Back in the day, when a kid went home after high-school sports practice and complained about the coach, the reaction was usually some version of "suck it up" or "stop complaining and do what you're told" or "sounds like you need to work harder."

 

The last thing that moms and dads from that era would say is "I'll talk to the coach/athletic director."

 

And it almost always worked out OK.

 

But sometime in the last 30 years, that attitude changed, and the days of someone coaching the same sport for 20 or more years is probably over, in large part because they lack the support in the community and work that they used to get. In most cases, being a veteran coach shouldn't be a negative.

 

Locally, and statewide, several high-school coaches have resigned or were fired, some because they had more important things to do, others because they had grown weary of outside influences and others because they were forced out.

 

Courrier: Good coaches might become extinct | Columns | mankatofreepress.com

In the district where I live three coaches out of four schools resigned as head basketball coaches following the season. Seems like coaches get burned out with coaching quicker than they once did.

Coaching and refereeing ain't worth the money anymore.

Coaching and refereeing ain't worth the money anymore.

I agree and it is very sad.

School administrations are getting just as bad. In a district I know, the head girls soccer coach was forced out. He had a winning record and ran a great program. His problem? He was a para-professional and a new teacher decided he wanted the job. So much for loyalty from the school.

Well now, little Jimmy and Judy wouldn't lie! If the coach is mean to him/her, it is the parents job to make sure their child is treated fairly.

 

Sheesh! My experience with such parents is that they are usually the ones who do zero volunteering to help the team out as well.

Parents have completely ruined youth league sports and are on their way to ruining high school sports also...

Nah, good coaches will always be around. Good parents however...

Parents have completely ruined youth league sports and are on their way to ruining high school sports also...

 

^^THIS^^

Sad, but probably true.

Seems like coaches get burned out with coaching quicker than they once did.

 

I think the almost year-round requirement leads to this as well. Have to be lifting, have to be running, have to be working because "other school" is. You never get a break.

I've seen coaches handle these situations very well and I've seen coaches crumble to parents complaints and crying.

 

Biggest issue is that Parents think losing an At-Bat or two in little league is going to set their little slugger back and keep him from making it to MLB. A really good coach has to manage parent expectations as much as developing the players.

 

Son's coach used to meet with parents each year and tell them up front he would never discuss playing time with them, but he would sit down with the players any time and discuss playing time. He said if you want to know why your son isn't playing more, Ask him...because he knows.

I've seen coaches handle these situations very well and I've seen coaches crumble to parents complaints and crying.

 

Biggest issue is that Parents think losing an At-Bat or two in little league is going to set their little slugger back and keep him from making it to MLB. A really good coach has to manage parent expectations as much as developing the players.

 

Son's coach used to meet with parents each year and tell them up front he would never discuss playing time with them, but he would sit down with the players any time and discuss playing time. He said if you want to know why your son isn't playing more, Ask him...because he knows.

 

Dale Mueller was the King of this speech...it never got old

The absolute worst thing about sports is the parents and in my experience, girls' parents are twice as bad as boys'.

The absolute worst thing about sports is the parents and in my experience, girls' parents are twice as bad as boys'.

 

Your estimation of twice as bad is way off. It is much higher than that.