Questions for Head Coaches

Coach,

Count yourself lucky that at least your being notified in advance! I once was accosted by the principal about 15 minutes to our opening night kickoff of a brand new season and told that my starting RB was not elgible to play and get him off the field immediately. After 30 years, that kind of baloney is what caused me to go another level to coach rather than the high school level. I don't see how y'all put up with the garbage you have to deal with today at your level as it appears, at times, they want you to lose! Whoever heard of students and parents and players and former staff coaches under the departed head coach on the search committee for a new high school head coach? You would not believe some of the Emails I get from coaches around the country telling me what they have to face just to keep their jobs now days. I'm afraid my 30 years would have been shortened to 30 minutes if it were me! The problem is, if you buck the system your labled a trouble maker and your out on your ear. That never happened to me, but I have personal knowledge of it happening many times to others. I guess your best answer is to grin and bear it, bite the bullet and go on, if you want to keep your job. Discretion is the better part of valor I guess. I just couldn't make myself do what I'm suggesting for you to do and that is why I moved on after a lot of years.

Coach Easton

the problem is that noone in the board is doing it. i have a pretty good WR who has no support at home. he is been accumulating fees up to $700 and NOW after 10 yrs they want me to call home when they have let this balance pile up. the school has got itself in this mess and they want me to call these people, only me. the board refuses to do it.

Added thought: I'll bet they are the first ones to spout off about "our students welfare and well being is our primary concern". BALONEY! THEIR PRIMARY CONCERN IS THE ALL MIGHTY DOLLAR!!! I know teachers who buy their own paper supplies, and a lot of other necessities, out of their own pockets to insure that the kids have the necessities to be taught correctly. WHERE IS ALL THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ALLOCATED TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS IN THIS COUNTRY GOING IF NOT FOR THE PROPER MAINTENANCE OF THE KIDS WELFARE AS STUDENTS TRYING TO RECIEVE AN EDUCATION? LET A KID SKIP SCHOOL ONE DAY AND THEY ARE ON HIM LIKE WHITE ON RICE!!! WHY? BECAUSE THEY ARE TRULY INTERESTED IN HIS WELFARE, BALONEY, IT IS BECAUSE THEY WANT THAT LOUSY PER DIEM FOR THAT DAY FOR THAT KID!!! Sorry, I've had my say now. That subject really gets me going.

Coach Easton

Hey Bill,

That ought to set them back on their heels!!! Great Question!!!

Coach Easton

Coach,

I feel for your situation. Total lack of focus by administration. I do not know a coach that has what you described in their job description.

As many coaches on the forum receive emails from teachers and administrators looking for me to discipline my athlees for behavior in the halls or classrooms. I do take offense to athlete misbehavior. However, I will not do somebody elses job for them. I respond with thanks for the information but you should discipline the student as they are in your class. If the dsicipline they receive, I reccomend detentions during practice times, causes them to miss practice they miss playing time. Thats what the kids are afraid of.

Why should we, coaches, be put in the position of disciplinarian? Answer=Nobody else is willing ot stand for what is right. Holding a kid out athletics because he cannot or will not pay his fees is not correct. Hold his diploma or grades. I am sure when they are ready to graduate the money will come or a deal will be struck. I am afraid that if I had to call my athlete/student parents 70% of those calls would be to two or more households or parents or guardians that will then try to pass the buck. Times have changed.

My advice hold your head high do the best you can. Let your athletic director know that you are in a position to make a difference in the lives of our youth. Collecting delinquent fees and teaching/coaching football are totally different skill sets.