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Post by tabs52 on Apr 8, 2016 7:01:58 GMT -6
We had a staff meeting last night, it seems like we have the same one every year at this time, where we discuss changes we would like to see to our program. Our HC is always on board and we devise a plan but when it comes time to implement the plan he always seems to revert back to his comfort zone, what we have done in the past. How do you truly get the HC to make changes and stick to these changes
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Post by cwaltsmith on Apr 8, 2016 7:19:29 GMT -6
Take initiative... Be the leader in seeing that it gets done. Don't just rely on the HC to do it... do it for him. This will take something off his plate. I want asst coaches that approach every day like they are the head coach.
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Post by tabs52 on Apr 8, 2016 7:50:40 GMT -6
which i agree with you but some of the items like changing practice plans or schedules fall on his shoulders not mine
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Post by chi5hi on Apr 8, 2016 7:54:56 GMT -6
These changes...are they about training and practice techniques, or are they proposed changes in schematics and philosophy?
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Post by tabs52 on Apr 8, 2016 7:57:01 GMT -6
i guess a little of both
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Post by blackknight on Apr 9, 2016 8:57:38 GMT -6
State the what you just said. Be honest. You are probably not the only one in the room thinking this.
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Post by carookie on Apr 9, 2016 10:39:29 GMT -6
Honestly, a lot of it depends on the HC. I've been in situations where EVERYONE on the staff felt a certain way except the HC, we met and explained our view point, no change. We provided studies and evidence at times to support our side, no change. We individually met and expressed our views, no change.
Sometimes, the HC is going to do what the HC wants to do (good or bad), and the only way to get them to change is for them to see it fail; and even then they may not change it- if they don't recognize it as the cause of failure.
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Post by coach2013 on Apr 9, 2016 10:51:23 GMT -6
We had a staff meeting last night, it seems like we have the same one every year at this time, where we discuss changes we would like to see to our program. Our HC is always on board and we devise a plan but when it comes time to implement the plan he always seems to revert back to his comfort zone, what we have done in the past. How do you truly get the HC to make changes and stick to these changes
I wonder if your HC is on another forum asking how to get his ACs to actually buy into his vision and program?
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Post by chi5hi on Apr 9, 2016 12:57:34 GMT -6
Well...its HIS railroad, and he gets to toot the whistle. |
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Post by fantom on Apr 9, 2016 13:01:46 GMT -6
If you want any real help we're going to need more info. What do you want him to change? His offense? Hos defense? His practice plan? His socks? |
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Post by blb on Apr 9, 2016 13:25:53 GMT -6
We had a staff meeting last night, it seems like we have the same one every year at this time, where we discuss changes we would like to see to our program. Our HC is always on board and we devise a plan but when it comes time to implement the plan he always seems to revert back to his comfort zone, what we have done in the past. How do you truly get the HC to make changes and stick to these changes
Why do you need to change?
Are you losing, not being as competitive as you should?
If so, what do you need to change to improve program?
Or do you-other assistants ('we') just feel like you have better ideas than the boss?
"Change" can be good and often inevitable.
But change just to change can be disastrous, too.
Too often coaches get bored and want to do things differently when kids aren't bored and program is working well.
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Post by s73 on Apr 9, 2016 14:19:05 GMT -6
Not to pile on but if you replaced the term head coach w/ boss I think suggesting that he change is a bit silly b/c you do not possess the authority to change him. He hired you.
With that said, I think only he can see the need for change (if the need exists) by examining the bottom line. If assistants aren't willing to coach for him anymore (that is a decision you actually have authority over), losses start to pile up, AD sees the need for a new guy, etc.
Otherwise, he EARNED the right to run the program as he sees fit.
JMO.
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Post by rosey65 on Apr 11, 2016 8:25:11 GMT -6
Be an adult and ask him. The title of this thread says "change," but I dont think you need to change the HC. This just sounds more like an accountability and communication issue.
I dont know what sort of person your HC is, but can you not talk to him in his office after practice, and bring up what you said in your first post? "Look, we all agreed to do this, but we aren't. What can we do to make this happen?"
