Originally Posted by mmiille

I like your sarcasm. Reiland is what he is. High School is different than D1. Recruiting is the real factor.

Then private and Catholic schools coaches should be considered, because they have to recruit every person who comes through their door.

I think that money is absolutely the factor, because a high school coach wouldn't always start as a head coach. If JRob were to retire tomorrow, would Minny really trust an untested high school coach to be their head coach? Probably not. Most likely, a high school coach would have to break in as an assistant, and if that coach was making $60-70K as a high school coach and teacher, they won't want to take the inevitable pay cut.

From the coach's perspective, it's also a hell of a lifestyle change and that might not be attractive. I'll use Keith Healy, coach of Providence High School in New Lennox, IL as an example.* Healy has several team state championships, and has several individual state champions. He has kids all over D-I, went to Illinois and still has a cozy relationship with them. I'm sure if he ever wanted to jump to the college ranks, they would find a place for them. But why would he want to?

He is in his late 40's/early 50's, and has a family. He would have to start the extensive traveling that college coaching requires, and that doesn't stop in the off season. Yes, a high school coach's life is extremely busy, but they can sleep most nights at home.

You're also dealing with an entirely different mindset of kids. High school coaches don't get in it just because they love wrestling. You've got to like kids, too. College kids are on a completely different wavelength.

*I am in no way saying that Healy is looking to leave Providence. He was just the first coach to pop into my head.

For the sake of accuracy, Steve Martin's only NCAA placement was 7th in 1989.

As for the question here, Div I head coaching is now a lot more than getting on the mat and showing moves. Recruiting, alumni relations, fundraising, compliance, as well as coaching and managing a team are all the CEO-like components of major programs. A lot of high school coaches simply aren't prepared or aware of how complex the job is now.

When Maryland's job came open again this past year Debbie Yow's first criteria was a proven Div I head coach. There was a lot of interest shown in the job and she wasn't going to risk her investment in wrestling on an unproven coach.

And yes, most high school coaches who also teach probably do as well or better financially than all but perhaps 25% of the Div I head coaches, without having to deal with all of the experts who take pot shots at them and their programs and the pressure of on-campus issues. Don't forget that there are some coaches who do, or at least have in the past, taught in the local school systems and coached at places like Millersville or, way back in the past, George Washington.

Why would a guy like Buxton or Jackson want to leave when they have had so much success? Obviously they like kids or they wouldnt be teaching/coaching in the first place, and they are national powerhouses year in and year out, so where is the motivation?

As others have stated its definitely not financial because HS coaches can make just as much or more then a lot of D1 coaches.

Originally Posted by bluestater

From the coach's perspective, it's also a hell of a lifestyle change and that might not be attractive. I'll use Keith Healy, coach of Providence High School in New Lennox, IL as an example.* Healy has several team state championships, and has several individual state champions. He has kids all over D-I, went to Illinois and still has a cozy relationship with them. I'm sure if he ever wanted to jump to the college ranks, they would find a place for them. But why would he want to?

He is in his late 40's/early 50's, and has a family. He would have to start the extensive traveling that college coaching requires, and that doesn't stop in the off season. Yes, a high school coach's life is extremely busy, but they can sleep most nights at home.

You're also dealing with an entirely different mindset of kids. High school coaches don't get in it just because they love wrestling. You've got to like kids, too. College kids are on a completely different wavelength.

I think that Blue's on to something here. The life of a Div. I coach (or any college wrestling coach) is no picnic. High School coaching offers more stability and fewer hassles, not that high school coaching is without hassles. Coaches like JRob, Brands, Smith, Smith, and Ryan are a rare breed. Pulling off this kind of thing is like pulling a rabbit from a hat EVERY season, which is no small feat. I can't speak for the rest of you, but I admire wrestling coaches not because any this is easy, but because all this is very hard.

Originally Posted by grapplefan

I think that Blue on to something here. The life of a Div. I coach (or any college wrestling coach) is no picnic. High School coaching offers more stability and fewer hassles, not that high school coaching is without hassles. Coaches like JRob, Brands, Smith, Smith, and Ryan are a rare breed. Pulling off this kind of thing is like pulling a rabbit from a hat EVERY season, which is no small feat. I can't speak for the rest of you, but I admire wrestling coaches not because any this is easy, but because all this is very hard.

Add to that that their livelihoods depend on the actions and desires of primarily 18 to 22 year-olds! Unless they have to deal with someone like me who was 22 when he started back to college!

To me, stability has to be the big factor.

You can lose your job a whole lot quicker as a college coach than you can as a K-12 teacher and coach. To many people, that factor trumps all else.

Well it's not just wrestling coaches.........can you think of any H.S. hoops coaches or football coaches that have gone to DI???
Not the same animal at all and I am for one not surprised at all............H.S. coaches are teachers first and do coaching, no matter how successful as a supplement.
College Coaching is big business