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Post by coachwilliams2 on Dec 26, 2011 17:40:47 GMT -6
Coaches,
All too often we get caught up with what makes a great Head Coach because that is where we all want to end up one day.
My question to you all is:
1. What makes great assistants GREAT?
2. What do they do on a day to day basis that makes them better than average slappys?
3. How does a coach improve how he teaches the fundamentals of the game to young people. Guys that can really teach the game to their kids,what makes it so effective?
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Post by szimm29 on Dec 26, 2011 17:49:58 GMT -6
Great assistants, imo, are not "yes" men. If they have disagreements they don't air them infront of the kids, but they do give you a different point of view. Great assistants are well organized and self motivated, they take pride in their position being the best on the field. They spend time trying to become better at what they do by going to clinics, visiting other coaches, etc... They are creative in their drills and understand their position, so they can create more game like drills.
How does a coach improve how he teaches fundi's? they understand what their position needs specifically, they communicate it with their kids and they design drills that are critical to executing that particular position's skill inside the scheme of the o/d/s. You have to constantly emphasize and scrutinize the smallest of details and help the kids understand why each detail is important to the overall skill. Then you rep that until its second nature. We all are seeking drill transfer, in order to get drill transfer you must have a systematic and progressive way to teach the kids the skill. The kids have to realize that this game and their skill takes discipline to repeat on the field.
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Post by pvogel on Dec 26, 2011 18:56:41 GMT -6
professionalism, loyalty, knowledge, teaching abilities, and desire to always be improving.
You decide the order. But I think those 5 traits sound good.
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Post by carookie on Dec 26, 2011 19:20:42 GMT -6
I agree with what the others above have written, might I add Hard work, a great assistant steps up and does all the little stuff that take up times.
I know that sounds cheesy but there is ton of BS (mostly non- on the field stuff) that needs to get done, quality assistants step up and just get this stuff done. They are in the weight room, not just being a pressence but teaching.
Not trying to toot my own horn but a couple of years ago one of our assistants left to take a HC job, and took an assistant with him; one of his jobs was to set up our out of state two-a-days camp. As soon as I heard I went to our hc and told him Id take care of it. A week later the reservations were set. It took a lot of work, but I knew the HC was busy with BS, and things needed to be done.
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Post by coachfd on Dec 26, 2011 20:14:42 GMT -6
Ditto... A great assistant, in addition to all the great qualities that are already listed, understands the importance of all the menial and behind-the-scenes tasks that need to get done, so that other coaches higher up in the chain-of-command can take care of their own jobs. For example, a GA or Intern needs to do a lot of the film cut-ups and logistically stuff/breakdown stuff, so that the position-group coaches and coordinators can focus all their time and energy on doing what they do best...
Also, I think a "team-first" attitude is important. I know it's cliched, but most coaches are overly focused on their "next move" up the coaching ladder. Focus on doing everything you can to contribute to the success of the program and the people within it, and then you will be recognized and rewarded as a by-product of that success.
"The best way to ensure success tomorrow, is to do your absolute best that you can do today."
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Post by coachbdud on Dec 26, 2011 23:24:44 GMT -6
A good assistant is involved in the program year round...
i dont really like guys who coach august-november/december
that tells me they are coaching a football team, i am trying to coach/build an entire program here... meaning i am coaching/recruiting/working 12 months a year
Even if the other coaches dont have as much S&C knowledge as i do, I would sure LOVE them being their in the weight room with me all offseason... I can coach them up how i want things coach, you can never have enough sets of eyes/motivators in the weight room.
