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Post by coachdoug on Aug 7, 2010 17:41:54 GMT -6
I moved to Tucson from LA in the spring and found a local program to coach in – they named me as the Jr. Midget HC in April. Since then it has been a complete clusterf***: - Sometime in June they tell me that I am being provided with no coaching equipment other than a helmet repair kit (which I’ve since been told I won’t get until the first game). No blocking dummies, no shields, no cones, no balls, no coaching shirts or hats, no practice jerseys, no water coolers or water bottles, not even a first-aid kit. Nothing. If I want any of that stuff I either have to just buy it myself, or I can do my own fundraising to pay for it.
- After I begin my fundraising efforts, I’m told that I have to give the program the first $500 I raise, and if the cheerleaders haven’t started their own fundraising yet, then I have to put up $500 for them as well (at least they said we’d get reimbursed for that if and when the cheerleaders did some fundraising. So, I had to raise $1000 before I could spend a cent on equipment (or get reimbursed if I choose to pay for it out of my own pocket).
- We start practice (conditioning week) and almost immediately there is a firestorm about how we’re warming up the kids – I was doing a 10-15 minute dynamic warm-up plus about 5 minutes of position specific warm ups (settle & noose for backs/receivers and quick starts/agilities for linemen). After our second practice, several board members approach me and my staff after practice in attack mode, telling me we're not stretching the kids properly. I agree to add a 5-10 minute static stretch to the beginning of our warm up routine. We get through the rest of the week without any major issue. The next Monday (after a 3-day layoff) several of the kids are sore and some of my assistants insist that it’s because I’m still not allowing enough static stretching. By this point, I had printed out about 30 pages of scientific studies on the subject, plus the thread from this board, plus a board member went to UA and spoke to their strength and conditioning coach, who while admitting they do some static stretching well before practice, basically affirmed everything I was telling them. Nonetheless, we had a pretty good argument during the break on Monday and I agreed to allow 10-15 minutes of static stretching, plus our dynamic warm ups, plus an additional 5 minutes of static stretches at the end of practice. That evening after practice, another couple board members came down to tell me (in front of my staff) that we’re still getting complaints about our warm ups. I tell them it’s already been addressed, and go over what we had agreed to at the break, which was actually more than they were asking us to do. Nonetheless, those board members apparently felt that they still needed to convene an emergency board meeting to place me on probation. Let’s see, I did everything they asked of me, I produced volumes of documentation that what I was doing was safe and effective, their own person verified what I told them with the local University , when they came to us after practice, the entire staff confirmed that I went above and beyond what they were asking in terms of stretching, the board did no direct investigation (all they had to do was have someone walk across the park and observe us, but they never did), nor did they allow me to address the board and give me side of the story. They just placed me on probation. The next night, after practice, the Exec VP comes down, pulls my whole staff together and attacks me in front of them while announcing that I am now on probation, which was how I learned about it.
- During our second practice, I held our parents meeting. One of my major themes during my speech was that if there is a problem or an issue, please come and talk to me about it directly – do not sit around gossiping amongst yourselves or try to go directly to the board. I told them that I welcome those conversations and usually resolve most issues quickly upon hearing about them, but things can fester and grow out of control if I don’t hear about while the parents talk about it amongst themselves. Anyway, within minutes of the meeting, several parents went directly to board members to complain about certain things I said. In doing so, they grotesquely perverted the things I said and/or took them completely out of context. For instance, in an attempt to manage expectations, I told the parents that I had no idea yet had good this team would be I like what I see so far, but I won’t really know until I see the kids hit. The only indicator I have is what they did last year at a lower age division, but only about 10-15 kids are back from that team, and some of the better players didn’t come back, including last year’s QB, who is now playing for the Rams. That all got turned into, “Our kids aren’t going to be any good because ALL of the BEST players from last year’s team moved to the Rams.” Unbelievable.
- About 40 minutes prior to our first practice in pads I get a text message from our Athletic Director stating that we can’t begin hitting until we do an additional 10 hours of conditioning in pads. We can hit dummies and we can do fit & freeze, but we can’t have kids hitting each other, do Oklahoma drills, or tackle to the ground. My whole practice plan went down the drain. On top of that, we’ve had 3 practices rained out already (which pretty much never happened in Southern California) plus one night off for our mandatory coaching clinic, so we’ll only be able to have 2 full contact practices before our first scrimmage next weekend.