Look at this from the next lower step...you tell a kid he's going to start, and then sit him with no explanation. Should he suck it up and silently deal with it? Or should he come to you, privately, and ask for clarification of your earlier pledge.
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Post by tabs52 on Apr 11, 2016 8:29:24 GMT -6
Actually he is the one who brought the idea of change, in a place where we could be considered the odds on favorite to win conference title and compete for a district championship. Ill give you an example: Last year was the second year we had 9th graders up on varsity, in one of preseason meetings we sat down and created a practice schedule that would allow us to get the most out of team, by giving the freshmen certain days off, allowing the JV's their own time for practice, while the varsity was watching film etc.... The plan lasted not even one week until we were back to the way we always did things.
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Post by John Knight on Apr 11, 2016 8:34:18 GMT -6
  It can't be done, don't waste your time! |
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Post by coachcb on Apr 11, 2016 8:47:18 GMT -6
Definitely more information needed..
In my HC gig, I made t very clear to the staff that we would only discuss the following:
1. New drills to improve what we were doing.
2. Discipline/management/house keeping policies.
3. Changes in scheme that were relevant to what we were already running.
I had a couple that always wanted to get back to Xs and Os... Even after I shot them down repeatedly.
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Post by tothehouse on Apr 11, 2016 8:52:39 GMT -6
You know what I do?
I send information to our HC. Video clips and articles. I include things like..."this would be killer for us to do". Gives me a chance to open the conversation with something. "Hey...did you see that video I sent? I think we could do that...because...." Then it becomes a good conversation and not a bitch sesh.
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Post by tabs52 on Apr 11, 2016 9:24:22 GMT -6
Yea but when the HC opens up the discussion wanting ideas on how we can move forward with the program,
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Post by John Knight on Apr 11, 2016 9:28:04 GMT -6
He might say he wants to change, he just can't.
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Post by blb on Apr 11, 2016 9:38:40 GMT -6
He might say he wants to change, he just can't.
Near the end of his tenure as Basketball coach at Michigan State, Jud Heathcote said to then-assistant Tom Izzo:
"I know you're right, but I'm too old to change now, so we're going to do it my way."
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Post by jrk5150 on Apr 11, 2016 10:00:32 GMT -6
Well, again realizing the business world of "boss" doesn't always translate to education/coaching, but...
Where I've had success in changing "boss" behavior is ONLY when the boss agrees to change the behavior and agrees to be accountable to his direct reports on it. Example:
Had a Director that got grumpy, and it was negatively impacting morale in the department. They did not feel comfortable addressing it with him. We did a little 360 review session, and had a group meeting. He agreed that he wanted to change that aspect of his behavior, and empowered the group to call him on it. After that, when a member of his team saw him being grumpy, they'd say something to him, and he'd pull back.
I believe this approach was also put forward in Marshall Goldsmith's book "What Got You Here Won't Get You There".
I can also say I have had personal success with this approach in youth coaching - as long as my HC and I had agreed on something before-hand, I would be able to discretely remind him of that when we got off track, and he'd find his way back to being on track. OR, he'd tell me "yeah, I know, screw that" - which was fine, it's his show after all...
