.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
Cover letters can be used to your advantage as you apply for coaching positions. Schools and universities want to see that you’re both qualified and the right culture fit for their organization, and the cover letter provides you with an opportunity to showcase this. In your middle paragraph, you should mention something about the school’s reputation or culture and why this draws you to apply for the position. This will show hiring managers that you’ve done your research prior to applying, which may differentiate you from the competition during the job search. For more help, you can view our teacher cover letter guide.