Coaching job searches have depended on connections, experience, and luck for years. Athletic directors and head coaches still rely on outdated hiring methods, often settling for familiar names instead of selecting the best fit. Meanwhile, countless qualified coaches struggle to break through because the system works against them.
The hiring process in football needs a significant upgrade. Coach Portal is leading the way.
The Problem with Traditional Job Boards
Coaching job boards set out to make hiring simple: post an opening, receive applications, and hire the best candidate. But in reality, they don’t work. Here’s why:
- They Move Too Slowly – When a job appears online, it’s often already filled. Insiders and networked coaches have already had their conversations, making job boards an afterthought.
- They Fail to Provide Visibility – A strong resume won’t matter if the right people never see it. Many talented coaches remain unnoticed because they lack direct access to decision-makers.
- They Don’t Offer Real Vetting – Most job boards only provide generic resumes, failing to showcase a coach’s leadership ability, teaching style, or on-field presence.
- They Limit Hiring Staff – Athletic directors and head coaches often hire within their immediate circle because job boards don’t offer a marketplace of talent to explore.
These flaws lead to missed opportunities for both coaches and programs.
Kevin Abrams, co-founder of Coach Portal, has seen these frustrations firsthand.
“The biggest mistake coaches of all ages and experiences make is they don’t have an honest third party they can go to for career advice. They don’t have many people where they can let their guard down and say, ‘Is this the right move for me?’”
Many great coaches never land the opportunities they deserve without accurate guidance or efficient hiring tools.
The Future: A Real-Time Coaching Marketplace
Coach Portal changes the game by connecting coaches and hiring decision-makers in real time. Unlike traditional job boards, this platform works like Zillow for coaching hires, allowing programs to actively search for candidates based on experience, location, and expertise.
Here’s why Coach Portal is the future of coaching job placement:
- It Works Instantly – No waiting for a job post to go live. Hiring staff can find available coaches the moment they need them.
- It Provides Transparency – Decision-makers no longer have to rely on second-hand recommendations. Before deciding, they can view a coach’s complete profile, resume, endorsements, and even coaching videos.
- It Benefits Both Sides – Coaches can actively track job openings and receive alerts when an opportunity matches their career goals.
- It Removes Guesswork – Instead of hoping someone finds their resume, coaches position themselves to be discovered by the people making hiring decisions.
Abrams believes the coaching industry has ignored this need for too long.
“We need more transparency. We need more real-time data. Coaching has not caught up to the fact that a marketplace is needed. A centralized database is the only way for up-to-date information to flow and truly provide value.”
For years, coaches have relied on word-of-mouth hiring or personal connections. Technology now offers a smarter, more efficient way to find and secure coaching jobs.
What Coaches Must Do Now
If you’re serious about advancing in the coaching profession, now is the time to act. Here’s how:
- Expand Beyond Your Network – Don’t rely solely on personal connections. Ensure your coaching profile is searchable and accessible to decision-makers.
- Build Your Coaching Brand – Showcase more than your resume. Use Coach Portal’s video feature to highlight your leadership, teaching style, and presence on the field.
- Stay Prepared – The worst time to update your resume is when a job opens. Keep your profile current so you’re always ready for new opportunities.
- Join Coach Portal – Stop depending on outdated job boards. A real-time coaching marketplace offers the best path forward. Those who embrace it early will gain a considerable advantage.
Abrams emphasizes that preparation separates the best coaches from the rest.
“The name of the game is finding coaches and coaches getting found. There have been a lot of frustrations on both sides—coaches feel qualified but invisible, while hiring staff feel limited to their network. We’re fixing that.”
Take Control of Your Coaching Career Today
Football’s hiring game is evolving. Just as film study, analytics, and play-calling have advanced, so must the way coaches find jobs and get hired.
The old model is failing. A real-time coaching marketplace isn’t just an improvement—it’s the future.
Don’t wait for an opportunity—position yourself to be found. Join Coach Portal today and take control of your coaching career.
Sign up now at www.coach-portal.com and be ready when the next big opportunity comes your way.
