All Buffalo coaching personnel are required to be certified in accordance with NYSPHSAA standards. As per state mandates, all coaches employed in our district are certified in CPR, First Aid and AED. In accordance with state mandates, Buffalo Athletics will always look to find qualified, certified educators to fill coaching assignments. If such a qualified educator is not available, the district may appoint a non-certified teacher as a coach. In addition to the NYSED requirements listed below, all Buffalo coaches must complete a Buffalo Police Department background check. 

• Each coach is responsible for guiding his/her student-athletes through practices, scrimmages and games appropriate for their age and level of play. These activities are conducted so that the physical welfare, health, and safety of the participants are protected and fostered. The coach is responsible for teaching each athlete: competition rules, sport specific development skills, moral values, sportsmanship, ethical conduct and fair play, in accordance with school philosophy. All activities should always be conducted in an appropriate educational environment. It is the responsibility of each individual coach to maintain their NY State coaching certification and mandated updates. Failure to do so can lead to the loss of a coaching position for that particular season.

Non-certified teacher, must complete the following to coach in New York State:

• Fingerprinting processed through MorphTrust with clearance through NYS Education Department. Instructions

• Current first aid certification (valid for 2 or3 years) and Current CPR/AED (valid for 1 or 2 years) NYSED Approved Courses

• Child Abuse Course.  Available through NYS Office of Child & Family Services (no cost on-line course).

• Violence Prevention & Intervention (SAVE) workshop. Available through NYS workshops. (choose "Violence Only" course)

• Concussion Awareness & Management CDC certification or NFHS certification (good for 2 years - no cost)

• Dignity for All Students Certification (DASA) - NYS approved course sites; Alberti Center @ UB; Erie 1 BOCES; Buffalo State College; Daemen; Orleans/Niagara BOCES

• Completed Temporary Coaches license. Done through NYS TEACH. Renewed annually. Licensing instructions
  

• NYS Coaching Certification Classes - have 5 years from 1st appointment to complete courses as outlined below:
  

  • Completion of Philosophy, Principles, and Organization of Athletics in Education course prior to 1st renewal of Coaching License.  Available through BOCES and Cortland (on-line courses).
    

  • Complete Health Science Applied to Coaching and the Theory and Techniques of Coaching (sport specific) course within five (5) years of initial appointment. Available through BOCES and Cortland (on-line courses).

       OR complete NFHS approved course track.  NYS NFHS document  

Certified Teacher Coaches, School Leaders or Pupil Personnel Service providers must complete the following to coach in New York State:

• Fingerprinting processed through MorphTrust with clearance through NYS Education Department.  

• Current first aid certification (valid for 2 or 3 years) and Current CPR/AED (valid for 1 or 2 years)  NYSED Approved Courses

• Concussion Awareness & Management CDC certification or NFHS certification. (good for 2 years - no cost)
  
  In addition, Non-Physical Education Teachers must complete: 
  NYS Coaching Certification Classes - have 5 years from 1st appointment to complete courses as outlined below:
  

  • Completion of Philosophy, Principles, and Organization of Athletics in Education course within two (2) years of initial appointment.  Available through BOCES and Cortland (on-line courses).
    

  • Complete Health Science Applied to Coaching and the Theory and Techniques of Coaching (sport specific) course within five (5) years of initial appointment. Available through BOCES and Cortland (on-line courses).

       OR complete NFHS approved course track. Available online through NFHS. 

NYSED - Pathways to certification