- On Tuesday of this past week, after the Exec VP tells me that I’ve been placed on probation, I pull him aside to talk privately to get some clarification on some of the things he said. During that discussion, I discover that some of the complaints have been coming not just from the parents, but from my own staff. I was livid and hurt – I have never felt so betrayed before on a football field. I barely slept that night and my stomach was in knots all day Wednesday as I tried to figure out what to do. I went to practice with the intention of resigning, since I no longer trusted my staff, and the board wasn’t about to let me fire the trouble makers (given that I was on probation and such an action could be construed as retaliation), I didn’t really see any other choice (I suppose I could have just stuck it out and fought with this guys to get with my program, but I didn’t think that was in the kids’ best interest, which is always the #1 thing I look at when making important decisions. I went to practice, called the coaches together, and announced that I been told that the complaints came from within the staff, and that I was very hurt, and that I couldn’t work with them anymore since the trust had been completely destroyed. To their credit, the two guys that went behind my back immediately owned up to it, but denied backstabbing me because they said they talked to me directly and didn’t get a satisfactory response, so they had to go straight to the board. I couldn’t believe I had to explain this to grown men, but I explained why that was a problem and how I would have preferred it be handled (if you don’t like my answer, tell me so to my face, tell me you think the issue needs to be escalated, and we’ll go over and talk to the appropriate board member together). They didn’t exactly apologize, but they said they understood, promised it would never happen again, and all the coaches told me they didn’t want me to leave. That was good enough for me, so I agreed to stay on.
- Last night at our mandatory coaches clinic, about halfway through, one of the board members pulls me aside and tells me that my staff wants to talk with me. I had no idea what was up – I thought we had put everything behind us. The biggest troublemaker, a 20-something, first-year coach who has been routinely insubordinate and disrespectful since we started, announces that they’ve changed their minds, and they want to take me up on my offer to step down, and he’ll be the new head coach. I almost laughed in his face as I asked if he was serious – he said he was and no one else expressed any objection so I said, fine, I don’t want to be where I’m not wanted. Then he asks me if I’ll stay on as his assistant and coach the QBs. You have to be kidding, right? Anyway, I talked to some of the other coaches that I trust later and found out that they hadn’t been told anything about it – they were as shocked as I was, and only didn’t object because I agreed so quickly. I feel bad about how the whole thing went down. What a mess.
So, now I’m not officially coaching, although I do have a number of options that I’m currently evaluating. In the meantime, though … F My Season!!! |
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Post by davecisar on Aug 7, 2010 21:08:52 GMT -6
Doug,
Ive met you in person and seen you interact with people on this forum for 2 1/2 years. You are one of the most level headed and diplomatic people Ive ever come in contact with.
It's a sham what's gone down.
Twenty somethin first year coach- better than you? GIMMIE A BREAK
If these people are so ignorant they cant see this- better off to leave.
When God closes one door, he opens a better one elsewhere if you listen closely.
Hustle up and get a new gig.
Let me put an e-mail blast out to the guys I know in Tuscon to see if I can help you out.
Man, wish you could coach up here, heck Id even let you run the spread for me.
Keep your chin up, for every knucklehead out there, there is a good decision maker that will let you run with what you want to do. No equipment, static stretches, unsupportive assistants and board members that dont know football- who needs em
PM me your resume so I can blast it out if you like.
DC
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Post by mhcoach on Aug 7, 2010 21:30:11 GMT -6
Doug
Well pal, they have proven why they are a second class orginazation. You know you have my support. The offer for the room & DC job is still open. I have no contacts in 'Zona otherwise I would have made a call. Paul sends his regards, & hopes you choose Charlotte.
It just bothers me that any orginazation would treat a coach in such a mannor. You clearly have handled everything the best you could. I'm sure I would have verbally attacked Dean Wormer & perhaps made things worse. Any coach who volunteers his time & effort deserves better, one as qualified & concerned as you deserves much better.
If there is anything you need, or any way I can help just call.
Joe
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Post by coachdoug on Aug 7, 2010 22:38:09 GMT -6
Thanks for the support guys. I'm actually mulling over several options. I have initiated making contact with the local officials organization. I haven't gotten through to anyone yet, so I'm not sure if it's too late to get into officiating this season or not. I think I might really enjoy that for a year at least, and I could actually get paid for once. LOL. There is at least one other team within this organization that has made it clear that they would love to have me on their staff. They already have their coordinators, though, so it would just be working with their QB and helping the coaches organize and run practices, and break down film. Finally, some of my old coaching buddies in California as well as some teams here have indicated that if nothing else, they would love to have me break down their game film and be an advisor/scout for their staffs.
