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Post by highball007 on Dec 18, 2012 11:24:23 GMT -6
What is at the top of your to do list when you have just taken over a new program?
Please feel free to to add others and please list in the order you would accomplish these task.
1. Meet Team
2. Meet with Seniors
3. Meet all interested Coaches and start selecting a staff
4. Inventory
5. Individual Goal Meetings
6. Start a calendar and Off-Season schedule and distribute
7. Recruit Halls if on Campus
Whats on your list?
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Post by kylem56 on Dec 18, 2012 12:09:37 GMT -6
8. Meet with all the junior high, youth coaches
9. Have meeting with incoming freshmen (current 8th graders)
10. Introduce yourself to current 7th graders
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Post by davishfc on Dec 18, 2012 12:10:17 GMT -6
I would move 6 and 7 above 4 and 5 because it's more important to communicate the expectations and recruit than it is to inventory and run individual goal meetings. Don't get me wrong inventory and individual goal meetings are important but being organized and communicating with a calendar distributed and recruiting are absolutely vital to your success out of the gate.
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Post by coachplaa on Dec 18, 2012 12:11:07 GMT -6
Bold and highlight #3. It is THE most crucial thing IMO. Finding the RIGHT people and not just people. Low ego, energetic, team players.
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Post by davishfc on Dec 18, 2012 12:16:50 GMT -6
8. Meet with all the junior high, youth coaches 9. Have meeting with incoming freshmen (current 8th graders) 10. Introduce yourself to current 7th graders Introducing yourself through meetings with the junior high and incoming freshmen is very important. Introducing yourself to the coaches at the junior high and youth levels are important. The level of work to be done at the high school level and the help you have up there to get it done, will be a huge factor that will influence the impact you'll be able to have at the youth level. Ultimately, what will determine whether or not you're able to stay in your position will be on the development of the high school in the short term (which nowadays will vary according to patience levels of the community and/or district administration). If you've got 3 years to get things turned around then you better focus on the high school and the junior high. If it's a place that you feel it will be long term, then a greater level of involvement in the youth program makes sense. |
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Post by 56mesh on Dec 18, 2012 14:47:14 GMT -6
I agree with Davis here and with some of the things you have posted but what I have found that most new head coaches do is... have a month's worth of 6 a.m. meetings with current staff just to have them up there to show them who the boss is... then have them stay till 5 everyday after school doing menial tasks like repainting the doors on the bathroom stalls... then fire half of them after all of this is done since they showed up and did everything you asked, that means they really want to stay so you have to get rid of them...
I have seen this twice... once I was one of the coaches the new guy wanted to bring in, the 2nd time I was the guy who was reassigned... truly sucks either way...
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Post by coachbw on Dec 18, 2012 16:35:36 GMT -6
To me, the two top things are to get a coaching staff lined up that you share values with and to get into the weight room. Implementing your strength program give you a chance to immediately begin teaching and modeling the culture, work ethic, intensity, etc. that you want in your program.
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Post by carookie on Dec 18, 2012 16:47:01 GMT -6
I don't know if this is 5-10 (and Ive never been a HC) but I feel as if there is a lot community/admin type stuff that I would want to take care of so that it would not be a headache down the road. Get coordinated with the boosters, meet with the other HCs on campus and start to get them on your cycle (for lack of a better term), have an all parents meeting asap and let them know what is expected and allowed.
As I wrote, I don't think this is THE most important thing, but something that should be mentioned. For certain, getting coaches in and making sure ALL coaches are falling in line is huge, then getting offseason workouts going.
