Here We Go....

[Here's my thoughts:

I would never question or offer input a DC or OC on the field in front of the kids. Never.

If there is some question about we are doing we talk about it before or after practice. maybe on a break. Never ever in front of the kids.

We always have the right and responsibility to clarify and understand what we are doing and what we are teaching. But it comes from a position of wanting to understand, never from a position of questioning another coach ability or knowledge base. We have a rule that says on the field, we coach our position and our position only. In the office we ask questions, we discuss how we are teaching things. We try to have an environment where people can share and openly discuss the best methods, techniques, skills sets.

If there is a debate or question, the HC is like President Bush, he's the "Decider". Once the HC makes a call, we follow, unless or until the Decider changes his mind.

So I would say go with your number 2, at the appropriate time.

ditto

This is a freshman staff fellas. I'm always very good about stating "how" and "why" I want to do something; and always in a polite manner.

I've never argued with him (or anyone else) in front of the kids; I know better than that.

I almost chewed my tongue off the other day; our scout team was killing us because we didn't adjust to trips. During that period, I asked him once (while the kids were getting water) how he wanted to adjust to trips and he told me not to worry about it. I kept my mouth shut and watched as we got picked apart for 3 scores against our scout team. We do talk out on the field and thoughts are shared, but never an argument and when the kids are watering up.

It's 50-50 with this guy; 50% of the time, he's asking questions and is real open to input The other half of the time, he's neither. I don't know how to read him right now.

The fella is a great guy and he understands that he has some to learn about running a defense. BUT, on the flip side, he's almost self-conscious about it and gets stubborn sometimes. Also, it's gotten a little heated because our freshman HC has started picking apart the practice plans the DC writes for the defense.

Right now, I am going to keep my mouth shut and focus on the OL and DL. I'll give him input when he asks for it, other than that, my lips are sealed....

Thanks for the input guys; it's always helpful. I can't really post much more about the situation without trashing the guy. So, like I said, I'm going to give input when he asks for it and let the freshman HC deal with stuff.

Hello Coach,

For most coaches who have 10 + years in working with HS programs, this scenario has happened to them at least once. Each situation is different, but most come down to a few issues and the group dynamics that the program allows.

1) Some programs do not pay much attention to the freshman team and the Varsity staff is so wrapped up in putting a winner together for Friday night that they do not get involved in this type of thing and just want the freshman staff to shut up and not bother them. If this is the case, I would do my job as the OL/DL coach and only add input when DIRECTLY asked from the KID that is running the defense.

2) Some programs are very strict on what the schemes that are run throughout the levels and the DC will be forced to use the same scheme as the Varsity. A DC that does not follow this will be reprimanded by the Varsity HC eventually and the situation will take care of itself. It is the duty of the Freshman HC to demand that the DC run the varsity system and not deviate from it even if the DC does not think it is right. A DC that cannot get with the program will soon be looking for a new job at a new school. Depending on how well I know the staff, I MIGHT say something to the FRESHMAN HC, but I would let this play out and see how it goes. The poor results will usually straighten out this situation.

3) The DC is a friend or somehow connected to somebody high up in the program and they probably know that he is not ready for his responsibility but are letting him learn on the job at the Freshman level. This situation may not be public information and is the most dangerous and difficult to deal with. If you find that this is the issue, just back away and learn to deal with it or you will have to move on. I ran into this at the varsity level 6 or 7 years ago and very gracefully resigned at the end of the year. The program was not going in the right direction and I was not going to be able to help with the way the staff was structured. (HC was the uncle to the DC, DC was a terrible person and coach)

Good Luck

A great coach, probably on here once wrote, "Never ask a question or present a problem without offering a solution to it as well."

I think if you do some homework on this and present a comprehensive and clear presentation on how to deal with trips (for him to look at, at home) he might just do that. If you have already dealt with it in that fashion and were still unsuccessful, then at least you tried and did your part. Some things in life we can't control, sadly.

Any confrontation should be done in the privacy of the coaches office, not in front of the players.

This is my 6th year of coaching and 3rd at the HS level.

Well, here's an update fellas;

Terrible round of practice yesterday; scout team ran us over again......Poor practice plan; no tackling/shedding stations, no inside/outside hull, and over an hour of team time (i.e. half the team standing on the fence). The HC decided to let him run with one practice plan and see how he did...

Our freshman HC called a meeting between himself, the freshman DC, and the varsity HC this afternoon. Things are going to get fixed here pretty quick.

I kept my mouth shut through the entire practice and am staying out of the whole thing. "My name is Paul and this is between y'all...."

