Required Course
Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries Course
Requirement: All athletic coaches must have completed this course within a year from first being employed.
Cost: Courses offered within SMAC are open to all SMAC coaches and are funded in part through District IV of the MPSSAA. Courses may involve a fee.
Course Availability:
Calvert County Public Schools: usually offers a course in November. Email cochranem@calvertnet.k12.md.us for more information.
Charles County Public Schools: usually offers a course in early August. Check their Professional Development site here.
Prince George's County Public Schools: usually offers a course each summer. Contact their offices at 301-669-6055 for more information.
St. Mary's County Public Schools: usually offers a course in late February each year.
Credentialed Coaches
The MPSSAA has developed guidelines for those wishing to become Credentialed Coaches.
Information specific to St. Mary's County may be found here.
- Concussion in Sports: is available through a FREE on-line course at the National Federation of High School's website athttps://nfhslearn.com/courses/61037. Coaches must complete this course prior to their first season, and every year after that.
- Heat Illness Prevention: is available through a FREE on-line course at the National Federation of High School's website at https://nfhslearn.com/courses/34000. Coaches are required to complete this course annually.
- Sports Nutrition: is available through a FREE on-line course at the National Federation of High School's website at https://nfhslearn.com/courses/55000.
- Sudden Cardiac Arrest: is available through a FREE on-line course at the National Federation of High School's website at https://nfhslearn.com/courses/61032.
- Additional Free and Paid Courses are available at https://nfhslearn.com/
Interested in becoming a high school coach? Contact the Activities Director at any high school for more information.