A good coaches like anything else in this world are hard to come by.
For the most part, good coaches have made a success in their field and do not need to find students.
Students come to them.
As a result, good coaches are all around, just not in the limelight so to speak.
One of the first things I would recommend look at for credentials is experience.
Not just experience from books and sound knowledgeable, but actually follow trades and ideas long enough to know and have a feel that this coach is the real deal.
Second would be to find a coach that connects with you.
Too many so called experts in any field cannot connect to students even if they have the credentials.
Talk to the coach understand their trading philosophy.
what has worked for them and what has not.
what part of trading do they understand well and what parts don't they know.
Third, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
Not only a motto to live by, but it is very true.
Many coaches tout how they did on this or that trade.
fine, but we all have done this.
It is the long haul we are looking for.
Not just winning a trading championship.
Where everything is wagered on one stock that happened to win for them.
Lastly, coaches are a necessity.
I doubt any pro athlete has less skills than the coach, but the coach is looking outside and can spot weaknesses and habits that need to be addressed to make you better.