So, while I appreciate the offers to make intros for me, I'm pretty sure I will find something to keep me busy. I don't think I really want to step into a new organization over two weeks after practice started.
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Post by bobgoodman on Aug 8, 2010 7:01:23 GMT -6
This is the sort of thing that really disturbs me about youth football. If this can happen to someone like Doug, what kind of break can I get?
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Post by utchuckd on Aug 8, 2010 7:31:59 GMT -6
Just wow. I'm betting that 20-something first year (now head) coach puts up a goose egg, blames it all on the players, and goes at it with the parents all year. The thing that most people that snipe and complain behind your back with other people don't understand is that when they get their way and get bumped up to being "the man", all the people they have been sniping and complaining with start doing it to them.
Sorry bout your circumstances Doug, but you are waaaayyyyy better off not being involved with that operation.
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Post by mhcoach on Aug 8, 2010 8:19:20 GMT -6
Doug
I have been thinking on this all nite. The more I ponder, the angrier I become. I know with my temper I probably wouldn't rest till either I was coaching an opponent, or there was a newspaper article.
You have handled all the backstabbing with class, never causing a scene. I am sure this all boils down to 2 things. First, it's new guy scenario. Dean Wormer probably took offense to the fact that you aren't a sheep who would plod along with his agenda. Second, the daddy ballers were concerned that you might actually coach the team & not play daddy ball. The next Joe Paterno used this situation to undermine you. JoPa is a classless individual with a huge ego.
The bottom line here is the ones to be really affected are the players & you. You have worked hard at our craft for 17 years to build a sterling reputation. Now in a blink of an eye, Dean Wormer & JoPa sully that because they aren't men.
As always you have my support & probably most of the board. Too bad Tucson won't get to see what you actually can do.
Joe
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Post by daveinsarasota on Aug 8, 2010 9:06:24 GMT -6
There is absolutely no way I would be involved in an organization like that. I am the Football Commissioner for our organization here in Florida, and I wish I had a guy like you coaching one of our teams.
Before I became the commissioner, I was just a board member at large. We had a board meeting where some of the members suggested we have a coaching committee to address potential issues, as well as approval of who gets to coach.
Call me old school, but I said absolutely not. Unless a guy is completely clueless, we do not get involved. I went on to ask the board members what their experience level was, in terms of coaching, and not one of them had ever been a coordinator, let alone a head coach. In addition to that, good coaches in the area where our team plays, are hard to come by. So I do what I can to create an inviting coaching experience, not have some "blue ribbon panel", with no experience, making decisions.
I was eventually made the commissioner, although I did not ask for it. My approach is to get out of the way of the coaches. If I see something fundamentally wrong, I take them aside, and offer advice. We do not have board members going around anyone's back...instead, all of the coaches know they talk to me face to face, and our conversation stays with us...
I also told the parents, at all of our parent meetings, that I have an automatic predisposition to be on the side of the coach, when it comes to disputes with parents. After all, he is volunteering his time.
This is too bad. There is an uneasy motivation behind your staff and the board members. I think Joe may have hit the nail on the head with his assessment, but only you know what their motivations truly are.
To paraphrase DC...that organization does not deserve you. You are too good for them. Let them proceed to waste 30 minutes per night doing static stretching...while they are doing that, their opponents are actually playing football.
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spurred
Sophomore Member
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Post by spurred on Aug 8, 2010 9:18:54 GMT -6
to me it just seems hard to believe that they gave you no tools for improving your athletes.....I am curious who is on that board. Our president is a coach' dream
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Post by justryn2 on Aug 8, 2010 9:34:04 GMT -6
Doug, just be glad you're out of that situation. No doubt it hurts to not be coaching now but, as Dave pointed out, when God closes a door he opens a window. And, while I feel for you and what you're going through, I feel even worse for those kids still trying to play football in that horrible situation.
Best of luck.
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Post by blb on Aug 8, 2010 9:35:29 GMT -6
coachdoug, you have my complete sympathy.
I have never coached at youth level and maybe I'm extremely naive, but I never dreamed that such stuff could go on at that level.
I recently took over as head HS coach in a town of 1600 people. I gave youth coaches copies of our playbook, met with them one Sunday afternoon, and put on a three-day camp for them.
In spite of the fact that they have been very successful in the past, they really want to help HS program out and were very grateful for my involvement. Apparently that was a new experience for them.