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Post by 33coach on Apr 11, 2016 10:02:00 GMT -6
Take initiative... Be the leader in seeing that it gets done. Don't just rely on the HC to do it... do it for him. This will take something off his plate. I want asst coaches that approach every day like they are the head coach. yep exactly. he will either appreciate it and go along, or you will get frustrated and quit, OR he will get defensive and fire you. either way - problem solved  |
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Post by carookie on Apr 11, 2016 11:03:57 GMT -6
Yea but when the HC opens up the discussion wanting ideas on how we can move forward with the program, Then maybe he doesn't really want change/progress, he might just be saying it because its the right thing to say. Everyone claims they don't want 'Yes-Men', but when the rubber meets the road a lot of people want their way to be what is done. I have worked with coaches before who have openly proclaimed that they want a free exchange of ideas in meetings, only to privately claim that they would rather "lose doing their own stuff than have to do it different." |
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Post by carookie on Apr 11, 2016 11:09:29 GMT -6
Take initiative... Be the leader in seeing that it gets done. Don't just rely on the HC to do it... do it for him. This will take something off his plate. I want asst coaches that approach every day like they are the head coach. Does this ever end up being too many cooks? If the DLine coach takes the initiative and installs something that doesn't mesh with what the LB coach is doing, who in turn is taking the initiative and teaching techniques that don't fit with the coverage that the DBs are running, then wont you end up with a mess? Do you ever have ACs take something off your plate that needed to be done a certain way, only to do it a way that doesnt fit with the overal scheme/outline/goal? |
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Post by cwaltsmith on Apr 11, 2016 12:20:21 GMT -6
Take initiative... Be the leader in seeing that it gets done. Don't just rely on the HC to do it... do it for him. This will take something off his plate. I want asst coaches that approach every day like they are the head coach. Does this ever end up being too many cooks? If the DLine coach takes the initiative and installs something that doesn't mesh with what the LB coach is doing, who in turn is taking the initiative and teaching techniques that don't fit with the coverage that the DBs are running, then wont you end up with a mess? Do you ever have ACs take something off your plate that needed to be done a certain way, only to do it a way that doesnt fit with the overal scheme/outline/goal? I didnt say come up with stuff on their own... If idea or program has been discussed as a staff and agreed upon... like the OP stated... then no reason it will be done wrong... if so... you need a new guy in that spot. |
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Post by coachphillip on Apr 12, 2016 11:27:15 GMT -6
You can either change what you do or change who you are. If it's the latter, they can only change if they are the ones who want to like jrk5150 talked about. If it's a matter of changing what you do, is it because it's too much work for him or is it because he doesn't think it worked well after the first week? If he's a creature of habit, then that is a character thing and won't change without him willingly accepting it and working to change it. |
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Post by lochness on Apr 12, 2016 11:32:44 GMT -6
Change is typically driven by necessity. Is the current condition so painful that change is necessary? If not...someone who is "set in their ways" is going to have a hard time justifying to themselves why they'd want to do things differently.
I think, with any change, you need a fact-based rationale. What are the facts that have led you all to conclude that the changes are necessary? Present those in a professional and unemotional manner and see what happens. Also- pick your battles...! If you try to change O / D / Specials, install Facemelters, change tackling techniques, and modify the practice schedule, he'll throw you all out on your asses. Pick ONE or TWO things each year that you want to address and tweak, and go after those.
As a HC myself, I love it when my staff is confident and passionate enough to suggest changes. But, they better
1. Have their $hit together when they suggest it
2. Not be suggesting it just because they are bored and/or saw SexiPants University doing it at spring practice
3. Convince me it fits into our global philosophy and strategy
If they just come in with a load of sexy progressive crap and no rationale...it's a quick meeting, and not one that ends in favor of the assistant(s).
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Post by John Knight on Apr 12, 2016 14:57:25 GMT -6
Take initiative sometimes means taking over, old ball coaches hate that chit!
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Post by coachphillip on Apr 12, 2016 15:43:10 GMT -6
Also, make sure what you're changing isn't a ton of work for everyone but you. I love when young assistants come up with all these ways to track weights, grades, fundraise, etc. and it's all stuff I have the honor of doing on my own. You want something done? Let me know how you're going to get it done.
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Post by spartandefense on Apr 12, 2016 22:08:25 GMT -6
This brings up an interesting question.
At the last program I was at the HC did not believe that strength and weights was the cornerstone of a good program (i was the DC and tried to covey to him that this was the reason we struggled to tackle). He simply refused to take roll, get on kids about not showing up in the offseason etc. When it came down to playing guys, he played the guys who had the most talent even though they didn't work hard in the off season. It used to drive me bananas.
I always wondered is this guy lazy? Then I came to conclusion that back in the day when he played and first started coaching weights and off season training was not year round. And maybe since that is how he was brought up then maybe he incapable of changing. Has anyone else experienced this?
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