Hiring a head coach.. would you rather

[dillonpanthers]

This has come up in a lot of threads for jobs that are open. Someone will mention all the candidates that have head coaching experience. It happens year after year, a school will hire someone with a losing head coaching record for the sake of hiring someone with experience vs taking a chance on a coordinator. 

Most of us will never have the chance to hire a head coach, but what would your take on it be. Hire someone with head coaching experience  (even if it's a bad record) or take a gamble on a coordinator?

[2wedge]

I'm going for the successful coordinator from a successful program. Like Parcells said: "You are what your record says you are".

[Billontherig]

It depends on what the school needs. Not every school is concerned with winning bud despite what you think. Some schools just want a coach that will stick around more than a couple years which nixes most coordinators from the applicant list. Here is a breakdown.

Coordinators: On their way up will stay 2-3 years then move on to better paying gig.

Experienced winning (middle aged) head coaches: They know their worth and will not settle for less than a certain dollar amount.

Experienced winning (near retirement) head coaches: These guys will stick around until the end or until the school board pisses them off.

 

[jv_coach]

12 minutes ago, Billontherig said:

It depends on what the school needs. Not every school is concerned with winning bud despite what you think. Some schools just want a coach that will stick around more than a couple years which nixes most coordinators from the applicant list. Here is a breakdown.

Coordinators: On their way up will stay 2-3 years then move on to better paying gig.

Experienced winning (middle aged) head coaches: They know their worth and will not settle for less than a certain dollar amount.

Experienced winning (near retirement) head coaches: These guys will stick around until the end or until the school board pisses them off.

 

I found it to be that more times then not they want someone they can control. 

[Sportsfan1999]

23 minutes ago, 2wedge said:

I'm going for the successful coordinator from a successful program. Like Parcells said: "You are what your record says you are".

this is high school not NFL or college, some coaches don't have the talent like some schools have..

[2wedge]

57 minutes ago, Billontherig said:

It depends on what the school needs. Not every school is concerned with winning bud despite what you think. Some schools just want a coach that will stick around more than a couple years which nixes most coordinators from the applicant list. Here is a breakdown.

Coordinators: On their way up will stay 2-3 years then move on to better paying gig.

Experienced winning (middle aged) head coaches: They know their worth and will not settle for less than a certain dollar amount.

Experienced winning (near retirement) head coaches: These guys will stick around until the end or until the school board pisses them off.

 

Then hiring a good coach, coordinator or otherwise, isn't high on that schools list of priorities.

 

39 minutes ago, sportsfan2017 said:

this is high school not NFL or college, some coaches don't have the talent like some schools have..

I've seen good coaches make a difference no matter what the talent level is. Even if it's taking a team from 1-9 to 4-6, that's a big improvement and will secure you a playoff spot these days.

[The Icon]

Give me a guy who is all about the kids and wants to build a good rapport with the community

[oldschool2]

A school can use whatever reason they think is best for the hiring of any employee...I just wish they would stick with the decision long enough to see it come to fruition.  That takes longer than a couple seasons.  And I know schools can't help it if a coach leaves but if they don't get to at least see their freshmen become seniors then it's impossible to know what kind of impact a coach had on the program.  There's too much of a "quick fix" mentality when it comes to stuff like this.

[90yshallow]

Dennis Franchione got his first college coaching job because he brought his wife to the interview and she was hot.  After that, every time he was announced as a new head coach he would introduce his wife as the reason why he was there.  So a hot wife is a must.

"Loyalty" is discussed at every interview...followed up by an offer of a probationary contract.  Everything is a quick fix.