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Post by silkyice on Dec 18, 2012 20:07:53 GMT -6
I agree with Davis here and with some of the things you have posted but what I have found that most new head coaches do is... have a month's worth of 6 a.m. meetings with current staff just to have them up there to show them who the boss is... then have them stay till 5 everyday after school doing menial tasks like repainting the doors on the bathroom stalls... then fire half of them after all of this is done since they showed up and did everything you asked, that means they really want to stay so you have to get rid of them... I have seen this twice... once I was one of the coaches the new guy wanted to bring in, the 2nd time I was the guy who was reassigned... truly sucks either way... You're not bitter about that, are you? LOL. That does sound awful. |
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Post by 42falcon on Dec 18, 2012 20:08:20 GMT -6
I'll take a crack at it. The last 2 seasons have been like year 1 at the same school moving from the G10 team up to the SR team (G11-12)
1) Find prospective coaches / meet them / talk with them / network as much as you can to find quality folks not just warm bodies.
2) Ensure you have a plan outlined: off season training, expectations between now and camp. Meet with Admin at your building to ensure they are on side with this or that you have not missed something.
3) Meet with your current crop of players as a group / make yourself visible at the off season training if you are not running it
4) Recruit your halls
5) If you can recruit in coming students do so
6) Develop work flow for the season
7) ensure all things ie: fees, spirit packs, inventory of gear, how you will manage this stuff is done prior to even getting close to the season.
My 2 cents
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Post by mariner42 on Dec 18, 2012 20:45:41 GMT -6
A few things that I haven't seen that I know our HC did:
--Meet with the Chamber of Commerce
--Figure out exactly what our funds situation was and what we'd done in the past as fundraising
--Figure out who makes the school run. HINT: It's likely not the principal.
--Find some old team gear to wear until you can get new stuff made.
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Post by davishfc on Dec 18, 2012 20:47:03 GMT -6
For certain, getting coaches in and making sure ALL coaches are falling in line is huge And if they don't "fall in line"...then what? Believe me when I say that just because the "head football coach" comes around to talk to the other program coaches about HIS plan doesn't mean they'll be on board with it. Communication is positive but regardless if they agree or not, you have a blueprint to get working on. So, most importantly, the foundation needs to get laid and the building project needs to get underway. |
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Post by davishfc on Dec 18, 2012 21:09:08 GMT -6
What is everybody's time frame for these tasks? From my experience as a head coach, some of these are much more immediate than others. There are several tasks that could potentially take some time before getting to after you're hired. I'd like to believe I'm on top of the responsibilities of a head coach.
I just started with my second school this season. I was actually officially hired in late February and had to finish the school year teaching at the previous school. So I'm about 10 months in. Actually only 6 months from the time my wife and I moved here.
I can honestly say that I have some of these tasks yet to get to. Or my plans in those areas are not nearly developed to the degree I want yet. I'm not be a bit embarrassed to admit that. From experience, this stuff takes time to do and do it right.
I have work to do with the middle school program, youth program, the Rotary Club, to name a few. It will most certainly get done. But it's been said before by many coaches on this forum and I'll say it again, nobody loves football as much as we do.
I've learned that if we had complete control over how quickly these tasks were completed, they would've been done yesterday. But sometimes you have to be patient with the people you need to be involved to succeed. There are times when they are more receptive to talking about football.
As coaches, we just need to understand that, and when they're ready, hit them with everything we have. But until then, shoving football down their throat isn't necessarily the answer for getting things done. Just my opinion.
Will I still be working toward next season? Absolutely. Every single day in some way, shape, or form. I'll work with my players and coaches throughout the off-season because they are the most vital factors for our success as a program.
But for the school and community, it's basketball/wrestling season right now, and then baseball/track season will start in the spring. Those of you that coach at small high schools with multiple 3 sport athletes know what I'm talking about.
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Post by silkyice on Dec 18, 2012 22:27:46 GMT -6
1) Get the kids in the weight room!!!!!
2) Ask for everything you need now. Weights, laptop, hudl, bags, new helmets, new jerseys, etc. Ask for what you need. There is no better time then when you get hired to get what you need/want.
