Should I quit...

Oasis
Junior Member

Posts: 4

Should I quit... Nov 1, 2004 15:19:24 GMT

Quote

Post by Oasis on Nov 1, 2004 15:19:24 GMT

I need help from coaches out there. Believe me, the input you give me will be huge into me making a decision. I need everyone's opinion. I coach at a small private school. We have 18 players on the team. For two years I have had these type of numbers. During both seasons kids have taken advantage of our situation, and have cut practice, faked injuries, etc. to get out from practicing. I have had practices with 10, 12 players and have not been able to do anything at practice. This has gone on consistently for two years. My first year I had nine seniors and nine underclassmen, and they were completely unmotivated; this year i have 2 seniors and 16 underclassmen, and they're just as unmotivated.

A friend of mine got the head coaching job this season at a nearby school. He has offered me the defensive coordinator position. This is DEFINTELY a program that will be on the rise. My question to you, the coaches, is... should I resign at my school and take this position or should I stay put and hope for better things to come? My ultimate goal is to become a head coach at a public school. What would be the better career move for me... Taking the Defensive Coordinator position at a public school that is on the rise or staying on as head coach at my current school with 16 returning underclassmen and probably a few more players moving up?

Your input is HUGE to my decision. Thank you in advance.

Coach O

Coach Nicholson
Senior Member

Posts: 780

Should I quit... Nov 1, 2004 16:01:21 GMT

Quote

Post by Coach Nicholson on Nov 1, 2004 16:01:21 GMT

Coach,

First off I want to let you know that I have never been a head coach but I have been part of a very successful program. What I am about to type is just my opinion. I believe what you want to accomplish as a coach should be the main factor in your decision to stay at your current school or leave for greener grass. If you want to build a program up that has fallen on hard times like your current school has then I would stay put for a while and see what happens. If you want to step right into a winning situation then I would head for the door. I don't know everything about the situation at your current school but if you would like to build the program up to respecability and you think it is possible then I would give it a shot. Do you have camps at your current school? Off-season weight training programs? T-shirts with motivational slogans on them? You know things that make the kids want to be part of the program. If you do want to stay put and you dont currently have these type of things then I would suggest getting these things going. Anything that you can do to make the kids want to be part of the team is great. Agian in my opinion your final decision should come down to what you really want to accomplish as a coach. I would think long and hard about the decision and then make the choice that is best for YOU!

I hope I have helped you out!

www.thesplitbackveerassociation.com

www.sitekreator.com/coachjn

Oasis
Junior Member

Posts: 4

Should I quit... Nov 1, 2004 16:17:41 GMT

Quote

Post by Oasis on Nov 1, 2004 16:17:41 GMT

Coach, we have been 1-9 in two consecutive years. We don't have any camps other than two-a-day practices. We run the BFS program and get our players to lift 3 days/week. We have given them four different t-shirts and two different sweatshirts this year. We even have a team website. Our jerseys were developed from Nike and even have the last names on the back. We even held practices once a week in a domed stadium. This is just something more to add than to what has already been said.

TIGER ONE
Senior Member

Posts: 6,423

Should I quit... Nov 1, 2004 19:49:43 GMT

Quote

Post by TIGER ONE on Nov 1, 2004 19:49:43 GMT

Coach,

I have been a HC for many years. You can go through all the philosophys, really struggle to make the right decison, etc. or you can cut to the chase and make the right one. You said your number one long term goal is to become a HC at a public school. If, in fact the real picture is as you describe it, why wallow in mediocrity any longer? Why continue to give your guts to a bunch of young people who really could care less? I know public school coaches who would give their eye teeth to have the ability to give their kids half of what perks you have told us about that these kids get. Get out of the private arena and move into the DC job, post haste! If the finances are not a big hinderence to you, or other family considerations, I would get out of there at the end of this season so quick their heads will swim. Depending upon your contract with the private institution, I would get right over to the new public school and start learning what you need to help them continue their climb to real success. Being a DC in a winning program, and having had previous HC experience, it will not be long before your REAL opportunity will present it'self. Just one coach's opinion, but it is the one that counts with me.