I think assistants need to try to do as much as they possibly can for the coach (without stepping on his toes of course) ASK your HC what you can do to help him out
this past off season, when i was moved from JV HC to Varsity Assistant I told the HC about my prior experience as Assistant Coach... offered to literally do anything and everything he wanted of me... I was able to sell him and got the title "Assistant Head Coach" just so the school would give me all of the access that he had, that other assistants normally do not get (certain keys, alarm codes, mail box, ability to make certain decisions "for the team")
I consider myself a "great assistant" simply because I try to do everything possible for the HC, he talks to me first about any decisions coming up and I handle a ton of stuff so he doesnt have to. He has a daughter in college, a son in middle school, and a baby, and he just started a new job, so he is pretty busy , i try to take as much as i can off his plate to free him up and take some stress away
to me that's the most basic definition of being a great assistant... you make the HC's life easier[/b]
now I am able to do a lot for him because I am the only on campus coach in our program, I am young and single so i dont have family stuff or a wife that I have to deal with... I can devote just about all of my time to our program
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Post by highball007 on Dec 26, 2011 23:29:59 GMT -6
Coachbdud,
I would not give my family up for anything, but man I kind of miss those days of single life and being married to the program. Everything you mentioned I would second as far as being a great assistant coach. I believe another thing that has to happen is that you have to talk up the program because by doing that, you are talking up the HC, and when young men see a grown man buying in 100% it makes it easier for them to buy in 100%! May be under Loyalty, but I thought it was worth mentioning!
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Post by cwaltsmith on Dec 27, 2011 9:36:44 GMT -6
A good assistant is involved in the program year round... i dont really like guys who coach august-november/december that tells me they are coaching a football team, i am trying to coach/build an entire program here... meaning i am coaching/recruiting/working 12 months a year Even if the other coaches dont have as much S&C knowledge as i do, I would sure LOVE them being their in the weight room with me all offseason... I can coach them up how i want things coach, you can never have enough sets of eyes/motivators in the weight room. I think assistants need to try to do as much as they possibly can for the coach (without stepping on his toes of course) ASK your HC what you can do to help him out this past off season, when i was moved from JV HC to Varsity Assistant I told the HC about my prior experience as Assistant Coach... offered to literally do anything and everything he wanted of me... I was able to sell him and got the title "Assistant Head Coach" just so the school would give me all of the access that he had, that other assistants normally do not get (certain keys, alarm codes, mail box, ability to make certain decisions "for the team") I consider myself a "great assistant" simply because I try to do everything possible for the HC, he talks to me first about any decisions coming up and I handle a ton of stuff so he doesnt have to. He has a daughter in college, a son in middle school, and a baby, and he just started a new job, so he is pretty busy , i try to take as much as i can off his plate to free him up and take some stress away to me that's the most basic definition of being a great assistant... you make the HC's life easier[/b] now I am able to do a lot for him because I am the only on campus coach in our program, I am young and single so i dont have family stuff or a wife that I have to deal with... I can devote just about all of my time to our program[/quote] This is a great post... There are 2 things that stick out in my mind ... LOYALTY, and OWNERSHIP. Of course, any coach needs to know football, but if a coach is willing to work and loyal and approaches coaching like its TRUELY his program too, then the X'a and O's can be taught. I like what you said about making the HC job and life easier. That is a great definition. This should be in every phase of it too. Not just time and physical work, but insite into game plans, game decisions, mentoring players. All of this.
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Post by jgordon1 on Dec 27, 2011 10:11:04 GMT -6
After reading coachbuds and highball's posts....there is one thing that asst coaches need to realize..its alot different sitting in the HC's shoes than your shoes..let me give you a couple of examples....staff unity is important to me...Some of my varsity coaches complain a little because I don't force my jv coaches to meet w/ us on Sun...my feeling is hey they are staying late on Friday night and don't get hime until after 11 pm on jv gane nights, I am not going to make them spend another day away from their family.. Igive them a HUDL assignment and they do it from home....right or wrong, that is my priority. and a HC I have a different lens than you have
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Post by blb on Dec 27, 2011 10:23:13 GMT -6
Understanding that loyalty means defending the program, players, head coach and not just avoiding being negative.