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Post by carookie on Dec 19, 2012 0:36:05 GMT -6
For certain, getting coaches in and making sure ALL coaches are falling in line is huge And if they don't "fall in line"...then what? Believe me when I say that just because the "head football coach" comes around to talk to the other program coaches about HIS plan doesn't mean they'll be on board with it. Communication is positive but regardless if they agree or not, you have a blueprint to get working on. So, most importantly, the foundation needs to get laid and the building project needs to get underway. When I write "getting all coaches in line" I meant it to entail all Football coaches, not coaches of other sports. If a coach on your football staff does not fall in line, then hopefully you have the capability to get him in line or get rid of him When I wrote the comment about getting other coaches (meaning other sport coaches) "onto the same flow as you" I write that to mean that you should communicate with them and find out who they are, and how they feel about sharing athletes, and hopefully find a commonality. Learn what they do in the weight room and other facilities that you will need and hopefully get it working all together. Of course I have always found the big key is that football is in the fall season, which gives us somewhat of a sway over priority in the summer; although I wouldnt overly play the card early on. |
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Post by kcbazooka on Dec 19, 2012 7:59:44 GMT -6
i think mariner 42 alluded to it -- make friends with whichever secretary you are going to be dealing with all year. Will make your life a lot easier.
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Post by 42falcon on Dec 19, 2012 8:09:45 GMT -6
i think mariner 42 alluded to it -- make friends with whichever secretary you are going to be dealing with all year. Will make your life a lot easier. This has been a saving grace for me. I don't teach directly in the building I coach at. So these folks are a crucial part of our off field team. The more they like you and sing your praises the more the people with the purse string hear it and then the more they relax their grip on that stuff  |
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Post by davishfc on Dec 19, 2012 8:27:43 GMT -6
When I write "getting all coaches in line" I meant it to entail all Football coaches, not coaches of other sports. If a coach on your football staff does not fall in line, then hopefully you have the capability to get him in line or get rid of him I absolutely agree. The coaching staff must all be on board with the philosophy and present a united front collectively as a group. You're right Coach, this is a must if you are going to be successful as a head coach. When I wrote the comment about getting other coaches (meaning other sport coaches) "onto the same flow as you" I write that to mean that you should communicate with them and find out who they are, and how they feel about sharing athletes, and hopefully find a commonality. Learn what they do in the weight room and other facilities that you will need and hopefully get it working all together. Of course I have always found the big key is that football is in the fall season, which gives us somewhat of a sway over priority in the summer; although I wouldnt overly play the card early on. You're right here as well. This process should take place. Get to know them and what their philosophies are. Just don't be surprised if they feel as strongly about what they do as you do about your approach. Then what? Either compromise or you don't. Regardless, you have a plan and you believe wholeheartedly in it. You are going to follow through with your plan because that's what you've been hired to do. |
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Post by davishfc on Dec 19, 2012 8:31:00 GMT -6
IMO - the #1 thing is get good coaches. Be very wary of coaches who remain from the previous staff, whom the HC didn't try to take with him or if he was fired, coaches who are clearly still loyal to him and his program. Coaching short is better than having guys in the house who either aren't rowing the boat at all, or are rowing against you. You've got to have great people who are all rowing as hard as they can in the same direction. If they don't row, row opposite, or worse yet throw an anchor overboard, then they need to find a different boat. |
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Post by Coach Bennett on Dec 19, 2012 8:31:29 GMT -6
Make a list of the most important priorities in your life.
Come back to that list periodically when you are grinding away to keep some perspective.
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Post by davishfc on Dec 19, 2012 8:36:32 GMT -6
Make a list of the most important priorities in your life. Come back to that list periodically when you are grinding away to keep some perspective. So true. As you're in the boat rowing as hard as you can for awhile, it's important to take a breath and get your bearings. |
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msalazar51
Junior Member
"Believing that 95% commitment is okay results in 100% failure."
Posts: 305
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Post by msalazar51 on Dec 19, 2012 9:01:00 GMT -6
I am now beginning my second position as a head coach, my first time finished badly with my release and it most assuredly due to my beginnings. Having come from another part of the state I had no one that I knew, so I had to start with assistant coaches that were "on the list." I interviewed them all and tried to evaluate them all...the problem was I did not really know their personalities. Anyway, long story short some of these guys were long time "neighborhood" guys. That is they knew everyone and everyone knew them. My problem was no one knew me and therefore no one "warned" me about these personalities.
