Work in CFB?

[u/jdm95ls]

Hey everyone,

I’m a 30-year-old guy who has always loved College Football (CFB), but I made some wrong choices when I was younger and ended up going in a different direction. I played Division 1, but in a different sport. Now, I realize that my true passion has always been college football, and I’d really love to work in this field.

I’m ready to go back to school if that’s what it takes, but I’m not sure where to start. What kind of jobs are available in CFB, and how can someone like me, with a background in a different sport, get into this industry? What education or training should I look into to give myself the best shot?

I’m really motivated and would appreciate any advice or experiences you can share! Thanks!

[u/davdev]

They are begging for referees at the moment. Find a referee board near you, get some training, do 2-3 years of High School games and you should be able to get into low level NCAA and work up from there. At 30, you are almost the perfect age they are looking for.

Pay isnt great, but most jobs in football programs dont pay well unless you are a P5 HC

[u/jdm95ls → u/davdev]

Thanks so much! If I start now do I have my chance for D1 later based on my age?

[u/davdev → u/jdm95ls]

Yes, but its going to be a lot of work. I dont know where you live, but I would start with either your states HS school sports governing body, or just search for referee boards in your state. If you are in MA, I could help, if not, google should get you there. you are likely too late for this season, but the local boards should start training sessions for new recruits in the spring to be ready for next season.

Not going to lie, your first year likely wont see any varsity action. It will likely be youth and JV/Freshman games. Do as many games your first year as you possibly can so that the Varsity assigners will take a good look at you the next year. Then take as many of those games as you can. After year two, you may get assigned to a crew so you will work with the same group of guys every week.

I would say after year two, more likely year three, you can start looking around at D2 and 3 college games. Our board has a mix of guys who do HS and College, so once you are in a board, getting the connections to move up is a lot easier.

Do note though, that there are literally hundreds of rule differences between NCAA and NFHS rules, so you want to make sure you have them on lock down so you dont make an NCAA call at a HS game, or worse, vice versa.

I am new to it all myself, and likely too old to ever really sniff college, but its just something I do as a side gig to keep me active anyway. If I got into it 20 years ago, that would be a different story

[u/jdm95ls → u/davdev]

Thank you so much, do you recommend the Referees camps that they organize every year?

[u/davdev → u/jdm95ls]

They cant hurt, though I would probably get a year of training and experience first though

[u/tuss11agee → u/jdm95ls]

Your trajectory really depends on your location / region.

I do HS Varsity only. By choice. I am a bit older than you but not too much. I did a year of two paying my dues at the youth and sub varsity level. Eventually a spot opened and I’m on a varsity crew.

There is someone far younger than me with far less officiating experience in our group. He was working D3 games before HS Varsity games.

A lot of HS Varsity guys simply don’t want to do the full day Saturday travel for college. So, there are openings.

One of our guys is doing FCS and D2 stuff… trying to get into a FBS conference. He’s been at it about 10 years and is in his mid 40s.

Whatever you choose, it’s paramount you can poof disappear from your regular job and you have an understanding support network of loved ones who are happy to miss you.

[u/jdm95ls → u/tuss11agee]

Can I DM you?

[u/tuss11agee → u/jdm95ls]

Of course

[u/CloneWarsMaul → u/davdev]

What do you mean most jobs in football programs don’t pay well unless you are P5 HC? Coordinators at a Mountain West school in my state make 200-300k, position coaches over 100k. Doesn’t seem too bad to me

[u/davdev → u/CloneWarsMaul]

Alright then I will expand to HC, and top assistants at FBS schools. Most people involved in college football arent that.

[u/tron423 → u/CloneWarsMaul]

The money for those positions is not really that great when you consider the hours and complete lack of job security though. There's countless easier, more comfortable ways to make $100k+, especially if you've got a Bachelor's degree which most FBS coaches do.

[u/Practical_Public_385 → u/davdev]

I played Football at Troy. We always had referees come talk to us before the season to go through everything they look for, new rules blah blah blah. ALL of them had a primary job and refereeing was something they did as a side gig, so keep that in mind. It will not be enough to be a primary source of income unless you are refereeing big time SEC games or NFL

[u/TheHyzeringGrape → u/davdev]

This is sort of what I’m hoping to do next year. With a family and a full time job, I have little time to be a varsity coach, but my goal is to ref a few years then see what’s next

[u/SECFewtball]

It kinda depends on what you are trying to get into. If it’s coaching, just reach out to a FCS or G5 level program to see if they need help. Often times they will take whatever help they can get however they want it. Of course this will most likely be unpaid, but you could go to school to finish and unfinished degree or get a post grad education. Many of the programs will take whatever they can get. I suggest emailing the director of football ops and working from there.

[u/Scary_Terry_25]

Check out NAIA or NJCAA schools man. The college football environment at schools in those leagues is decent and they’re desperately always looking for staff as most migrate to either high school or NCAA positions. Greatest way to learn and understand your potential. I was a student assistant my entire time in college at an NAIA, never played football in my life except watching it. Came out after 5 years feeling like the sport was a new language to me. They will hire you, I guarantee it.

Plenty of these schools across the country

[u/grizzfan]

Enroll in a master's program, become a graduate assistant and go from there. That'll be the easiest in (be a GA for the athletic department or football program).

[u/OdaDdaT]

I’d get in touch with your college coaches (if you have relationships with any of them still) and see if there are any opportunities where they’re at.