View source for Head coach

{{Short description|Senior coach or manager of a sports team}}
{{tone|date=October 2022}}

A '''head coach''', '''senior coach''', or '''manager''' is a professional responsible for training and developing athletes within a sports team. This role often has a higher public profile and salary than other coaching positions. In some sports, such as [[association football]] and [[professional baseball]], this role is referred to as the "manager," while in others, like [[Australian rules football]], it is called "senior coach."

The head coach typically reports to a sporting director or general manager. In professional sports, where senior players are full-time employees under contract, the head coach often functions similarly to a general manager. Other coaches within the organization usually report to the head coach and specialize in areas such as offense or defense, with further subdivisions into specific roles like position coaches.

In youth sports, the head coach often serves as the primary representative of the coaching staff, managing communication with parents and overseeing the overall development of young athletes.

==American football==
[[File:Nick Saban.jpg|thumb|[[Nick Saban]] was the head coach of the [[Alabama Crimson Tide football]] team from [[2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2007]] to [[2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season|2023]].]]
{{For|articles on position coaches|Category:Coaches of American football}}
Head coaching responsibilities in [[American football]] vary depending on the level of the sport.

===High school football===
As with most other head coaches, [[high school]] coaches are primarily tasked with organizing and training football players. This includes creating game plans, evaluating players, and leading the team during competition, deciding how the team is lined up, or their formation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://study.com/articles/Salary_and_Career_Info_for_a_High_School_Football_Coach.html|title=Salary and Career Info for a High School Football Coach|website=Study.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-02}}</ref>

High school head coaches also have a variety of responsibilities beyond the football field. These include [[Recruiting (athletic)|recruiting]] students within the school, scheduling opponents, and training/hiring/leading lower-level coaches.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://s3.amazonaws.com/vnn-aws-sites/10803/files/2016/11/cb082382dd8f8958-Head-Football-Coach.pdf|title=High School Football Coach Job Description}}</ref> Coaches can also release or suspend players on their team for various reasons. Most coaches hold another position within their program's school, typically as a teacher.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://study.com/articles/Salary_and_Career_Info_for_a_High_School_Football_Coach.html|title=Salary and Career Info for a High School Football Coach|website=Study.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-02}}</ref> High school football coaches are typically required to have at least a bachelor's degree. Many coaches choose to earn a degree in [[physical education]] or [[Sport management|sports management]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-03 |title=High School Football Coach Job Description: Salary, Duties, & More |url=https://climbtheladder.com/high-school-football-coach/ |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=CLIMB |language=en-US}}</ref> Coaches will often preside over both a [[Varsity team|varsity]] and [[junior varsity]] team, but it is common for an assistant coach to handle the primary responsibilities of the junior varsity team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Recruiting |first=NCSA College |date=2022-12-06 |title=What Are the Differences Between JV and Varsity? {{!}} NCSA |url=https://www.ncsasports.org/blog/jv-vs-varsity |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=www.ncsasports.org |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== College football ===
One of the major features of head coaching in [[college football]] is the high player turnover rate, which is how many players change teams, via the transfer portal, or getting drafted/graduating. It is currently averaging about 18% each season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-21 |title=2024 College football coaching carousel grades: Jonathan Smith nabs 'A+' as Jeff Lebby begins uphill battle |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/2024-college-football-coaching-carousel-grades-jonathan-smith-nabs-a-as-jeff-lebby-begins-uphill-battle/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref>

Head coaches at the college level have a paid staff and can concentrate on the overall aspect of the team rather than dealing with the nuances of training regimens and similar activities.{{Citation needed|date=September 2024}} Unlike head coaches at other levels, college coaching staff are solely responsible for the roster of players on the team. The ability to [[College recruiting#College football|recruit]] top players plays a major role in success at the college level, and is done, in most cases, by the head coach or head recruiter.

A college coach acts as the face of a team, in a sport where the players regularly depart after a few years, compared to some coaches who have been in the same position for over a generation. They are often called upon to discuss off-the-field incidents such as rule infractions or player antics.

In a majority of states, the head coach of a [[public university]]'s football or [[men's basketball]] program is the highest-paid state [[public official]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/28261213/dabo-swinney-ed-orgeron-highest-paid-state-employees|title=Dabo Swinney, Ed Orgeron among the highest-paid state employees|last=Gibson|first=Charlotte|date=20 December 2019|work=[[ESPN.com]]|access-date=7 December 2020}}</ref>

Major annual coaching honours given out at the end of the year include the [[Home Depot Coach of the Year]], the [[Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award]], the [[Associated Press College Football Coach of the Year Award]], and the [[Paul "Bear" Bryant Award]].

