AlphaMarshan
The Truth Hurts
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2013
- Messages
- 1,303
I think there's a misunderstanding here about GA positions. GA positions are basically stepping stones for people to enter into the coaching field. They are largely unpaid, or there is a "stipend" which is very small. Like, not enough to pay your bills small.
Part of being a GA is that you are actually enrolled in the university with your tuition waived while you pursue a graduate degree. This is how the university gets around actually paying you. You can actually read through the NCAA Graduate Assistant Openings on the NCAA Job Market if you don't believe me.
"Who the **** would want to spend 1-2 years working full time while ALSO going to school full time and not even being paid?" Apparently lots of people because they know the connections they'll make are worth it, in addition to being able to put "Graduate Assistant, QBs - University of Michigan" on your resume. That's what gets you your next GA role, or your first position coaching gig as you try and move up the ladder.
"Who can afford to work full time as a GA but not be paid, or not be paid well enough to afford housing?" I was offered a position like this at the University of Arizona (shocker, I knew the Director of S&C) and I asked the same question. How do I work full time but make $10,000/year?
I never got a straight answer beyond, "Have you tried not being poor?" This is another way that GAs and the "good ol' boy network" systemically reduces opportunities for lower-class individuals: these jobs not only require you to know people but to be in a position where you don't have to worry about money anyway since your dad is Mike Shanahan.
Part of being a GA is that you are actually enrolled in the university with your tuition waived while you pursue a graduate degree. This is how the university gets around actually paying you. You can actually read through the NCAA Graduate Assistant Openings on the NCAA Job Market if you don't believe me.
"Who the **** would want to spend 1-2 years working full time while ALSO going to school full time and not even being paid?" Apparently lots of people because they know the connections they'll make are worth it, in addition to being able to put "Graduate Assistant, QBs - University of Michigan" on your resume. That's what gets you your next GA role, or your first position coaching gig as you try and move up the ladder.
"Who can afford to work full time as a GA but not be paid, or not be paid well enough to afford housing?" I was offered a position like this at the University of Arizona (shocker, I knew the Director of S&C) and I asked the same question. How do I work full time but make $10,000/year?
I never got a straight answer beyond, "Have you tried not being poor?" This is another way that GAs and the "good ol' boy network" systemically reduces opportunities for lower-class individuals: these jobs not only require you to know people but to be in a position where you don't have to worry about money anyway since your dad is Mike Shanahan.