Requirements to Coach High School or Middle School Sports

[NKY FAN 3]

I was wondering if anyone knew what the requirements were for someone to coach sports in high school or even at the middle school level?

At one time you needed to have so many college credit hours or even be a teacher. Does this still stand? I had heard that a few years back they were trying to pass a "BILL" to lift such requirements. Can someone share what the current state guidelines are inorder to coach sports?

Thanks!

[Jacketcoach 19]

I want to say at least 21 years old. The hour requirement was changed but you have to take a couple of extra classes.

[J.W. 21]

Sec. 1) Defi nitions

a) Level 1 Coaches

An individual seeking a coaching position shall be categorized

as Level 1 if that individual is a certifi ed teacher and member of

the regular school system faculty and meets the following criteria

prior to assignment to coaching duties:

1) Is employed a minimum of three (3) regular periods for teaching

classes, including physical education;

2) Is employed for supervision of study halls; or

3) Is exercising responsibilities in other activity assignments

within the school schedule.

Level 2 Coaches

An individual seeking a coaching position shall be categorized

as Level 2 if that individual meets the following criteria prior

to assignment to coaching duties and does not meet the

qualifi cations of Level 1:

1) Shall be 21 years of age;

2) Shall not be a violent offender or convicted of a sex crime as

defi ned by KRS 17.165 that is classifi ed as a felony; and

3) Shall submit to a criminal record check under KRS 160.380.

4) Shall meet one of the following additional qualifi cations:

i. Have graduated from a public or accredited high school and

hold a provisional or standard teaching certifi cate;

ii. Have completed sixty-four semester hours of college credit

from an accredited college or university as documented by

an offi cial transcript; or

iii. Be a graduate from a public or accredited high school and be

in compliance with the local district standards for serving as

an approved substitute teacher as approved by the Education

Professional Standards Board.

iv. Be a graduate from a public or accredited high school and

complete a Level 1 Coaching Certifi cation Program approved

by NFHS as well as completing prescribed electives as

detailed by the KHSAA Board of Control. Level 2 coaches

approved under exception (iv) shall complete the KHSAA

Coaching Education program prior to coaching in the fi rst

interscholastic contest.

5) Prior to assuming duties, Level 2 coaches shall successfully

complete training provided by the local school district. The

training shall include information on the physical and emotional

development of students of the age with whom the Level 2

coach will be working, the district’s and school’s discipline

policies, procedures for dealing with discipline problems,

and safety and fi rst aid training. Follow up training shall be

provided annually.

c) Waiver of 64-hour requirement

In the event that the member school is unable to staff head

or assistant coaching positions in any sport or sport activity

(including cheerleading) with a Level 1 or Level 2 individual, the

member school may request through the Superintendent that the

KHSAA allow for a waiver of this rule in order that the additional

time be available to fi nd an applicant meeting the criteria.

d) Head Coach

As referred in this regulation, the head coach shall be the head

varsity coach designated by the school or Board of Education

unless otherwise noted in the bylaw.

Sec. 2) Hiring and Employment Requirements

a) Required Level

Level 1 or 2 individuals (head and assistant) may be assigned

as the head or assistant coach in any sport or sport activity

(including cheerleading).