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Post by coachmtd on Sept 27, 2006 10:22:45 GMT -6
I have, along with my assistant coaches, taken a doormat program and turned it into a contender over the past four years. We are currently undefeated and poised for our second league championship in three years. I have a kid on the team who as a junior last year could not get playing time on the JV. This year, because of an injury and how well we have done, the boy has played about half of each game as a nose tackle. He does not play offense at all. His parents wrote me a letter complaining about his playing time. Then they met with me and my AD about it. I explained to them how I substitute, and that if they had attended my preseason meeting, all of their questions would have been answered. I thought it was a dead issue, now my superintendent wants to meet with the AD and I to discuss the issue. I cannot tell you how frustrated I am. The player has never said a word, he has played more this year than any year previous to this, and does not even come close to the other players skill wise. The father wants the kid to be a marine and expects me to "make him a man". His parting shot, that really hurt was that he misses the old days when we stunk because at least everyone got a lot of playing time. My AD is outraged and completely has my back. Any suggestions for my meeting with the superintendent?
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Post by wingtol on Sept 27, 2006 10:30:30 GMT -6
Why is it always the paernts who seem to be the ones griping about PT? I bet the kid has no problem with the time he is getting.
The best football coach I have ever know always said"The game hasn't changed, you still have to block and tackle. The kids havent changed they still screw around and try and get out of stuff. It's the parent's who are f***ing everything up now adays!"
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Post by superpower on Sept 27, 2006 10:37:27 GMT -6
This is why I won't meet parents unless the player is at the meeting as well.
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Post by groundchuck on Sept 27, 2006 10:38:20 GMT -6
Parents are the problem in 3 out of 4 of the PT controversies I have delt with. I got wise and flat out told parents in writing and at the meeting that if you come to me with playing time issues I will walk away. That topic is not up for discussion. Now if your son wants to talk to me that is fine. Playing time is not an issue for parents; it is between me and your son.
The supt should stay out of it. His job is to run the district not micromanage your football team.
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Post by brophy on Sept 27, 2006 10:39:16 GMT -6
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Post by tothehouse on Sept 27, 2006 10:47:32 GMT -6
Bring the kid and get his thoughts. Make the kid see that his parents are whacko (even though he probably knows it already).
It sounds like you have legs to stand on by having your parent meeting and outlining the details.
Also, have these parents call the other nose tackles parents and tell them that "their kid has no chance to play because my kid is the starter". In other words....NOBODY OWNS A POSITION. He is not "THE" nose tackle.
If you want....bring the other nose tackle's parents into the meeting and have these other parents tell them face to face. "Your son has no chance because my kid OWNS the position".
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turney
Junior Member
Spread'em and Shread'em[F4:coachturney]
Posts: 279
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Post by turney on Sept 27, 2006 13:33:14 GMT -6
We never have a meeting about playing time unless the kid, coach, AD and parent(s) are all present. Usually if the kid is not getting playing time you can provide why (didnt work out in the summer, not running, or other things that he didnt do that the starter did). This usually relieves the problem and most of the time the kid has no problem its just the parents. We have very few complaints from the kids, its mostly the parents.
T
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Post by coachcb on Sept 28, 2006 8:22:37 GMT -6
Parents are the problem in 3 out of 4 of the PT controversies I have delt with. I got wise and flat out told parents in writing and at the meeting that if you come to me with playing time issues I will walk away. That topic is not up for discussion. Now if your son wants to talk to me that is fine. Playing time is not an issue for parents; it is between me and your son. The supt should stay out of it. His job is to run the district not micromanage your football team. I'm with groundchuck on this one- make the kids come talk to you. I tell my parents point blank that I will not deal with any issues until the player talks to me, NOT THE D@MN PARENTS. My primary relationship is not with the parents (or the administration for that matter), it is with the players. I had a parent come up to me last week complaining about playing time (the kid played the entire game on defense and special teams)- I told him I would not deal with it until the kid came and talked to me. The kid talked to me yesterday, stated that he was happy with his playing time but wanted a shot at RB- so I'm giving it to him. Bear in mind that this is youth football- I'm gonna bend some ears back in the next paragraph- Playing time on varsity is not negotiable- you play your best personnel. If you've got 11 varsity-quality athletes, then those 11 are playing the game- period. The lower levels of the program can be developmental; but you've got to get your Ws on varsity. Remind the parents; the kids a junior playing varsity. He's got another year to hit the weights and earn a spot as a senior. If the parents have forced their hand by getting everyone from the Burning Bush on down involved- get mean. This is a small part of the reason why you want to get everything that you can on video- practice and game. If you get hauled into a meeting- you can show the parents and the administration why little Johnny Jr. isn't getting playing time. Pop in the DVD/VCR and show them Johnny missing his assignments, blowing tackles, and getting blocked. Then ask them if they want to bring Johnny Jr. into the meeting so you can settle the situation once and for all. |
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Post by coachmtd on Sept 28, 2006 10:15:02 GMT -6
Thanks for all the input. It is good to know this crap goes on in other places. I do have plenty of video to bring to any meeting, plus my AD and assistant coaches to back me up. It is just such a kick in the stomach to put in all the energy and time to try and make a successful program then get dragged through the coals over something that was addressed several times at meeting which these parents chose not to attend.
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