Well obviously I'm wrong. If I see a coaching staff that isn't getting it done on the field (and please do not ask me to believe that every head coach in Ky is actually a good football coach; nice guys maybe; but all of them are good football coaches? Please); or isn't following a coach's code of conduct in place; or is not giving water breaks when he should; or has kicked back and isn't pushing the kids, etc, etc, I'll just ignore it and let the program suffer and slide. Then when the team hasn't done as well as supporters want, we'll just blame the private schools for having all the unfair advantages. South Oldham went 6-26 over the last 3 years. If I was a stake holder in that program, you can dang well believe I'd be doing something to improve the program. 6-26 is simply unacceptable to me.

 

See, not every parent knows nothing about football; not every parent is only interested in their own little Johnny getting more playing time; not every parent is only interested in the football team when his or her son is on it. At least not where I come from. The key is being smart enough to be able to not let emotions get in the way of assessing and thinking logically. Some parents, to the contrary of what has been posted on here, actually have the ability to assess what they see and determine that a coach isn't getting it done. As long as they handle it in a professional manner, I've got no problem with parents and supporters wanting to address a coaching staff that has gone 6-26 over the last three years. I can assure you of one thing: Highlands goes 6-26 and it won't be just me that is talking to the coaches and administration about changes being needed to be made. Now perhaps there are some legit reasons for S. Oldham going 6-26 over the last three years; maybe Chuck Smith, Mike Yeagle, Bob Beatty and Dale Mueller all on the coaching staff couldn't have done any better. Again, I'm not familiar enough what has gone on at S. Oldham the last three years other than the won-loss record, so I'm not passing judgment on the past head coach. All I'm saying is that there are circumstances where a parent should be involved and demand more from a coaching staff. Yes, I understand that almost, make it every for argument purposes, coach cares greatly about the kids, puts in a lot of time and gets paid very little. I get that. But that isn't enough for me. I'm not going to tolerate mediocrity or losing records. I want to win and win very often and if the coaching staff isn't getting that accomplished (without acceptable reasons), as a supporter of the program, I'm getting involved to make change occur. Jack Eicher, a former Highlands coach, was a great man. a truly great man. He was one of my assistant coaches and I truly loved the guy. But if he had remained as the Highlands head coach through today, we'd probably have 9 state championships instead of 19; we'd have a lot less support for the football program; we'd have a lot less kids involved; and we'd have mediocrity in our football program. That is unacceptable to me.

 

Again, I'm sure I'm wrong because I'm just a parent and supporter, but I see the lack of tolerance for repeated losing seasons and mediocrity as evidence of the further growth in popularity of high school football. What was acceptable a decade ago, isn't acceptable any more. Kids condition and train year around; parents are asked to shuck out big bucks to personal trainers and to fund the extra things that separate the best from the average; coaches ask the parents for support to make winning possible. And with those things come greater expecations from the kids, the parents and supporters. I fully realize that not every team can win a state championship or only lose a game or two each year. But more and more parents and supporters want their program to at least be serious contenders almost every year. Yes that's big pressure on coaches, maybe more than some want. But that's what is coming (heck, it is here and has been here for some time at some programs) with the increased popularity and interest in Ky high school football and if a coach doesn't want that type of pressure, he's going to have to find a head coaching job at a school that doesn't have those very high expectations.

 

Good post LN.

Nothing wrong with high expectations from a coaching staff. i get that. But isn't determining whether a coach is doing his job and doing everything he can to compete the Ad and the Principal's job? It is at my school. I am sure it is at yours too. I am not saying that there isn't a place for a parents opinion, but not where this survey takes it. I actually don't see this as much a problem with the parents - these type of parents are at every school everywhere ( even on the team in Remember the Titans) - the problems is that the administration either bought into a survey that they didn't commission and were afraid of the financial repercussions or they were spineless and allowed a parent to their jobs. I am not sure what is going on there, but in either case it is a sordid and messed up affair. Good luck in the future Dragons.

