Ch. 2 Welcome to the Coaching Profession

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Ch. 2 Welcome to the Coaching Profession

• Gina Oliver

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Introduction

• Coaching
• Is Exciting and Emotional
• Requires Preparation (read, study, observe,
  participate as an athlete, coaching clinics, peer
  discussions and mentoring).
• Is a Challenge (priorities, salaries vary,
  instability, stressful)

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The Right Reasons to Coach

• Teaching young people (500/year)
• Competition
• Excitement
• Challenge
• Giving of yourself
• Intrinsic motivators

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Perceptions of HS Athletics

• Athletes are self-centered
• Parents have tunnel vision
• Principals have varying commitments
• The Coaching Iceberg (p22)
• 90 is unseen
• Community the scoreboard your talent

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Is Coaching For You?

• Coaching is a privilege, not a job
• Requires creativity, independence
• Can be frustrating
• 11 Common reasons people decide to coach (p. 22)

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Cautionary Notes

• Rarely a lifelong occupation
• Playing experience does not always Coaching
  experience
• Not a lot of money, glamour or fame
• Fans want winners
• Every hero at last becomes a bore - Emerson

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Teacher/Coaches

• Teaching comes first
• 30,000 vs. 3,000
• Sports are Extra Curricular
• Irony of Teacher/Coaches measured by their W-L
  record

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Job Security

• Risk of being fired is high
• Longevity Factors
• Visibility of your team
• W-L record
• Your abilities and character
• Reliability of teenage players and assistants
• Cooperation with school administrators

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Lifestyle Considerations

• Rollercoaster of triumph and defeat
• Competition
• Constant pressure
• Frustrations
• Impatience, lack of control or resources
• Losing unnecessary games
• Dwelling on the past

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Lifestyle Considerations (cont.)

• Intrinsic Rewards
• Trauma - injuries, personal emergencies
• Drama
• Criticism while he is violently attacked, he is
  feebly defended. - Ben Franklin
• Stress impacts your time, energy, family, social
  life and health

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Lifestyle Considerations (cont.)

• Long Work days (p. 29)
• The Pressure Cooker
• Suspense and Dissapointment
• Losses reflect on you personally
• 3 per hour
• Teachers may be envious of stipends

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Applying for a Position

• Nomadic occupation
• Average 6 moves
• High School vs. College
• Replacing a fired coach
• Interviewing is reciprocal
• Common questions (p. 34-36)

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Pre-Interview Preparation

• Know the school
• Personal Philosophy of coaching
• Organization
• Discipline
• Cutting
• Playing time
• Relationship with parents
• Winning and losing

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Decision Points in Your Life

• Look ahead 5, 10, 20 years
• Initiate, dont react
• Prepare for several possibilities
• Opportunities pop out of the blue
• Figure 2.2 Six Career Paths
• Bachelors vs. Masters
• Head vs. Assistant

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College Coaching

• Right place at the right time
• who you know
• May be a cut in HS pay or stability
• Dont be too choosy, move laterally
• Women are needed
• 4-year versus 2-year

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Being Hirable

• Previous Experience
• Coaching in a good situation
• Great athletes, easy leagues
• Professional recommendations
• Parents, community, newspapers

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Changing Fields

• To Business
• Guidance Counselors
• Teaching only
• Principal or Dean
• Athletic Director
• Department Head

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Questions

• Why do you want to become a coach?

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• What would be your strengths/weaknesses?

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• Which path will you take? Why? p. 39

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• How would you convince your school that sports
  and PE are important and deserve resources?

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• Who would you develop a good rapport with?

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• How will you answer the interview questions on
  pages 35-36?

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The End