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Post by **** on Apr 7, 2016 18:38:54 GMT -6
Older guys on the board...
If you could go back and change something you did (or didn't do) that would have bettered your career. What would it be?
What do you wish you would've done differently?
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Post by tothehouse on Apr 7, 2016 19:02:01 GMT -6
Not spend so much time on football.
I'm 43 and I'm cooked. Was a JV HC at 19 years old. So...I guess I'm "old" as far as years coached.
Work smarter...not harder.
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Post by coachirish on Apr 7, 2016 19:14:05 GMT -6
I would've recruited the hallways harder the first few years. We had success in year 1 and 2 and I figured the kids would keep coming out so I didn't really recruit the school at all. I paid for it dearly in year 3 and 4. Numbers dropped and we had a hard time being competitive. During season 4 I realized what a mistake I had made so I started going after kids for year 5. In year 5 (last season) we had the biggest team in school history and finished with one of the best records in school history. I don't know any Coach that recruits thier school and middle school as much as I do now but I learned the hard way.
I've only coached ten years total so I'm not exactly "old".
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Post by John Knight on Apr 8, 2016 6:28:46 GMT -6
I have no regrets. Always look forward.
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Post by raymul313 on Apr 8, 2016 8:21:41 GMT -6
Not spend so much time on football. I'm 43 and I'm cooked. Was a JV HC at 19 years old. So...I guess I'm "old" as far as years coached. Work smarter...not harder. You have seen the game change though in more ways than one and are still in it. I hope it hasn't hurt you outside of your football career though if that's what is causing the feelings of regret. Myself though: I wish I had actually played growing up but it was much easier to play basketball |
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Post by tothehouse on Apr 8, 2016 8:47:11 GMT -6
I hear you DC. I'm working on "me" right now.
Going from winning 90% of your games over 20 years to 4 wins in the last 3 seasons has kicked me in the balls.
Reevaluate. Re-energize.
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Post by coachphillip on Apr 8, 2016 8:49:12 GMT -6
Listened to my gut and not jump at that first varsity job with an incompetent head coach just to say I was a varsity coach. I would've been better served finding a great program in the area and volunteering as a freshman assistant. Oh well. Live and learn. I think I read on here, "More careers are decided on the jobs you don't take than the ones you do."
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Post by rsmith627 on Apr 8, 2016 8:58:10 GMT -6
Listened to my gut and not jump at that first varsity job with an incompetent head coach just to say I was a varsity coach. I would've been better served finding a great program in the area and volunteering as a freshman assistant. Oh well. Live and learn. I think I read on here, "More careers are decided on the jobs you don't take than the ones you do." Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Same. I have been varsity OC in some garbage programs. Right now I am a JV OC in a great program and am probably far better off and learning and growing far more as a coach. |
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Post by newhope on Apr 8, 2016 9:26:55 GMT -6
Even when there are choices you made in the past that might have made things different in a positive way, it is difficult to say you made the wrong choice because other good things happened later that would have never happened if you hadn't made the first choice--if that makes sense. Turning down a job at a good school at the beach because I wanted to be loyal to kids and a school was not the right career move at the time, but lots of really good things have happened since that would not have happened if I had made that move--so I can't say it was the wrong decision
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Post by John Knight on Apr 8, 2016 9:37:02 GMT -6
I guess I do have a few regrets. I applied and interviewed for the job where I had been the top assistant for 10 years. It was a joke interview and they gave the job to some guy from outside that didn't know $hit and wasn't even licensed to teach, although they paid him as a teacher. He fired me after the 3rd meeting saying I didn't fit in, that was fine with me. The last thing he said or did before he left town with his tail between his legs 2 years later, was to come see me and apologize and tell me I was the only honest person in Waverly. I wish I had never interviewed for the job.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2016 11:50:34 GMT -6
Only thing I would've done differently was not trust as many admins. as I did early on in my career...other than that, maybe drink a little less...
Duece
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Post by coachphillip on Apr 8, 2016 11:58:56 GMT -6
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Post by fantom on Apr 8, 2016 12:05:52 GMT -6
Older guys on the board... If you could go back and change something you did (or didn't do) that would have bettered your career. What would it be? What do you wish you would've done differently? When I was graduating college my coach suggested that I apply for a GA. I wanted to get on with life and start paying my bills. Dumb kid! |
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Post by rsmith627 on Apr 8, 2016 12:13:29 GMT -6
Not me, but I have a buddy who teaches and coaches. We went to high school together and are best friends.
Anyway, when we graduated he went to Michigan State. Our HC had an in for him to do some gopher work for Dantonio and he passed on it.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2016 15:02:18 GMT -6
I've taken on some tough jobs, but for my biggest regret, I wish I had started coaching a decade sooner.
