Characteristics of the BEST guy to work for

I try to do this:

Assistant says "coach, we need more huddle discipline"

Me " Go coach it, you own that"



or "coach, we should have someone recording all of the called plays and the time on the clock too"

me "heres a clip board, you own that"

assistant "coach- some of the kids havent molded their mouth peices"

me " you got it, go right ahead and do a complete equipment check during flex"


assistant " are you going to have a camera at tonights practice?"

Me- "its in that bag, go ahead and charge it up , you can film or find someone else who will"

assistant "coach, the defensive huddle is kinda sloppy"

Me - "coach it the way you want to see it done, you own that, they report to you if its not done the way you want"

I think its important to accept suggestions/feedback etc from assistants and when possible delegate and give ownership no matter how "meaningless" something might seem to you, it might be meaningful for the assistant whos just getting their feet wet and trying to make a contribution.

1) loyalty to staff- defends staff and sells them to the team and community

2) clear expectations and a great teacher- you always know where you stand , no games, will teach you how he wants things done so you dont have to learn by screwing up.

3) trust- you get jobs and dont have to be micromanaged, can coach within your own personality and style- I was only a full time varsity assistant for one year in my career and the best guy allowed me to restructure blocking schemes, line calls and terminology and basically his offense so that I could be a more effective line coach. He was willing to listen to many suggestions and looked at all of my presentations to him on what I wanted to do up front. We didnt do everything my way but he sure did allow me some room.

4) knows his stuff- nothing worse than having to agree with a coach something completely fubar in every way shape and form- able to listen when he knows hes in over his head.

5) not only knows his stuff but eager to learn more- studies, always studying and always looking for a better way- insists that his staff continue to grow as well.

6) even keel- footballs an emotional game but a coach who can be analytical rather than emotional is much easier to work with. cant stand the leader who cant lead. Make a decision and go with it. nothing wishy washy about a good leader.

7) Intense and relentess- wants to win and willing to pay the price for success. never making excuses , always making arrangements to get things done more efficiently- going to outwork the rest of the staff combined.

8) its been said, a plan, vision, direction and the ability to weather the storm, thats when you earn your reputation. keeps the ship on course.


9) good with people, all kinds, doesnt alienate adminstrators, boosters, faculty, kids, officials etc, professional in appearance and actions.

10) fun, good sense of humor but knows when the time for joking is over. can crack a joke to break the tension or can bark and bite to stay alpha when needed.

That about sums it up tdmaker!

We're compromising and trying to have cable put in our coaches' office so we can have it on during film breakdown.

Open Mind, straight forward and no BS. Someone who protects the feelings of others, while still getting it done. Someone who will not accept anything less than competing every single solitary play.

But if the guy is willing to defer to his assistants, I'm completely okay with the HC not being the guru of the group.

Doesn't let his ego get in the way of doing the right thing, I guess a better way to put it is admitting that his first thought may not be the best way of doing things.....I am guilty of this at times.

Thanks Sin86. We couldn't put it all together that night but we're going to get better. Whitwell was huge compared to us.