Leatherneck, it seems that you're assuming that any coach who has a bad season isn't working as hard as a coach who has a good season. There are a million factors that figure into a bad season, and just one of those is the coaches. If you look at the history of SOHS, you'll see that, no matter the coach, a good season is hard to come by. If the coach isn't the constant in the situation, then you have to realize that something else is the problem. You use Highlands as an example--Highlands has a winning tradition. People want to play there. Some schools try to build a winning tradition, but no matter how hard they try it doesn't happen. Some schools just have more athletes, more pride, more support, more drive, more team attitude, more whatever. Does that mean that other coaches at other schools don't want that? If it all came down to a coach wanting it, wouldn't every team be undefeated??? For you to assume that someone who goes 6-26 is satisfied with mediocrity is ridiculous.

Good post LN.

 

LN makes alot of very valid points BUT we are talking primarily (in my opinion at least) about a very small percentage that make the most noise. We are talking about a situation that (in the past) has required State Troopers to escort a coach off the field. A program that been in this situation for some time, I could go on about the parental conflicts they have had in the past but this thread is really about the Coaching turnover that has mired the program in mediocrity. I agree with most of what leatherneck states and it makes good sense but again, we are talking about parents who do not use professionalism in addressing a "concern" or something they pose as questions about philosophy or practice performances. These conversations (if they occur as conversations) are quickly exposed as "why isn't my son/daughter playing more?" conversations. When presented with the facts, like your child did not practice all week or your child does not know the plays/scheme, they offer a dozen excuses. I have coached on staffs where there have been well known coaches as parents and most of the time they are the most professional and gracious of parents. I have also had a parent/coach who was absolutely the most cancerous type of parent a program could ever have. It all goes both ways and just because this is the age of parents spending exhorbitant amounts of money on personal trainers does not earn them more say in what a coach or program does or how much playing time their child gets. A lot of parents envision their kids becoming the next Heisman Trophy winner or the next 1st round draft choice (and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that). When it come down to facts, all the kids have a potential to be great, parents need to be realistic and allow the kids to grow instead of putting them into a pressure cooker and uncomfortable situation within their programs. The negativity the parents can instill in a player is VERY evident. Watch a player go from trying hard to "earn" their playing time dramatically change once the parents start telling the coach and other parents how their child is not getting the time they deserve. I have been the parent/coach and have dealt with a spouse (and in-laws) telling everyone how good my sons were but they should have been given more opportunities. It is a precarious position to be in but I ALWAYS told them the players (my sons) could have done more to EARN those opportunites. That was the case more times than not!

 

Again, this is not my opinion on parents in GENERAL! This is what the problems becomes when parents who are primarily concerned with one individual do not uinderstand TEAM concepts and what it takes to BUILD a program. More parental support and less Individual Promotion would help in a lot of situations where coaches do not stay long enough to build a successful program!

LN makes alot of very valid points BUT we are talking primarily (in my opinion at least) about a very small percentage that make the most noise. We are talking about a situation that (in the past) has required State Troopers to escort a coach off the field. A program that been in this situation for some time, I could go on about the parental conflicts they have had in the past but this thread is really about the Coaching turnover that has mired the program in mediocrity. I agree with most of what leatherneck states and it makes good sense but again, we are talking about parents who do not use professionalism in addressing a "concern" or something they pose as questions about philosophy or practice performances. These conversations (if they occur as conversations) are quickly exposed as "why isn't my son/daughter playing more?" conversations. When presented with the facts, like your child did not practice all week or your child does not know the plays/scheme, they offer a dozen excuses. I have coached on staffs where there have been well known coaches as parents and most of the time they are the most professional and gracious of parents. I have also had a parent/coach who was absolutely the most cancerous type of parent a program could ever have. It all goes both ways and just because this is the age of parents spending exhorbitant amounts of money on personal trainers does not earn them more say in what a coach or program does or how much playing time their child gets. A lot of parents envision their kids becoming the next Heisman Trophy winner or the next 1st round draft choice (and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that). When it come down to facts, all the kids have a potential to be great, parents need to be realistic and allow the kids to grow instead of putting them into a pressure cooker and uncomfortable situation within their programs. The negativity the parents can instill in a player is VERY evident. Watch a player go from trying hard to "earn" their playing time dramatically change once the parents start telling the coach and other parents how their child is not getting the time they deserve. I have been the parent/coach and have dealt with a spouse (and in-laws) telling everyone how good my sons were but they should have been given more opportunities. It is a precarious position to be in but I ALWAYS told them the players (my sons) could have done more to EARN those opportunites. That was the case more times than not!

