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Post by brophy on Mar 14, 2008 18:23:13 GMT -6
Coaching Staff Cohesion
www.athleticinsight.com/Vol9Iss3/CoachingStaffCohesion.htm
Coaching staff cohesion. Martin (2002) defined coaching staff cohesion as “the degree of teamwork among head and assistant coaches that is derived from personal and professional factors and assists in developing a pleasing work environment and fulfillment of the individual” (p. 26). Grounding their arguments in social learning theory (Bandura, 1977), Brawley (1990) and Martin (2002) suggested that athletic teams model the behaviors and level of cohesion demonstrated by their coaching staff. Therefore, developing unity among a coaching staff may be critical in building cohesion among members of an athletic team (Blackburn, 1985). Although theoretically driven, the suggestion that coaching staff cohesion, team cohesion, and success “may be interrelated and collectively influential,” (Martin, 2002, p. 40), is empirically unsubstantiated.
Coaching staff cohesion has been measured from the coaching staff’s perspective (Martin, 2002). However, social desirability and self-report bias may independently or collectively influence the assessment that coaches, especially assistants, make of their staff’s level of cohesion regardless of investigator assurances of confidentiality. Therefore, the athletes that observe the coaching staff on a daily basis may more accurately assess coaching staff cohesion, or at least the visible portion of coaching which is most likely to affect team cohesion. Martin (2002) concurs, stating: “Investigating the perceptions of student-athletes concerning the cohesion of their coaches…would yield valuable information” (p. 40).
To the best that our anonynimity will allow, how well do you and your staff 'gel'?
I'm not asking if you agree with each other all the time, nor am I asking if you are "happy" with your staff.....
How 'open' are your current relationships and dialogue within the relationship as members of the coaching staff? Does the dialogue go both ways?
What are the strong suites you've experienced in your career?
What are the staff-killers that you've encountered?
Not necessarily individuals, but the dynamics that contributed to those environments.
How did these environments contribute to the performance of the TEAM (players)?
How much time do you spend together in-season?
How much time do you spend together away from "the field / job"?
How long has the staff been together?
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Post by coachplaa on Mar 14, 2008 18:42:41 GMT -6
This is great stuff for head coaches. I will say I've had every type of staff as a head coach, both at big schools and small schools. I will say that at a small school, the importance of the staff getting along is not as vital as at a big school. At a big school, with more kids to supervise, and more programs to offer within your football program, it is important to have assistant coaches you can trust and rely on when delegating. I have tried being a dictator, peer, authoritarian, you name it. But nothing works as well as mutual respect. If an assistant coach can't give it, he's not good for the program. If the head coach can't respect the jobs his assistants do for the program, than his program will never fully develop. Communication is the #1 factor in good staff cohesion and poor cohesion. I'm LUCKY to have a great mix of guys- young and experienced, in-house and walk-ons, spiritual guys, alums, you name it and I'm blessed to have it.
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Post by phantom on Mar 14, 2008 18:46:17 GMT -6
Coaching Staff Cohesion
www.athleticinsight.com/Vol9Iss3/CoachingStaffCohesion.htm
Coaching staff cohesion. Martin (2002) defined coaching staff cohesion as “the degree of teamwork among head and assistant coaches that is derived from personal and professional factors and assists in developing a pleasing work environment and fulfillment of the individual” (p. 26). Grounding their arguments in social learning theory (Bandura, 1977), Brawley (1990) and Martin (2002) suggested that athletic teams model the behaviors and level of cohesion demonstrated by their coaching staff. Therefore, developing unity among a coaching staff may be critical in building cohesion among members of an athletic team (Blackburn, 1985). Although theoretically driven, the suggestion that coaching staff cohesion, team cohesion, and success “may be interrelated and collectively influential,” (Martin, 2002, p. 40), is empirically unsubstantiated.