===National Football League===
{{See also|List of current NFL head coaches}}
[[File:Bill Belichick 8-28-09 Patriots-vs-Redskins.jpg|thumb|[[Bill Belichick]] was the head coach of the [[New England Patriots]] from [[2000 NFL season|2000]] to [[2023 NFL season|2023]].]]
At the [[professional sports|professional]] level, head coaches often earn several million dollars a year, although there is considerable overlap between the salaries paid to top-earning college coaches and the range of salaries paid to head coaches in the [[National Football League]]. Since they do not have to travel the country [[College recruiting|recruiting]] high school players, head coaches at the professional level have much more time to devote to tactics and playbooks, which are coordinated with staff who are typically paid even more than at the college level. They typically report to the [[general manager (American football)|general manager]].

A massive factor that affects NFL coaches salaries is the NFL's $11 billion earnings, making it the [[major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada#Revenues|highest revenue sport]], exceeding [[Major League Baseball]]'s (MLB) $7 billion. The NFL's coaches are among the highest-paid professional coaches<ref>{{cite web|last=Dosh |first=Kristi |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/playbook/dollars/post/_/id/719/bill-belichick-highest-paid-coach-again |title=Bill Belichick highest-paid coach - again - Sports Business News, Analysis - Dollars Blog - ESPN Playbook - ESPN |work=[[ESPN]] |date=2012-09-29 |access-date=2012-10-03}}</ref> with professional football salaries topping a 2011 ''[[Forbes]]'' article on the highest-paid sports coaches.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Riper |first=Tom Van |title=The Highest-Paid Coaches In Sports |url=https://www.forbes.com/2011/05/18/highest-paid-sports-coaches.html |access-date=2024-02-02 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

Another major element of NFL coaches' contracts, negotiated between individual coaches and NFL teams/owners, are NFL-demanded provisions in the employment contracts of coaches that authorize the employing NFL teams to withhold part of a coach's salary when league operations are suspended, such as [[Lockout (sports)|lockouts]] or television contract negotiations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22475988/29569952 |title=NFL Coaches Association brief: 'End the lockout' |work=[[CBS Sports]] |access-date=2012-10-03}}</ref>

====Salary====
As of 2023, the average annual salary for a head coach in the National Football League is approximately $6.6 million annually.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Timileyin |first=Habib |date=2023-06-02 |title=How much do NFL head coaches make? Exploring 5 highest and 5 lowest-paid coaches in 2024 |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/how-much-nfl-head-coaches-make-exploring-5-highest-lowest-paid-coaches-2023 |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}}</ref> The salary for an NFL head coach can range from $5 million to over $18 million per year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Timileyin |first=Habib |date=2023-06-02 |title=How much do NFL head coaches make? Exploring 5 highest and 5 lowest-paid coaches in 2024 |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/how-much-nfl-head-coaches-make-exploring-5-highest-lowest-paid-coaches-2023 |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}}</ref> As of 2024, the highest paid NFL head coach is [[Andy Reid]], the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Timileyin |first=Habib |date=2023-06-02 |title=How much do NFL head coaches make? Exploring 5 highest and 5 lowest-paid coaches in 2024 |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/how-much-nfl-head-coaches-make-exploring-5-highest-lowest-paid-coaches-2023 |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}}</ref>

==Association football==
{{see also|Manager (association football)}}
[[File:Arne Slot in 2024.jpg|left|thumb|[[Arne Slot]], head coach of [[Liverpool F.C.]]]]
In [[association football]], a head coach has the same responsibilities as in any other sport. For instance, in [[Europe]]an countries, a head coach usually picks their [[coaching staff]]. The main difference is a head coach usually works with a [[director of football]], with the latter responsible for player recruitment and negotiating contracts. In the [[United Kingdom]], these roles are sometimes combined in the position of [[manager (association football)|manager]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=James |first=Stuart |title=Ego, power, control: Why it matters if you're called manager or head coach |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3122219/2022/02/11/ego-power-control-why-it-matters-if-youre-called-manager-or-head-coach/ |access-date=2024-11-14 |work=The New York Times |date=11 February 2022 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In some countries, an individual may be granted a position as a ''senior coach'' and act as the first assistant to the head coach or run a [[Youth system|junior squad]] in the club. In the absence of a head coach, a senior coach can temporarily take over as an interim head coach (or [[caretaker manager]]).{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}

== Australian rules football or AFL ==
[[File:Alastair Clarkson 2017.jpg|thumb|right|[[Alastair Clarkson]], head coach of the [[Hawthorn Football Club]]]]
In Australian rules football, the head coach, or senior coach, is responsible for developing and implementing appropriate training programs for his players. The senior coach in the AFL is also responsible for determining the rotations and team lineups for each game. Moreover, the coaches are not the only ones involved in team operations, as in AFL teams, up to five different coaches may have their unique responsibilities. For example, there can be a forward, a midfielder, and a defense coach, each focusing on a particular position. Thus, each coach works with players in those positions.