Anyway, the point here is you must have 2 - 4 coaches that are loyal to you from day one. Loyalty meaning that they believe, fundamentally, in the same things that you do and they will support and defend the things that the program is about.
So my list begins...
1. Assistant coaches.
2. Ensure that the administration understands what your plan is, your goals, and your needs to attain these goals. This means already having your plans in place from weightlifting schedules to practice schedules; from fund raising activities to contacts in the community. (As for me, this is already formulated BEFORE the interview and is part of my own evaluation as to whether or not the job is right for me).
3. Meet with the football team.
4. Meet with the teaching staff and enlist as much help as possible for tutoring, stats, and general help.
5. Meet with the seniors.
6. Access the budget and the needs vs wants; prioritize.
7. Meet with Parents.
8. Meet with community/business leaders.
9. Inventory.
10. Confirm needs.
With every single one of these you must have goals and a plan, NEVER do anything on this list without specific goals and a plan to obtain those goals. In addition, whenever presenting any of these groups with a "problem" make sure you can present at least two possible solutions to that problem. This will help you in guiding solutions as well as providing choices for your stakeholders. It is those choices that will give your stakeholders buy-in to what you want to accomplish.
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msalazar51
Junior Member
"Believing that 95% commitment is okay results in 100% failure."
Posts: 305
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Post by msalazar51 on Dec 19, 2012 9:22:48 GMT -6
Sorry, I also left off the list, and this is mixed in with a couple of groups, know what the goals, needs, and wants of different stakeholders. DO NOT try to please them all, unless it is really possible. Instead listen and help others understand where your goals align with theirs and in the areas where they differ explain why and a possible solution that will come eventually. Pay attention to the instructions of your Principal and Athletic Director.
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Post by ogre5530 on Dec 19, 2012 9:54:39 GMT -6
Find a good O-Line coach!!!
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Post by davishfc on Dec 19, 2012 10:02:11 GMT -6
Find a good O-Line coach!!! Touche' |
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msalazar51
Junior Member
"Believing that 95% commitment is okay results in 100% failure."
Posts: 305
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Post by msalazar51 on Dec 19, 2012 10:11:13 GMT -6
Find a good O-Line coach!!! Agreed! That is why I do the O-line! |
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Post by jgordon1 on Dec 19, 2012 10:16:23 GMT -6
I just got out of an interview 90 minutes ago...They asked me the firstthe things I would do as HC....I said #1 meet players...#2 meet parents...#3 get the weightroom started
BTW, I AM the OLINE guy
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Post by davishfc on Dec 19, 2012 10:21:58 GMT -6
I just got out of an interview 90 minutes ago...They asked me the firstthe things I would do as HC....I said #1 meet players...#2 meet parents...#3 get the weightroom started BTW, I AM the OLINE guy Great top three Coach. Simple and direct. That may be as far as you can get with some administrators in an interview situation anyway. That's definitely how my progression went although I had a meeting with the seniors before the parents. I am also a member of the HC/OC & OL club. Good luck Coach. I hope you interviewed with the better place you're hoping to end up at. |
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Post by davishfc on Dec 19, 2012 10:43:34 GMT -6
I just got out of an interview 90 minutes ago...They asked me the firstthe things I would do as HC....I said #1 meet players...#2 meet parents...#3 get the weightroom started BTW, I AM the OLINE guy Need an assistant? Always networking DC ;D |
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msalazar51
Junior Member
"Believing that 95% commitment is okay results in 100% failure."
Posts: 305
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Post by msalazar51 on Dec 19, 2012 10:45:24 GMT -6
I just got out of an interview 90 minutes ago...They asked me the firstthe things I would do as HC....I said #1 meet players...#2 meet parents...#3 get the weightroom started BTW, I AM the OLINE guy Hope it went well, good luck to you. |
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