But, on the bright side; the DL and OL have done very well in practice the past few days. A week and half into the season and the DL is already wrong arming trappers; we just need to get the LBs on the same page. The OL is picking up the blocking schemes very well; especially our pass protection.

Well, this whole thing has just gotten a whole lot worse...

I've been keeping my mouth shut and just focusing my energy on the DL and it's gone well up until now. I toss out input before practice here and there, but it's never taken. The DC has suddenly decided that he's going to be in charge of subbing in the DL; without even talking to me. He just started rotating guys in...

We have a big, thick DL/OL on the squad; absolutely massive kid. BUT; he's soft, lazy and missed overt half of 2-a-days. His absences from 2-a-days were cleared; some sort of family emergency that conveniently ended the very day two-a-days were over. The kid is only out for football because his mom wants him to lose weight. To make matters worse, he drags his butt through all over our Individual drills, but as soon as interior and team period roll up, his motor's running and he's flyin around.

I've gotten on him about being lazy during indo time; told him he wasn't going to see much playin time until he picks it up. Here's the kicker; without even consulting me, this young DC starts subbing this kid in with our starters; completely under minding me. We've got another half-a-dozen kids that have been at two-a-days and busted their butts all the way through practice.

What do you guys do in this situation?? Do you defer to the guy because he's the DC?? Or do you make it clear that your in charge of the subbing and starters at your position? I am really leaning towards telling him to keep his nose out of the DL; I'M THE ONE WHO ACTUALLY COACHES THEM AND SEE WHO DESERVES TIME!!!

I wanted to talk to him about it the other day, but I get there just in time for practice each day (class) and he keeps taking off as soon as practice gets done.

We have had several of these meetings; one of which was with the varsity HC. I thought we had all of this crap figured out; but then this goes down yesterday.

And no, I am not being passive aggressive, I bring repeated suggestions/solutions to the table (in a polite, diplomatic matter in the coaches office); and the DC doesn't take any of them. For example, we still haven't adjusted to trips; we always have an uncovered WR (sometimes 2) to the trips and twins side. Everyone on the staff has pointed this out; with solutions (I proposed both Cover 3 and combination 1/4s and 1/2s). Nothing happened.

The freshman HC did the same thing and was ignored. So the freshman HC started running lots of bubble and flare screens in trips and twins with with an our offensive scout team; we're going to see both a lot this year. On Monday, the scout team scored 4 times on these plays because of the lack of adjustment. After practice, the HC and I pointed this out AGAIN in the coaches office; was anything fixed NO. We weren't rude about it; but we were honest.

I feel that I have done all I can to help out and be honest with this fellow. It's gotten a whole lot worse as the season has progressed.

He has stated that he doesn't want to lose guys in the box. The situation has been discussed, both sides have been presented and this is what he's going with. Essentially, we have been playing with 7-8 guys in the box against trips formations. He's a young guy and very inexperienced; essentially his first year coaching and he's got a 9th grade DC position. Unfortunately, it's going to take us really taking a beating in a game when defending trips for him to see that we need to do. But if that's the way it is, then that's the way it is.

The fact that it's his first year lends itself to the problems also; he's really trying to prove himself. He wants to prove to everyone that he knows the game and can coach. Taking advice from us would be kind of a blow for him.

He and I had a pretty good talk before practice today and we sorted several things out. We came to a compromise regarding the DL and it should work out; the big kid will play on defense in 2nd/3rd and short downs. Being that the DCs 's young, he often doesn't realize when he's stepping on other coaches toes.

I had the HC step all over my toes last year. Disregarded game plans, "blitzed everyone *groan*, and shouted over my voice. While his defensive strategies were based on nothing, there wasn't much I could do. I have to admit, it was very frustrating but looking back, I am glad I never said or did anything that I regret. All that I could do was make suggestions and realize it was like talking to a brick wall.

Eventually, while I continued to do my job, I just focussed on what I did have control over... working one on one with the kids so no matter what the HC had them do, they were ready for it. At least now, I know I tried and the mediocre defense was his own misdoing. It relieves some of the post season stress when you know you did your best and can't be blamed for things you pointed out. Believe me, i'm sure others are asking the same questions that you are. Probably even the parents, other faculty and fans. Sounds like a glaring oversight, the trips issue.

The funny part is that he is now one of my assistants and I am HC. The important people do pick up on these things, believe me. Things will work out cb, don't let anyone get you down and keep up the great work. Find your nitch. Even if it comes down to working individually with the kids and going over fundamentals, there is nothing more important than that. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and repair things that no one else sees, while they are out making fools of themselves.