Facing a big dilemma and weighing my options. Been offered an opportunity to head coach a baseball team at high school level after successful coaching stints at other levels (middle school, high school & etc.). After head coaching fall ball this year, I felt completely burnt out and thought I was through coaching...well at least for a while. Now this opportunity comes along and I didn't plan on coaching this spring since I'm working on my dissertation and wanted to take a break. I was approached with this opportunity by an influential person where I'm at and already know if I take it, my road will be paved to bigger and better opportunities (poss. AD position, coaching at college, scouting). What is the possibility that if I turn down this offer, another may never come? My old AD says this maybe the case but I wanted to ask others to see.
I think I would take the position. These opportunities don't come along very often. Sure you may be burnt out after the spring season, but in a few years you may have a dream job, and the suffering which you went thru now would be totally worth it. If you enjoy coaching baseball even a little bit, I would take this shot. Just my $.02, hope this helps.
Any of you coach? If so did you experience burn-out? How did it feel? I'm wondering if my burnout comes from working on this freaking doctorate, from work, coaching in general or a combination of them all? The athlete of today has changed and it feels like a takes a lot more of me to coach them now than it did a few years ago. I tried to pinpoint what it was before declaring a break then this opportunity comes along.
I haven't coached, but know guys that have.
My only question is what certainity do you have that it will lead to something bigger and better. The reason I raise this question is because a guy I know is a HS Football HC and said coaches conferences and clinics are crawling with guys handing out their resumes. Also, it appears now the college game is reserved for those that played at major colleges (I think because of the money), it appears a buddy system is in place.
My only question is what certainity do you have that it will lead to something bigger and better. The reason I raise this question is because a guy I know is a HS Football HC and said coaches conferences and clinics are crawling with guys handing out their resumes. Also, it appears now the college game is reserved for those that played at major colleges (I think because of the money), it appears a buddy system is in place.
The person that recommended me and is leaning on me to take the job is part of the good ol' boys network & I've seen how much influence he has. It's crazy but when you're connected & networked up, the sky's the limit esp.in this area. Naturally, I would have to experience some measure of success in order to reap the benefit of future benefits but the opportunity exist.
I coach high school lacrosse. In fact, I'm up early to catch a flight to Baltimore for the annual coaches convention this weekend.
I think the answer to your dilemma starts with what your ultimate goal is--do you want to advance in the coaching world. If that is your goal, I'd take the job. You're certainly not married to it forever. In lacrosse, the old boys network in unbelievable. The coaching community is very small and almost everyone knows everyone. I am fortunate--I am really an "outsider" that doesn't have the lacrosse pedigree of most coaches, but I work with some guys who do. The networking and the "who you know" in this business is what it is all about and that's one of the reasons that I am headed to Baltimore this morning.
Take the job. If it doesn't work out, turn it over to a good assistant.
I think the answer to your dilemma starts with what your ultimate goal is--do you want to advance in the coaching world. If that is your goal, I'd take the job. You're certainly not married to it forever. In lacrosse, the old boys network in unbelievable. The coaching community is very small and almost everyone knows everyone. I am fortunate--I am really an "outsider" that doesn't have the lacrosse pedigree of most coaches, but I work with some guys who do. The networking and the "who you know" in this business is what it is all about and that's one of the reasons that I am headed to Baltimore this morning.
Take the job. If it doesn't work out, turn it over to a good assistant.
Been coaching HS football in AZ for the last 10 years.
Got my first head coaching job 4 years ago. Won a state title in 2006.
I decided to not coach this year. Long story, but being "burned out" is part of it. I wont get into it on here. But I am more than willing to share and give any advice over PM.
Got my first head coaching job 4 years ago. Won a state title in 2006.
I decided to not coach this year. Long story, but being "burned out" is part of it. I wont get into it on here. But I am more than willing to share and give any advice over PM.
Never used the PM function here (I'll figure it out) but will be on later tonight at around 7 or 8 EST if you're around. I'm leaning towards not taking it but I'm taking too long to decide anyway so I think they sense this and it'll be a moot point by Wednesday.
I disagree for the most part. You may get the parents who whine about why their kid doesn't start or get more playing time but my experiences have been few and far in between. I'm finding more kids take pride in mastering Madden than becoming better on the gridiron in real life, being the best at MLB '09 for PS3 than actually enhance their skills on the baseball field and so on. There's a lot out there for kids to be distracted by these days and I think some of them bring those distractions onto the baseball field. Half of these kids wouldn't even play when I played at their age not because of talent but because of their mentality.
We have awards ceremonies this spring and I have a kid that essentially cost us the championship game this season with 3 errors (mental) and 3 strikeouts and he had the nerve to constantly petition why he should be MVP and most improved player this season LOL. Not every kid is like that but it goes to show you some of the mentalities of today's athlete.
