Across the country, you'll find a lot of teaching vacancies. Many high school graduates, especially men, don't view being a teacher as career choice because of pay scales, standardized test-driven education, lack of student discipline and other factors.

You’re reading this and wondering what it has to do with football. For those of us who coach at the junior high level, it means a lot. At our school, there are only four male teachers, and I'm the only football coach in the building.

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Don’t get me wrong. I have two excellent assistants who went through the state’s coaching education program and have done a great job for me. I'm lucky to have them.

But since they work outside the school system, it’s hard for them to make a 3:30 p.m. practice, and work schedules can sometimes make the even the best coaches step aside.

These issues increase the turnover in coaching jobs for all sports, which is why finding prospective assistants is so important when building a coaching staff.

Here are five things I look for in an assistant coach – and notice the order that I list them.

1. Warmth: Does the coaching prospect like kids? Some of you may be surprised that you even have to ask this. To be a successful coach, you must have a love for kids. Children and teens are smart, and they are hard to fool. They know whether you like them, and they know if you care.

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If you emotionally invest in your players and build a positive relationship with them, they'll play as hard as they can for you. Nobody wants to work or play for someone they don’t like.

2. Works well with others: Does the coaching prospect get along with other people? Can they accept a role where they're not in charge? When the going gets tough, will they have the back of each member of the coaching staff? These are questions you'll need to answer before any prospect is hired.

3. Self-discipline: Any coach worth a grain of salt has the ability to remain professional during adverse situations such as poor officiating or dealing with angry and biased parents. Coaches must be able to deal with stressful situations in a calm and professional manner. The school and program always come before the individual.

4. Work ethic: All successful coaches work their programs in a hard and diligent manner. When coaching youth sports, a coach wears many hats and must be willing to accept these roles. Fundraising and facility maintenance are just two roles that all coaches must accept. It's imperative that before stepping on the field, coaches must be organized for every practice and game. They must be on time and dependable during every phase of the season.

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Every good coach I've met has a passion for their sport and shows it through work they put into their program.

5. Knowledge: Xs and Os are the last things I consider when looking for an assistant. Obviously, I want them to know and understand the game, but without the other characteristics, I doubt they'll be successful in coaching. You can teach a coach as easily as you can teach a player. It just takes planning and time.

Chris Booth is the head football coach at Peterstown Middle School in West Virginia. He's had multiple books and videos published by Coaches Choice, available here.

This is an updated version of a blog that originally published March 9, 2016.