I didn't play college ball, so even though I knew since I was 14 that I wanted to be a HS coach, I thought I had no chance of ever getting anywhere without college experience, so instead of getting into teaching and coaching I was discouraged from it and wound up pi$$ing away my 20s on dead-end private sector jobs that I couldn't stand just to scrape by.
Now I'm 35 and I've only got 4 years of varsity-level experience when I could have 10 or 15 and be a lot further along. The thing about time is that you never get it back once you lose it. All we have is now.
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Post by powerfootball71 on Apr 8, 2016 15:12:18 GMT -6
Biggest what if I have is not finishing up school and taking the ga job I was offerd. Decided to go work construction with the old man for a few years before I got into coaching. Been at it 15 years but not being a teacher and coaching is not easy. A teammate of mine went the ga route and is pulling 6 figures and football scoope had him in the running for oline coach of the year a couple years back. I can't complain but definitely a what if I think about from time to time.
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Post by John Knight on Apr 8, 2016 15:41:58 GMT -6
I was on Terry Bowden's first staff as a Student assistant and I was coaching and Student Teaching and had a chance to stay in college coaching Just like Jimbo Fisher did when he finished playing for Terry but any time I what if that path, I look at this picture.  |
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Post by wolfden12 on Apr 8, 2016 15:59:41 GMT -6
I wish I would've worked harder the first half of my career. Took for granted the opportunities I had. Development and networking more. I am glad where I am at and grateful for the learning experiences and relationships I have made and had. I look to get better everyday and make good on my current situation confident opportunities that I strive for will come in the years to come.
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Post by lochness on Apr 8, 2016 17:54:21 GMT -6
I wish I didn't suck my first 10 years coaching. Arrogant, scheme-oriented, teaching too much stuff, thinking I know everything, taking opportunity and position for granted.
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Post by mariner42 on Apr 8, 2016 18:29:04 GMT -6
Not old, but I've lost a few hairs to that makes me something...
I'd be less eager to prove myself when I was younger, more eager to learn from the old grey hairs. I hate thinking about what kind of opportunity I wasted from 25-30 because my ego was making most of the decisions.
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Post by rsmith627 on Apr 8, 2016 18:30:41 GMT -6
I wish I didn't suck my first 10 years coaching. Arrogant, scheme-oriented, teaching too much stuff, thinking I know everything, taking opportunity and position for granted. Guys who are young like me: THIS This might be the best post on this thread. Read it. Think about it. Read it again. Think about it some more. Once you have done that, look in the mirror. This is something that I think almost ALL young coaches do. |
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Post by Defcord on Apr 8, 2016 20:55:01 GMT -6
Biggest regrets...
1. Being mad and yelling at kids. No matter how much you increase the volume it doesn't add to the message.
2. Taking a bad job. My first teaching-coaching gig the HC was a guy from PA. He won a few state championships. He always told me not to take any hc job just for the title. Tried my damnedest mot too but was offered twice and anxious so made that mistake.
3. Turned down jobs in quality programs to take higher positions in losing programs. I wish I could go back to some of the offers and learn from those guys.
4. Strike a balance. Between teaching coaaching being dad and husband, coaching has always came first. I wish I could say my son was but I can't...I am moving inthst direction though.
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Post by coach2013 on Apr 9, 2016 10:56:17 GMT -6
Older guys on the board... If you could go back and change something you did (or didn't do) that would have bettered your career. What would it be? What do you wish you would've done differently?
Looking back at my first head coaching position
I would have made a much bigger deal out of weight room performance and on field football performance than on weight room attendance.
I think I also put so much emphasis on attendance that it appeared to seniors that they would lose their jobs to freshmen and sophs who were terrible players but were more available to attend workouts.
I cant go back and change that- but I can embrace my seniors now and tell them constantly that they have every opportunity to grab a starting spot with performance while the younger guys earn respect through attendance and improvement, they must outperform a senior or junior to leapfrog on the depth chart.
Similar to that, I would examine the loosy goosy nature of the previous program and turn the screws much more slowly than I did. It was culture shock to some of the guys - particularly older kids who were used to being late with physicals, missing meetings and so on. Id discipline/educate them in private rather than making them feel disrespected and alienated quickly.
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Post by s73 on Apr 9, 2016 17:35:25 GMT -6
1. Do a better job of remembering that they are just kids. Sometimes I get caught up in the process and forget about the people.
2. I know this is sacrilegious but.......reminding myself it's JUST HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.
3. Stop worrying about what other people think. I think this directly linked to #1 & #2. I wouldn't get so uptight with the kids and the process if I wasn't so concerned about the public perception on Friday nights. And frankly, I would probably coach better.
