Worst first day as a team -advice needed!

Did you let all know ahead of time best or newest equipment would go to those who attended weight room most or demonstrated most commitment?

May need to explain to the Seniors they have a problem with you and coaches, not the Juniors.

one thing our staff has learned (all brand new staff last year) was that when you first come into a program, your rules and expectations may be very different from the last staff. this WILL lead to at least some trouble, as some of those SR's may have some loyalty issues to the last staff. my advice: in life, you EARN what you get. your sr's have the same problem most youth have these days, and that's that sense of entitlement. if they can't respect what you do, then forget them. we thought we could win all of our kids over by showing them how dedicated we were, how much time we spent on the program, bringing new things to the program, etc. the last staff pretty much did nothing. we didn't tell the kids that, but we thought they would recognize this fact on their own. some did, others didn't. the sr's will always feel that it's their time. we stress to our kids, "why wait"? care now. care always. just because you're a senior doesn't mean a darn thing. the sophmore who cares, works, earns, and deserves gets first. don't fall into the trap where you can please every one, as its impossible. and when you try to please them all, you ultimately p&ss more people off than you would if you did it your way. stick to your guns coach. you're doing it right. don't let the "inmates" run the show. kids are smart, and when they see that they can manipulate you through these tactics, they will run with it.

One of the things I've learned in my experiences, is that when you come in as a new staff, you have to not only install your offense, defense, and special teams... You have to install your philosophy. You have to explicitly teach, discuss, and describe everything you believe in, and what your program will be about. Bill Walsh did it with the 49ers: he called it "putting in place your standard of excellence." Whatever philosophies and principles you have, those will become the bedrock for everything you do in the future.

We have condensed ours down to about 10 pages, and during the first week of pre-season, we take some time to go over a bit every day. Then, we have everyone sign a commitment that they're "All-In." (For a new staff, this would be good to do in the spring, when first taking over. But as long as you get everything across before the season, you'll have everyone on the same page.

I attached a sample of our "Install."
I will attach our "Pledge" commitment also.

Guys thanks for the info so far really appreciated.
We had told our team that there were rewards for commitment trouble is only 3-4 of all the SR ever bothered to show up to meetings....

Some of them are committed and solid guys it's the others who have been able to miss 3 days of practice and still start / never workout and demand to play 2 ways. That are the issue so far

thats an issue. if you are new, and have to install your new offense, defense, and special teams, those who have missed CANNOT possibly be ready to go come the first day of camp. DO NOT go back and re teach it. go with the guys who can be trusted. now, the best players should play (in most programs). that is, if you want to keep your job. therefore, you tell those kids that are always there that its up to them to not allow a player who has not done anything in the off season to take their job. if a kid has missed all off season stuff, shows up for the first day of camp, picks up what he's missed AND out performs one of those kids who was around all the time...what can you do. i guess it depends on what your school is expecting from you. if you are in a position where they want stability and don't care about wins and loses, then i say take your lumps that first year and don't worry about those who didn't commit. if you need to win to keep your job, then the kids who didn't commit at least need an opportunity to take the job back.

as we all know, it's a tough decision because ultimately we want to teach our kids not only football lessons, but life lessons as well. on one hand, we want to reward those who put in the work...but we all know in the real world, life isn't fair, and the best make it. WHO SAID COACHING WAS EASY!!! haha.

ultimately, you need to stick to your beliefs. don't change who you are to make something easy. like it was mentioned before, clearly give your expectations, and STICK TO THEM TO THE END...NO MATTER WHAT. no matter what happens, at least you'll be able to sleep at night. good luck to you

To me that's the great thing about coaching football that is only out matched by wrestiling if you don't like who is starting in front of you do something about it. Shure you want the kids there and bringing them back on the depth chart as punishment is fine. But once we strap it up if they kid is not a distraction and can beat the other kid its your spot regardless of age,size,race, mommy and daddy or anything else its there spot.

Coach, you know you are going to be tested on this, don't you? But, that's nothing new, it's always like this.

I am a huge proponant of talking man to man with older kids. I don't believe that same thing with younger kids though-just tell them what to do. (it's like seeing a mother negotiating with a 4 yr. old, get real people)

Let them know what to expect, TALK to them.

Anyway, when it comes to upperclassmen, I believe in talking to them in small group or 1 on 1, in a man-to-man attitude. HOWEVER, and this is the proverbial big but, DO NOT speak from a friend perspective, do NOT lose your positioning in your talking. But, speaking to them from a position of strength, speak to them with respect for their position without losing yours. It will take a good deal of self control and emotional control, but it CAN be done.

You are NOT their friend, you are their coach. They respect you and you respect them. Speaking to upperclassmen like this, allows the players to not feel like they are being disrespected, but also lets them know that you are in control too.

Explain to them what you expect, don't treat them like a child but dont' treat them like a chum either. I've had alot of success with young men this way. I let them know what I expect, I speak to them like a "father" since so many of them don't have fathers.

Important stuff:
Let them know WHY you are doing what you are doing, what to expect from them, the rules and the consequences. Let them know you desire leadership out of them, but also let them know that if they do NOT hold up their end of the bargain, then you will have to remove them from "their position" of honor and replace them with someone who will be honorable. But as long as they do what you have agreed upon, things will be fine.

YOU WILL BE TESTED AT LEAST 1 TIME. Then, when you stay with your well known honor code, it is usually over. If it blows up on you? Well, send 'em all home and start over with kids who will do what you want.

It's not easy being "coach" but it certainly is awesome isn't it?

DC great post thanks a ton.

Here is today's update: the 2 SR who have shown commitment came in today both asking to sit with me and chat. The first guy apologized for questioning the direction of the coaches. We had a solid discussion he was in tears at the end (seems like a tough guy but I guess not) and he commited to doing whatever he needs to earn our trust and have the best experience he can with us. He seemed truly genuine in his discussion. I explained why we do physical testing and what the numbers mean and earn you he understood the reasons. I posed the question to him "if you have a grade 11 and a 12 and they are the same but you need to pick one and the grade 11 comes to workouts and fundraises, who do you pick?" He had a tough time saying you don't pick the grade 12 but he understood the process.

The second guy came in the afternoon as he was concerned what the aditiude some of his SR teammates have will do to the team. Basically DC he said what you did "these guys will be a problem". It was a good chat again re-enforced the fact that he doesn't need to worry about it we will specifically me. I told him I needed him to be vocal with this group especialy in the locker room that isn't interested in being part of the solution.

Interesting few days. Guys once again thanks a ton for the advice it is very much apreciated as it sounds like many of you have weathered this storm before.