Most Overlooked Aspect In Coaching

How about successfully navigating the intense politics surrounding schools, athletics, and coaching? I think if you're a head coach you put all of your attention toward those responsibilities listed by Huey. I didn't overlook any of that stuff.

As a matter of fact, there were times that I didn't feel like I could invest all of the time that was necessary for the football end of it because of all of the other things that had to be done and there's only so many hours in the day.

Head coaches will especially feel this way if they have a small staff. They are the OC or DC or STC or two or all of them depending on the experience of the staff. Then there's all of those additional responsibilities unrelated to "football" like equipment, laundry, etc.

Of course when the program gets established and people step up, that work load becomes less intense for the head coach, or it should anyway so he can focus on the football end of coaching.

As a head coach, you're so swamped with all of that stuff you didn't overlook that you DO overlook the possibility that behind the scenes...away from the program...there could be a terrorist plot taking place. The naysayers, critics (Taliban as a mentor of mine has referred to them) are hard at work.

You're developing players and a coaching staff so you're occupied. Meanwhile, someone or some people could be sabotaging aspects of the program because they don't like the offense or how captains were chosen or you're not winning enough games or whatever.

This often "overlooked" factor influences the fate of so many coaches throughout the country every single year. This cannot be overlooked or underestimated.

Stay true to yourself, certainly don't give in to the politics. But understand that critics are there and as hard as you're working to build a program, (depending on their commitment level) they may be working just as hard to destroy it. An awareness of this will go a long way for coaches.