 

Again, this is not my opinion on parents in GENERAL! This is what the problems becomes when parents who are primarily concerned with one individual do not uinderstand TEAM concepts and what it takes to BUILD a program. More parental support and less Individual Promotion would help in a lot of situations where coaches do not stay long enough to build a successful program!

 

Believe me I understand. I also have been parent/coach. :thumb:

Good post LN.

 

Thanks jvdfc. I was beginning to think I'm the only one on this thread that thought the way I do. Believe me, I'm not anti-coaches. Far, far from it. But I believe that I as a parent and a long, long time supporter (probably longer than a lot of coaches have been coaching) have a vested interest in my school's football program and believe I have a right to respectfully provide and express my concerns when I see things going astray.

 

We've had some great coaches at Highlands over the years. Truly great ones. And I know how we got them and why we got them. I know that long before Mueller became the head coach, there were plenty of parents and supporters doing the things necessary to lay the high foundation that Mueller has used to achieve his success. I know that the Ft. Thomas Junior Football League, one basis for that success, is and has been operated for 50 years by volunteers that got paid nothing and have put in tons of time. I know how many of the improvements and special gadgets and equipment used by Mueller have been funded. And most importantly, I know that Dale appreciates those parents and supporters that have provided their input and dollars over the years. And he knows that I and many, many others appreciate what a fantastic job he and his assistant coaches have done as stewards of our program. As such, he is always (well almost always) available to talk to parents and supporters that have concerns as long as it is done constructively. He doesn't always agree and follow the advise (nor should he) but he at least is willing to discuss the matter and explain the reason for his decisions. It's simply human nature if parents and supporters are totally cut out from being able to provide input, that those parents and supporters will wither away, to the detriment of the program.

 

There is a balance that must be maintained. Parents and supporters cannot run the program and NEVER should undermine the coaching staff by talking poorly of them. I was a Marine officer. I realize the total disaster that results from such. Then again, the coach cannot act in the other extreme and be totally unwilling to take the time to listen to the thoughts, concerns and complaints of parents and supporters using the logic of "it's my program, I'll do what I want and I don't want to hear from any one else". It is not his program. It's the school's and the community's program. He is the steward of it while he is the head coach.

 

Be willing and able to explain your reasons for your decisions and most reasonable people will understand even if they still disagree. Shut them out and you'll lose their support. Maybe it shouldn't be that way, but it is the way it is.

Well obviously I'm wrong. If I see a coaching staff that isn't getting it done on the field (and please do not ask me to believe that every head coach in Ky is actually a good football coach; nice guys maybe; but all of them are good football coaches? Please); or isn't following a coach's code of conduct in place; or is not giving water breaks when he should; or has kicked back and isn't pushing the kids, etc, etc, I'll just ignore it and let the program suffer and slide. Then when the team hasn't done as well as supporters want, we'll just blame the private schools for having all the unfair advantages. South Oldham went 6-26 over the last 3 years. If I was a stake holder in that program, you can dang well believe I'd be doing something to improve the program. 6-26 is simply unacceptable to me.

