LINCOLN -- Athletic director Deon Birkes has a specific prototype of personality built into the job description for candidates wishing to become the next head football coach at Lincoln High School.
As of Friday, Birkes had 27 applications to review received via email after the opening was posted on the school's website at midday on March 30 and more may be coming in through the U.S. Postal Service until the position is filled.
"It's a combination of a lot of things," Birkes said. "We're looking for a great P.R. guy. Somebody who will sell the program. We need a self motivated, good Public Relations person to motivate kids and to sell the Lincoln Wolves Football Program to our school and our community."
"We are looking for a person that is not afraid of a challenge and wants to build a program to compete year in and year out with hard work and a positive attitude."
"I can't tell you one is more important than another," Birkes said as he reiterated qualities important to Lincoln. "You might have somebody who is self-motivated but they don't sell the program. You don't have to live here but you got to be a part of our community. Not all of our coaches live here [in Lincoln] but they are all part of the community."
Birkes is seeking a coach who will build relationships with student/athletes, say what he means and mean what he says.
"We've got a great community, got a great school, great facilities," Birkes said.
Birkes was encouraged by the number of applicants interested in the position.
"That tells me it's an attractive job. We have good people to work with at Lincoln," Birkes said, explaining he sees his job as athletic director is to work with each coach as opposed to continually setting forth a fresh set of mandates. Birkes said an ideal candidate will be the type of coach who connects on a personal level with Lincoln student/athletes.
Birkes envisions hiring a coach who is going to be that person a former student comes back to years later because a relationship has been established.
"True success is determined down the road," Birkes said, explaining a former player recently came up to a Lincoln coach and in the course of conversation revealed she was in the process of completing a four-year degree in two years.
Birkes interpreted such an accomplishment as going back to working hard in Lincoln athletics as a high school student and having that type of work ethic instilled through training.
The teaching field is open, but candidates must have an Arkansas Teaching license or ability to get one with a coaching endorsement or NFHS Coach certification. CPR is required and the preference is for candidates with at least 5 years of coaching experience and/or 2 years head coaching experience.
Sports on 04/08/2015