J.C. EASTON HEAD COACH GA TIGERS FOOTBALL PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE

airman
Senior Member

Posts: 280

Should I quit... Nov 1, 2004 21:40:33 GMT

Quote

Post by airman on Nov 1, 2004 21:40:33 GMT

no offense coach by why have you let them take advantage of the situation?

you want to solve the cutting problem here is a nice simple way, the first super start which cuts practice you give him a warning the next time he is gone. some will say you will lose players. I would rather lose players then lose control.

the kids are unmotivated because they need a leader and you are it.

you have a choice, accept the mission which you have chose or resign and leave.

CUI
Senior Member

Posts: 712

Should I quit... Nov 2, 2004 1:39:26 GMT

Quote

Post by CUI on Nov 2, 2004 1:39:26 GMT

It seems like you have a really tough situation at your current school. I am all about holding kids accountable and believe I'd rather get rid of kids who try to "take advantage" of the situation, but it seems like your situation is even tougher because you might not have a team to coach at all if you really dealt with these kids the way you'd like. I think you should probably go if you're not happy with your current job... it sounds pretty frustrating to me. You could probably go back to a similar job like the one that you currently have if the DC job isn't what you expected, right? It seems to me that this is a step up, or at least a lateral move, and you wouldn't really be hurting your chances of "moving up."
That's a late night opinion for you.
Good luck

Oasis
Junior Member

Posts: 4

Should I quit... Nov 2, 2004 4:19:25 GMT

Quote

Post by Oasis on Nov 2, 2004 4:19:25 GMT

Hey Airman, I have suspended players and benched players. Remember though... I HAVE 18 PLAYERS! You need 15 players to suit up to play a game in my state. Should I still be cutting players. Believe me, if I had the numbers, I would have thrown at least five players off the team this year. If you still think I should be throwing players off the team, let me know.

coachld
Member

Posts: 21

Should I quit... Nov 2, 2004 7:50:33 GMT

Quote

Post by coachld on Nov 2, 2004 7:50:33 GMT

Wow...tough situation. I am only a second year coach but was fortunate to work under a new head coach this year. He has zero tolerance for students not making practice. If it is not health related or a sickness/death in the family, then you will mist first half for missing one practice and out for the game if you miss two practices. We just recently lost two of our starters because they were suspended for two days. I can tell you this...our football players are not late and they do not miss practice. The downside for you is that sitting some of your players might mean a forfeit. If you plan on staying then I would sit players who don't show. I would then sit down with the hard working athletes and tell them that if they want to have enough to play on Friday night that they better get after those who don't show. You may even have to forfeit a game but you have to "lay down the law" or it will continue to snowball out of control.

If your goal is to be a HC at a public school then I would seriously think about the opportunity to be a DC at a public school. Those opportunities don't come around often (at least not in our classification and league).

Good luck!

airman
Senior Member

Posts: 280

Should I quit... Nov 2, 2004 10:24:46 GMT

Quote

Post by airman on Nov 2, 2004 10:24:46 GMT

with such low numbers maybe the school should not have a football program. I think the administration needs to consider if they can field a program with such low numbers. I am not sure how many kids are your school but 18 seems low for a 11 man team. I know schools which have 8 man squads which have only 18 players.

we have a small school in our area. 98 students total and they have 40 boys out for football so small schools can do it.

I am not sure why you are asking us as you seem to have madeup your mind which is fine.

