PantherSigEp wrote:After getting this far I think I've managed to realize some flaws in my own logic and premise. And in lieu of simply starting over or backtracking let's just try to establish what makes a coaching job attractive (not really in a specific order, except maybe the first one):
1) Money $$$ (it's true for all jobs, this one is no different. The more you can make, the more you want to make it)
2) Opportunity for success (this is where the idea of team does have sway. Although those guys will not be around forever, if you have a strong core of players that is a big advantage in future recruiting if you can step in and be successful right away and sustain that success. I think Ben Jacobson and McDermott at Creighton exemplify this)
3) Current program state (similar to #2 but with a focus on facilities, fan base, overall "prestige", although I would say that particular factor is relatively dulled in the MVC. I'm thinking more along the lines of being offered $1M to be head coach at UNI as opposed to being offered $1 M to be head coach at Duke. That's the "prestige" factor and that is where past success, "program history", etc.. comes into play. Overall I believe this has the greatest impact on how marketable you can make your program to recruits and therefor is HUGE)
4) The Administration (I originally had this in #3 but I feel like it needs its own. Both the University and Athletic Dept administration play a role due to how they have treated coaches in the past, the job security you are given and the amount of flexibility they allow a coach in regards to athletic/recruiting budgeting
I'd prepare a different list:
1)
$$$ MONEY $$$ - your salary, but not just your salary - also the salary budget that you have for assistants, administrative staff, graduate assistants, etc.
2)
Administrative support - Directly related to #1, but different. Is there a quality marketing department to market your product? How big is the marketing budget? How responsive is the admin to your needs and wants? Is the athletic director easy to get a long with or is he/she a jerk? How big is the recruiting budget? Do you bus or fly to away games? What is the admin's ability fundraise? What sort of flexibility/requirements are there with respect to scheduling? Do you have carte blanche to create your own schedule or do you have to have AD approval? How free are you to run the program the way that you want? How nice are the facilities and how do they compare with your peers in the conference?
3)
Fanbase - How big/loyal is the fanbase? Do you play in sold out arenas or in front of a couple of thousand fans? Does the fanbase travel in good numbers to away games, exempt tourneys, the conference tourney and NCAA games making a neutral environment more like a home game or helping to limit the hostility of away games? What is the relevance of the program within the community ("community prestige")- is it the subject of regular discussion or is it an afterthought ? Do the fans support the fundraising efforts? Where does the program rank with respect to campus life? Are students supportive in large numbers or apathetic about the programs existence? Do the students became fans of the program or do they maintain preexisting loyalties to their home state's school?
4)
Overall prestige - What is the general feeling about the quality of the job by the other coaches/schools/fans in the conference? Is it widely considered to be one of the best jobs? How does the national media consider the job to be vis-a-vis the other jobs in the conference? Outside of a talent disparity, is it easier to win there or are you facing an uphill battle from the outset? What are the regular expectations that outsiders have of the school - is it expected to compete for championships or is finishing in the top half considered to be a good season?
