It happens way too often that parents get in the way of coaching. We see it every game we broadcast as parents constantly yelling at coaches, officials, etc. I'm guilty of it myself, but in the end, I realize that the coaches coach, the players play and as a parent, we should merely spectate. I know for the coaches on here, parents can become toxic to a program.

 

I recall some time ago on BGP that a post read that a player asked an official to have their parent thrown out of a game because they were too loud.

 

I know that some programs have a Parent's Code of Conduct. I guess my question is why is it not inforced?? Why should a coach be intimidated by a parent that might go to the AD, Principal or Lord forbid, the school board becuase little Jenny doesn't get the playing time that mom and dad think they should play. If the code of conduct is supported by the school and the board, why not inforce it.

 

This issue has bothered me for some time. A lot of good coaches have left programs due to parents. Thoughts????

I think one of the issues is who enforces it. By that I mean, if its an AD or other administrator at the school requesting for someone to leave, parents just wont, they dont respect the authority. Unless the school has on site security or a police officer on site, most parents wont leave.

Seldom will you find an AD, or anyone for that matter, in administration that will support their coaches. It's much easier for them to "get rid of the problem" than have to deal with parents, when in fact the problem is the parents. The revolving door of coaches is due to the fact that administrators want to keep their jobs so if they keep the parents, school board, grandparents (ok, everyone BUT the coach) happy, then they save face. I have little respect for those who do not stand up for their principles just because they don't want to deal with conflicts. Spineless people are just that . . . . wavering in the wind to appease those who will give them the least amount of resistance. And parents quickly learn that THEY are the ones who make the decisions and not the administration. So sad to see excellent coaches give up their passion because of lack of support from the people that hired them. I don't see this changing anytime in the near future so if there's a revolving door of coaches, the first place to take a closer look at is the administration, not the coach.

So if the administration should support the coach, and the parents can't complain. Then what is the criteria for getting rid of the coach? Is it wins and losses? What is it. Everyone seems to bash the parents. I've been to SOAS and seen how parents act and I have been to AAU games where the parents are loud and critique every move the coach makes but just because it's your passion doesn't mean you should be coaching.

So if the administration should support the coach, and the parents can't complain. Then what is the criteria for getting rid of the coach? Is it wins and losses? What is it. Everyone seems to bash the parents. I've been to SOAS and seen how parents act and I have been to AAU games where the parents are loud and critique every move the coach makes but just because it's your passion doesn't mean you should be coaching.

 

SOAS and AAU coaches and school coaches are 2 totally different animals. There are many many many other aspects that go into school coaching, which most parents don't even comprehend.

So if parents don't comprehend, please explain what is so different about the different types of coaching. As you being the apparent master, I am curious what your take is.

Just an observation, and many may disagree, but it seems to me that turning on a coach is more prevelent in girls bb that other HS sports. It appears that in boys sports, that if there is something they (either parent of player) want from a program and cannot get, they will just transfer.

I agree that parents can get way out of line but from time to time you do come across a coach that has no business being a coach. Most coaches that I have come into contact with are highly qualified and should be commended for their effort but sometimes you come across someone who is in over his/her head, has poor communication skills with his team and is otherwise a "lost ball in tall weeds". When you come into contact with this type coach how do you suggest the parent voice his concerns to the administration in a proper manner?

So if parents don't comprehend, please explain what is so different about the different types of coaching. As you being the apparent master, I am curious what your take is.

 

School Coaches have to deal with the following items that most SOAS or AAU coaches do not.

 

Grades, Classroom work, Attendance in school, behavior in school, teachers whom their players have upset in the classroom.

 

Principals, Asst Principals, Athletic Directors, other administration and central office level items (these can vary from school to school)

 

Parents of players that have issues with teachers in the school, in most cases the parent would rather gripe at the coach (that has nothing to do with what goes on in another teachers classroom) then go to that actual teacher to express their issues.

 

Team travel to events, working with transportation department on buses and drives, permission slips, and arrangements.

 

That's just a short list of things.

I agree that parents can get way out of line but from time to time you do come across a coach that has no business being a coach. Most coaches that I have come into contact with are highly qualified and should be commended for their effort but sometimes you come across someone who is in over his/her head, has poor communication skills with his team and is otherwise a "lost ball in tall weeds". When you come into contact with this type coach how do you suggest the parent voice his concerns to the administration in a proper manner?

 

 

Follow the proper chain of command. Our school system sends out a several page document that states to a "t" what to do and who to contact in regards to certain situations. The parents have to sign it and return the acknowledgement or their child does not play/make the team.

Follow the proper chain of command. Our school system sends out a several page document that states to a "t" what to do and who to contact in regards to certain situations. The parents have to sign it and return the acknowledgement or their child does not play/make the team.

 

Sounds nice and I wish it always worked this way but a lot of schools have a "Good Old Boy" way of doing things and in most instances cover the coaches butt or make excuses for the coach. At least thats how the people in the community perceive it to be. Rather than addressing the problem they simply point the finger back at the parent or worse the student/athlete.

Follow the proper chain of command. Our school system sends out a several page document that states to a "t" what to do and who to contact in regards to certain situations. The parents have to sign it and return the acknowledgement or their child does not play/make the team.

 

And then when those proper chain of commands are followed and nothing still done by the coaches/administration, how should it be handled? And I am not talking about little Susie not getting playing time.....

And then when those proper chain of commands are followed and nothing still done by the coaches/administration, how should it be handled? And I am not talking about little Susie not getting playing time.....

 

At that point I think your getting down to what the exact issue is with the coach, in order to know who to speak to next once the school administration does not satisfy the parents issues. Each School systems central office is set up differently. Some schools I would say you would go to an asst. superintendent or someone in a role that overseas the county athletics as a whole.

 

If now at that point you as the parent are still not happy with the issue I think there are 2 options.

 

1. Might be time to consider the school system you are in, and move to a different school system that is more in line with your way of thinking on whatever issues you are having

 

2. Perhaps you as the parent have the wrong view on the issue at hand. At this point multiple layers of the school administration have sided with the coach on whatever the issue is for some reason. As mentioned above perhaps it is a case of the "good ole boy system" and there maybe nothing you can do. I personally have never had to deal directly with the "good ole boy system" so I am not sure how things are done in that regard.