With just 24 hrs in a day can a head coach who is also an A.D. do both jobs to their fullest extent or do both things suffer because there is a lack of time? What does everyone think about this?

 

I think that there is not enough time in the day for one person to do both of these jobs correctly and when they can't do either or both jobs correctly then the only ones who suffer is the kids. Also, it is human nature to take care of yourself and a coach as an A.D. will, by nature, take care of his/her program before they do the other programs and again this causes kids to suffer. I think a county's A.D. should be someone who is ready to get out of the coaching part of athletics but still has a desire to help the schools athletic programs (I mean all programs) reach their highest level of success! IMHO! :ylsuper:

I think it depends on the size of the school. I think in a class A school it would be easy to be both but would require much more time in the larger schools with a lot of programs.

I do think it can be done, but I feel there is merit in concentrating on all sports. Let's face it, during that coaches "in-season", he better be concentrating on his sport at hand. But, if he is a full-time AD, and he has no other teaching duites, then it certainly would be no different than the coach/teacher. Where it comes into conflict is when the coach is at his event, and is never at the other sports during his "in-season". Typically the AD is present at all Varsity (at minimal) home games. He will not be present when his team is playing at away events.

It can be done, but I'm not a big fan of it. Mainly for the reasons already listed. The coach is going to obviously show favoritism to his own sport even if he doesn't realize it.

If AD had someone to be in charge when they were in a game it might be OK at a small school.

Probably doesn't hurt at a smaller school.

If their time is managed correctly, there is no problem. When I was in HS, our head coach was the AD, along with being HS principal.

I know exactly where you are coming from Bronco.

 

A school the size of the one me and you both know doesn't need an AD to be the basketball coach. It was very obvious to begin with that their program is on top of the list.

 

This school needs someone that doesn't coach, and most likely has never coached (just to make sure there may not be the slightest of favoritism), to be successful in more than one sport.

Sure a school with only one sport for girls and boys , with a little base and soft ball thrown in very doable.

This is probably not desirable in ANY size school, for all of the reasons mentioned...

 

...too little time to do either job well...

...too easy to play favorites (even uninentionally) with the AD's team...

...teaching suffers (if a teacher)...

 

ad infinitum...

 

But, the cruel reality is that in many small schools, there just isn't much choice in the matter. It's not just a small school issue, however...even the larger schools find themselves doubling up on roles... And I know some folks who are both head coaches and athletic directors, and who seem to do a pretty decent job of it. Perhaps they are able to because they have good assistants (both assistant coaches and assistant ADs). Or perhaps they're just exceptional people. Or both.

 

There are several in the (basketball) 8th Region who have dual roles, and - frankly - it appears that all are doing a pretty good job (IMO).

 

That said, I'm sure each of them will tell you it's hard as heck to be really good at both roles!

 

Frank Ragland - AD & Baseball coach at Trimble County

Randy Mefford - AD & girls basketball coach at Carroll County

Jon Jones - AD & boys basketball coach at Gallatin County (although Jon is actually the "co-Athletic Director")

Todd Gilley - AD & girls basketball coach at Henry County

Jeff Marksberry - AD & football coach at Simon Kenton

Sally Zimmerman - AD & girls basketball coach at Shelby County (Sally was just appointed AD, however, and I believe Shelby is going to force her to drop the coaching gig)

The assistant AD at Oldham County coaches the golf team...

I think if they aren't teaching full time and can delegate it is doable.

 

What about an AD who was never a coach? Would this person be qualified?

It can be done, but I'm not a big fan of it. Mainly for the reasons already listed. The coach is going to obviously show favoritism to his own sport even if he doesn't realize it.

 

Good ole Dale at Highlands would never do such a thing. :sssh:

I think if they aren't teaching full time and can delegate it is doable.

 

What about an AD who was never a coach? Would this person be qualified?

 

There are those who will contend that - for an AD to be truly effective - they must have been a coach to "understand" what the coaches need/want. I don't think that this is necessarily so, although I concede it would be a beneficial insight. Since the AD job is administrative in nature, I think a non-coach can be a very good AD...

There are those who will contend that - for an AD to be truly effective - they must have been a coach to "understand" what the coaches need/want. I don't think that this is necessarily so, although I concede it would be a beneficial insight. Since the AD job is administrative in nature, I think a non-coach can be a very good AD...

I think coaching experience can only benefit an AD. Even at a small school I think it's better to have someone that is just the Athletic Director. Sometimes at small schools the AD has to do even more due to limited personnel and resources. I know one AD who helps run the concession stand at games.

I think coaching experience can only benefit an AD. Even at a small school I think it's better to have someone that is just the Athletic Director. Sometimes at small schools the AD has to do even more due to limited personnel and resources. I know one AD who helps run the concession stand at games.

 

I agree - it can only be an advantage. I'm just saying I don't believe it's a 100% absolute necessity in order to be a good AD.