Age is not the key to hiring the right person

• Age is not the key to hiring the right person

When looking for a new coach or administrator, schools need to look both within and outside their programs. Over my 40-year career in coaching and administration, I have found age is not the most important ingredient in the hiring process. Age is a sign of experience and expertise of candidates. For example, look at the history of the experienced person and consider the expedient advancement of the youthful candidate. These considerations can only be validated if schools actively seek out competitive applicants to find the best candidate for an open position.

I have written about the need to not overlook hiring experienced personnel. We have witnessed how older coaches like Mack Brown, Hugh Freeze, Herm Edwards and others have been great hires. I also would like to point out the wisdom of hiring younger professionals. Administrators limit themselves by placing people in categories.

I believe most people would agree it is a struggle for women to advance in the sports profession because of categorization. It is hard enough for women to be taken seriously, especially if they are young. Having to overcome adversity in the workplace is difficult. Young people have to combat these challenges while not trying to be too professional, which may alienate themselves from colleagues.

I am always intrigued with outstanding leaders. I like to hear their stories. Regardless of age, I have learned during my career it is the person and not the age making them outstanding in their profession. As a matter of fact, whether a coach is a graduate-assistant, full-time assistant, coordinator, or head coach they are all very valuable. All should be treated with the utmost respect. I respect work ethic, not rank.

A young administrator I have been very impressed with is Sarah Aly. In researching her history, I discovered she began demonstrating excellence at a very early age. She was the first college graduate in her family and received a Master’s Degree at the early age of 23. Today, she serves as the youngest Chief Financial Officer at the NCAA Division 1 level.

In addition, at the age of 26, this young outstanding administrator has achieved the highest accolade for women in college athletics. She works at Texas A&M University-Commerce as Senior Women’s Administrator. When I started researching her recent history, it is obvious why she is excelling at a high pace. She handles her duties expertly and at the same time holds down three jobs to make ends meet.

School administrators need to examine their hiring practices so they can identify and hire the right personnel to lead their programs. Whether it is coaching or administrating, age is not necessarily the key ingredient. Many administrators limit the hiring pool because of age, be it youthful or older applicants.

Another outstanding young whipper snapper I have had the pleasure to work with is Payton Pardee. He is one of the brightest young football coaches in America. Following in the legacy of his Hall of Fame grandfather Jack Pardee, in just six years of coaching he has transitioned from a Graduate-Assistant to a full-time NCAA Division II coach and now is in his second year of coaching professional football as an assistant to legendary coach Wade Phillips of the San Antonio Brahmas. In only his second year of serving in the UFL, he is already a coordinator.

These two young quality professionals are an example that age is not the prerequisite for success in administration and coaching. Experience and age are not 100% accurate in determining excellence. Just like players playing the game, it is not necessarily their age but it is the person making a difference.

---------------------- Thought for the week: “It’s not about how many years of experience you have. It’s about the quality of your years of experience,” Jacob Cass, Logo of the Day ------------------------- Dr. Jack Welch is an educator and college football coach. His doctorate is in educational administration, and he has been an educator, administrator, and football coach, mentoring young minds, for over 40 years. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching. He can be reached at jackwelch1975@gmail.com.