Coaching staff cohesion has been measured from the coaching staff’s perspective (Martin, 2002). However, social desirability and self-report bias may independently or collectively influence the assessment that coaches, especially assistants, make of their staff’s level of cohesion regardless of investigator assurances of confidentiality. Therefore, the athletes that observe the coaching staff on a daily basis may more accurately assess coaching staff cohesion, or at least the visible portion of coaching which is most likely to affect team cohesion. Martin (2002) concurs, stating: “Investigating the perceptions of student-athletes concerning the cohesion of their coaches…would yield valuable information” (p. 40).
does this resemble relationships on your staff?
To the best that our annoynonimity will allow, how well do you and your staff 'gel'?
I'm not asking if you agree with each other all the time, nor am I asking if you are "happy" with your staff.....
How 'open' are your current relationships and dialogue within the relationship as members of the coaching staff?
What are the strong suites you've experienced in your career?
What are the staff-killers that you've encountered?
Not necessarily individuals, but the dynamics that contributed to those environments.
How did these environments contribute to the performance of the TEAM (players)?
How much time do you spend together in-season?
How much time do you spend together away from "the field / job"?
How long has the staff been together?
Broph, you scared me with the original piece. Footnotes? Yow, made my football coach's head hurt. We have a great relationship on our staff. Part of that is that we've been together for a long time. The boss got here 22 years ago, I've been there for 20 years, and the rest are over 10 years. We also have a volunteer who does what he can and a full-timer who's in his first year. He's great. He has a great attitude, works hard, coaches hard, and fits right in (which means that he has a thick skin and can hit back). New guys that can't take it get weeded out very quickly. The boss is the reason that we work so well. He's demanding (VERY demanding) but he lets us work. He listens to ideas and trusts our opinions. Egos are not a problem with our guys. We all have the same goal. If you're a serious professional this is a great place to coach. |
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Post by kurtbryan on Mar 14, 2008 18:58:26 GMT -6
Since I am not an anonymous poster on this board or others, I have nooooooooooo problem laying it out there regarding our staff at Piedmont:
1. BECAUSE of the fact our entire staff torched their Egos when they joined the Highlander staff, we were able to cohesively develop the A-11 Offense together from the idea/concept Steve H. and I submitted and got approved.
2. Our staff spent many hours hashing things out, sweating, laughing and cursing behind closed doors, ALL done with mutual repsect when a certain coach presented his ideas on the board, etc.
3. After we began the season 0 - 2 running our new offense vs. two very tough teams, it seemd like the whole community was ready to burn me at the stake...BUT, because of our 100% loyalty our staff hung together, weathered the expected storm and obviously things turned out great.
4. We communicate regularly, and will hang out at clinics, and get together at one of the coaches homes. Sometimes during the off-season, and regularly during the season after games.
5. I have seen a few guys on various staffs enjoy or not even realize they are a CANCER on the staff, but when I have had one of those cats on my staff - I cut the cord ASAP.
Harmony is key and should be the norm, always.
* Good topic Brophy...
KB
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Post by brophy on Mar 14, 2008 19:08:13 GMT -6
2. Our staff spent many hours hashing things out, sweating, laughing and cursing behind closed doors, ALL done with mutual repsect when a certain coach presented his ideas on the board, etc. 4. We communicate regularly, and will hang out at clinics, and get together at one of the coaches homes. Sometimes during the off-season, and regularly during the season after games. * Good topic Brophy... KB thanks, Kurt This is the kind of stuff we are trying to explore. I appreciate that you didn't offer the, "we all get along because nobody disagrees with me" line that I'm sure is out there. You brought up that everyone (behind doors) was able to express / provide their input. Good on ya - hope this thread can promote this kind of discussion of analyzing each of our situations and how we can take something away from each. You bring up points that go beyond this profession being "more than a job". I know the idea of inflating the HC position into some dictatorial role that is alienated from the staff, and that the 'staff' are serfs to the Lord. How open are we with each other with determine how 'tight' our relationships really are. |
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ramsoc
Junior Member
Posts: 431
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Post by ramsoc on Mar 14, 2008 22:17:35 GMT -6
Here's cohesion for ya, the guys in the flip flops in the picture are fired. No place for that on the football field....
