jc2
Probationary Member
Posts: 5
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Post by jc2 on Aug 15, 2007 0:14:39 GMT -6
This is my second year teaching and coaching football. I really enjoy the students in the classroom and my football players but for some reason I feel like something is not right. I even thought it was city and school district where I previously taught but thats not it. I love teaching the kids but the stress that comes with the job is taking its toll on me to the point where the job is on my mind all day which makes it hard for me to unwind when I'm home. What should I do?
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Post by spartancoach on Aug 15, 2007 3:35:22 GMT -6
There is nothing wrong with you. No one that is passionate about what they do can simply leave the job at the office.
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kdcoach
Sophomore Member
Posts: 194
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Post by kdcoach on Aug 15, 2007 5:17:46 GMT -6
Welcome to "Those Who Care!" Boulevard Soon after your 3 year indoctrination period you will come to the corners of "That's Too Much Work" street and "It's Easier to be Ambivalent" road. You can choose to continue on T.W.C. boulevard (be warned it is fraught with peaks, valleys & bumps much larger than the other two) or you can turn onto the much more well traveled, broader and less scenic routes. Best of luck with your choice.
Oh, by the way, the rewards and the disappointments on T.W.C. Boulevard are much greater than the other two as well.
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Post by wingt74 on Aug 15, 2007 6:15:51 GMT -6
Football is a sudden major adjustment. One week you're home every night at a reasonable time, the next you're not walking in the door till 8 or 9 o'clock.
The key is recharge days. Really limit your social life to your closest family and friends. Low key events. Don't go out to a bar till 2am on a saturday night...don't spend an entire Sunday at a fair.
My wife and I do very little on Sundays. Some house work, playing with our little boy...maybe a visit to a family member for an hour or so for lunch. But we just totally chill out for the day.
Hope this helps. If you find your self really getting depressed, make a Drs appt to talk to the Dr.
Getting stressed isn't an on/off switch. You are who you are. You care about your kids and your team, probably to much, but you are who you. Get some good nights of sleep, and do relaxing, low key activities to lighten the load.
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Post by headlylemar on Aug 15, 2007 6:19:13 GMT -6
lack of control in some area?
miserable? join the club....
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Post by dubber on Aug 15, 2007 11:53:18 GMT -6
 Anyone? |
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herky
Sophomore Member
Posts: 189
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Post by herky on Aug 15, 2007 12:15:24 GMT -6
What specifically causes you the most stress? Are there certain things or a pattern of thoughts that bring you the most stress when home?
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Post by ajreaper on Aug 15, 2007 12:35:06 GMT -6
LOL, after 20+ years I had become basically totally stress free with it all. Worked hard, put whatever time in was needed and essentially had no worries/concerns- I knew I was doing a good job. Then I became a varsity HC and now I'm rediscovering things I thought were long gone. And unfortunately or fortunately, however you look at it, I gave up drinking 6 years ago  Likely a god thing  |
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Post by groundchuck on Aug 15, 2007 13:21:34 GMT -6
I agree it can be a huge change up when football starts. Going from being home with the wife and kids to not seeing them much is tough on everyone. Then throw that in with trying to prepare for school or working your "real" job and now things get really busy. I am currently an assistant and it is much less stressful than when I was a header in a bad program. Thought I want to be a HC again I am enjoying the relatively lower stress levels right now.
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Post by coachcb on Aug 15, 2007 13:50:58 GMT -6
This is why I find a way to get into the gym as much as possible during the season. An hour of working out a day, 3-4 days a week helps me relieve A LOT of stress....
It's tough to fit them in, but I find time whenever I can. Next week, I am going to have to hit the gym at 5:30am; waking up that early sucks, but I need the workout.
Also, you'd be amazed how eating right can improve your mood throughout the week. I'm basically living on turkey sandwiches and Sun Chips right now. Not much flavor, but it keeps me gassed up.
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Post by fbdoc on Aug 15, 2007 18:13:40 GMT -6
I guess I don't get it. You say -
"I enjoy the students in the classroom and the football players..."
and
"I love teaching the kids..."
but....
"the stress on the job...."
What stress? Financial, family, administrative ....?
If you love what you're doing (teaching and coaching) the stress must be coming from a source outside of the job.
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Post by schultbear74 on Aug 15, 2007 18:51:43 GMT -6
New jobs always stress you out. I'm on number 6 and I am really hurting. Number five was the same way for a year or so and so was number 4. I don't remember very clearly the other ones, but after 28 year it is still hard to adjust.
It gets better.
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Post by tigercoach on Aug 15, 2007 18:55:07 GMT -6
Coach,
Please don't take offense to this but... your situation is what separates the "BALL COACHES" from those who think "man, I wanna be a coach". Here is what I tell our coaches and kids: Why are you here? Being a great player is NO different than being a great ball coach, they both require you to work hard, harder than you ever thought to be successful and then there are no guarantees! I say decide which one you want to be and if it's not a "ball coach" then get out because in the end you are cheating those guys (coaches & players) who want to be GREAT! There is something special about being a part of something greater than oneself!