Coached baseball and hoops at many different levels over the last 30 years.
You MUST have 2 sides to your face, its unfortunate, but in order to get what you really want you will have to try to get along with everyone to some degree.
If you can deal with the politics of the job you should do alright. If you are young and have nobody but yourself to think about, i.e. family, you should be fine. Plan on living it 24/7 to succeed. Since I have had my 2 sons I gave up the H.S. stuff but help out with their teams if needed.
For some reason the last 3 years I start the season as a helper and by years end I am at every practice and games working more than I intended to.
For instance..... I promised my 7 year old to coach his hoops team. We drafted and I end up taking a kid who NO ONE wanted. It has been one of my hardest challenges to get into his head and teach. Many behavioral issues, yet very talented. Yesterday we actually went with 4 of my players and fed people at the homeless shelter as it is -40f here. I think they got a lot out of it.
Good luck on your journey.
You MUST have 2 sides to your face, its unfortunate, but in order to get what you really want you will have to try to get along with everyone to some degree.
If you can deal with the politics of the job you should do alright. If you are young and have nobody but yourself to think about, i.e. family, you should be fine. Plan on living it 24/7 to succeed. Since I have had my 2 sons I gave up the H.S. stuff but help out with their teams if needed.
For some reason the last 3 years I start the season as a helper and by years end I am at every practice and games working more than I intended to.
For instance..... I promised my 7 year old to coach his hoops team. We drafted and I end up taking a kid who NO ONE wanted. It has been one of my hardest challenges to get into his head and teach. Many behavioral issues, yet very talented. Yesterday we actually went with 4 of my players and fed people at the homeless shelter as it is -40f here. I think they got a lot out of it.
Good luck on your journey.
Awesome shit. I like to hear stuff like that. I feel like as a coach I want to shape my players beyond the playing field. I planned on taking my kids to the VA hospital to visit with vets this past year but I got no support to do so but when I took them to the Nationals game last season, everybody and their mama was available and willing.
I was coach of Cranford H.S. (NJ) bowling team.
(yes, they have bowling teams in H.S.)
We were terrific, five consecutive state sectionals, and one state championship in that 5 year run.
We had talented, very talented kids, they basicly knew what to do at ages 14-17, I was basicly there for emotional purposes, we had one kid, Keith Ehman, as a freshman win individual state championship, he averaged 210 at age 14.
I actually go paid better as the conference statistician than as a coach, and caught more shit also, "excuse me, I think you made a mistake on my sons average"....... crap like that.
(yes, they have bowling teams in H.S.)
We were terrific, five consecutive state sectionals, and one state championship in that 5 year run.
We had talented, very talented kids, they basicly knew what to do at ages 14-17, I was basicly there for emotional purposes, we had one kid, Keith Ehman, as a freshman win individual state championship, he averaged 210 at age 14.
I actually go paid better as the conference statistician than as a coach, and caught more shit also, "excuse me, I think you made a mistake on my sons average"....... crap like that.
Former HS baseball coach here...
Depending on where you live, HS baseball is from January to the end of April. Ask yourself: Can you devote the next four months of your life to baseball? After that the question pretty much answers itself.
Other things to consider...how much help will you have? If you've got an assistant or two. That sure helps! If you have to do EVERYTHING, and I mean EVERYTHING, from the field, to watching the pitchers throw their bullpens, coaching the outfielders, throwing BP, four months can be a very long time...especially if you're not winning.
And don't forget about the field. A baseball field, as you well know, is not a gym floor where all you have to do is run a dust mop over it and you're ready to practice. A baseball field requires a tremendous amount of loving care to have it looking as good as you want it to. Now, the kids can, and SHOULD, absolutely help with field maintance, but an awful lot will fall on you, the head coach.
BOL with whatever you decide!
Doc
Depending on where you live, HS baseball is from January to the end of April. Ask yourself: Can you devote the next four months of your life to baseball? After that the question pretty much answers itself.
Other things to consider...how much help will you have? If you've got an assistant or two. That sure helps! If you have to do EVERYTHING, and I mean EVERYTHING, from the field, to watching the pitchers throw their bullpens, coaching the outfielders, throwing BP, four months can be a very long time...especially if you're not winning.
And don't forget about the field. A baseball field, as you well know, is not a gym floor where all you have to do is run a dust mop over it and you're ready to practice. A baseball field requires a tremendous amount of loving care to have it looking as good as you want it to. Now, the kids can, and SHOULD, absolutely help with field maintance, but an awful lot will fall on you, the head coach.
BOL with whatever you decide!
Doc