== Rugby union ==
Rugby football union clubs have the option of employing a director of rugby (DOR), a head coach, or both. The responsibilities for each role vary between clubs. Generally, if a club decides to employ either a DOR or a head coach, it will hold more responsibility than if it employs individuals for both roles. It has been proposed that the DOR is a club-wide position, providing and ensuring the club is working towards a shared philosophy from youth teams to senior teams.[14][15] A head coach, on the other hand, is focused purely on planning and implementing coaching for the first team alongside a coaching staff consisting of a mixture of defense, attack, forwards, backs, skills, and strength and conditioning coaches.

== Basketball ==

=== College basketball ===
[[File:Mike Montgomery in huddle at 2008 Golden Bear Classic championship game.JPG|thumb|alt=California Golden Bears head coach Mike Montgomery in huddle at 2008 Golden Bear Classic championship game.|[[California Golden Bears men's basketball]] head coach [[Mike Montgomery (basketball)|Mike Montgomery]] in huddle at 2008 Golden Bear Classic championship game.]]
As with coaches in college football, head coaches for college basketball programs are heavily involved in recruiting and scouting high school players.<ref>{{cite web |title=How to Get Recruited for College Basketball |url=https://www.ncsasports.org/mens-basketball/how-to-get-recruited |website=NCSAsports.org |access-date=25 May 2025 |date=22 January 2020}}</ref> Successful head coaches are thus ideally capable of identifying potential raw talent and attracting top-tier recruits to their program by cultivating a culture and identity for their team that remains alluring and consistent despite the yearly loss of players who leave to play for professional leagues or other schools via the [[NCAA transfer portal]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fuller |first1=Jason |title=Coaching culture & longevity: The secret recipe to a Sweet 16 college basketball run |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/03/22/1165432910/coaching-culture-longevity-the-secret-recipe-to-a-sweet-16-college-basketball-ru |website=NPR |access-date=25 May 2025 |language=en |date=22 March 2023}}</ref> 

A significant challenge faced by college basketball coaches is the fact that players can opt to register for the [[NBA draft]] after only one year of college, at the age of 19, as opposed to the three years enforced for college football players who wish to declare for the [[NFL draft]].

Head coaching a college basketball program can often be a pathway to coaching positions in the NBA, although not always a direct one to head coaching.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hughes |first1=Grant |title=Lakers targeting Dan Hurley: How notable college basketball coaches have fared leading NBA franchises |url=https://247sports.com/longformarticle/lakers-targeting-dan-hurley-how-notable-college-basketball-coaches-have-fared-leading-nba-franchises-232578957/#2429358 |website=247Sports |access-date=25 May 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Some successful college coaches have become notable head coaches in the NBA after first taking assistant coaching positions, such as [[Quin Snyder]], who was the head coach of the [[Missouri Tigers men's basketball]] team before eventually working his way to a head coaching position and winning record with the NBA's [[Utah Jazz]].

=== National Basketball Association ===
{{See also|List of NBA head coaches with 500 games coached}}
[[File:1 steve kerr 2019 (cropped).jpg|thumb|alt=Steve Kerr, head coach of the Golden State Warriors and the highest paid coach in the NBA in 2025 standing near the scorer's table in Game 2 of the 2019 NBA Finals in Toronto.|Steve Kerr, head coach of the Golden State Warriors and the highest paid coach in the NBA in 2025.]]
In the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA), the head coach is responsible for developing game plans, scouting opponents, and managing players.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bishop |first=Ethan |date=2023-03-21 |title=The Role of Coaching in the NBA: Analyzing the impact of coaches on team performance |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/the-role-coaching-nba-analyzing-impact-head-coaches-team-performance |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}}</ref>