 

See, not every parent knows nothing about football; not every parent is only interested in their own little Johnny getting more playing time; not every parent is only interested in the football team when his or her son is on it. At least not where I come from. The key is being smart enough to be able to not let emotions get in the way of assessing and thinking logically. Some parents, to the contrary of what has been posted on here, actually have the ability to assess what they see and determine that a coach isn't getting it done. As long as they handle it in a professional manner, I've got no problem with parents and supporters wanting to address a coaching staff that has gone 6-26 over the last three years. I can assure you of one thing: Highlands goes 6-26 and it won't be just me that is talking to the coaches and administration about changes being needed to be made. Now perhaps there are some legit reasons for S. Oldham going 6-26 over the last three years; maybe Chuck Smith, Mike Yeagle, Bob Beatty and Dale Mueller all on the coaching staff couldn't have done any better. Again, I'm not familiar enough what has gone on at S. Oldham the last three years other than the won-loss record, so I'm not passing judgment on the past head coach. All I'm saying is that there are circumstances where a parent should be involved and demand more from a coaching staff. Yes, I understand that almost, make it every for argument purposes, coach cares greatly about the kids, puts in a lot of time and gets paid very little. I get that. But that isn't enough for me. I'm not going to tolerate mediocrity or losing records. I want to win and win very often and if the coaching staff isn't getting that accomplished (without acceptable reasons), as a supporter of the program, I'm getting involved to make change occur. Jack Eicher, a former Highlands coach, was a great man. a truly great man. He was one of my assistant coaches and I truly loved the guy. But if he had remained as the Highlands head coach through today, we'd probably have 9 state championships instead of 19; we'd have a lot less support for the football program; we'd have a lot less kids involved; and we'd have mediocrity in our football program. That is unacceptable to me.

 

Again, I'm sure I'm wrong because I'm just a parent and supporter, but I see the lack of tolerance for repeated losing seasons and mediocrity as evidence of the further growth in popularity of high school football. What was acceptable a decade ago, isn't acceptable any more. Kids condition and train year around; parents are asked to shuck out big bucks to personal trainers and to fund the extra things that separate the best from the average; coaches ask the parents for support to make winning possible. And with those things come greater expecations from the kids, the parents and supporters. I fully realize that not every team can win a state championship or only lose a game or two each year. But more and more parents and supporters want their program to at least be serious contenders almost every year. Yes that's big pressure on coaches, maybe more than some want. But that's what is coming (heck, it is here and has been here for some time at some programs) with the increased popularity and interest in Ky high school football and if a coach doesn't want that type of pressure, he's going to have to find a head coaching job at a school that doesn't have those very high expectations.

 

Ln I agree with alot of what your saying but; coaching and teaching is the only proffession were people "think" they can tell you how to do your job. I wouldn't walk off the street or think I now how to do your job and tell you what or how to do it. I don't know anyone telling their doctor how to treat them or telling their lawyer how to defend them. Most coaches do have a ideal of what they are doing and do have a direction they are headed with a program. This program was in trouble when this coach took it over and this coach was not afforded enough time to make a difference or implement his beliefs or change the culture of the program. Parents are very important ingredient to the a football program and their is a fine line in how they help and how they handle their business within that program. Kids love their parents and if Mom and Dad think coach is terrible then the kid is eventually going to believe the coach is terrible and stop working or believing in what is taking place. Just my opinion?

LN makes alot of very valid points BUT we are talking primarily (in my opinion at least) about a very small percentage that make the most noise. We are talking about a situation that (in the past) has required State Troopers to escort a coach off the field. A program that been in this situation for some time, I could go on about the parental conflicts they have had in the past but this thread is really about the Coaching turnover that has mired the program in mediocrity. I agree with most of what leatherneck states and it makes good sense but again, we are talking about parents who do not use professionalism in addressing a "concern" or something they pose as questions about philosophy or practice performances. These conversations (if they occur as conversations) are quickly exposed as "why isn't my son/daughter playing more?" conversations. When presented with the facts, like your child did not practice all week or your child does not know the plays/scheme, they offer a dozen excuses. I have coached on staffs where there have been well known coaches as parents and most of the time they are the most professional and gracious of parents. I have also had a parent/coach who was absolutely the most cancerous type of parent a program could ever have. It all goes both ways and just because this is the age of parents spending exhorbitant amounts of money on personal trainers does not earn them more say in what a coach or program does or how much playing time their child gets. A lot of parents envision their kids becoming the next Heisman Trophy winner or the next 1st round draft choice (and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that). When it come down to facts, all the kids have a potential to be great, parents need to be realistic and allow the kids to grow instead of putting them into a pressure cooker and uncomfortable situation within their programs. The negativity the parents can instill in a player is VERY evident. Watch a player go from trying hard to "earn" their playing time dramatically change once the parents start telling the coach and other parents how their child is not getting the time they deserve. I have been the parent/coach and have dealt with a spouse (and in-laws) telling everyone how good my sons were but they should have been given more opportunities. It is a precarious position to be in but I ALWAYS told them the players (my sons) could have done more to EARN those opportunites. That was the case more times than not!