Seeing to it that at the end of the season the players at your position are the best they can be.
Putting in the necessary time on and off the field to give us a chance to be successful.
Taking responsibility for equipment issue-collection, care, inventory.
If someone asks you at a clinic "How do you block such-and-such a front?" or "How do you defend this Offense?" you can tell them if it's in your area of responsibility.
Just some random thoughts.
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Post by mariner42 on Dec 27, 2011 15:09:03 GMT -6
Not unlike Bdub, as an assistant I've always tried to have one part of the program locked down as 'my thing'. The last few years, I've been the 'tech guy' on the staffs that I've been on. HUDL this year and DSV before that, I was the guy who got the tech stuff taken care of. Understanding that loyalty means defending the program, players, head coach and not just avoiding being negative. This is so so so important and it's been one of the hardest challenges for me when there were things happening that I didn't care for. You have to lie for the company sometimes and it's hard to make peace with that. You can't just say "I'm not going to talk about playcalling" to a nosy parent, you have to say " We thought it was the best play for situation." People I tell the truth to: my parents, my best friend, the AD, and the other coaches. The first two are because I need to in order to stay sane some times, the AD because they need to understand what's going on within their area of responsibility, and the other coaches because honest discussion is crucial to growth. Everyone else gets told the company line and that's all there is to it. I'll also throw out that you need to be knowledgeable enough about the schemes being used that you can offer suggestions that work or exist within those schemes. I had assistants this year in particular that were making suggestions that were wildly outside of what we were teaching the kids to do. They actually saw this as a positive thing, but in my mind you don't fix a leaky roof by burning the building down, you figure out how to patch the roof with the materials and tools that are available to you.
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Post by groundchuck on Dec 27, 2011 17:37:01 GMT -6
The great ones I have worked with posess: Loyalty Knowledge Willing to do things on their own Willing to become knowledgable in "my" scheme Take personal responsibility when their group doesn't play well. Are not selfish Back the head coach when talking to parents
The {censored} ones I have worked with.... Will throw the HC under the bus when they get the chance Lazy Disrespectful Unwilling to work off the field/weekend/offseason Complain Don't back the HC or say "they would do this" when talking to parents.
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Post by the1mitch on Dec 27, 2011 18:42:48 GMT -6
Is he Ethical? Is he Teachable? Look no further. If either of these factors are amiss, he'll hurt your program or disappoint you when the tough times come. Morals trump teachable, if you have to choose between two guys. Can I trust this guy with my wallet, daughter, car? Is he willing to put in the time to get to where we need him to be? Experienced guys with ethical quirks are bad news...... there's usually a reason he's been at 5 places in 8 years. Ask him which of his former supervisors would give him the best rec and who would give him the worst. Then call the second guy...
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 27, 2011 19:54:00 GMT -6
I think everything I believe in has been said, but I want to expand on one point about loyalty. To me, that means the whole athletic program, not just the football program. Most of my experience is at small schools, so there is a lot of sharing of athletes. Even if I don't get along with the coaches of other sports, I won't ever say a bad word or question strategy about that coach when around players.
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Post by lionhart on Dec 28, 2011 9:23:17 GMT -6
as an OC for the past 6 yrs, i can honestly say that i am NOT focused on my "next move" up the coaching ladder. i am 100% happy and satisfied with my position. at this point in my life, i have ZERO desire to take over my own program. (i have had several offers, including my alma mater... which i turned down) - for me, i LOVE being an assistant, specifically the OC and asst HC. i am totally engulfed in the offensive side of the ball, and truly enjoy the things that i do "best" - break down film, gameplan, script and execute practice plans, and call plays. i have no desire whatsoever to deal with administration, alumni, parents, media, etc. - i am loyal and go "beyond" the basic time requirements of an assistant, and i truly feel that the program is mine as much as anyone elses, and devote many hours in the off-season attending clinics, working the weight room and "recruiting" kids from middle school. i agree with many of the posts here about characteristics of a good assistant. i try hard to embody those attributes and to be the "best" OC that i can be. however, i am proof that its possible to be happy "just" as an OC... with very little ambition to be a HC.
