Program manual

I would say it depends on the purpose of your manual.
Is it for documentation in case anyone questions the program or what you stand for?
Is it for educating your coaches?
Is it for general organization?

Those scenarios would all require a different level of detail and focus.

well I want one that would cover that stuff overall, one big "Program" manual that I could then "break into peices" and distribute the peices to those necessary. I already have some parent/player stuff that people on here have so generously shared. I would love to have some other manuals such as the asst. coaches stuff and the general organization stuff as well. I want to have as much information as possible so when I do take my first head job Ill have the stuff to put together a program manual. I have found that others stuff serve as an excellent guideline/ road map for a new coach. If you have stuff you would like to share, please PM me.

Anyway, since we are talking about it what would you think would be good to include in each? There might be someone developing one now and might like to know what to put in there.

Do you really need to put EVERYTHING in it you plan to do? I dont think that is possible because those may change from time to time. I think that putting what you think are the major points of running your program. I mean if you put everything in it then you might end up with a lot if little useless details that admins, etc might not even really care that much about. Now if you had that information available for request then I can understand that but the whole tamale, then it may seem to become more rambling to those who dont even know what you are talking about. I would think that you might end up sounding like the teacher on Charlie Brown to that Audience "blah, blah, blah, blah...."

if anyone wants a copy of mine pm me or email me and i will forward it to you on the condition that you critique it and tell me if you would change anything or add anything. I want to leave no stone unturned!

gschwens@louisiana.k12.mo.us

had a couple of coaches mention to have a part on fundraising/philosophy on advancement of assistant coaches--am working on it. I was also going to include a coahes eval sheet as well. I had one ask about duties for film breakdown, but since coaches change so much I would cover that in the preseason coaches meeting when we go over coaching assignments etc.

Thanks for all your help fellas!!

what about including the consequences for getting into trouble, missed practices, being late, getting into trouble in the classroom, etc...

manual is still available if there are any takers--i figure the more people i have critiquing it the better it can be. you guys can take what you need!!!!

shoot me an email at;

gschwens@louisiana.k12.mo.us

Does anyone have anything to add? I know there are a few of you out there that have them, mind sharing what you have put in yours? Have any of you turned one in during an interview and been told that it helped you get the job you applied for?

I turned one in for a position that I did not get. I was down to the final two. He had many more years experience than me and probably on paper deserved the job based on where he had been and what he had done. I was told afterward that originally I wouldn't have had much of a shot, but because of my manual, they had to take a very serious look at me.

My manual included pretty much the same stuff that most people have mentioned. I like Coach Pope had an abbreviated version in Powerpoint form that I used during the interview, then I gave them the full version to read. Actually, I gave them the full version a few days before the interview to give them a chance to look through it. It could be overwhelming to get a large manual at the interview. They might be looking through it and not focusing on what you have to say. What your manual says isn't the important thing. Most coaches know what to say. It is how you say it and how you make those in charge of decision making believe in you. I've been on both sides of the coin. A coach trying to get the job and an athletic administrator hiring someone for the job. Enthusiasm and how you say something always tells more about you than what you say, in my experience. Everyone knows what to say. Can you DELIVER the message?

Good luck!

That is a great analogy Coach Goodnight. The ones who can analyze and adapt quickly do much better.

The best advice I can give is to make sure you are a great communicator. Coaches are typically pretty good communicators, but the ones who can communicate clearly, effectively, and to a wide array of people are usually the most successful. Usually on a hiring committee, there are people from all walks of life (teachers, administrators, parents, district office personnel, students etc.) You need to be able to communicate to all of them effectively and with passion and enthusiasm.

I think being a good communicator is the key which is why so many coaches are producing program manuals. They offer a form of communication to those within/outside the program. All great leaders in history are great communicators--I think if you have trouble communicating to others, whether it is the kids/assistants/admin/parents/community etc etc then you will not be effective.

Big 10-4 on that.


Absolutely essential for every coach, imo

Coach:

Your manual is outstanding. Work, well done!!!!!

Coach Behr

JUST WANTED TO THANK EVERYONE THAT PROVIDED FEEDBACK ON MY MANUAL AND THE POWER POINT. HEARD SOME VERY GOOD SUGGESTIONS AND WILL BE TWEEKING IT.

THANKS AGAIN!!!!!!