 

Again, this is not my opinion on parents in GENERAL! This is what the problems becomes when parents who are primarily concerned with one individual do not uinderstand TEAM concepts and what it takes to BUILD a program. More parental support and less Individual Promotion would help in a lot of situations where coaches do not stay long enough to build a successful program!

 

 

And I have no problem with your points Pete. IF it is a few isolated disgruntled parents causing problems, then I agree with a lot of what has been posted on here by others. Of course, one should want to find out if it is just a few isolated disgruntled parents, be that with a survey or a parents and supporters meeting with the head coach and the administration.

Ln I agree with alot of what your saying but; coaching and teaching is the only proffession were people "think" they can tell you how to do your job. I wouldn't walk off the street or think I now how to do your job and tell you what or how to do it. I don't know anyone telling their doctor how to treat them or telling their lawyer how to defend them. Most coaches do have a ideal of what they are doing and do have a direction they are headed with a program. This program was in trouble when this coach took it over and this coach was not afforded enough time to make a difference or implement his beliefs or change the culture of the program. Parents are very important ingredient to the a football program and their is a fine line in how they help and how they handle their business within that program. Kids love their parents and if Mom and Dad think coach is terrible then the kid is eventually going to believe the coach is terrible and stop working or believing in what is taking place. Just my opinion?

 

Oh I have a lot of clients that think they know more law than I do when I'm giving them legal advise. When they do, I simply tell them: I can only require you to pay for my advise, I can't require you to follow it.

 

Again, I was not and am not passing judgment on the S. Oldham situation. I know nothing about it other than the recent record. My posts have been in response to the "parents should have no say in the football program" mentality that I believe has been expressed by some posters in this thread.

Leatherneck, it seems that you're assuming that any coach who has a bad season isn't working as hard as a coach who has a good season. There are a million factors that figure into a bad season, and just one of those is the coaches. If you look at the history of SOHS, you'll see that, no matter the coach, a good season is hard to come by. If the coach isn't the constant in the situation, then you have to realize that something else is the problem. You use Highlands as an example--Highlands has a winning tradition. People want to play there. Some schools try to build a winning tradition, but no matter how hard they try it doesn't happen. Some schools just have more athletes, more pride, more support, more drive, more team attitude, more whatever. Does that mean that other coaches at other schools don't want that? If it all came down to a coach wanting it, wouldn't every team be undefeated??? For you to assume that someone who goes 6-26 is satisfied with mediocrity is ridiculous.

 

 

I'm not assuming anything. But I'm a bottom line kind of person. Here comes a rough analogy (and yes I know that coaching kids is not the same as running a business): If you owned a business and hired me to run it for you, would you accept me not running the business at a profit, even if I was a nice guy, treated the employees fairly, was trying my best to make a profit and was not happy that I couldn't get the business to make a profit? Probably not for long. You'd go find some one that was a nice guy, treated the employees fairly and made you a profit.

 

I realize that S Oldham is not Highlands and the situation is totally different. For the 10th or more time, I'm not opining on what happened at S. Oldham. If he wasn't given enough time, I expect the coach and the administration to be able to communicate that point to the parents and for them to understand. Personally, I think open lines of communication is as important at schools that have been struggling as it is at schools with a lot of tradition and success. Maybe the former coach at S. Oldham was doing a great job of communicating. For the 11th or more time, I don't know what was happening at S. Oldham and am not expressing an opinion as to whether the former coach was handled unfairly.