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Post by warrior53 on Mar 15, 2008 6:37:36 GMT -6
"How 'open' are your current relationships and dialogue within the relationship as members of the coaching staff? Does the dialogue go both ways?
What are the strong suites you've experienced in your career?
What are the staff-killers that you've encountered?
Not necessarily individuals, but the dynamics that contributed to those environments.
How did these environments contribute to the performance of the TEAM (players)?
How much time do you spend together in-season?
How much time do you spend together away from "the field / job"?
How long has the staff been together?"
I just left a staff where this was one of the many factors for my departure. Dialogue was nill. There was no communication between the head coach and no expectations given. The assistant coaches had to beg our head guy for staff meetings so that we could all be on the same page. Even then he was so unorganized in the meetings that we still left saying "alright, now what?"
The biggest staff-killer on that staff was part-timers. Not that if you are a part-time coach that is a bad thing (if that is the expectation). But these were full-time employees of the school. They were the guys with one foot out the door as soon as the last buzzer sounded.
The team was definately impacted. There was lack of trust between the players and the staff and between the staff members themselves. Although never out in the open, I think kids catch on and can feel that sense of mistrust within a coaching staff. We had the best talent this school had ever had and only won one ball game (I know, I have been here since it opened).
Our staff never spent any time together away from the school. It hurt us in my eyes. I believe this is important for staff cohesion.
I brought this stuff up to the head coach, and in that meeting he made all kinds of excuses as to why this stuff didn't happen. I realized he was not going to change and that was unacceptable - and so I got out.
I am now coaching for a guy who wants the same things I do and I am excited to work for. The biggest things I learned from that situation is it is hard to lead from the middle and who you work for is bigger than where you work. It was a shame to leave that place (could have been a great situation) and in a lot of ways I felt like a failure for not being able to bring about the changes necessary. But, I am as happy as I have been in a long while and excited about the possibilities of this new adventure.
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Post by leighty on Mar 15, 2008 6:39:19 GMT -6
Here's cohesion for ya, the guys in the flip flops in the picture are fired. No place for that on the football field.... That's funny. |
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Post by fbdoc on Mar 15, 2008 8:29:49 GMT -6
I don't know what not being an "anonymous" poster has to do with how someone is responding to a topic. The BEST staff - re: staff cohesion - I have ever been a part of was the hardest working and hardest drinking. As Phantom stated, it starts with the HC setting the tone and then letting (or helping) his assistants coach. On the field, in the office, recruiting, meeting, or game day - we were all on the same page - there WERE ego's but they were also held in check as everyone wanted the team to be successful. As the OC on that Conference Champ/National Playoff Team I was treated to a "How to be a Head Coach" clinic by our header, and I've been striving to foster the same kind of atmosphere on our teams as the head coach. For some staffs it just comes together, for others it has to be nurtured. But there is not doubt in my mind that it is Critical for success, both on and off the field.
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Post by thunder17 on Mar 15, 2008 11:11:40 GMT -6
Agree with fbdoc, go out and throw a few back on sunday afternoon and watch some football. Have coaches meetings at one of the houses every now and throw some food on the grill and sit on the deck and talk football while the kids play and the wives bitch about something. As far as on the field cohesion, our HC lets us do our job. If he decides there is something he doesn't like you talk about it during a break or after practice, behind closed doors. If he wants it his way then you make the changes after the break or the next day, if you convince him that what you are doing is alright then you have nothing to change. You know that sometimes when you put pen to paper during a gameplan it doesn't turn out the way you like when you actually put it in. Never question another coach in front of the kids. Bad for everyone involved. By the way, our staff cohesion is great. When we first started the program we had to let a couple of people go and we have not had a problem since. Staff cohesion is a reflection of the HC.
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Post by leighty on Mar 15, 2008 11:29:24 GMT -6
I perosnally can't stand our defensive coordinator. I know for a fact I'm not the only one on the staff who feels that way.
