Playing the game at a high level and coaching/teaching the game are two different things. But saying you played at a big D1 helps get you in.
How was Wayne Gretsky as a coach? A 43% winning percentage, and never better than a 4th place finish.
There are some really good school and parent coaches that know the game and can teach it. Dont get caught up in the D1 hype.
I understand your point about good players not necessarily being good coaches. But, as a hockey fan, Wayne Gretzky was coaching a poor team that was unloading players due to a pending bankruptcy and ownership change.