These are main goals for me in 2016. I need to enjoy this more and worry less regardless of the outcome.
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What if??
Apr 9, 2016 17:50:14 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by Defcord on Apr 9, 2016 17:50:14 GMT -6
Older guys on the board... If you could go back and change something you did (or didn't do) that would have bettered your career. What would it be? What do you wish you would've done differently?
Looking back at my first head coaching position
I would have made a much bigger deal out of weight room performance and on field football performance than on weight room attendance.
I think I also put so much emphasis on attendance that it appeared to seniors that they would lose their jobs to freshmen and sophs who were terrible players but were more available to attend workouts.
I cant go back and change that- but I can embrace my seniors now and tell them constantly that they have every opportunity to grab a starting spot with performance while the younger guys earn respect through attendance and improvement, they must outperform a senior or junior to leapfrog on the depth chart.
Similar to that, I would examine the loosy goosy nature of the previous program and turn the screws much more slowly than I did. It was culture shock to some of the guys - particularly older kids who were used to being late with physicals, missing meetings and so on. Id discipline/educate them in private rather than making them feel disrespected and alienated quickly.
This is a great post and I appreciate it. Manny Diaz was quoted on the scoop this week saying that players need time to unlearn. I wish i would have had patience with a few guys along the way. We have a new hc in baseball I always tell him not to take it personal when kids do stupid stuff. Tgey aren't doing it to him or because of him they are just kids. I was a real AHOLE and wish I would have embraced the private teaching meeting instead of the public pissing contest I knew I couldn't lose. |
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Post by Defcord on Apr 9, 2016 17:51:29 GMT -6
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Good kevin Fowler song |
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Post by CanyonCoach on Apr 10, 2016 17:57:22 GMT -6
Joined the military...maybe not active duty but at least national guard
I needed a more concrete sequential approach to tasks...my natural abstract random methods drive others nuts..got a brother and several friends who are much better at getting from point A to B.
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Post by shotgunfivewide55 on Apr 10, 2016 18:18:28 GMT -6
1. spend more time with your family, especially your wife and kids, whether you are successful or not when you die or get old most will quickly forget you and move on
2. sometimes saying no to a bad job is a great decision. Most of us are desperate to be head coaches and and will take any job to have one. The wrong decision can be your last head coaching job.
3. do not let money always be the deciding factor in a job. Working with kids you like, coaching with friends you like and enjoy being around is priceless. NO amount of money makes up for spoiled kids and intrusive parents. Working with other coaches with their own agenda and have no loyalty are killers
4. usually you are paid more for teaching than coaching so try to enjoy being in the classroom, it is a long 30 years teaching biology everyday for 5 periods when you hate every minute of what you teach
5. It is great to have awesome athletes, they sure make us better coaches but looking back I wish I have spent more time with kids with higher character and a great work eithic rather than the great athlete with the horrible attitude that is the first to fold or lay down on you when you and your team needs him the most.
6. Love your wife and get some dogs or cats, your dog does not give a crap whether you won or lost, they just want to be petted.
7. a wife that understands what you do is more valuable than gold, my 3rd wife, lol loves what I do, understands the hours you need to put in and the demands of moving to other jobs and up rooting your entire life. there will be a time when she is the only one in the town or city that you coach in that is on your side, value and treasure her
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Post by tothehouse on Apr 11, 2016 8:41:29 GMT -6
You're right DC. And publicly I can't say that...regarding the chickens. But honestly...the last three crops of chickens would be 3rd stringers or worse on our better teams. The good news is...that our current junior chickens...might be chicken salad...compared to chicken {censored}.
Also...since 2000 our school has lost 1500 students (declining enrollment much?). And yet...we still play in the same classification. I know. I know. Nobody wants to hear that, but it's the truth. We play the BIG BOYS....with less bullets in our holster.
To keep on the thread...I would also say...that if you live in a small town...you keep your mouth shut. I live in a small town and keep my mouth shut. But the loud mouths didn't last. Gotta understand the politics of your situation.
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Post by rsmith627 on Apr 12, 2016 17:40:57 GMT -6
You're right DC. And publicly I can't say that...regarding the chickens. But honestly...the last three crops of chickens would be 3rd stringers or worse on our better teams. The good news is...that our current junior chickens...might be chicken salad...compared to chicken {censored}. Also...since 2000 our school has lost 1500 students (declining enrollment much?). And yet...we still play in the same classification. I know. I know. Nobody wants to hear that, but it's the truth. We play the BIG BOYS....with less bullets in our holster. To keep on the thread...I would also say...that if you live in a small town...you keep your mouth shut. I live in a small town and keep my mouth shut. But the loud mouths didn't last. Gotta understand the politics of your situation. Taking a spoon to a nuclear battle? |
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