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Post by cwaltsmith on Dec 28, 2011 20:32:22 GMT -6
I had assistants this year in particular that were making suggestions that were wildly outside of what we were teaching the kids to do. They actually saw this as a positive thing, but in my mind you don't fix a leaky roof by burning the building down, you figure out how to patch the roof with the materials and tools that are available to you. I totally agree with this statement. Every Summer we meet to finalize our schemes and fix problems that arise in the spring. I am adimate during these meetings that if you have a problem to our scheme or want to make addition do it during these meeting because we want to have the scheme in place by end of camp... It never fails game 5 some one will say , " why dont we do x,y,or z." Ill ask ok does that fit into our scheme, is it similar to what we do(reads, steps, etc). Answer is usually..."no but it would stop this offense best...." This kills me. I know you have to add things during the year, but they should all be within what you do... You should not be suggesting putting the 3-3-5 rolling zone coverage scheme when you have been 4-4 press man all year.
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clloyd
Sophomore Member
Posts: 210
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Post by clloyd on Dec 28, 2011 20:47:26 GMT -6
I agree great asst coaches are involved. Depending on there time with the program they may be more involved. I also agree that you do not want yes men. They should know and learn when to speak up and as a head coach understand the reason they may disagree with you is because they feel it is better for the program. To be completely honest it is like a good wife. We know even when she is mad that she is genuinely concerned about us(the program). We may not see eye to eye but in the end we have each others back. As long as they are there for you and the kids everything else can be taught or worked on with the staff.
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Post by coachdubyah on Dec 28, 2011 20:48:33 GMT -6
Simply put: Make the Head Coach's Job EASIER.
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Post by dennydierick on Dec 29, 2011 8:20:32 GMT -6
After being assistant coach then head coach followed by now being assistant coach again I always evaluated assistants on the folloing 6 criteria :
1. Loyalty 2. Technical Knowledge 3. Professsional Growth 4. Hard Work 5. Staff Compability 6. Enthusiasm
2 Golden Rules : 1. Make the Head Coach look good. 2. Make the Head Coaches job easier.
Denny Dierick
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Post by fballcoachg on Dec 29, 2011 10:32:51 GMT -6
This is a side question, what exactly does loyalty look like?
I always talk about our program to outsiders (and some insiders for that matter!) in the terms of we, I back what the HC is trying to do and work diligently for the betterment of the program. However I do keep an eye open for other opportunities, particularly "moving up." I was just curious if loyalty to you guys that have been or are headers includes not looking elsewhere, I don't mean sending applications to every feasible job but if your assistant thinks he can further his career somewhere and is honest about applying is that still loyalty?
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Post by blb on Dec 29, 2011 10:46:45 GMT -6
As a head coach I have no problem with assistants who want to move up because I know they'll work hard-do a good job here to get an opportunity, and if they do makes our program look good.
Same as me when I was a young buck.
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Post by cwaltsmith on Dec 29, 2011 10:58:11 GMT -6
This is a side question, what exactly does loyalty look like? I always talk about our program to outsiders (and some insiders for that matter!) in the terms of we, I back what the HC is trying to do and work diligently for the betterment of the program. However I do keep an eye open for other opportunities, particularly "moving up." I was just curious if loyalty to you guys that have been or are headers includes not looking elsewhere, I don't mean sending applications to every feasible job but if your assistant thinks he can further his career somewhere and is honest about applying is that still loyalty? I think this is very important trait for a good asst. When a coach stops trying to advance... they stop trying to get better most of the time. To me loyalty is all about supporting the program even if you dont agree with everything. Supporting it in everyway like it is your on that is loyalty IMHO
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Post by coachd5085 on Dec 29, 2011 11:00:28 GMT -6
Question to you HC's
Earlier in the thread, a coach (I think mariner) mentioned that you had to "lie for the company" sometimes. I was wondering what you guys thought about this. I don't lie for anybody...