Oasis
Junior Member

Posts: 4

Should I quit... Nov 2, 2004 18:36:29 GMT

Quote

Post by Oasis on Nov 2, 2004 18:36:29 GMT

Airman, the board voted on it before I was hired, and they voted 6-1 in favor of keeping football. The reason: they were afraid of losing kids to other schools. We don't have 8-man football in our area, and I don't have my mind made up at all. We have 90 boys in the school. Believe me, my career is at stake. I need advice. Honestly, Airman, I don't know what to do. But thanks for your input on this topic.

airman Senior Member Posts: 280	Should I quit... Nov 3, 2004 16:31:37 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by airman on Nov 3, 2004 16:31:37 GMT is there any real reason why there are so few boys out for football? do you have other sports to compete against? the great de la salle h.s. in calif was a private school much in the same situation until coach lad came along.

Lou Cella
Senior Member

Posts: 1,486

Should I quit... Nov 3, 2004 18:32:37 GMT

Quote

Post by Lou Cella on Nov 3, 2004 18:32:37 GMT

Wow, I am the same situation as Coach O. I will be suiting up 18 kids for my final game on Friday against a team that is 7-1. We have one win going into this game. Coach O all I can say is that you need to make sure that there are no regrets if you give up this position. NO REGRETS! Keep the faith, coach, and God bless.

Lou Cella
Head Varsity Football Coach
Greater Nanticoke Area High School (PA)

airman
Senior Member

Posts: 280

Should I quit... Nov 3, 2004 20:03:47 GMT

Quote

Post by airman on Nov 3, 2004 20:03:47 GMT

I find this interesting about the private schools. In my state they both play together and there are a growing number of privates winning state championships.

the theory is more kids are envolved at private schools. I can see your situations as tough to be in.

we do have this really small private school which is a power house. they have 250 kids grade 9-12.

they have 103 boys out for football 9-12. they two platoon on the varsity level. the play in one of the smallest divisions and the publics schools want them bumped up a division.
the big advantage they have is they only have a football team in the fall, a basketball and wrestling team in the winter and spring they have baseball and track.

now there is another small schools 235 grades 9-12 and they are struggling. I think they had only 30 boys out for football.

I think at these small privates it really depends on the school and there level of committment.

Lou Cella
Senior Member

Posts: 1,486

Should I quit... Nov 4, 2004 16:01:16 GMT

Quote

Post by Lou Cella on Nov 4, 2004 16:01:16 GMT

It totally depends on the school. We have soccer, golf, and cross-country in the fall. Eliminate those three and we probably would have 35 kids out for the team. But, whatever... there's only so much you can control. They way I look at it is- It's going to take a while to get my situation turned around.

Lou Cella
Head Varsity Football Coach
Greater Nanticoke Area High School (PA)

CoachBets Member Posts: 189	Should I quit... Dec 15, 2004 18:01:22 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by CoachBets on Dec 15, 2004 18:01:22 GMT Oasis, I'm curious. Did you take that DC job?

calande
Member

Posts: 53

Should I quit... Jan 12, 2005 5:23:49 GMT

Quote

Post by calande on Jan 12, 2005 5:23:49 GMT

i know im late in responding to this...but....i would do anythign to have a job like yours...seriously, ....first of all, id institute a nice painful type of conditioning drill to make missing practice much worse lol...then id ask myself why kids dont come out in greater numbers...arent they having fun? finally, id better myself to make sure i was a good enough coach to make the kids better, the team better and create a buzz about the team in the community. i have gone thru this twice before at the jr high level only...i had inherited a team with 18, two years later we had 34 and went unbeaten...then when i moved on i took over a team that had 17...the following year we had 25 and went 5-2....the number we expect this year? 35.