Sorry for venting but we had a new coach we hired last spring walk out on us 2 days before practice started. He made good strides with the kids over the summer and we thought he was fitting in well, then bam, I get: "Coach, sorry but I just can't handle the work schedule" At least he quit now which is better than week 3.
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Post by superpower on Aug 15, 2007 20:30:14 GMT -6
A very veteran coach (and a wise man at that) once told me, "If you can be happy without coaching, don't coach." His advice really made me think about it, and even my wife agrees that I have to coach to be happy. However, if it weren't in my blood, I can see how it could get to me. But once it is in your blood, I really don't think you can be happy without it.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2007 6:29:46 GMT -6
Exactly what superpower says. We have a sign that says, "Coaching: if you can live without it, then live without it."
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Post by tothehouse on Aug 16, 2007 13:12:37 GMT -6
Yesterday was the first day of school (third day of football). I had a lot of trouble sleeping Tuesday night. That means I was jazzed for school.
Had an issue with sleeping last night - first day in pads is today.
I guess sleeplessness is my gauge. If I sleep like a baby the day before school starts.....I should worry.
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Post by headlylemar on Aug 16, 2007 13:39:59 GMT -6
I thought about this yesterday....
sounds like a perfect scenario.
Y'know what can make you miserable?
Not having a deep / meaningful relationship with the rest of your staff.
A majority of the "Fun" of coaching is your cohorts (even if they are on other staffs).
If you don't get along, respect, relate, or otherwise share relaxed communications with the guys you work with.....the "measureables" can seem meaningless.
Likewise, when all else sucks (kids, equipment, boosters) having guys you can band together with / work together with (same mind) it can still be "fun" and enjoyable.
food for thought.
I am in a situation similar, where I am not sure there is a two-way street of commication or respect or matching competence.
if jc2 doesn't have a staff that match his commitment / dedication / desire ....it can seem like he is bearing the brunt of the load of "coaching".....like herding cats.
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Post by coachnichols on Aug 17, 2007 6:56:26 GMT -6
Welcome to "Those Who Care!" Boulevard Soon after your 3 year indoctrination period you will come to the corners of "That's Too Much Work" street and "It's Easier to be Ambivalent" road. You can choose to continue on T.W.C. boulevard (be warned it is fraught with peaks, valleys & bumps much larger than the other two) or you can turn onto the much more well traveled, broader and less scenic routes. Best of luck with your choice. Oh, by the way, the rewards and the disappointments on T.W.C. Boulevard are much greater than the other two as well. This is one of the greatest posts I've read on here. Poetic. Full of wit and truth. Very good. |
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Post by coachaaron on Aug 17, 2007 9:43:55 GMT -6
Good post. I am just starting up teaching again after 7 years in other jobs. I decided not to coach HS ball this year, and just stick with semi pro ball (less hours etc), so I could focus on getting back in the class room and adjusting to the new situation. It is going to be tough not being involved in the HS football program when it is right under my nose all the time, but the class room (and my sanity) have to come first.
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Post by hoptions on Aug 17, 2007 21:02:50 GMT -6
I can feel your pain…
I just recently moved to a new state for a teaching position, my first. I am involved with coaching Jr. High football at the school I am working at, and after coaching varsity football for 8 years previously I have felt some stress, especially being a first year teacher.
I try to cope by keeping in touch with the HC at my last school to chat and exchange helpful suggestions. If you don’t relieve the stress some how then it will eat you alive. Finding a positive release for you stress is the key. Mine is staying close to my former staff mates. The other think that I am trying to do is build a strong friend base with my new staff mates and other in my new town. I am finding that the people that do not coach or teach are better for me because they don’t “talk shop” when we are out.
I also enjoy some the Miller L-I-T-E as well, just watch out for the L-I-G-H-T.
Hoptions
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Post by coachorr on Aug 18, 2007 8:42:43 GMT -6
We are going to make mistakes as teachers; the important thing to remember is that the number of male teachers in the profession is dwindling. And the number of male teachers who can coach and who students can relate to is also decreasing.
When you compare that perspective with the increased dropout rates, where there is a significantly greater increase in male dropout rates, then you see we fill an "essential" role in our society. With more video games, sugar foods, less recess, and less PE, we have a very important role in our society.
Lastly, when we realize that the divorce rate is now higher than any other time in any other generation and now the idea of the "stay-at-home" mom is practically non-existent and more than ever kids are now turn-key kids with nothing and nowhere to go after school, we can see that we fulfill one of the biggest challenges of our nation's history. We are in the age of apathy and neglect and we are one of the greatest factors in changing it.
So, you see my friends. Whether we make mistakes or not is irrelevant. The fact that we are there for the kids and we show up and do our best, we can have nothing but success. Rather than hide in fear and be stressed we need to realize our role in our society and also look for help when needed,
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Post by coachcoyote on Aug 18, 2007 22:57:00 GMT -6
Well said, Coach. We all enjoy winning, but there is much more to what we than W's and L"s.
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