eric58
Junior Member
Me sparring Bruce Lee back in 79'
Posts: 298
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Post by eric58 on Aug 12, 2007 14:20:32 GMT -6
Coaches, I'm having an issue getting my money that is owed to me by the head coach for two seasons ago. I remind him and he says he hasn't forgotten. It's been 2 years now and nothing. The deal was done by handshake and I'm in need of that money. What would you coaches do?
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Post by wildcat on Aug 12, 2007 15:43:59 GMT -6
Short of filing a small claims lawsuit, I'm not sure what you can do...
You never signed a contract with the school? How was the coach going to pay you? Were you to be paid through the school's payroll system or was the head coach going to pay you out of his slush fund? You said this was a handshake deal, so I'm assuming that you never filled out any paperwork so basically this comes down to your word against his, right?
Hate to tell you, but my guess is that you got screwed. Unless there is a paper trail, you are going to have a hard time forcing this guy to pay you. Now maybe he will do the right thing and square up with you, but I'm thinking that money is LOOOOOONG gone...
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Post by fbdoc on Aug 12, 2007 17:12:21 GMT -6
When you say "the deal was done" do you mean a promise of a coaching stipend that the school pays assistants? If so, you need to stress to your HC that you really do need him to hold up his end of the bargain. If he can't comply then let him know you'll be going through channels to the AD, Principal, Supt, etc. If this is just some funny money under the table, then Wildcat is correct, you've beened screwed.
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Post by olinecoach61 on Aug 12, 2007 17:38:40 GMT -6
I would pay him a personal visit at his home and either get my money or exact my pound of flesh on his face. Of course I wouldn't have waited 2 years either. If a man can't be trusted on his word than he is useless.
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Post by CoachMikeJudy on Aug 12, 2007 17:43:23 GMT -6
I would pay him a personal visit at his home and either get my money or exact my pound of flesh on his face. Of course I wouldn't have waited 2 years either. If a man can't be trusted on his word than he is useless. Be careful though...I did something similar to a landlord that owed me a $1000 security deposit and I barely dodged a harrasment charge. All I did was showup in his driveway after a few phone calls and my buddy (a cop in the area) called me to warn about his complaints. I ended up getting my money by taking him to small claims court... |
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Post by wingt74 on Aug 13, 2007 9:17:10 GMT -6
All I have to say is don't burn bridges. This guy may be a slimeball, but pushing the envelope to get the money owed to you may close other doors. But...what I might do is put something in writing like the below. And have him sign it.
Put this in writing "Coach, please have $xxxx for me by Friday August 17th"
$xxxx is for coaching the SCHOOL / MASCOT defense2005 (Past Due by 25 Months)
$xxxx is for coaching the SCHOOL / MASCOT defense2006 (Past Due by 8 Months)
If you fail to meet this payment schedule, I will assume that you are refusing to pay me per our agreement.
Sincerely,
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Post by dubber on Aug 13, 2007 11:54:43 GMT -6
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moball
Junior Member
Posts: 254
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Post by moball on Aug 14, 2007 16:18:10 GMT -6
Go to his AD, then his principal, then his superintendent, then the school board. Squeaky wheel gets the grease. Bother enough people and they will write you a check just to shut you up.
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Post by spartancoach on Aug 15, 2007 3:55:00 GMT -6
Or, sucker punch.
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Post by coach79 on Aug 15, 2007 15:11:31 GMT -6
I know a guy who knows a guy who can get your money for you  |
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eric58
Junior Member
Me sparring Bruce Lee back in 79'
Posts: 298
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Post by eric58 on Aug 16, 2007 16:39:31 GMT -6
I've known him for 20 years. He was my high school coach and we've kept in contact ever since. He's kind of like a father figure. You would think since I've known him for so long, how can he do this? I ask myself the same thing. I also found out that I wasn't the only coach that never received their money. There were two other coaches. Now my thing is I'm trying to be respectful and I don't want to get screwed out of my money, but it's been 2 years. My only thing I think I can do is write a letter to the editor and say what he's done. And by this I'm not just talking about the money issue, but there were other things that went on in the program that I just turned the other way and didn't say a word even though I knew it was wrong. Is there some kind of unwritten rule for coaches that says never rat out another fellow coach? If I did this, would other coaches look down on me?