TIGER ONE
Senior Member

Posts: 6,423

Should I quit... Jan 12, 2005 7:46:39 GMT

Quote

Post by TIGER ONE on Jan 12, 2005 7:46:39 GMT

Coaches,

I have read this topic with all of the very caring and well intentioned posts. Everyone who has posted is doing their best to offer encouragement, insight, wisom to an age old problem just as I did with my post.
Another factor comes into play here, fellahs, that you may be over looking. It is true I have not coached high school football since 1995, but spent the better part of 30 years in it previous to that date. I don't think it has changed that much since that time, with the major exception of getting more sophisticated on both sides of the ball. At any rate, the point I would like to bring out is the fact that when you are ready to move on to another program as a Head Coach ( this example is moving from a small struggling program to a much better one) YOUR WON-LOST RECORD COMES INTO PLAY IN A BIG WAY!!! I know coaches on this board who are giving their life's blood to bring their struggling programs to another level and yet have not won a single game in two years, or maybe one or two at best. I know most of you are fairly new, with less thn 10 years of coaching under your belts, but I really wish you would take to heart this post as I have only one intention and that is to HELP YOU. Please do not let yourself become so naive as to believe that some great offer for you to come and take over as HC is going to come to you if you have a won-loss record that is terrible, it just don't happen in most cases that I have had anything to do with, or heard about in 41 years of coaching. ADMINISTRATIONS IN BIG PROGRAMS WANT WINNERS, NOT LOSERS TO HEAD UP THEIR PROGRAMS. CAN YOU SEE A BIG FOOTBALL TOWN LIKE VALDOSTA, GEORGIA OR THE ONE COACH CAMPBELL RUNS OR THE BIG PROGRAM IN OHIO THAT GETS ALL THE PUB, OR IN ANY OTHER LOCATION ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHERE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL IS REALLY BIG RUN THE FOLLOWING HEAD LINE ON THE LOCAL PAPER? "THE X CITY PANTHERS, TOP PREP PROGRAM IN AMERICA 3 OF THE LAST FOUR YEARS, HIRES NEW HEAD COACH WITH RECORD OF 2 WINS AND 78 LOSSES FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS!" Those head lines will never occur, believe me. But, if you continue to hold on year after year and only your loss column shows any growth, you are very seriously hindering your career! Folks that do the hiring in this business, take a very serious look also at the HC'S and their programs that you have worked under. They ask themselves; does this guy have credentials of having worked under a real winner, a HC with a proven record of state titles, having won prestigeous awards for his success, etc. or has he worked only for guys who have a less than glowing resume? These are the kind of things you need to ask yourself NOW, not 10 years down the road. That is why it is more than prudent to work under someone who is the HC of a winning program as an assistant, than to linger where winning is not possible. We all have had a driving desire to be the man, but sometimes being the man's assistant for a few years is a much wiser choice in the long run to help you obtain your goals. Just one coach's opinion.

Coach Easton

J.C. EASTON HEAD COACH GA TIGERS FOOTBALL PROFESSIONAL MINOR LEAGUE

MaxPreps

Concordia University Irvine

The Efforts of One

JCFB eBook

Follow Us On:

Post by Oasis on Nov 1, 2004 15:19:24 GMT

Post by Coach Nicholson on Nov 1, 2004 16:01:21 GMT

Post by Oasis on Nov 1, 2004 16:17:41 GMT

Post by TIGER ONE on Nov 1, 2004 19:49:43 GMT

Post by airman on Nov 1, 2004 21:40:33 GMT

Post by CUI on Nov 2, 2004 1:39:26 GMT

Post by Oasis on Nov 2, 2004 4:19:25 GMT

Post by coachld on Nov 2, 2004 7:50:33 GMT

Post by airman on Nov 2, 2004 10:24:46 GMT

Post by Oasis on Nov 2, 2004 18:36:29 GMT

Post by airman on Nov 3, 2004 16:31:37 GMT

Post by Lou Cella on Nov 3, 2004 18:32:37 GMT

Post by airman on Nov 3, 2004 20:03:47 GMT

Post by Lou Cella on Nov 4, 2004 16:01:16 GMT

Post by CoachBets on Dec 15, 2004 18:01:22 GMT

Post by calande on Jan 12, 2005 5:23:49 GMT

Post by TIGER ONE on Jan 12, 2005 7:46:39 GMT

Quick Reply