How to Write a Basketball Coach Resume that Gets You Hired
Here are some tips on how to write a resume for college basketball coaches so that you get hired at the school of your dreams.

Updated 13 min read
The sport of basketball has seen an increase in popularity, especially with the success of the NBA. This has led to more opportunities for people who are looking to get into coaching basketball.
Having a coach resume that stands out is one of the most important aspects of securing a job. It’s vital that your resume shows off your skills and experience to help you stand out from the crowd. The goal is to create an effective resume that will allow you to get hired as quickly as possible.
This blog post will show you how to write a coach resume so you can get your foot in the door for this great opportunity.
Who needs a coach resume?
There are a few different people who could use a coach resume. If you're just starting out as a coach then you'll need to have this document on hand. Additionally, if you have been coaching but have taken some time off for another opportunity, then it may be worth updating your resume so that it reflects the skills and experience you've gained since your last coaching gig.
Finally, coaches who are looking for a new job should always have a clean, polished resume on hand. That way, they can submit resumes without delay and secure interviews more quickly.
What is a coach resume?
Before you get started, it’s important to understand what a coach resume entails. The goal of your resume is to show off your skills and experience. You want to make sure that the hiring manager knows that you are the right person for the job.
A coach resume will typically highlight your education, skills, and experience in coaching basketball. It should be tailored to the position you are applying for. The success of your resume will depend on how well it highlights the expertise needed for the position.
How to write a basketball coach resume
There are many aspects to consider when writing a coach resume. You want to make sure you emphasize your skills and experience, while highlighting the most relevant information for the position.
Your list of work experience is one of the most important sections on your resume. Make sure it's clear and concise, summarizing all coaching-related tasks that you have completed.
You also want to include all of your relevant education, including any certifications or degrees earned in the sport of basketball. If you're a graduate student with ambitions in coaching basketball, be sure to list any courses you've taken related to coaching or sports management.
Another key section on your resume is a list of references. This can be a big help for getting hired because it demonstrates credibility and professionalism on your part. Be sure to leave room for these references at the bottom of your resume because not everyone will list them on their own resume!
The basics of a coach resume
Before we go into how to write a coach resume, let’s talk about the basics. The first thing you want to do is list your name and contact information at the top of your page.
Next, you need to list your educational experience. This could include where you went to school, when you graduated, and what degrees or certificates you have received.
After that, it’s time for your professional experience. Include any work history in this section and highlight any relevant skills in a separate section below it.
Finally, don’t forget to add a personal statement at the end! This is where you can share why you love coaching basketball and why you think this position would be a great fit for you.
Key tips for an effective coach resume
- A resume is only useful if it's tailored to the job you're applying for. It may be tempting to copy and paste your previous coach resumes, but it's important to customize each one.
- Determine who you are marketing yourself to. Is the hiring manager a woman? A man? What are their interests?
- Avoid using too many buzzwords or clichés that come off as lazy or unoriginal. This will make it seem like you don't have enough experience or that you're not creative enough.
- Remember, your resume should show off your skills and experience so that hiring managers can see how qualified you are for this type of position.
Select the Right Format for your Basketball Coach Resume
When creating a coach resume, it’s important to select the right format for your situation. The two formats you should consider are
- Chronological Resume
- Functional Resume
If you have a long work history and you don't want to break up your experience by industry, go with a chronological resume. This way, everything is easily accessible and grouped together by general work experience.
If you're just entering the field of coaching, or if you're changing industries, use a functional resume. This format allows you to highlight skills that are pertinent to the position and makes it easier for someone to read through your resume quickly and understand what type of expertise you have.
Highlight your Good Parts in Resume Objective or Resume Summary
Your resume objective is what defines your career goals, so it needs to be specific. The best way to do this is to use the skills you have developed for coaching basketball in your resume objectives or resume summary.
For example, if you have spent five years coaching youth basketball teams, try an objective like “Seeking a position as youth coach for competitive team”. This will give employers a clear understanding of what your skills are and why they should be interested in bringing you on board.
Take time when writing your resume objective or resume summary to use the right words that will make you stand out from the crowd. For example, talk about how well-versed you are in coaching basketball when using phrases like “expert knowledge” or “extensive experience". Use this opportunity to sell yourself and show off your qualifications!
Education Section
Include your educational background near the top of your resume. This section should include where you went to school, your major, and what degree you received.
If you attended more than one school, be sure to list the schools in order from most recent to oldest. In some cases, schools may list their alumni by the year they graduated. If this is the case for you, it's a good idea to list them in reverse chronological order so that it's easier for a recruiter or hiring manager to view.
How to List your Skills as Basketball Coach
Your resume should always list your skills and experience so the employer knows what you can bring to the table.
When writing a coach resume for basketball, you will want to emphasize your skills as a coach as well as your experience as a player. This is important because each team has its own style and play-style that they're looking for in a coach.
You should also mention any previous coaching jobs or volunteer work that you’ve done. This can be highlighted with a bullet point and then listed out with specific information.
The final section of this blog post will show you how to complete your coach resume in detail.
Include a Cover Letter for your Basketball Coach Resume
It’s important to remember that your resume is not a one-way street. You have to write an effective cover letter as well. A cover letter for a basketball coach resume should list some of your qualifications, which can also be listed on your resume, and tell the employer why you want to work with them specifically.
Cover letters are vital because they give employers more information about who you are and what you can bring to the table. It’s important to highlight what you specifically offer so that it matches up with what the employer is looking for.
For example, say you're applying for a coaching position at a college level basketball team in Toronto, Canada. You would talk about how you have experience working with players of all levels of experience and how that would benefit the school's team.
Also, if you don't know the name of the company, make sure to state where their location is (in this example it would be "Toronto, Canada"). This will help make sure they get your application in time!