I'm curious how your school handles hiring a new head coach.  Does your school have a search committee?  Do they have a hiring committee?  If so, who is the committee members (alumni, previous coaches, principals, etc.)?  Is it left to the principal and site-base committee?  Do you post the position and then whoever applies, applies, or do you reach out to coaches you hope would apply?  I have my thoughts on the matter, but I wanted to hear from programs around the state how it's done at your school.

Thanks for your answers in advance.

I think it might be Is it left to the principal and site-base committee for Russell. I think ultimately the hire is left up to the Principal at Russell.

I’m not sure what the process was, but Highland’s process was flawed. For sure  initially. And personally still think they hired the wrong guy for Highlands after the initial mistake. That doesn’t mean he’s a bad coach or a bad guy. Just not what Highlands needs imo. 

Schools vary on how they arrive to the final step.  In the end, the principal makes all hires and are approved by the superintendent.  

12 hours ago, brooksville said:

Schools vary on how they arrive to the final step.  In the end, the principal makes all hires and are approved by the superintendent.  

Exactly.  Ultimately, the principle has to make the hire.  But, the principle has the latitude to form a committee, or take the site base council's recommendation.  But, in the end, it falls to the feet of the principle. 

13 hours ago, brooksville said:

Schools vary on how they arrive to the final step.  In the end, the principal makes all hires and are approved by the superintendent.  

 

45 minutes ago, Ram said:

Exactly.  Ultimately, the principle has to make the hire.  But, the principle has the latitude to form a committee, or take the site base council's recommendation.  But, in the end, it falls to the feet of the principle. 

Thank you guys, but I’m aware of that fact.  I was just curious how different schools handled the search and hiring process.  How much input did others have on the recommendations given, and who those folks are that are giving the recommendations?  Does the elite schools do it different than the lower level schools?  

53 minutes ago, Nuke LaLoosh said:

 

Thank you guys, but I’m aware of that fact.  I was just curious how different schools handled the search and hiring process.  How much input did others have on the recommendations given, and who those folks are that are giving the recommendations?  Does the elite schools do it different than the lower level schools?  

I think most schools allow the athletic director to handle everything and then the principal typically approves.  

Served on a search committee in a private school setting. AD set in on meetings with prospective coaches. We made our recommendation to him, he took it to principal for approval.

With Mason (96) and Mercer (15) it was a committee lead the by the AD. The Superintendent worked through the AD.

In a private school interview, it was AD, HS Principal, and incoming AD.  Those 3 guys made the decision together, I believe, but not sure. 

In a more high profile program, they had a committee lead by AD, and had committee members use contacts to reach out to prospective coaches they would like to interview. 

Technically, the Principal makes the hire. In the schools that value football, the Superintendent is not going to sign off unless it is a coach that he or she believes will be successful and be a great representative for the school system. 

The last thing left that everyone knows is going to happen, Friday Night HS football. In many places, the football program and the head football coach are the front porch of the entire school system.  That hire has a huge impact. Make a mistake, the school district can pay a big price. 

 

22 hours ago, Royal Blue said:

I’m not sure what the process was, but Highland’s process was flawed. For sure  initially. And personally still think they hired the wrong guy for Highlands after the initial mistake. That doesn’t mean he’s a bad coach or a bad guy. Just not what Highlands needs imo. 

Initially the process wasn't flawed. There was a committee of administrators, teachers, coaches and community members formed to conduct interviews and make a recommendation. Unfortunately, due to many on the committee having their own agenda, the committee dissolved and the former Principal and current AD began conducting interviews amongst themselves. Basically with time running out and pressure, they reached out to the current HC and he accepted the job after originally turning it down. However, you're correct I don't believe they hired best applicant for the job. The flaw was selecting people on the hiring committee that couldn't play well with others on the committee.

14 minutes ago, Lions Paw said:

Initially the process wasn't flawed. There was a committee of administrators, teachers, coaches and community members formed to conduct interviews and make a recommendation. Unfortunately, due to many on the committee having their own agenda, the committee dissolved and the former Principal and current AD began conducting interviews amongst themselves. Basically with time running out and pressure, they reached out to the current HC and he accepted the job after originally turning it down. However, you're correct I don't believe they hired best applicant for the job. The flaw was selecting people on the hiring committee that couldn't play well with others on the committee.

So how does one get on these committees?  

3 hours ago, Lions Paw said:

Initially the process wasn't flawed. There was a committee of administrators, teachers, coaches and community members formed to conduct interviews and make a recommendation. Unfortunately, due to many on the committee having their own agenda, the committee dissolved and the former Principal and current AD began conducting interviews amongst themselves. Basically with time running out and pressure, they reached out to the current HC and he accepted the job after originally turning it down. However, you're correct I don't believe they hired best applicant for the job. The flaw was selecting people on the hiring committee that couldn't play well with others on the committee.

My understanding is one committee member wanted hs head coaching experience over a college coordinator’s experience and was insistent on it. It swayed the committee and the right coach got away. Hopefully he won’t be involved if there’s any future committees. 

On 1/21/2023 at 8:56 PM, Royal Blue said:

I’m not sure what the process was, but Highland’s process was flawed. For sure  initially. And personally still think they hired the wrong guy for Highlands after the initial mistake. That doesn’t mean he’s a bad coach or a bad guy. Just not what Highlands needs imo. 

Bringin' THA HEAT!!! Tell us how you really feel, LOL. Love the honesty.

I was told by a head coach that when a school does a big hiring committee it is a red flag.  If you have a committee made up of parents and community members then whoever gets the job may not be who two of the members wanted so before you have coached a game two influential people of the program already don't like you.  I say influential because if they weren't then they wouldn't serve on the committee.  Personally I believe that the only people who should conduct the interviews are the school Superintend, Principal, and AD.  You can form a committee to gather names of candidates but that should be the only involvement.  

I think most schools use those three, but a big private schools have committees because of their money influences. The Booster Club President or maybe a trustee would want to have a say in this process.