I'm not assuming anything. But I'm a bottom line kind of person. Here comes a rough analogy (and yes I know that coaching kids is not the same as running a business): If you owned a business and hired me to run it for you, would you accept me not running the business at a profit, even if I was a nice guy, treated the employees fairly, was trying my best to make a profit and was not happy that I couldn't get the business to make a profit? Probably not for long. You'd go find some one that was a nice guy, treated the employees fairly and made you a profit.

 

I realize that S Oldham is not Highlands and the situation is totally different. For the 10th or more time, I'm not opining on what happened at S. Oldham. If he wasn't given enough time, I expect the coach and the administration to be able to communicate that point to the parents and for them to understand. Personally, I think open lines of communication is as important at schools that have been struggling as it is at schools with a lot of tradition and success. Maybe the former coach at S. Oldham was doing a great job of communicating. For the 11th or more time, I don't know what was happening at S. Oldham and am not expressing an opinion as to whether the former coach was handled unfairly.

 

LN firstmost I'm not trying to make a profit. If I'm a coach I want to win, but more interest in teaching young boys to be men, be accountable, and be a team player first. Their is a whole lot more than Xand O's, important but not what its all about.

Coach Mueller produces a top quality product from top to bottom on the field, but he hasn't been able to do that without creating great young men of character with parents involvement, and I don't think anyone at Highlands would ever dare to take a survey of him, no matter what his bottom line was this year(profit).

If your such a competitor why would you let your clients tell you how to represent them, don't you want to WIN(profit). I'm sure the parent, sorry client knows the law as well as you do?

LN firstmost I'm not trying to make a profit. If I'm a coach I want to win, but more interest in teaching young boys to be men, be accountable, and be a team player first. Their is a whole lot more than Xand O's, important but not what its all about.

Coach Mueller produces a top quality product from top to bottom on the field, but he hasn't been able to do that without creating great young men of character with parents involvement, and I don't think anyone at Highlands would ever dare to take a survey of him, no matter what his bottom line was this year(profit).

If your such a competitor why would you let your clients tell you how to represent them, don't you want to WIN(profit). I'm sure the parent, sorry client knows the law as well as you do?

 

 

As to the bolded part, because at the end of the day, I work for them as they are paying my bill. As long as they don't tell me to do any thing unethical, I do what they tell me to do even when they choose to ignore my advise.

 

And thank you for the comments in re Coach Mueller. He does a very fine job molding great young men. We definitely agree on that. :thumb: And we definitely agree that molding great young men is the first priority of any coach. :thumb:

 

But winning is also important or we wouldn't keep score; we wouldn't have playoffs, we wouldn't have the year after year debate about private schools having unfair advantages, and we wouldn't have had the suggestion from the football coaches advisory committee in re the need for 6 classes in football to lessen the disparity of size differential in the prior 4 classes to level the playing field.

I coach and our team went 0-11 last year. We had made a decision to clean house and do things the right way last year. We new it would be tough starting only two Sr's but we knew doing it the right way would give us a solid foundation if we could battle adversity. It was one of the toughest years of my life especially being at my old high school in front of a communitty I grew up in. Time after time I had to pick exhausted kids up off the ground after they had been beaten again. I constantly reminded them the lesson my parents taught me about not giving up. I went through amazing times as a player but also dealt with a coach that played politics in all stars for baseball. My parents would NEVER let me quit anything! It has truly helped me be who I am today. Back to last season there was a ton of pressure and parents readyto fist fight. Some of the verbal stuff was out of control. It truly tested everyones character.

