First interview- Pedro Corea lll I decided to interview Pedro Correa III, an assistant wide receivers coach at the University of Texas at the Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas. He joined the staff after finishing his football career and earning his degree in Business Management from Tiffin University in 2015. Some of his general responsibilities include coaching the wide receivers, cleaning up, preparing the football field, and breaking down film. Pedro likes the fact that he still gets to be around the game of football, and . Being an assistant coach includes long hours, something he doesn't enjoy. The hectic work environment gets stressful, working from 5am-7pm. However, as part of the coaching staff he receives benefits such as clothing, access to the school, free housing, and meals. Pedro is a first-year assistant and works part-time, receiving $440 bi-weekly for a salary of $10,560. In his position, oppurtunity for advacement is a process. By continuing to coach and direct the prgram and player advancement, he will have experience to become a full-time receivers coach and offensive coordinator. Pedro said that for students aspiring towards a similar position must have the true will to put long hours into the game. Dedication, knowledge and love for the game what it takes. He says the money isn't what should drive a person to do this job. Helping the kids on and off the field and seeing the improvement and growth into adults is something he says is the best feeling. He feels as if the team is part of his extended family, and he is a big brother to them, but also setting the boundary and line of respect. “To think you're helping them blossom into an adult is one of the best feelings ever,” he said.
Second Interview- Jason Tillis I had the oppurtunity to Jason Tillis, an offensive coordinator for the Cyprus Gators, a semi-professional team in Houston, Texas. Tillis got his bachelor's degree in special education. He specializes in coaching wide receivers and quarterbacks. Some of his general responsibilites include getting the offense ready for a game, going through film, and changing the playbook during games. Tillis likes the fact that being an offensive coordinator gives him the oppurtunity to grow as a coach. He hopes to coach at his old high school in the future and then at the collegiate level. Being a coach, some things that frustrate him about the job is the fact that players sometimes choose not to come to practice. He also doesn't like when players are hurt. It limits their personel and depth. He doesn't work long hours, so his schedule is flexible. He works 6-9pm, three days a week (including game day). He doesn't get paid to coach, but he does receive benefits and perks. Being a semi-professional coach, he doesn't get paid, but loves to be around the game. By continuing to play football and coach in the meantime, he hopefully will have the oppurtunity to advance in his coaching position, and hopefully make a team himself. In this job, he said one must be patient and have confidence, leadership, and a great work ethic. “Dealing with high school kids, you have to show them thw way to get to the next level by motivating and coaching them,” he said.
Interview three-Felix Elswick Felix Elswick was the assistant strength and conditioning coach at Dublin Coffman High School in Dublin, Ohio last summer. He graduated with a bachelor's in exercise science fromTiffin University in May. Some of his general responsibilites were to teach young athletes better forms of exercise, as well as helping them get stronger, faster and in a better condition. He liked the direct impact he had on each player, increasing their performance. The one thing he disliked is that he wasn't head strength and conditioning coach. He worked 5 days a week, from 6am-11am. He didn't receive pay because this was a volunteer, but he gained a lot of experience. One of the benefits of the job was that he was able to use his position and connections to network. There is oppurtunity for advancement in the field by working on skills and knowledge of area. Being able to develop strength and conditioning programs, assesments, and giving 100% gives a strength and conditioning coach the ability to be good at their job. “Think about what you can give to the athletes not what you get,” he said. “Show them you care about their improvement, and be energetic while having the patience to teach.”