locharion
Sophomore Member
Trips Right Ace Right 999 H Balloon
Posts: 203
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Post by locharion on May 24, 2008 20:00:51 GMT -6
I have been fortunate that for the past five years I have been in the position to grow in the profession by working with good kids at a couple of good schools. As I explained to my wife, when you have been involved in competitive athletics as a participant/coach for more than half your life, it is very much in the blood.
I just finished a one-year only teaching contract and the only job that I could find that would not have resulted in me taking a huge (over $4000) pay cut from my total salary has other extra duties tied to it that would prohibit me from coaching. The extra duties are part of the contract and the time frames collide with football. My initial plan, I guess, is to try it out this year and see if a need arises next year where I may be able to finaggle things and still join the staff down there, but it is a long shot. If you are in the profession, you know as a young teacher that you can't district hop too much or a major red flag rises up about you. I left one district because my curricular position was cut and this was a one year only job so any more movement might be a problem.
I look forward to reading about your adventures this summer and fall, but I know that when many of you start your camps in the next week, for the first time in five years I won't be out there. It is a depressing thought at the moment. Sorry for the pity party but I am morose.
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bhb
Junior Member
Posts: 259
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Post by bhb on May 24, 2008 20:11:31 GMT -6
what about helping out a local youth league? I'm sure they would love to have an experienced guy around to help them out, and you would still be involved.. I don't know where you're located, but where I am there is virtually no difference between the 8th grade youth games and the Freshman games.. Truthfully, the youth teams are probably better coached than most of the freshman teams I see- IN MY AREA (that's a key phrase folks)..
In my area the youth league is extremely competitive with no Daddy ball coaches - these guys are usually guys that have been around the game forever but just aren't teachers so coaching a HS team is usually not something they can pull off.. Most of the 8th grade teams are coached by staffs that have been together for many years.. They also have playoffs- which Freshman and JV ball doesn't have in this area..
Basically, I hate to say it, but the majority of the Freshman teams here are coached by the most inexperienced guy on the staff, with little involvement from the Varsity HC once the season starts..
It's not the same, but it's certainly not a bad idea if you can get in the right situation.. Just a thought..
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tedseay
Sophomore Member
Posts: 165
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Post by tedseay on May 25, 2008 3:04:38 GMT -6
I look forward to reading about your adventures this summer and fall, but I know that when many of you start your camps in the next week, for the first time in five years I won't be out there. It is a depressing thought at the moment. Sorry for the pity party but I am morose. Coach: Welcome to my life. When I'm posted to an Embassy in a country that has U.S. football, I coach (except when work prevents it, like here in Austria). When I'm not, I don't. I spend a lot of time on the Internet helping other coaches and learning more about the game. I update playbooks and try out new ideas -- I keep active mentally as a coach, in short. |
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Post by kcbazooka on May 25, 2008 6:48:14 GMT -6
How about becoming a ref? - God knows the refereeing in our area needs new blood. A way to stay in the game.
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Post by schultbear74 on May 25, 2008 7:50:05 GMT -6
I had a similar experience where I thought that I could not coach anymore. I found a head coach that I could not work for (the reasons were philosophical and ethical). I could not coach for another district as everything was too far away.
BHB's suggestion was the one I took. I ended up working for the 7th and 8th grade coach and had a great time. I got my football fix and enjoyed life. Some of these youth teams practice at later times which would work out for you.
I have since left the area and resume HS coaching.
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Post by coachweigelt on May 25, 2008 12:26:24 GMT -6
I spend a lot of time on the Internet helping other coaches and learning more about the game. I update playbooks and try out new ideas -- I keep active mentally as a coach, in short. Beeing a Ref helps you 2 ways, staying with the game and still sseing alot of football which you might incorporate in your style (stealing would be the wrong word) ;D |
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Post by coachorr on May 25, 2008 12:56:01 GMT -6
Coach purely as a volunteer and work out a schedule when you can and cannot be there. Take on some gametime responisibilities like communications or videoing the game. I would be hard pressed to find a school who would not use an experienced volunteer; however, I know there are many coaches whose ego may not like it. Having a guy show up and fill in ( I saw this happen last year, my gain I had two assistants to the DB position and the three of us coached our aces off).
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Post by cenglish56 on May 25, 2008 13:02:16 GMT -6
I admire what you are doing DONT FEEL BAD, your family obviously comes first. here is and idea though. If you still know many coaches in that area if you cant coach try speaking wiht one of them and scout for them. I know many coaches who use scouts to look at upcoming opponents. It iwlll let you continue to grow as far as football is concerned but wont collide with your job. Most coaches will take care of tickets and refreshments/etc. for you.
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Post by talexander on May 25, 2008 19:38:23 GMT -6
Being a ref also helps you see how ridiculous you sound at times arguing call after call. . .. .  |
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Post by coachd5085 on May 25, 2008 19:44:41 GMT -6
Being a ref also helps you see how ridiculous you sound at times arguing call after call. . .. . This is a great point. I umpired when I was 15 years old, and I think it helped develop/contribute to my coaching career/sideline behavior greatly. |
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bighit65
Junior Member
Make a statement without saying a word.
Posts: 397
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Post by bighit65 on May 25, 2008 20:00:44 GMT -6
I am in a similar situation. I am a younger coach who is getting married next month. My fiance will be student teaching beginning in the fall and I usually leave work early to coach. However, now I will be the breadwinner and can't afford to lose the hours. My plan for my football fix is to break down film on the weeekends and do the scouting reports and be in the booth on the phones with the DC. I, of course, will be meeting with him on the weekends to help formulate that week's gameplan. I get heavy involvement without the many hours invested and I still take care of my new family it works out great. See if you can do some of this behind the scenes type stuff.
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Post by carson101 on May 26, 2008 14:13:24 GMT -6
I am not a teacher, or involved in the work place since my disability prevents me from being very productive. As I have found over the last few years, it is difficult for me to cut loose of my coaching abilities,my family knows that coaching is a no compromise during season except for family. I have done some dumb things when I did work like quit a job that payed very well simply because of a conflict with my coaching schedule, I sacrificed the pay because the crew I worked with was lazy. I then began my own company set my own schedule and coached when I wanted. Now I coach when my health allows me to. This last season was the first time in my life I had to settle for part time coaching and this year seems like I may not be able to coach at all, LORD willing I will return with a vengance to help the kids overcome adversity in the trenches and in doing that I will also overcome my own demons as a spectator. I know this doesn't answer your question coach, just thought I'd sound off. I figure that if you want to coach bad enough there are always solutions and sacrifices that can be made. It depends on how your family supports you, what employment throws your way and how available you are. If your a salary guy that makes it tough because your at the employers disposal with trips,extra duties and simply a yes guy, for the few dollars any employer offers. Coach I hope it works out and you are able to coach.Good Luck!
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