This year we stayed the course as coaches in what we believed in and at one point were 12-0! I don't know if that will ever happen again but I do know a few things. The kids that are graduating this year are prepared for life! Most are oozing with character! They have learned to battle

adversity. They have learned hard work pays off. They have learned in tough times to lean on God, family, friends and coaches. They will leave our program believing that they can set high goals in

life and reach those goals if they have a clear plan + put in the work. They also know life isn't

always fair. Had those kids quit when it got tough or had we let the parents take over that wanted

too then those kids would not be leaving with these lessons in their head! The same idiot head coach in a lot of parents minds got voted coach of the year in all classes last week by his peers! Parents love him now for some reason. Winning is the cure all. A lot of times there is a much bigger picture than parents understand. Communication is huge but each coach has their own personality and handles it different. IMO the survey is an awful idea.

I'm a parent and I'm a coach. I've had a lot of success in both phased in life. It's pretty simple. Let the parents parent their kids and let the coaches coach!

Edited December 22, 200916 yr by stick1

:clap:Excellent Post and Good Job Coach.

I coach and our team went 0-11 last year. We had made a decision to clean house and do things the right way last year. We new it would be tough starting only two Sr's but we knew doing it the right way would give us a solid foundation if we could battle adversity. It was one of the toughest years of my life especially being at my old high school in front of a communitty I grew up in. Time after time I had to pick exhausted kids up off the ground after they had been beaten again. I constantly reminded them the lesson my parents taught me about not giving up. I went through amazing times as a player but also dealt with a coach that played politics in all stars for baseball. My parents would NEVER let me quit anything! It has truly helped me be who I am today. Back to last season there was a ton of pressure and parents readyto fist fight. Some of the verbal stuff was out of control. It truly tested everyones character.

This year we stayed the course as coaches in what we believed in and at one point were 12-0! I don't know if that will ever happen again but I do know a few things. The kids that are graduating this year are preparedfor life! Most are oozing with character! They have learned to battle adversity. They have learned hard work pays off. They have learned in tough times to lean on God, family, friends and coaches. They will leave our program believing that they can set high goals in life and reach those goals if they have a clear plan + put in the work. They also know life isn't always fair. Had those kids quit when it got tough or had we let the parents take over that wanted too then those kids would not be leaving with these lessons in their head!

I'm a parent and I'm a coach. I've had a lot of success in both phased in life. It's pretty simple. Let the parents parent their kids and let the coaches coach!

I coach and our team went 0-11 last year. We had made a decision to clean house and do things the right way last year. We new it would be tough starting only two Sr's but we knew doing it the right way would give us a solid foundation if we could battle adversity. It was one of the toughest years of my life especially being at my old high school in front of a communitty I grew up in. Time after time I had to pick exhausted kids up off the ground after they had been beaten again. I constantly reminded them the lesson my parents taught me about not giving up. I went through amazing times as a player but also dealt with a coach that played politics in all stars for baseball. My parents would NEVER let me quit anything! It has truly helped me be who I am today. Back to last season there was a ton of pressure and parents readyto fist fight. Some of the verbal stuff was out of control. It truly tested everyones character.

This year we stayed the course as coaches in what we believed in and at one point were 12-0! I don't know if that will ever happen again but I do know a few things. The kids that are graduating this year are prepared for life! Most are oozing with character! They have learned to battle

adversity. They have learned hard work pays off. They have learned in tough times to lean on God, family, friends and coaches. They will leave our program believing that they can set high goals in

life and reach those goals if they have a clear plan + put in the work. They also know life isn't

always fair. Had those kids quit when it got tough or had we let the parents take over that wanted

too then those kids would not be leaving with these lessons in their head! The same idiot head coach in a lot of parents minds got voted coach of the year in all classes last week by his peers! Parents love him now for some reason. Winning is the cure all. A lot of times there is a much bigger picture than parents understand. Communication is huge but each coach has their own personality and handles it different. IMO the survey is an awful idea.

I'm a parent and I'm a coach. I've had a lot of success in both phased in life. It's pretty simple. Let the parents parent their kids and let the coaches coach!

 

 

Congrats on a great season, a great turn around and teaching your players great lessons on life that will stick with them forever. :thumb: