First meeting with players.......

Congratulations on the new position. Schedule individual meetings with each player. Find out what was good and what needs to be changed. Let them see that your are there for them. Remember, "They don't care how much you know until they know how much you care!"

Congratulations coach,
All great replies so far. I would add that you talk about beating your biggest rival, that always gets players going! Good luck.

Congratulations!!!

In addition to what has been already said, if you are keeping some staff that were there last year, have one or all of them there, hand the floor over the them for a short time and have them speak about how excited they are to win/beat the rival/have a new direction/coach. Nothing major, just a quick little something to show solidarity.

Good luck with the learning curve.

First thing is say nothing that you truly don't stand for. Set a tone that is business like but not too stiff. Do NOT allow a player to walk in late. Excuse anybody that tries to test you on this but do not be a jerk about it. This will send the right message and could be a good ice breaker about what it will take to be a cohesive team - being on time takes no talent. Hopefully nobody is late. Also, make sure to explain how you expect your players will conduct themselves in your meeting. Whatever your expectations are (hats off, feet on the floor, pencil, notebook paper, whatever you feel is important)

The idea about bringing players in to find out what they liked or disliked is something I would have done 20 years ago when I got my 1st HC position. No way I'd do it now because trying to win kids over is great but you will do it with much more effectiveness if you make them earn input. A better use of your time (and I'm sure the clock has started ticking in your head) is to meet with your varsity returners.

A great place to get to know the kids on a 1on1 basis is the weight room during the off-season. I try to have a meaningful conversation with 3 players a day in the weight room.

You are in charge and you can still care about your players but you have to do it YOUR way. Input should come from your staff (regarding Xs & Os) and if you are looking for input from others (admin, players, parents, teachers) keep it to non-football items. Things like awards, player incentives, those kinds of things. Everyone will want to have a part in your program - which is great, just protect those things that are sacred to the coaches.

Do not spend your time on uniforms but on the fact that your time will be "uniform". Spend your time on the football aspects and the people aspects and doing things that will build your program.

You will want to speak to playing time and positions. This has to be between coaches and players . You should explain whatever policy you may have about this with your players and then with the parents - For me, we do NOT allow a parent to talk about playing time or the position their son plays until that player has had a meeting with his position or head coach. We tell our parents that once the initial conversation has taken place (between player and coach) - assuming nothing has been resolved - that there will not be a parent meeting schedule for two games beyond the conversation. This way, there has been time to see if some improvements have been made. If the situation has not been resolved with the player and/or the parent, a second meeting is scheduled with the parent, coach, and the player.

Since I've instituted this policy (and I have my admin's support and I'm very explicit about this) I have had three parent meetings in the past 6 seasons regarding playing time or position played. Before the policy parents wanted to meet weekly and that is a huge waste of energy for everyone.


Good luck, I've had 4 of those first meeting opportunities. Talk about character traits and what you EXPECT from your players. It should go without saying that you want to win and will work hard to achieve a championship program. Don't be afraid to bring it up but let them know that championships are a byproduct of doing all of the other things that you will speak to.

Your objective is that each player should know EXACTLY what you are about and generally how your program will be ran.

Also - keep the meeting to 30 minutes or less and do not give out any handouts until you are finished speaking or your audience will be distracted.

good luck!