How to Ace a High School Football Head Coach Interview


In this panel, you will hear directly from Athletic Directors & Championship Head Coaches from across the country about how to ace your High School Football Coach Interview.

Preparing for a high school football coaching job interview, especially for a Head Football Coach position, can be one of the most challenging and important moments in a coach’s career. Knowing football is only part of the equation when it comes to acing your interview. Today’s hiring process demands not only on-field expertise, but also the ability to demonstrate organization, leadership, communication, vision, and the ability to build relationships within a school and its community.

In this expert panel discussion, a group of experienced Athletic Directors, Executive Directors, and successful Head Football Coaches from across the United States come together to share real-world insight into what truly matters in a high school football coach interview. Overall, this conversation is designed to help coaches understand the hiring process from the perspective of those making the decisions. Especially from those who have successfully navigated it themselves.

Preparing for Football Coach Interviews

Hosted by Charlie Coiner, Former NFL & College Football Coach and Owner of FirstDown PlayBook. This panel discussion focuses primarily on Head Football Coach interviews. Additionally, the discussion provides valuable takeaways that apply to assistant coaching interviews as well. The goal is simple. To help coaches walk into an interview prepared, confident, and aligned with what schools are actually looking for.

Why This Football Coach Interview Panel Matters

Too often, coaches approach interviews believing that wins, schemes, or resumes alone will earn them the job. While football knowledge is important, schools are hiring leaders who can:

  • Build a positive program culture
  • Communicate effectively with players, parents, administrators, and the community
  • Organize and manage staff, schedules, and resources
  • Represent the school with professionalism and integrity

This panel discussion pulls back the curtain on the interview process and provides honest, practical advice you won’t find in a job posting.

🏈 What You’ll Learn:

In this panel discussion, you’ll learn more about everything from interview preparation to post-interview steps:

  • How to properly prepare for a Football Coach interview (whether it’s head coach or assistant coach)
  • What Athletic Directors and Principals evaluate most during an interview
  • How to communicate your program philosophy, leadership style, and organization
  • The role of X’s & O’s vs. teaching and communication
  • What to bring into the interview (visuals, schedules, install plans, playbooks)
  • How to discuss staff organization, academics, discipline, fundraising, and recruiting
  • Common do’s and don’ts that can make or break an interview
  • How to close the interview the right way and follow up professionally

Teaching Football: X’s & O’s vs. Communication

Beyond the basics of football strategy, you’ll also hear from the panelists about the importance and value of how coaches approach teaching the game.

  • How important X’s & O’s really are in the hiring process
  • Scheme selection vs. teaching ability
  • How coaches communicate football concepts to players
  • Presenting a sample installation plan or game-week book
  • Player evaluation, grading systems, and development tracking

Throughout the panel, you will hear the panelists continue to emphasize that how well you teach matters more than how much you know.

Closing Advice: Do’s and Don’ts

Crushing the interview itself, is only part of the key to success. The panel discussion wraps up with clear, actionable closing advice to ensure you leave the interviewers impressed:

  • Be positive and professional
  • Be confident (not arrogant)
  • Ask thoughtful questions (it’s a two-way interview and this shows that you’re interested and engaged)
  • Emphasize what you bring to the program (i.e. experience, relationships, positivity)
  • Be ready for hypothetical scenarios
  • Always follow up with a thank-you message

By design, this panel discussion features a diverse group of leaders from across the country who offer a variety of perspective and insights about hiring, evaluating, and leading football programs at the highest high school levels:

  • Jay Alexander: Executive Director, Detroit Public Schools (Michigan)
  • Tracey Borchardt: Executive Director of Athletics, Odessa (Texas)
  • Mike Carter: Head Football Coach, Bloomfield High School (New Jersey)
  • Scott Criner: Head Football Coach, Rocky Mountain High School (Idaho)
  • Chad Johnson: Head Football Coach, Mission Viejo High School (California)
  • Loren Johnson: Head Football Coach, Highland Springs High School (Virginia)

From California to New Jersey, from Head Coach to Athletic Director, this diverse group of panelists will help shed light on how the High School Football Coach Interview process looks today. Together, these six expert panelists bring perspectives from large districts, powerhouse programs, and multiple regions from around the country, offering a well-rounded view of what successful interviews look like.

Approach Your Next Football Coach Interview with Confidence

Whether you’re pursuing your first head football coach opportunity or preparing for your next career move, this panel discussion provides real-world advice from the people who hire and lead successful programs. If you want to approach your next interview with clarity, confidence, and preparation, this panel discussion is a must-watch.

👉 If you enjoyed this panel discussion, please share it with your network. Our goal is to help coaches, like you, navigate these interviews with confidence, preparation and ease.

As we look ahead, be sure to stay tuned in for more high school football coaching education, leadership development, and career-building content from our team at FirstDown PlayBook.

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