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Coach for the Mustangs
Every Mustang coach is a volunteer from the parish. Here is everything you need to get approved, trained and on the field.
Coaching is the heart of the Mustang program. Every one of our coaches is a volunteer — a parish parent giving their evenings and Saturdays so kids have somewhere to play.
To coach in the Diocese of Columbus CYO you must first be approved by St. Matthew, then complete the diocesan requirements below. Some take an evening; a couple take a few weeks to come back, so start early.
Start here
Registration is handled through the parish you will coach for. Contact our Athletic Director to be approved, then work through the requirements below.
Our parish-specific checklist, including the BCI code you will need.
Coaching requirements
Every coach must complete all of these. A couple take a few weeks to come back, so start early.
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1
Attend VIRTUS training
Register at virtusonline.org. Use the “First-time registrant” button to create an account, or sign in if you already have one, then select “Columbus, OH (Diocese)” from the drop-down.
Assistant coaches aged 16 and 17 are not required to complete VIRTUS.
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2
Obtain a background check (BCI)
Fast Fingerprints is recommended. Results must be sent to the Diocesan Office — the code you need is in the background check document further down this page.
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3
Complete the Concussion Awareness course
Renewed every three years.
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4
Complete Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) training
Must be viewed every year.
Watch the SCA video · Ohio Dept. of Health information sheet · NFHS Sudden Cardiac Arrest course
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5
Play Like A Champion coaches training
Required for head coaches only. Coaches who have completed PLACT appear on the certification list below.
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6
Sign the Coaches Code of Conduct
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8
Attend the seasonal CYO coaches meeting
Every team must be represented by one of its coaches.
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9
View the AED training video
Head coaches
- Grade school: 21 or older
- High school: 25 or older
Assistant coaches
- High school: 18 or older (graduated high school)
What we ask of our coaches
- Know and model the CYO mission, values and philosophy, as set out in Articles 2 and 3 of the CYO Charter & Bylaws.
- Attend annual pre-season coaches meetings and any identified training sessions.
- Teach the rules of the sport, and the proper skills, techniques, strategies and tactics, in an age-appropriate way.
- Conduct yourself appropriately at practices and competitions, wear the required credentials, and act in accordance with Bylaw 8.
- Supervise your team at practices and competitions, and take responsibility for the conduct of your spectators.
- Ensure a coach is present at every scheduled practice, game and event.
- Never hold closed practices. Parents, CYO leaders and parish leadership may attend practices and contests.
- Where a girls’ team is coached only by men, a woman aged 18 or older must be associated with the team and present at all practices and games. The same applies in reverse for a woman coaching a boys’ team. Women are encouraged to serve as head or assistant coaches in girls’ sports.
Lightning & inclement weather
Coaches, athletic trainers, athletes, administrators and officials must be able to recognise the signs of a developing thunderstorm. Successive lightning flashes average two to three miles apart, so in most cases if lightning can be seen or thunder heard, the risk is already present.
Evacuate
If lightning is imminent or a thunderstorm is approaching, all personnel, athletes and spectators must move to a safe structure or shelter.
The thirty-minute rule
Suspend play once lightning is seen or thunder heard, and wait at least 30 minutes after the last flash or rumble before resuming. Any further lightning or thunder resets the clock.
At night (NFHS policy change, 2018)
Distant storms may be visible at night. If no thunder can be heard and the flashes are low on the horizon, the storm may not pose a threat. Verified lightning-detection information removes the guesswork.
Forms, documents & further training
Lindsay’s Law & sudden cardiac arrest
Your annual training, the warning signs, and the removal-from-play rule.
Concussions & return to play
Your concussion course every three years, and when you must pull an athlete.
Master certification list
Updated 6/02/2026 by CYO
Background check instructions
Includes the code for sending results to the Diocesan Office
CYO Release to Activities form
Heat acclimatization & heat illness prevention
Position statement, 2015
Heat-related illness
CDC air quality & outside activity guidelines
Sports hygiene, skin infections & communicable diseases
General guidelines
NFHS Heat Illness Prevention course
Recommended online course
NFHS Student Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
Recommended online course
Requirements and documents are maintained by the Diocese of Columbus CYO — Diocese of Columbus CYO — Coaches. Always check there for the current version.
Tell us you want to coach
Send a note and the Athletic Director will get you started. No experience necessary for most sports.