Is that a Gimmick Offense?

This is the question Mack Brown (Head Coach of the University of Texas) asked opposing coaches whose team lost to Boise State in 2010. Bryan Harsin was the Offensive Coordinator for Boise State last year. Coach Harsin is the new Co-Offensive Coordinator for Texas.

This in-depth investigation and analysis speaks volumes into the hiring process Coach Brown uses when making staff changes. What do your counterparts think about your coaching abilities? Was it the coaching or did talented players “hide and mask” coaching weaknesses?

On paper (The Résumé), address and be specific in listing team progression in the category you are responsible for coaching (Ex. Defense –Secondary, Defensive Line, etc.. # of interceptions, sacks, etc…). When listing areas of improvement, list the number of replacement players from the previous season. A category that shows consistency and improvement with new personnel speaks volumes on a candidate’s coaching ability.

Watch the enclosed video to get an in-depth look of Coach Brown’s hiring process. Use this information to your advantage when going forward with your employment search. Use opposing coaches as references (Important: Put them on notice about your intentions).

“In some cases, the writer is essentially a keyboarder who takes the information you provide and puts it into a simple format without asking questions.”  – Michael Farr, Same Day Resume

It is always to your benefit as a candidate to shop around before hiring a company to help with career planning. Many companies provide unrealistic claims and guarantees (Ex. We guarantee you will get an interview……).

The Sports Resume (TSR) approach is based on realistic assessments. We make no guarantees about employment, but always provide insight learned from speaking with industry insiders and hiring managers. Listed below are a few details explaining our procedures:

Resume/CV: after customer submissions, a brief interview is conducted to pinpoint the candidates Sports Industry “area” of interest. We then review the submitted resume and check for any errors in grammar. With customer input, a new resume design is created (if necessary). The last step is in documenting “any” of the candidates Results/Achievements in the employment history that are relevant to the current position.

Cover Letter: customer submits a copy of their current Resume/CV and the job description. The next step is in determining whether the candidate meets any or all of the employers REQUIREMENTS listed in the job description. The final step is in the design.

Again, we are more than professional writers and examiners. The need for your input is critical. The final product should “always” be a reflection or mirror image of you as the candidate and not the penmanship of TSR writers. We do not create FICTIONAL CHARACTERS.

Take a look @ our Facebook Page for the list of upcoming Career Fairs and Coaches Clinics.

To All Coaches and Coach Candidates,

The 2011 Clinic season is fast approaching. There are plenty of opportunities to meet potential hiring authorities, which include Head and Assistant Coaches. If you plan to attend one of these events, engage any coaches as a potential employment would proceed.

Ask questions regarding the hiring process. What characteristics does the athletic director and head coach seek other than numerical statistics (Important)? Bring a copy of your SportsResume mini.

Although the main purpose of a Coaches Clinic is to learn new fundamentals of the profession, an opportunity may present itself for employment.

List of the upcoming Coaches Clinics: TEXAS Notre Dame Alabama Clemson Nebraska Georgia Penn State Auburn Virginia Washington State.

“Sports, it’s more than just excitement and fun. There is a business component involved.”

TSR Staff

This is written to assist those at the final step of the hiring process, the interview. During the interview, expect the interviewer to ask questions where the answers are found in your Resume/CV. At the conclusion of the interview comes the popular closing query, “Do you have any questions for us?”

To stand out amongst the other interviewees, your competition, take the interview to a place the interviewer would not expect you to go. Appear to be more than just a thrill-seeker looking to work in the glamorized Sports Industry. Interviewers are aware of the great demand for the employment opportunities their companies promote to the general public. This means that you have to be exceptional and be unique.

Know more about the position than the words posted in the job description. Understand the “health” or “sickness” of the industry the company is grouped in. Be familiar with the competitors, their products, and how they operate. Do you have ideas for a Mobile solution the company can undertake? Use your creative mind to suggest products and services the company should offer in the near future. If you come prepared to discuss that above then you will show your potential employer an awareness of INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE.

Industry Knowledge is critical. Most employees are now expected to add more to their positions and the company than that contained in the job description. The depth of knowledge of its employees is extremely important to the growth and survival of a company. It allows the company to time trends in the market and successfully adapt. 

Extensive knowledge of the industry will also allow you to control the interview. Your grasp of Industry Knowledge should make your Resume/CV will rise to the top of the competitive pile. However, remember not to come across as arrogant but insightful.

The best source of the business side of the Sports Industry (Industry Knowledge) is the Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal. This magazine is published weekly. It provides in depth analysis of Labor, Sponsorships, Finance, and other issues related to the business side of the Sports Industry.  Use this publication to add to the Value proposition you will provide during the interview.