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Post by phantom on Aug 16, 2007 17:57:58 GMT -6
I've known him for 20 years. He was my high school coach and we've kept in contact ever since. He's kind of like a father figure. You would think since I've known him for so long, how can he do this? I ask myself the same thing. I also found out that I wasn't the only coach that never received their money. There were two other coaches. Now my thing is I'm trying to be respectful and I don't want to get screwed out of my money, but it's been 2 years. My only thing I think I can do is write a letter to the editor and say what he's done. And by this I'm not just talking about the money issue, but there were other things that went on in the program that I just turned the other way and didn't say a word even though I knew it was wrong. Is there some kind of unwritten rule for coaches that says never rat out another fellow coach? If I did this, would other coaches look down on me? Depends if you consider never working as a coach again as being looked down on. |
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Post by phantom on Aug 16, 2007 18:02:38 GMT -6
I've known him for 20 years. He was my high school coach and we've kept in contact ever since. He's kind of like a father figure. You would think since I've known him for so long, how can he do this? I ask myself the same thing. I also found out that I wasn't the only coach that never received their money. There were two other coaches. Now my thing is I'm trying to be respectful and I don't want to get screwed out of my money, but it's been 2 years. My only thing I think I can do is write a letter to the editor and say what he's done. And by this I'm not just talking about the money issue, but there were other things that went on in the program that I just turned the other way and didn't say a word even though I knew it was wrong. Is there some kind of unwritten rule for coaches that says never rat out another fellow coach? If I did this, would other coaches look down on me? Others have suggested working your way up the chain of command-AD, principle, super, school board. You haven't indicated that you've done this. Small claims court would come next but without a contract I don't like your chances. Writing a letter to the editor would be a singularly bad idea. |
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Post by wildcat on Aug 16, 2007 18:58:43 GMT -6
Writing a letter to the editor would be a singularly bad idea. Agreed. Nothing good will come of it and the potential for blowback is high. If this guy has been coaching for 20 years, he knows a lot of people. I would give the guy one more chance to square up with you and if/when he doesn't, you have to let it go and move on. Take it as a tough lesson learned and just make sure you get a contract next time. |
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Post by jhanawa on Aug 16, 2007 23:10:54 GMT -6
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Post by coachcoyote on Aug 16, 2007 23:49:54 GMT -6
I've never been in this particular position with another coach. That being said, there aren't many people as stubborn as I am concerning doing the correct thing. BUT, there comes a time to just eat it and move on. You've learned a valuable lesson, albeit a difficult one. Sometimes the people you would go to the wall with, will stick it to you and either not realize it or think you'll just overlook it. I think I'd approach him one more time, ask him again, then carry it to the next level if you don't receive satisfaction. The only other alternative is to eat it, move on with your life, and look for another position. I know I wouldn't give him the opportunity to stick it to me again.
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Post by coachmoore42 on Aug 17, 2007 1:14:42 GMT -6
I had a similar situation with coaching basketball.
The HC, also our FB HC at the time, wanted me to help with basketball beacuse he liked the team's chemistry (the FB team, we had just went 5-1). I agreed to help. After I had agreed he said he'd get me some money for my trouble. I loved doing it and learned a lot from him (which the 400 or 500 dollars couldn't have bought). I mentioned the money once after the season, but never got anything. I chalked it up to not having a contract. I won't let anyone put me in a similar spot again, but I wouldn't trade the experience and knowledge gained for anything.
Just letting you know you're not alone in getting shafted on some money.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2007 6:16:07 GMT -6
Don't send a letter to the editor. Send the letter to him. If there are things you turned a blind eye to, call him on it and explain why you turned a blind eye (I'm assuming it was to protect him). Tell him that you were there to help him when he needed it, and now you need that same type of support. Tell him you'd take it in small payments, in one lump some, whatever.
If he agrees then put that in writing so if you have to take him to court you have it in writing that he acknowledges the debt.
If he doesn't respond then consider yourself lucky that he's out of your life.
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eric58
Junior Member
Me sparring Bruce Lee back in 79'
Posts: 298
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Post by eric58 on Aug 17, 2007 13:14:46 GMT -6
So to the coaches out there who say I should just eat it and move on, you would do the same if a coach owed you $1500. If it was $300 then I probably would but not $1500. I don't know what the A.D. could do but just probably say sorry. I might just take up Irishblitzer's advice. Thanks Irishblitzer
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Post by phantom on Aug 17, 2007 19:09:03 GMT -6
Think. You say that you don't know what the AD could do. How do you know unless you ask?
