A high school football coach: big rewards for little pay
What possesses a person to seek a job that asks applicants to teach both football strategy and skills to (mostly) inherently lazy teenage boys with little or no training? Why would anyone want a job that requires not just a knowledge of playbooks, but also demands administrative skills and the ability to be an effective counselor on subjects ranging from domestic issues to learning disabilities? And finally, why would anyone want to wade into all of that in order to toil under the microscope of public opinion, enduring a near-constant stream of criticism, for too many hours to count?
To make understanding why anyone in his right mind ever signs up to be a high school football coach even more elusive, consider that the best of them know the real compensation doesn't come in an envelope from the district's main office.
"A lot of people in the business world do not get the gratification that a high school football coach gets," said Logan's head coach Mike Favero. "But they're very successful in their careers. A high school football coach will never have that monetary success, but they'll have the gratification. That's the trade-off."
"We dive into the atmosphere," said Alta head coach Les Hamilton. "Our life is Alta football. My wife and kids love it too. I live a half a block from Alta and I walk to and from school. It really is a second home."
It may not be possible for people outside the ranks of coaches to understand the affection these men have for the game and its players, but here are a few insights from just a few of Utah's prep football coaches.
Les Hamilton, Alta
HOW LONG? Sixth as head coach.
WHAT GOT YOU INTO COACHING? I played at Snow and I loved playing. I was going to play at a school in California, Sonoma State, as their quarterback, which was my love. But one day something just happened. I wasn't that happy with my classes, I was newly married and we were expecting our first child and my priorities just changed. I went to Utah State and Perry Christensen (then the coach at Logan High) asked me to help out in 1997. I loved it. I knew then this was it. I decided to get my teaching degree and coach. It's been a great ride.
WHY DO YOU COACH? First of all, I wake up excited about going to work every day. Not very many people that can say that. I love the interaction with the young men. I love to see them after high school. I love the camaraderie of the other coaches; it really is a lot of fun. I really enjoy teaching (Spanish), and I think interacting with young people helps me to maintain a youthful lifestyle and to feel young.
Recent comments
I have known the assistant coach at Bingham for 20 years and I can…
Give me a break | Aug. 29, 2008 at 4:54 p.m.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I'm sure Bingham is glad your kids at another…
Anonymous | Aug. 29, 2008 at 9:52 a.m.
The Bingham baseball assistant gave his kid every break in the book…
TO - Anonymous | Aug. 29, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
