Tim Warsinskey, Cleveland Plain Dealer

Though training and certification for high school coaches isn't required in Ohio and most other states, more states are encouraging it as it becomes increasingly available, say sports educators.

About 35 states endorse a coaching principles and philosophies course offered by the American Sport Education Program based in Champaign, Ill., but very few states require it, said the company's executive director, Rainer Martens.

Illinois requires the course only for coaches who are not certified teachers. California and Maine openly encourage the extra training, but do not require it. Alabama requires the principles course for coaches hired since 2001. (Alabama high school officials say the requirement is not a result of the Jake Giambrone case. Giambrone was paralyzed while wrestling with an inexperienced coach during practice in December 2000.)

Ohio's requirements are CPR certification and a sports medicine seminar for its coaches. Some states, including Illinois, do not even require that.

"The unfortunate thing is schools don't really have the personnel, time or money to educate their coaches, so we've taken on that responsibility," said Bob Ferraro, executive director of the National High School Coaches Association. "It's something that is important that administrators need to pay more attention to, quite honestly."

ASEP and the NHSCA in Easton, Pa., both offer instructor-led and online coaching principles courses for under $100. Similar courses are available at local universities, including Notre Dame College in South Euclid.

Martens said ASEP soon will offer another course that is more technical and tactical.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

twarsinskey@plaind.com, 440-602-4784

© 2004 The Plain Dealer. Used with permission.