If a fan/parent/admin whatever questioned a playcall or decision and I felt the same way that they did it, would you consider it disloyal if I said "i don't discuss ______ (playcalls, personnel etc) with people outside the staff." rather than lie as mariner suggests?
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Post by blb on Dec 29, 2011 11:15:37 GMT -6
If a fan/parent/admin whatever questioned a playcall or decision and I felt the same way that they did it, would you consider it disloyal if I said "i don't discuss ______ (playcalls, personnel etc) with people outside the staff." rather than lie as mariner suggests? I think that's the appropriate response anyway. In fact in our state association's pamphlet on Parent-Coach communication it specifically states that discussing playing time, other players, and strategy is "off limits." And an administrator should be talking face-to-face with the header, not trying to look for or cause dissension in the staff.
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Post by coachd5085 on Dec 29, 2011 11:26:38 GMT -6
blb--definitely agree... I guess I was thinking more along the lines of the parent/fan saying "Coachd...why the heck did BLB do________ all we had to do was_______" while I was walking by. There have been times in the past where the parent/fan WASN'T a slappy, and I happened to agree with them.
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Post by coachwilliams2 on Dec 29, 2011 14:01:58 GMT -6
To me, getting in to a conversation with a parent about a call that was not yours to make is disloyal.
My response would be "man I am sure glad I didn't have to make that call. I am sure coach ________ would be glad to sit down with you and talk about It"
Or "I would have done the same thing over and over again" whether you would have or not. Give them the company line.
Parents ALWAYS have a different agenda than coaches PERIOD. They are looking out for 1 kid, coaches are looking out for 100.
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Post by coachd5085 on Dec 29, 2011 14:33:01 GMT -6
To me, getting in to a conversation with a parent about a call that was not yours to make is disloyal. I agree. I was just wondering if head coaches felt giving a "no comment" type reply like I suggested was disloyal. Because like I said, I have had times when I agreed with the person questioning the call. I never said it.. never had a conversation about it. Just replied "I don't comment onstuff like that to anyone but staff"
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Post by Coach Huey on Dec 29, 2011 14:52:44 GMT -6
To me, getting in to a conversation with a parent about a call that was not yours to make is disloyal. I agree. I was just wondering if head coaches felt giving a "no comment" type reply like I suggested was disloyal. Because like I said, I have had times when I agreed with the person questioning the call. I never said it.. never had a conversation about it. Just replied "I don't comment onstuff like that to anyone but staff" say... "didn't like the call huh? yeah, i mean there were about 60-something calls he had to make tonight. i know we lost, but we were in it because he only effed up that one. most guys i know would have effed up way more than that."
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Post by coachwoodall on Dec 29, 2011 14:53:23 GMT -6
Loyalty= making hay on the field you are plowing, that does not mean that you stop looking for new better fields to plow.
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Post by davishfc on Dec 30, 2011 11:28:34 GMT -6
5085,
I would even say there are varying degrees of "no comment" that your mentioning. There is the no comment that you mentioned which you might as well wink at them when you say it. Then there's Coach Williams's form of "no comment" which I believe is the loyal way to do it. You don't want to give the company line or "lie," that's fine. But opt for the more loyal of the two "no comments." JMO.
Save the disagreement with the call for the staff meeting over the weekend or if you don't meet then ask for some time to speak to the header and ask about the rationale for his decision in that situation. If you still disagree after hearing his perspective, he'll say "duly noted" and you'll both move on. If this continues then you should assess if this is a header you want to continue to work with. But don't undermine the header by involving yourself in those conversations with parents or fans that can only be detrimental to the program as a whole long term. They're jabs that develop into the eventual knock out punch down the road.
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