"Before This Can Happen"
Changing our coach selection procedure:
The steps needed to make the change are not easy.
The first problem we face is the people currently in charge are not willing to take
the bull by the horns to make the needed changes. If a coach isn't improving their
part of the program, they are still allowed to stay on until they are ready to step
down.
We have some young teachers who would like to become a coach and may develop into
a quality coach, but it's wrong to assign them a coaching position with the idea
that "on their own" they may have some success. Instead, they should be an experienced
coaches' assistant for a couple years before they have their own leadership position.
Remember we don't "hire coaches" so we have quite a few untrained learners on our
coaching staff.
This isn't fair to the kids.
The second problem is part of the reason for the first problem. This is the teachers'
union contract.
The teachers probably haven't really thought about their contract as being part
of our Sports Program problem. A few years ago the contract made a little sense.
That was back when we "hired coaches." Back then we had trained coaches/teachers
to take care of our coaching needs.
Two things have happened that makes it obvious that some wording needs to be changed
in the teachers' contract. First we have quit hiring "trained coaches." Second,
we have added many, many more coaching positions.
So we now go to the "coaching pool" and see who might be the best of the "untrained
teachers/coaches" to fill the needed positions.
This is not the fault of the Superintendent, the Athletic Director, the Union
or the School Board.
It's just a fact that points out another of my concerns that those in charge are
not looking very hard or trying to resolve our sports program problems. If you ignore
and overlook the little things then the bigger and better things can't happen.
The last and biggest problem, as I have stated before without any success, is Bylaws
and Policies 3120.08. Basically, 3120.08 states that the Board has authorized the
Superintendent to employ our part-time coaches. All of our coaches are in that category.
I have a major problem with that and I think anyone who gives it any thought would
willingly agree with me.
Farwell Area Schools
Bylaws and Policies
3120.08 – EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONNEL FOR CO-CURRICULAR/EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
The Board of Education may find it necessary to employ, on a part-time basis, coaches
or activity sponsors who are not members of the professional staff. Such part-time
employees may be members of the District's support staff or individuals from the
community of nearby areas.
The Board authorizes the Superintendent to act for the Board in employing such part-time
staff.
The Superintendent shall establish administrative guidelines to ensure that each
person employed as a coach or activity sponsor has the appropriate qualifications,
has been properly interviewed, and signs an employment contract which includes the
conditions of employment, compensation arrangements, and contract termination procedures.
Appropriate qualifications shall, at a minimum, include any requirements established
by the State, and may also include any program specific training or certification
as determined by the Superintendent.
Revised 7/02
I'm not picking on our current Superintendent, but he's here so he's my example.
Example: Any and all Superintendents that are hired at Farwell have
full control over our sports programs the day he signs his contract. Some may have
an interest in sports and to others, sports may be a pain in the butt. Now think
about this. We need 2 to 3 dozen coaches. He moves into town from 60-70 miles away,
or farther. He doesn't know anyone in the area. He may inquire to the School Board,
most won't know. Athletic Directors come and go. So where does he start.
There are always a few young teachers that have thoughts and aspirations about coaching,
some locals give him their pitch and from this situation our staff is put together.
Quite often in 3-4 years he/she (the Superintendent) leaves and the process begins
again.
My first question is: Is this the best we can do for our kids as a community?
There is no doubt in my mind why we are where we are in our sports programs.
| |
- Hoping it will be better next year. Doesn't work.
- Wishing this next group of kids will do well. Doesn't work.
- Paying for some to go to camp this summer. Doesn't work.
- Build a new gym. Doesn't work.
- Resurface the track and buy new equipment. Doesn't work.
- Building a new weight and exercise room. Doesn't work.
- Thinking the coach now has another years experience. Doesn't work. |
Let's go back to that great group of 8th grade athletes I saw 2 years ago. My dream
was to watch these kids grow and mature and become a successful bunch of athletes.
I knew that because of their success I would see many tears in the eyes of their
parents, grandparents and the other supporters that would be filling our bleachers.
I knew that I would have to swallow the lump in my throat and get my hanky out.
This is the #1 way to build school and community PRIDE.
We haven't done the right thing and we have lost the first year. If we lose their
second year of JV Competition, we then have lost another group of potential athletes.
You can't start at the Varsity level.
What needs to be done can happen in a week's time. The right people need to be
put in the right positions.
The people involved will need their expectations and accountability readjusted.
Co-operation from the "bosses" a must. And we need to back-up a little, take a good
look, and then we can move forward. But most of all, always remember we don't hire
"qualified coaches," so we need a qualified group that can help "train" our coaches.
This group will meet with each coach, and with them, along with the Athletic Director,
set up a new guideline and expectation idea for the coaches to follow so they have
a better idea what is expected from them. We talk about their strengths and weaknesses
and bring in some help to improve their overall ability. Make a check list to help
them keep their focus and headed in the right direction. The group will be there
for the coach to discuss the areas where we are weak. If we don't follow some kind
of a plan, we won't find our weak spots.
A successful program doesn't "just happen."
Once we have our planned program in place, the program will be more valuable than
any one coach. If someone moves on, we just have to plug someone new into our program.
If this sounds too easy, just remember, what we have been doing obviously isn't
working. How many more years, and how many groups of kids do we want "untrained
coaches" leading them to unsuccessful seasons?
**MY DISCLAIMER:
Every coach is appreciated. The amount of time spent to the amount of pay received
equals almost nothing. Many are volunteers. They are there for the love of the game,
the love of their kid, or just to help fill a vacancy. And, many of them are good
coaches, or are becoming better coaches. However the proper placement is a major
problem.
We need to have the best coaches available in certain positions if we want to improve
our overall programs.
Our JV Football, JV Basketball boys, JV Basketball girls, all need experienced and
proven coaches. A young unproven person is too risky when we know the talented kids
are here now and missed out on the necessary fundamentals last season. The young
coach may develop into a good coach, but why take the chance. Let's get someone
proven to coach this group and have the young guy be his assistant for a year (training
our coaches, a must).
By the way, a couple more things: This is a great bunch of freshman girls also.
I also recognize the fact that we have many excellent athletes, both boys and girls,
in the other grades that want to excel also, but to be realistic, it takes a couple
years to develop a program, and the JV is where we need to start. We all want our
coaches to win.
Successful Coaches = Successful Programs
Let's make it a community project. It can happen and it has to happen right now.
aq@savethefarwelleagles.com