During the interview process for hiring coaches, there are several basic questions that have commonly and routinely been used. The athletic administrator, for example, wants to determine the candidate’s philosophy of coaching, piece together his or her relevant experience with respect to teaching skills and strategy, and hopefully ascertain aspects such as dependability, integrity and work ethic.
For a coach to be part of an education-based athletics program, however, there is much more that the athletic administrator needs to determine. The administrator should be looking for individuals who embrace and will operate within this philosophical concept. This means putting the growth and development of young people in front of winning – although coaches should still prepare and strive to win – and above their own goals and aspirations.
To fully vet and gain an understanding of whether candidates are suited to work within an education-based program, questions should be created that will provide real insight into this major objective. Beyond teaching skills and strategies, schools want individuals who are positive, caring, supportive, enthusiastic and nurturing. The following questions should help to get started.
Considering a school’s setting, it will take time and a concerted effort to create, tweak and tailor questions that will provide answers with insight and depth. The athletic administrator may also have to develop additional ones to cover the specific aspects of his or her program and school. However, these steps are necessary in order to uncover a candidate who is a good fit for a school’s education- based program.
Dr. David Hoch is a former athletic director at Loch Raven High School in Towson, Maryland (Baltimore County). He assumed this position in 2003 after nine years as director of athletics at Eastern Technological High School in Baltimore County. He has 24 years experience coaching basketball, including 14 years on the collegiate level. Hoch, who has a doctorate in sports management from Temple (Pennsylvania) University, is past president of the Maryland State Athletic Directors Association, and he formerly was president of the Maryland State Coaches Association. He has had more than 550 articles published in professional magazines and journals, as well as two textbook chapters. He is the author of a book entitled Blueprint for Better Coaching. Hoch is a member of the NFHS High School Today Publications Committee.