help on gameday routines and crazy parents

Probably would have been best to meet with parents & players BEFORE practice began, & outline YOUR method (SELLING them on the REASONS for change).

I don't know how many games you are into YOUR season, but if you think that making major changes will cause a will "furor", just ride it out this year & make the change NEXT year (after selling the benefits of YOUR method to the parents long before the season begins). Don't cause yourself any major headaches "in-season" - particularly if you "went along" with the idea in the first place. Avoid too many "CHANGES" of routine in-season.

GCTIGERS,
As an ordained minister, as well as a football coach, we have an old saying for new Pastors who are taking over the leadership of an established church. It says, DON'T CHANGE THE LOCATION OF THE COMMUNION TABLE IN YOUR FIRST YEAR. You are finding out that it is a fact of life for folks to resist change, be it bad or good. After 30 plus years of coaching high school football, I am still convinced that a new coach's success depends not upon his won-lost record but rather how he is perceived by the PARENTS. You can be 0 for the century but if you are perceived by the parents to be a good man who is teaching their sons not only to play football, but are encompassing lifes lessons of good work habits, good moral values, etc. you can be their coach forever if you want to!!!

Does that mean you have to give up what YOU want to do? ABSOLUTELY NOT! Bills advice of waiting until the timing is right is absolutely correct in my book. Get settled in, go with the flow this season. Then, and this is always the best way for me, make the parents cognizant of the changes you want to make IN SCHEDULED COACH-PARENT MEEETINGS WELL BEFORE THE SEASON EVER STARTS! Lay out your proposed changes with an intelligent explanation of why you feel it will be better for THE TEAM if handled your way. Do not delude yourself, coach, as most will accept your changes but it is human nature for there to always be some who won't. Just go ahead with your plans and carry them out in such a manner as not to give the impression you are stuffing down their throats a lot of change all at one time.
Please keep us informed on how it plays out for you.

Coach Easton-TIGER ONE

ORGANIZE A "MOTHER’S CLUB". Get mother on your side by pointing out to her what he can get out of football besides winning games.