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shawnm
Freshmen Member
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Post by shawnm on Aug 8, 2010 14:52:12 GMT -6
Doug,
This is truly unbelievable, I was listening to the archive of the red zone show last night and was so impressed with your ability to see things from the others point of view. Such as putting yourself in the Ref's shoes when a bad call was made.
I'm pretty sure there was some other motives here that we are not all aware of. I really feel bad for the kids in this situation. It goes to show how important assistant coach selection is.
Maybe you'll find the time to write a book on youth coaching or better yet make a DVD on youth coaching.
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Post by coachdoug on Aug 8, 2010 17:01:44 GMT -6
Just wow. I'm betting that 20-something first year (now head) coach puts up a goose egg, blames it all on the players, and goes at it with the parents all year. The thing that most people that snipe and complain behind your back with other people don't understand is that when they get their way and get bumped up to being "the man", all the people they have been sniping and complaining with start doing it to them. Sorry bout your circumstances Doug, but you are waaaayyyyy better off not being involved with that operation. Thank you all for your kind thoughts and words of encouragement - you have no idea what it means to me. I truly have been touched by the outpouring of support. UTChuckD - I doubt they'll put up a goose-egg. They have more than enough talent to compete in the playoffs and they do have a very good Varsity HS coach helping them, so I'll be shocked if they're not at least close to .500. If they do fall short, they won't blame the players, they'll blame me. The new HC has already started laying the framework for doing just that. In his first discussion with the parents a few minutes after I announced my resignation he stated, "I can't promise you a winning season - we're behind, way behind. We installed 3 plays tonight, but in the 2 weeks prior to tonight we installed NONE." Well, that was simply not true. First of all, we had only had 7 seven practices prior to that (i.e. barely over one week), 5 of which were supposed to be purely conditioning (i.e. no play installs allowed by rule, although a lot of coaches install plays during that timeframe anyway), so we really only had 2 practices (even those were non-contact even though the kids were in pads). Even so, we had at least 5 plays installed - 2 versions of Fly Sweep, Smoke, Bubble, and Stick. Well, I suppose, we probably had another 5 minutes of practice time to fully install Stick - we hadn't done it yet with the RB running the swing. I was completely on schedule to have 10 plays ready to run by our first scrimmage this coming Saturday. Nonetheless, I didn't argue with him - I just let it go. I am going to do absolutely nothing to undermine this new coach or the team. I genuinely want the players to do well and I'll be rooting for them. While I have no respect for several of the parties involved in this mess, I truly want to see these kids had a great year. I just hope it doesn't go the way I think it might. |
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Post by utchuckd on Aug 8, 2010 21:21:14 GMT -6
You're a better man than me. I probably wouldn't have done it in front of everybody but I'd have told that guy he lied about me and I didn't appreciate it.
You got class, man.
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Post by adolphrollingover on Aug 9, 2010 9:58:47 GMT -6
Doug, I know I read every post you make and have downloaded and listened to your interviews on Big B's blog at least 10 times. The kids are the losers in this situation. Keep posting because I rely on your coaching.
Todd
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Post by coachbuck on Aug 9, 2010 10:01:10 GMT -6
This is why head coaches should ALWAYS pick there assistant coaches. What a bunch of garbage. You cannot coach effectively if your assistant coaches do not buy into your program. No matter how good you are. Been there done that. Good luck you will find a better organization.
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Post by casec11 on Aug 9, 2010 10:12:18 GMT -6
Doug,
I'm sorry to hear about it.. I know you were excited going into a new place, and it didn't turn out the way you planned. Weather they ever know it or not the have lost a huge asset. Believe me, us coaches that come on huey's to learn, pay attention when you post because you are always giving level headed, experienced and informed advice.
Good luck I am sure you will find I spot to coach.
-Case
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Post by Chris Clement on Aug 9, 2010 11:58:18 GMT -6
1 - Although I don`t think Doug was on Double Secret Probation, Major Bonus Points go out to mhcoach for dropping an Animal House reference
2 - Go home, enoy a nice cold refreshment, and remember that the best revenge is living well.
3 - If you`re ever interested in improving your French, call me up and I`ll find you a job in Northern Quebec.
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Post by mhcoach on Aug 9, 2010 12:19:26 GMT -6
CC
Ya got me...... Lol .... Doug & I had been talking on the phone, the Board member really reacted like Dean Wormer. Hence the refference....... I am also pretty sure Daddy Ball had alot to do with the whole situation. Once again we see this hurt kids more then help them.
Joe
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Post by mahonz on Aug 9, 2010 18:03:24 GMT -6
Doug
Same thing happened to me about 10 years ago. The insane ones didn’t like the new guy getting any love and forced their insanity onto the Board.
