A coaching contract is a must before you hire a coach.The contract will show how much the coach will be paid and what his duties are.Provisions explaining how the contract can be terminated should also be included.You can show the contract to your lawyer once you have drafted it.You could have your lawyer draft it for you.
Step 1: Sample coaching contracts can be found.
If you want to draft your own contract, you should look for sample contracts online.There is no standard contract for coaching.Depending on whether the coach is paid or not, contracts differ.College coaches' contracts are very extensive.College coaches have a long list of responsibilities.You should see a lawyer if you are drafting a contract for a college coach.A volunteer coaching contract could be as short as a page.As you draft your own, you should look for contracts that can serve as a guide.Ask other high schools in your area if they have a copy of their contract that you can use as a guide.
Step 2: The document can be formatted.
You should open a blank document to begin drafting the contract.The style and size of the fonts should be set.Times New Roman 12 point is read by many people.The first page of the contract can be printed on letterhead.To prevent the contract from being printed over the letterhead, be sure to space down.
Step 3: The contract is labeled as the coaching contract.
The contract should be called the Employment Agreement for Head Football Coach.The title should be bold and all caps.The title should be slightly larger in size so that it stands out.The title should be centered between the left- and right-hand margins.
Step 4: The parties to the contract are identified.
The contract should begin with the school and the coach.The contract becomes effective when you include the date.This employment agreement is made and entered into effective as of the 30th day of June, 2016 by and between the school and Smith.
Step 5: The contract has some key terms.
It is possible that your contract has more than one meaning.You can include a list of defined terms after identifying the parties.Any acronym is one of the terms you might need to define.If you belong to a sports league, you should define its acronym.Define the terms "service period" or "academic year."An academic year might last from July 1 to June 30.If you include fringe benefits in your contract, you should define whether your spouse includes same-sex partners.
Step 6: Do you know the duration of the contract?
How long the contract lasts should be explained.The contract could last for a single season or multiple seasons.Teachers at public institutions can't have contracts lasting more than a year in some states.A specified number of years is the most common duration term in coaching contracts.You could have the contract for three years.There is a specific number of years.A three-year contract might have a provision for renewal up to an additional year.A number of years with an agreement to change.You could have the contract for three years but have a chance to change it after two years.
Step 7: The coach has his duties listed.
Bullet points are used to explain the coach's duties.You should be as thorough as possible.A coach's duties might include the following: instruction of athletes supervision of team practices and conditioning sessions supervision and instruction in competitive events commitment to the academic success of student athletes selection and evaluation of all assistants, including volunteers, interns, student coaches, graduate assistant, etc.Adhering to the rules and policies of the school and the governing athletic association is important for the recruitment of athletes.
Step 8: Tell me how much the coach is being paid.
There needs to be a provision on compensation.If you are a high school coach, you may only be paid a one-time stipend.Base salary could be an extensive compensation package for a college or university.The amount of money should be explained.You can pay on the last day of the month.If the salary is paid out during the months of the sports season or if it is spread out over the entire year.Medical, dental, disability, and life insurance are some of the benefits.There are allowances for clothing, cell phones, and fuel.There are bonuses.The coach could get a fixed-sum bonus if they won a championship.You could offer a percentage of ticket revenues for student graduation rates.
Step 9: Conduct that can be terminated is something you should identify.
A terminated provision should also be included.For example, you might want to include any of the following: The coach knows that others in his or her administration have violated the rules but fails to report, or the coach knowingly violates school or governing athletic association rules.The coach doesn't carry out the duties specified in the contract.The coach was found guilty of a felony.The coach harms the reputation of the university.The coach commits fraud by condoning employees who commit fraud.The coach could die or become disabled.The coach gambles.The coach uses substances, such as prescription drugs or alcohol, which impairs the coach's ability to perform his or her job.The coach commits acts of violence if they result in public prosecution.
Step 10: If either side ends the contract, what will happen?
The contract should explain what will happen if the school terminates the contract before it expires.If the school terminates the contract for any reason other than for cause, then it needs to pay the coach money.The coach has no entitlement to compensation or benefits if he or she quits in writing.To cover the cost of recruiting a new coach, the coach should agree to pay the school a lump-sum.If the school cancels the contract, it usually agrees to pay the coach a large fixed-sum of money and continue benefits through the end of the term.The coach agreed to sign a release and not to file a lawsuit.The coach will not have to pay money or benefits if he finds a new job.
Step 11: There should be a provision for non-competes in the contract.
There is a provision in the contract where the coach agrees not to take another coaching job at a competing school for a certain amount of time after leaving your school.This is a non-compete provision.You can't prohibit the coach from working somewhere else for too long if you have a reasonable non-compete clause.Non-compete agreements of one or two years are usually acceptable.It is likely that anything longer will be unreasonable.The geographic scope of the non-compete clause must be reasonable.A coach can work anywhere in the country if you are a high school.The geographic scope should be limited.The coach can't work on a team in the same conference.
Step 12: It's a good idea to add the typical boilerplate clauses.
There are certain provisions in every contract.You should include these provisions in your coaching contract as well.You want a choice of law provision.The judge will have to interpret the contract according to the law of the state.You can make a decision about the state.Schools usually choose the state where they are located.The agreement will be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.If any term, clause, or provision is found to be illegal by a court of competent jurisdiction, the contract will remain in effect.The entire agreement includes any and all prior oral agreements and understandings of the parties with respect to its subject matter.
Step 13: Put signature blocks into them.
Signing blocks should be created at the bottom of the contract for the coach and representative.The principal or athletic director will sign for the school.
Step 14: The contract must be shown to your lawyer.
You should have an attorney review your contract after you have drafted it.The lawyer is paid a fee each month by your school.Whenever you call, the lawyer is available to help.Who is your lawyer?You can show the lawyer your contract by scheduling an appointment.Suggestions can be made for revision.If your school doesn't have a lawyer, you should go to your local bar association.Lawyers formed this organization.Referral programs are run by most bar associations.
Step 15: The contract needs to be signed.
The coach should be invited to sign the contract.You should have given the coach a copy of the contract so that he or she could review it and make suggestions for revision.You should distribute copies after the contract has been signed.Give the coach a copy of the signed contract.The original should be kept in a safe place.