There are many other opportunities to be a coach than a head or assistant coach. Within a team's organization, particularly at the college level, conditioning, strategy and length of practices are much longer than at the high school level. With the growth and development of a college program comes the need for more coaches to fill the void within the program. Many coaches are needed to help the team function, especially at the college level.
Head Coach
The head coach is the overseer of the program. She is the person who evaluates the other coaches and develops the program for the school. She also has the final say in coaching changes and what happens with other players. Head coaches are the highest paid within the coaching organization.
Strength and Conditioning Coaches
Strength and conditioning coaches are those who run the strength and conditioning program at the school. Many of these coaches do not focus on one sport but oversee all the athletic programs at the school. They make sure that the players are taking the necessary care of their bodies and condition the players for the sports they play.
Position Coaching
Each position, depending on the sport being played, has a position coach. They develop players at particular positions. Position coaches also look at game tape for upcoming opponents to coach their players to adjust to the opponent's game plans. They help run practices and organize drills for the players within that position. They are held accountable by head coaches.
Special Needs Coaches
Rarely, special needs coaches are needed in the college ranks. Special needs coaches help troubled players who are either a detriment to the team or for themselves. These coaches often assist the position coaches, but most of their attention is focused on the particular athletes assigned to them.
Graduate Assistants
Often, coaches get their start as graduate assistants. Upon graduation, a players has the option to become a graduate assistant to develop into a coach. Graduate assistants assist the position coaches and head coach and then work their way up after being in the position for a number of seasons.