An important aspect of a head coach's job is deciding which players to play at which [[Basketball positions|positions]] and how many minutes to play them there. Well-planned distributions of minutes among players and properly timed substitutions are crucial in the pursuit of achieving favorable defensive and offensive match-ups against the opposing team. The head coach's rotation is also important in ensuring players do not get exhausted from playing too many minutes, which can lead to injuries, and also for making sure that players who need playing time to develop get time on the court.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Perley |first1=Sam |title=The Strategy Behind Building An NBA Rotation {{!}} Charlotte Hornets |url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/the-strategy-behind-building-an-nba-rotation |website=NBA.com |access-date=25 May 2025 |language=en}}</ref> 

Some head coaches are known for being influential to team culture and chemistry and take on a notable leadership position in that regard. For example, championship-winning [[Los Angeles Lakers]] and [[Chicago Bulls]] head coach [[Phil Jackson]] was noted for his unique "zen" philosophies in the locker room, as well as his use of the [[triangle offense]] on the court, an offensive system centered around teamwork and passing. 

Head coaches in the NBA often provide input and advice to the [[General manager (basketball)|general manager]] of the team but ultimately are not tasked with making final decisions on the finance and business side of team operations. This includes drafting new players,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reed |first1=Steve |title=Hornets entering NBA Draft with 2 first-round picks, no coach {{!}} NBA.com |url=https://www.nba.com/news/hornets-entering-nba-draft-with-2-1st-round-picks-no-coach |website=NBA |access-date=25 May 2025 |language=en}}</ref> making trades, and negotiating contracts.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bucher |first1=Ric |title=Why NBA trades have grown more complicated |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/why-nba-trades-have-grown-more-complicated |website=FOX Sports |access-date=25 May 2025}}</ref> Some head coaches are able to successfully transition to a role as general manager, including championship-winning executives, such as [[Pat Riley]] of the [[Miami Heat]], and both [[Danny Ainge]] and [[Brad Stevens]] of the [[Boston Celtics]].
==== Player-coaches ====
{{See also|List of NBA player-coaches}}
The NBA once permitted active players to serve as the head coach of their team, but this practice was banned beginning in the 1983-1984 NBA season under the newly introduced salary cap regulations.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stein |first1=Marc |title=Mavs' Johnson retiring to focus on coaching |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=1911473 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=25 May 2025 |language=en |date=28 October 2004}}</ref> The most recent player-coach was [[Dave Cowens]], who both coached and played for the [[Boston Celtics]] in the [[1978–79 NBA season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/cowens_bio.html|title=Dave Cowens Bio|work=NBA.com|publisher=Turner Sports Interactive, Inc|access-date=May 24, 2025|archive-date=March 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324120814/http://www.nba.com/history/players/cowens_bio.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Salary ====
As of 2025, the estimated median salary for NBA coaches is around $7 million annually.<ref>{{cite web |title=NBA Coach Salaries: How Much Do NBA Coaches Make? |url=https://sports.betmgm.com/en/blog/nba/what-is-an-nba-coach-salary-how-much-do-nba-coaches-make-sgc/ |website=BetMGM |access-date=24 May 2025}}</ref> The highest paid coach in 2025 is [[Steve Kerr]] of the [[Golden State Warriors]], who earns $17.5 million per year as part of a $35 million two-year contract extension.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McKeone |first1=Liam |title=Who Are the Highest-Paid Coaches in the NBA? A Full Breakdown |url=https://www.si.com/nba/nba-highest-paid-coaches-salary-01j01rn9pzcb |website=Sports Illustrated |access-date=24 May 2025 |date=10 June 2024}}</ref>

== Baseball ==

=== Youth Baseball ===
In [[Little League Baseball|Little League]], or other youth levels of baseball, the manager is responsible for teaching players technique and rules, organizing practices, choosing the lineup and starting pitcher. Oftentimes, the manager is a parent of a child on the team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=League |first=Little |title=Making the Move from Coach to Manager |url=https://www.littleleague.org/university/articles/making-the-move-from-coach-to-manager/ |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=Little League |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== High School Baseball ===
At the High School level, there is a varsity and junior varsity level. The manager of the varsity team is the head of the school's baseball program, yet he does not manage the junior varsity team, as that is left to another coach in the program.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arbelaez |first=Francesca |title=What exactly goes into being a high school team manager? |url=https://thendbcatalyst.com/11448/sports/what-exactly-goes-into-being-a-high-school-team-manager/ |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=The Catalyst}}</ref>

=== College Baseball ===
At the college level, the manager is responsible for recruiting high school players to their university, setting the lineup and starting pitcher, making day-to-day decisions, and other choices. They do not teach and train players, that is left for younger levels and assistants, but they are the head of the program.

