I wonder what the rate is across all classes historically? And I wonder if the rate is substantially higher in recent years?
HC turnover rate
- Thread starter DinwiddieProud
- Start date
I can't speak for the state but I put together a chart some years ago on the rate here in the central Region and it is definitely more frequent than two decades ago. I can share some stats later this evening.
In the Central Region there is an average of 5 coaching changes per season. This year there have been 3 compared to 6 last season.
From 1970 to 1979 there were 56 changes.
From 1980 to 1989 there were 55 changes.
From 1990 to 1999 there were 44 changes.
From 2000-2009 there were 48 changes.
From 2010-2019 there were 66 changes!
From 2020-2025 there have been 36 changes putting us on pace for 60+ changes again this decade.
Great question. And considering how difficult it is for some jurisdictions to retain teachers, I think that will somehow trickle down to high school coaching positions. And because of that, I expect numbers to continue to get worse.
Being a head football coach is a full-time job that pays a couple thousand dollars after taxes - makes the decision to step away an easier one...
This is main problem for all HS sports, not just football. It's turned into a year-round position and the pay hasn't improved since forever.
For football/basketball, maybe the pay could be incentive based. Keep the same stipend they get now, but you get an additional stipend for every victory. Athletes are now getting NIL money at the high school level....assuming coaches can too?
When VHSL implemented the "Jack Turner Rule" lol, allowing year around practice everything changed. I wish they'd go back to not allowing out of season practice, but unfortunately it never will. Yes it probably puts a better product on the field each fall, but man does it burnout coaches and players. Plus at smaller schools kids struggle to choose between playing multiple spots or risk missing workouts for certain sports. I for one hate the year around rule.
They could/should go back to the way it was, but no one has the onions to do it. Makes no sense. No kid should practice/play 1 sport all year. Bad for the body and mind.
The move to sports being year-round has certainly hurt the coaching profession, especially in football. Most are full-time teachers and in most smaller schools the football HC also coaches an additional sport. In season they arrive early, work the school day then have practice and meetings and have to remain at the school until all athletes have been picked up, start laundry, prepare for tomorrow, etc... I would say most don't return home until between 8-9 pm. Game days are even more hectic with a much later time getting home. Then you have film breakdown and weekend meetings. This goes on for 3.5 to 4 months minimum. Most football coaches work an additional 30+ hours a week for a few thousand dollars. Off-season, you have to keep up with competitors and have after-school lifting, schedule, or attend 7 on 7 and camps.
I believe the amount of time required/expected has been a big reason for individuals leaving the profession. Takes a lot of time away from spouse and children. Now coaches also have to deal with discipline in schools, athletes not behaving, players acting out on sidelines and in games, parents wanting input and causing problems. Teaching the game and having fun are no longer aspects of the profession. So many things over the last 5-10 years have really made it difficult to put up with everything for a few dollars and being involved with the game so many love.
I believe the amount of time required/expected has been a big reason for individuals leaving the profession. Takes a lot of time away from spouse and children. Now coaches also have to deal with discipline in schools, athletes not behaving, players acting out on sidelines and in games, parents wanting input and causing problems. Teaching the game and having fun are no longer aspects of the profession. So many things over the last 5-10 years have really made it difficult to put up with everything for a few dollars and being involved with the game so many love.
I'm surprised that more of those with an absolute passion for coaching (and maybe teaching to a lesser extent) don't leave the area or the region and move to other states which pay substantially more...which of course, comes with more pressure.
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