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Post by airraider on Aug 17, 2007 20:18:32 GMT -6
pm his number, I will call him for you. I promise he will pay.
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Post by coachorr on Aug 18, 2007 8:50:30 GMT -6
I would write him a letter, being professional and note that you are considering speaking with the AD.
When you speak with him, does he acknowledge that he owes you the money.
I just resigned from a teaching position on the 20th of July. They were very upset and I think they are not going to pay my last paycheck. So, I can simpathize with you.
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Post by coachd5085 on Aug 18, 2007 10:59:14 GMT -6
coach orr--is that allowed in your contract? The fact that you failed to give professional notice does not generally allow for an employer to with hold what is due to you, unless it is previously agreed upon.
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Post by phantom on Aug 18, 2007 13:01:08 GMT -6
I'm sympathetic with Eric because I was in a similar situation once. My first year at my present school I was splitting the coaching supplement with another coach. Payroll didn'tt recognize split supplements, though, so the deal was that the other coach officially got the supplement check (lump sum because neither of us taught in the district). would cash it and give me half of the money. Well, the SOB spent the money. He made arrangements to pay off a little a month but I ended up with a couple hundred instead of $1300.
My situation is different from Eric's in that I was screwed by an individual, not the HC and, hence, the school.
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Post by coachorr on Aug 18, 2007 18:41:15 GMT -6
I receved the paystub in the mail today just after the post, so it should be in my account on Monday.
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Post by coachorr on Aug 18, 2007 18:53:02 GMT -6
As far as the notice is concerned, I am twenty miles closer, coaching at a division that is one grade above, making 10-12K more a year, on the same schedule as my kids, and do not have to move.
Part of the problem is, I could not afford to move into the other district as home prices have gone up about 60% in the last five years. The school I coach at is two blocks from my house and is where I coached for six years before I took my first teaching job four years ago. Unfortunately, right now I am at a junior high on the other side of town, but there should be some positions come available in the next year or two at the high school I am coaching at.
The district I left did not care about education as they cannot even pass a bond. The district I am now back in, gets every bond, levy and supplement passed that they request.. If I would have moved out to the other district, my daughter would have been in an elementary school that was condemned and she would have been in a classroom of over thirty kids in a small trailer.
What is more, is the last district has made a habit of firing employees for no real reason. I was very very close to the last principal and he was ran out of town by the super. There had been several mystery dismissals and runouts of people who were let go for no apparent reason over the last five years. I took the first bus I could and left town. The gas savings is going to be upwards of 1000K a year alone.
I was admired as a good teacher and an excellent coach and despised on the same merit by some. I am not sure of any of the goings on, but it seemed to be an obvious symptom and so I thought it better to be safe than sorry.
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Post by wildcat on Aug 18, 2007 22:09:56 GMT -6
So to the coaches out there who say I should just eat it and move on, you would do the same if a coach owed you $1500. If it was $300 then I probably would but not $1500. I don't know what the A.D. could do but just probably say sorry. I might just take up Irishblitzer's advice. Thanks Irishblitzer Coach - Look, I sympathize...I REALLY do. But here's the cold, hard facts: 1. You worked for this guy TWO YEARS AGO. You aren't on his staff anymore. You are no longer an asset than can provide him a service. You are now a liability. He doesn't care about you anymore. 2. You NEVER had a written contract, so you really don't have a leg to stand on. 3. It sounds like the school was never informed of your employment so they will not be legally obligated to pay you. Many coaches pay assistants "off the books" from a slush fund they maintain from various fundraisers. If this was the case (and it sounds like it is), the school will not be cutting you a check even if the AD believes that you had an agreement with the head coach to work for pay. You can make your phone calls and write your letters, but what it comes down to is that, in all likelihood, you will never see that money unless the coach agrees to pay you. |
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Post by coachd5085 on Aug 19, 2007 7:50:22 GMT -6
coachorr--..just to be clear, I wasn't questioning your leaving...I was supporting the fact that just because you left on somewhat short notice and they weren't happy about it , didn't mean that they could withhold a payment. Glad you got what you got the $$$
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Post by coachorr on Aug 19, 2007 7:58:35 GMT -6
Coach 5085, I knew what you meant, but I still feel like I left them a little high and dry, so I was just going over all of the benefits of leaving. Thanks for the support.
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