=== Minor League Baseball ===
In [[Minor League Baseball]] (MiLB), the manager is responsible for setting the lineup, pitcher, and making substitutions. It is similar to the Major Leagues. They prepare players for the major leagues and higher levels.

=== Major League Baseball ===
In [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) the head coach, called the [[Manager (baseball)|manager]], is responsible for setting the [[Lineup card|lineup]], choosing the [[starting pitcher]], making substitutions, and supporting his players (often by arguing with the [[Umpire (baseball)|umpire]]). The manager will often make these decisions based on matchup, or [[Platoon (baseball)|platoon]], advantages. Managers are often responsible for training players at lower levels, but specified assistant coaches are given that job at the highest level.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-10 |title=Diamondbacks' Torey Lovullo Speaks at MLB Winter Meetings |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/arizona-diamondbacks-news/diamondbacks-torey-lovullo-speaks-at-mlb-winter-meetings-01jepqy3pxw3 |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=Arizona Diamondbacks On SI |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Cricket ==
=== Role ===
To manage players treatment, rehab, recovery and fitness sessions, depending upon the needs during national cricket team's engagement.

=== Australia Cricket Team ===
[[Andrew McDonald (cricketer)|Andrew McDonald]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Andrew McDonald handed contract extension as Australia men's head coach until 2027 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/andrew-mcdonald-handed-contract-extension-as-australia-men-s-head-coach-until-2027-1457629 |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Coaching {{!}} cricket.com.au |url=https://www.cricket.com.au/high-performance/coaching |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=www.cricket.com.au |language=en}}</ref> is the current head coach of the Australian Cricket team.

=== Indian Cricket Team ===
[[Gautam Gambhir]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=AFP |date=2024-07-09 |title=India's cricket board names Gautam Gambhir as head coach |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40312051/indias-cricket-board-names-gautam-gambhir-as-head-coach |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=Brecorder |language=en}}</ref> is the current head coach of the Indian Cricket team.

=== Pakistan Cricket Team ===
[[Aqib Javed]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-01-10 |title=Aqib Javed confirmed interim white-ball head coach |url=https://www.pcb.com.pk/press-release-detail/aqib-javed-confirmed-interim-white-ball-head-coach.html#:~:text=Lahore,%2018%20November%20204:%20The,the%20ICC%20Champions%20Trophy%202025. |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=www.pcb.com.pk |language=en-US}}</ref> is the current head coach of the Pakistani Cricket team.

== Sport of athletics ==
{{anchor|Athletics}}

{{Expand section|date=October 2024}}

=== American track and field ===
{{For|articles on position coaches|Category:American track and field coaches}}
Head coaching responsibilities for American or [[USA Track & Field]] vary depending on the level of the sport.

==== College track and field ====
[[File:Bill Bowerman.jpg|thumb|[[Bill Bowerman]] was an American track and field coach for the [[University of Oregon]] and co-founder of Nike, Inc.]]

[[Bill Bowerman]] was an American track and field head coach for the [[University of Oregon]] and co-founder of [[Nike, Inc]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eugene Register-Guard - Google News Archive Search |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q1BWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lusDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5970,7431488 |access-date=2022-10-29 |website=news.google.com}}</ref>

=== American Distance Running ===

{{For|articles on long-distance runners|Category:American men long-distance runners}}
{{For|articles on long-distance runners|Category:American women long-distance runners}}
Head coaching responsibilities for [[Long-distance running]] vary depending on the level of the sport.

==== College Cross Country ====

At the college or University level, [[Cross country running|Cross-country running]] head coaching responsibilities vary widely depending on the program's budget and staffing.

==See also==
*[[Coach (sport)]]
*[[Coach (basketball)]]
*[[Manager (baseball)]]
*[[Manager (association football)]]
*[[Coach (ice hockey)]]
*[[Coaching tree]]
*[[Athletics director]]
*[[Strength and conditioning coach]]
*[[U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association]]

== References ==
{{Wikidata property|P286}}
{{reflist}}

{{MLB managers by team}}
{{Major League Soccer head coaches}}
{{NBA head coaches by team}}
{{NFL head coaches}}
{{NHL head coaches}}
{{National Women's Soccer League head coaches}}
{{WNBACoach}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Head Coach}}
[[Category:Terminology used in multiple sports]]
[[Category:American football occupations]]
[[Category:Coaches of American football| ]]
[[Category:Sports coaches]]
[[Category:Training]]
[[Category:Association football occupations]]
[[Category:Ice hockey occupations]]