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Post by 1bignasty on Jan 30, 2010 19:18:45 GMT -6
Two short years ago we went into a program that was underachieving in a major way. They had consecutive 1-9 seasons before we arrived and over the past two seasons we have gone 8-2 and 9-1 in the regular season. In addition we went two rounds deep last year and 3 rounds deep this year in the playoffs.
My beef is that with the great turnaround, the parents are still unenthusiastic about what we have achieved. Everyone in town is fired up, but the parents are all pretty much unimpressed and talk about how the kids won at the youth level so they should be winning at the HS level.
Do these people not understand that youth ball is no indicator of future success and also that these kids did not win in middle school nor were they very successful for the two previous years?
Is it worth pouring your heart in soul into a program where the people do not appreciate what the staff has done to help change the fortunes of the program? It takes good kids who are willing to work hard and good coaching. One without the other will not get it done.
Open to some opinions. Some might say to not worry about what the parents think. sounds good, but that makes for a miserable day to day existence, especially if they are conveying the same message to the kids..... which some are by the wya.
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Post by touchdownmaker on Jan 30, 2010 19:24:06 GMT -6
"To respond to criticism or praise is a sign of weakness"
I cant remember where I read that but the reality is that YES ITS WORTH IT but you have to know why you are doing what you do. Do you really do it to get a pat on the back from parents and fans?
NO matter what folks are going to think you should be state champs every year.
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Post by dsqa on Jan 30, 2010 23:02:12 GMT -6
You won't be coaching very long if you are seeking to win the parent's approval.
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Post by lochness on Jan 31, 2010 8:41:06 GMT -6
Do these people not understand that youth ball is no indicator of future success and also that these kids did not win in middle school nor were they very successful for the two previous years? No, they don't. Trust me. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2010 8:47:59 GMT -6
In fact, most think it's a strong indicator that high school success will be a given. Heck, some think success in youth sports other than football means that they should be having success in football as well. It may not sound like much, but you HAVE TO ignore it and not let it bother you, because you'll never convince the majority that youth success doesn't translate to varsity success anyway.
In answer to you second question, yes it is worth it, because you should be coaching to form strong bonds with the kids and your fellow staff members. Other than my players and my fellow coaches, I don't give a rats behind who appreciates me and who doesn't.
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Post by touchdowng on Jan 31, 2010 9:21:23 GMT -6
Keep the parent opinions in perspective. Most of them (who remain silent) are probably just fine with how things are going - especially with the improvements that you mention. A small percentage will probably want to kiss your butt not matter how it's going (stay away from these people unless you like that sorta thing). The other small percentage are those who are still trying to live out their glory days or are attempting to live vicariously through their kids or just seem to have all of the answers. The third group will always be around no matter how you are doing.
In other words - Focus on you players and don't try to make parents happy. You won't.
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Post by airmale on Jan 31, 2010 9:29:11 GMT -6
You do it for the kids. You do it for you. You do it for the love of the game. You know what kind of job you did.
Insulate and ignore. Insulate yourself with good friends. Ignore anyone else.
I heard somewhere that John Wooden's team was in a tight national championship game. They pulled it out and won the ring. After the game his best friend said, "That was close. I thought you were going to blow it like last year." That was from his besst friend!!!!
If you are waiting for parent approval, in the words of the immortal poet Scarface of the Ghetto Boys, "You'll be a waiting M*(^^%$ F(&^^$$!"
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Post by touchdownmaker on Jan 31, 2010 9:29:32 GMT -6
I say this every year at our banquet.
The kids win football games, I am just the guy who takes the blame when we lose. Period.
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Post by superpower on Jan 31, 2010 9:44:32 GMT -6
bignasty, you are 17-3 over the past two seasons and you have a beef with the parents? With all due respect, your focus is misplaced. So what if they are not giving you the credit you think you deserve? Enjoy the kids and the success and keep doing a good job.
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Post by coachcb on Jan 31, 2010 9:55:19 GMT -6
1. You will never please the parents, at least not eh majority of them. They will always have a gripe with something that you do. As you win more, they'll just be less vocal in the community. Most parents firmly believe that their children are state title/D1 caliber athletes; if you DON'T win, then it's simply the coach staff's fault. If you win, it's just what they expect; but their will always be gripes..
2. Ignore the parents, unless it comes down to something serious. If a parent states that their child has been 'emotionally of physically abused', you'd better take it seriously. Just to cover your own a--. But, in that case, make sure that the whole coaching staff and the administration is involved in that process.
3. There's always going to be criticism, from all angles in the community. It doesn't matter how the Ws and Ls pan out; it's just going to happen. All coaches are in someone's cross-hair; it is the way it is.
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Post by blb on Jan 31, 2010 10:31:57 GMT -6
In a perfect world parents, community members, administrators, fellow teachers and other coaches would respect you and treat you with dignity for working hard, being knowledgeable, treating the kids well, and teaching them valuable life lessons regardless of won-loss record.
nasty, you seem to think that bringing success on the field where none existed before gives you additional credibility or immunity.
Unfortunately, we don't operate in a vacuum. We deal with human beings (even though parents don't always seem to fit in that category) and they are flawed creatures - often petty, selfish, and vindictive.
Coach for the relationships with and development of the kids, the camaraderie with other coaches, and the competition.
You can't ignore the others, especially the negative ones. Deal with them professionally and civilly and go about doing what you know is right to the best of the ability.
Might want to read Theodore Roosevelt's "The Man in the Arena" for some reinforcement and perspective.
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