coaching coaches

J.C.

my head coach was given the job five years ago with only two or three years coaching experience prior to that. He actually interviewed for the J.V. job but was given the varsity job. He was put in a tough situation with no one to show him the ropes on how to build a program. He was also given a staff that included two coaches who interviewed for the same head coach job. He admits that he deferred to those guys the first few years. He brought in four new coaches last year right before summer practice started, including myself and we are determined to help him turn the program around. I think this is a first for him having coaches who are willing to work after hours and during the offseason. The problem is we really don't have a real offseason program. We haven't had any meetings yet and there are none planned any time soon. We only scored 16 offensive touchdowns last year and we never found an identity of offense. We have talked to the head coach many times since the season ended about what we will do to improve our offense. There doesn't seem to be a plan yet, but it doesn't seem he is motivated to get together to start working on our plan. My question is, as an assistant who really wants to help turn the program around how can I get my head coach motivated without overstepping my bounds? There's so much work that needs to be done and I feel like we really should take advantage of this offseason to develop all of our coaches. I've learned so much from this message board alone and I think our entire staff could. I think we owe it to the kids to be as prepared as possible as coaches. What can I do to help my head coach?

Coach Slaughter

We did just what you are suggesting, Coach Easton!
About 3 years ago 9 of us asked to meet w/ the head coach. The fist things we all said was that this is NOT a mutiny! We called the meeting to get things out that we feel are beneficial to the kids, the program and to YOU.
We each spoke and we careful not to point the finger. It was not confrontational, and we left feeling that it was productive. We said we weren't looking for immediate answers, we just wanted the head coach to think about our concerns. We ended with the coach knowing that each and every one of us support him and liked working with/for him. It was a positive experience because we made that our 1st priority!

Unfortunately, very littled changed. i guess when NINE of your staff have similar concerns it isn't cause for alarm? Most of us now feel that he just doesn't know HOW to change. He's not a bad person, just not much of a visionary or a leader! I guess if you have never played/coached in an outstanding program(professional/ first class) you could go on indefinitely thinking that the way you are operating is the best way. I had the opportunity to get to a better place, but 8 of the others are extremely frustrated day in and day out every year, and i truly feel for them because they are good men, good friends, and good coaches.

YEP.
The saddest part is that our school is almost the same kinds of kids/community/facilities/etc. as the team who won the state championship this year (also in our conference) and who has been knocking on the door since i played there!

JC

you are absolutely right about loyalty being a must for an assistant coach. That's one of the many things I've learned from the great coaches on this message board. We are a very loyal staff and truly want to see the program become successful. None of us would ever think of going to the administration about anything. I think we are all just eager to get to work for him and turn things around. Hopefully we can have a sit down with our head coach next week and let him know that we want to get to work for him and we just need some direction. Thanks for your help J.C. and I'll make sure we get across that we really want to help him.

Slaught

TM

I got the manual in the mail about week or so ago. I've been going through it little by little everyday and have found so many useful things. It's going to be a great help to our program. Many thanks!!!


Coach Slaughter

Coach TM, my email is ankleride@netzero.net. Could you email me about your manual? Thanks.