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Post by touchdowng on Mar 16, 2008 10:01:54 GMT -6
leighty
I have no crystal ball about the dynamics of your staff. All I know is that you can't stand the DC.
We have a saying on our staff.
If you have a personality issue - fix yourself first. That will at least make it 50% better.
It's how WE look at these types of situations.
We have no issues that I am aware about but it's not because of luck. We deal with each other like men but we start with ourselves first.
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Post by leighty on Mar 16, 2008 11:21:35 GMT -6
The situation has been alleviated somewhat because I'm now coaching offense. I limit my time around him.
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Post by touchdowng on Mar 16, 2008 16:30:28 GMT -6
Is he just a difficult personality?
Sometimes we have to put up with people like this especially if they are effective at their job.
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Post by scoresalot on Mar 17, 2008 6:40:05 GMT -6
Outstanding topic! However, I have a question. What if the major problem is the head coach? Our staff was extremely cohesive, except the head coach. The weird part was that it wasn't all the time. He would be very willing to listen to opinions and "act" like he took it all in, but then on Friday nights he would change everything and do it his way. He was not very involved with weekly game planning, offensively at least, but then on Friday night he would try to take over playcalling and basically go against everything that was worked on for the week.
The entire offensive staff was on the same page, except him. At the end of the season, the running game coordinator, passing game coordinator, DC, defensive backs coach, LB coach all resigned. How does one try to improve that type of situation as an assistant coach?
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Post by leighty on Mar 17, 2008 9:24:47 GMT -6
I think the new arrangement will work. I won't be working under his "supervision." Instead, I'll be working directly under the head coach who's one of my best friends in the world.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 18, 2008 6:31:06 GMT -6
I've been on coaching staffs where I knew we didnt' like each other and ones where we thought we did. But where I am now is unquestionably the best, and it makes football and everything outside football better. Our head coach has been the boss for the last 22 years, the OC has been with him for 19 years, the WR coach for 14, the LB coach for 8, me (DC) and the RB coach for 7, the DL coach for 3, the assistant OL coach for 1.
First, we work well together. I think we all like and respect each other so much that we can actually have a more intense disagreement about something because we KNOW that it's only about football. We get more done this way I think. The head coach is the boss, but he wants and expects you to coach and coach very well. He'd like us if we weren't very good at what we do, but we wouldn't be doing what we do in the same capacity if we couldn't handle it.
The offensive and defensive staffs are good friends and respect the job of the other. I have a ton of respect for our OC, our WR coach is a good guy who can absolutely do anything for anyone. Our RB coach is as genuine as they come. The LB coach is one of my tightest friends, the DL coach is a newer guy who probably thought he'd have to make it on our staff by being the smartest, most intense coach around and learned that the first step is to get along with us and laugh at our jokes at the appropriate times.
Three of the other coaches will be groomsmen in my wedding this summer, another one will be doing the photography. All will be there.
As I've said, the hardest thing about coaching on our staff isn't knowing your material, getting the point across, etc. It's that you have to fit in.
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Post by briangilbert on Mar 18, 2008 13:49:25 GMT -6
My first coaching job was at my alma mater and I couldn't stand the Head Coach (He was also who I played for). So I left and went to a smaller school with a much better staff and situation.
My best advice to anyone who coaches under someone they don't like or disagree with is to go find a better job. What is holding you back?
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Post by warrior53 on Mar 19, 2008 2:44:53 GMT -6
My first coaching job was at my alma mater and I couldn't stand the Head Coach (He was also who I played for). So I left and went to a smaller school with a much better staff and situation. My best advice to anyone who coaches under someone they don't like or disagree with is to go find a better job. What is holding you back? I agree with you to a point, but you should be careful not to paint so broad a stroke. There are reasons why people do not move out of a bad situation in coaching, family being the biggest. |
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Coach Unk
Junior Member
[F4:coachdonjones]
Posts: 392
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Post by Coach Unk on Mar 19, 2008 16:34:20 GMT -6
the staff that I am on had power issues strangely enough. The coordinators didn't care for each other and it effected practice and sometimes games.