They fired me 4 days before the regular season started and 60% of the team quit so they eventually forfeited the last two games of the season. They even gave me grief about my warm-ups, playing the safety card on me. It was a very sad thing for the kids because it was too late to play anywhere else. I pleaded with them to stay. Didn’t happen. The parents got their wish and the kids then basically told them all to F off.
It was...fire my coach and Im gone too...kinda thing.
Meanwhile I hooked up with an opposing org the night before the first regular season game and have since lived happily ever after.
Now that Board member who was forced to be insane and fired me is a person I work with ( football wise ) nearly every day during the season on an administrative level.
We laugh about it now.
As it was...I hired that teams previous staff and they went behind my back to take the HC position from me. Their previous Header moved on to coach Freshmen HS ball. This was a very successful 8th grade team.
The team I hooked up with immediately thereafter was a 2nd grade rookie team. I ended up coaching that team through the 8th grade with many happy returns.
The beauty is, the coach that brutally ran my name through the mud behind my back started up a 3rd grade team that next season. I had no idea until we played them that following season.
WE ARE NOW IN THE SAME DIV AS OPPONENTS !!!
Gotta admit...Im dancing in the streets now !
I don’t care who you are. Revenge is sweet. The kids never knew what was going on ever... but my coaches sure did. I now had a red letter game every year.
Oh momma did I have fun with that for the next 6 seasons in a row beating that team like a drum. The Board member that was forced to fire me was also the league scheduler. I’d call her every August 15th and ask her to please schedule us to play one another.
She did.
The moral of the story...be very careful what you wish for. That 20 something will regret his actions. Tucson is a very small town. Give it some time.
Coach Mike
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Post by jhanawa on Aug 9, 2010 21:30:50 GMT -6
Doug,
That sounds like when I started coaching youth ball, they had pitchforks and torches out in force. We had zero equipment, NOTHING, had to get everything ourselves and got stabbed in the back every single step of the way by a few idiots on the board. We eventually got the right people voted into office and ousted the jacka$$es. I sure wish you could have moved closer to Phoenix, we have 107 frosh signed up ( we'll probably have around 70 actually show up) and need more coaches. If your interested in officiating, the AIA is conducting classes now at it's Phoenix office, I'm not sure about what they have in Tucson. You can look up the Arizona Interscholastic Association online and they will have information on it. You can call them and ask for Jeanne.
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Post by coachdoug on Aug 9, 2010 22:47:14 GMT -6
This is kinda fun - I now have offers to move back to Southern Cal; to Lincoln, NE; Charlotte, NC; Quebec; and now Phoenix. Too bad I'm stuck here in Tucson, LOL.
Seriously, though, thank you all so much for the kind words - y'all have made me laugh and truly moved me with your support. It really means a lot to me.
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Post by cyflcoach on Aug 10, 2010 0:01:49 GMT -6
Add Texas to your list of offers Doug. Very saddened to read your post as it is apparent as to how hard this has been on you. I have no doubt you'll rebound from this and be back doing what you love next season. As Dave C. alluded to, perhaps THE HEAD COACH UPSTAIRS might want you to take a little time off or to explore something else temporarily. I wish you the best in your search for a better fit and better investment of your time, skills and passion for the game.
Dave Hartman
CYFL Coach
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Post by FBCoachMike on Aug 10, 2010 1:17:41 GMT -6
Doug, add Riverside, CA to the list. We need GOOD coaches bad!
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Post by adolphrollingover on Aug 10, 2010 9:56:20 GMT -6
Doug, Louisville, KY is calling......
Todd
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Post by eickst on Aug 10, 2010 12:34:15 GMT -6
Doug just move back to SoCal.
Not trying to make your situation seem reasonable, because it isn't, but it really doesn't surprise me anymore when this kind of stuff happens.
There are two things in life that everyone thinks they can do better than anyone else, regardless of experience.
1. Drive
2. Coach sports
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Post by Chris Clement on Aug 10, 2010 12:43:53 GMT -6
Every time I hear one of these, I remember the years my dad spent as president of the local Minor Hockey Association, and I think I`m very lucky to be in football. I know football has it`s serious problems related to the amount of money involved in some areas (mostly HS in the South, it seems) but as far as kids and parents, this stuff all pales in comparison to kids hockey in Southern Ontario, and most of Canada.
So cheer up, at least one of your assistants wasn`t beaten to death by the parent of an 8yr old over his playing time in a houseleague game.
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