High school coaches have a new pathway to the college football ranks, through a position that’s becoming increasingly popular among top programs.

The rise in “director of high school relations” positions could give more high school coaches the chance to move to the next level.

This position is one that looks to build on existing relationships and form new ones with high school coaches and their programs in-state, with the goal of establishing solid ties for recruiting.

As of late a number of former high school football coaches are being brought into major college programs to fill the role of Director of high school relations.

This offers high school coaches the chance to use the ties they have to their coaching communities in a collegiate position.

Just this week, both Texas and Texas A&M have hired new directors of high school relations, tapping former high school football coaches from the Lone Star State with extensive networks of connections in the area.

The position is not limited to just the state of Texas; states in all Power 5 conferences have created similar roles, which sometimes have slightly different names.

After his time at Arkansas and Ohio State, Rutgers head coach Chris Ash implemented the position when he took over the Scarlet Knights before the 2016 season. He appointed Rick Mantz, a long time New Jersey high school football coach and active state coach association member, as the team’s director of high school relations.

Mantz’s experience and relationships have created an invaluable element for Rutgers: trust.

“I can get ahold of those guys, and they can get ahold of me,” he told USA Today. “There's a respect and a bond there. I think that's huge.”

The growth of the position demonstrates that, more than ever, colleges respect the work of high school football coaches. It is also a reminder that coaches who aspire to move to the college ranks that networking in their coaching communities and forming relationships is key. It could mean the chance to work on a college staff in the future. 

 Nick Merlina contributed to this story