NEW ORLEANS - Fourteen men's and women's assistant coaches in the New Orleans Athletics Department received personalized professional development and feedback as part of the Head Coaches in Waiting Training this week.
In its second year, the program provided assistant coaches with a unique professional development opportunity to gain perspective on what it takes to become a head coach at the DI collegiate level. Starting the Head Coaches in Waiting Training stemmed from a place of passion for Vice President of Athletics and Recreation Tim Duncan.
"To be able to pour back into our assistant coaches means a ton. I am on many national committees, and I speak to administrators and head coaches from all over the country. With the help of one of our coaches, Coach Slessinger, we wanted to implement a program here for our assistant coaches to give them the tools to advance in this profession," said Duncan.
"So, we are excited about our guests. It is great programming from administrators who hire search firms, agents, and a first-time head coach to tell them what it is like to be in the fire for the first time. We hope to continue to grow the program."
The forum was segmented into discussions entitled:
"Those Who Hire,"
- EK Franks, Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director at Southern Miss University,
- Melvin Hines, Senior Associate AD/Chief Operating Officer at Morgan State University
- Jessie Rosa, Professional Development Trainer at Troy University, and former Athletic Director at Auburn Univ Montgomery
"Those Who Search"
- DeLaina Sarden, Principal, Parker Executive Search
"Those Who Represent"
- Alvianne Brule, CEO, The Viiith
- Felicia Hall Allen, CEO, Felicia Hall Allen Associates
"I'm a 1st Time Head Coach...Now What?"
- Yolisha Jackson, Head Coach, Women's Basketball University of South Alabama
Administrators shared insight on the hiring process, while search firms and agents provided perspective. The featured speaker, Yolisha Jackson, shared invaluable knowledge on her current journey as she is months into her first head coach position at South Alabama.
"I thought it was extremely beneficial. You usually pay for workshops like that, so to have it home and free was great," said associate head women's basketball coach Brittany White.
"Alvianne Brule talked about being strategic professional development and having an action plan when networking at professional development events."
The speed networking that followed the sessions challenged coaches to dig deep into their own experiences and ask more specific questions.
"One of the biggest takeaways for me was putting yourself in position to cultivate opportunities through clinics and talking to other coaches so that you are always learning and so that people know that you are serious about your craft," said Javan Felix, assistant men's basketball coach.
"My goal is to be a head coach, and in this industry, it is important to build a foundation to where people in those hiring circles know who you are."
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