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Post by briangilbert on Mar 19, 2008 17:16:48 GMT -6
My first coaching job was at my alma mater and I couldn't stand the Head Coach (He was also who I played for). So I left and went to a smaller school with a much better staff and situation. My best advice to anyone who coaches under someone they don't like or disagree with is to go find a better job. What is holding you back? I agree with you to a point, but you should be careful not to paint so broad a stroke. There are reasons why people do not move out of a bad situation in coaching, family being the biggest. You bring up a good point coach. I was lucky enough that leaving was not a huge problem for me. |
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Post by coachjamestre on Mar 21, 2008 13:38:36 GMT -6
How does one address others who may not be pulling their weight (Just showing up?). game day coach - no prep time in at all. its tears away at staff cohesion.
How about coaching during practice? same coach BS's all the time - does not help with scout teams/or coach his position.
Help
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Post by leighty on Mar 21, 2008 13:46:56 GMT -6
Are you the head coach? If not, it's not your place to address those issues.
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Post by warrior53 on Mar 21, 2008 16:35:15 GMT -6
leighty, I agree, but it is your job to voice your concerns to the head coach or coordinator. If you are on a staff where you don't feel comfortable with this, then you may want to evaluate why you don't feel comfortable and if this is the place for you or not. Some of you will disagree with me, but I have held my tongue for way too long on a staff before and it got me nowhere. Once I voiced my concerns I cleared my mind of it and it was in the head coaches hands to do something about.
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Post by chaz111 on Mar 21, 2008 17:07:09 GMT -6
For whatever reason I have been a HC 15 years and was only an assistant for 5.....just how it worked out.
I have always felt good about my staff's except 1. I took over a program here all the previous coaches where released...so no one had a starting point relationship wise...ended up having dam group therapy sessions...mainly my fault for not making expectations clear enough. I got rid of the knucklehead and it's been good since.
My wife says I hire friends....that is not entirely true but if you hire someone you can't stand spending all that time with ( I have had a few) then it just ads to already stressful job...I always felt being able to joke about the kids and parents will drinking a few makes for half the fun...it's a grind and it has to be fun...at least some of the time..JMHO
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Post by leighty on Mar 21, 2008 17:29:52 GMT -6
I don't think there's anything wrong with hiring friends. The football stuff can be taught. I don't know how much you can teach loyalty.
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Post by schultbear74 on Mar 21, 2008 20:03:06 GMT -6
Loyalty is important. You don't have to like each other, but you must be loyal to the program.
Trust is important. and the same can be said for trust as loyalty.
I resigned from a job because those two things were doubted about me.
The HC was immature and insecure. He felt threatened by anyone who was competent.
Fortunately for me there were other jobs and other people to work with. If you are good or willing there are always opportunities,
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Post by schultbear74 on Mar 21, 2008 20:04:11 GMT -6
PS Don't wear flip-flops to practice.
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Post by kurtbryan on Mar 21, 2008 20:07:59 GMT -6
Brophy:
You really opened up a can-o-worms with this thread, but that is not a bad thing at all, it is good for the soul.
In fact...there are a few major threads that could shoot from this one worthy of discussing when this certain one runs its course.
KB
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fish
Junior Member
Posts: 485
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Post by fish on Mar 22, 2008 14:54:35 GMT -6
i've been very fortunate to work on a great staff
some characteristics about us that i think make us work:
- we love coaching football and we love the school where we are
- we're within the same age range
- several of us have kids that are close enough in age to play together
- we coach both sides of the ball on all levels, therefore we also plan both sides of the ball together and share players when necessary
- our families know each other and get together as well
- we have kept the same basic staff together for four years
this will be the first year of major movement on staff as our hc has moved on and two of our coaches are going with him. fortunately our dc was promoted to hc and we all feel great about who we're going to work with from now on. i'm sure some things will be different, but we've worked together long enough to work through those.
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