Dear Coach,
Thanks for your letter. It is always a pleasure to learn a player you coached still believes athletic education has a tremendous responsibility for shaping the lives of people.
I know we talked about this many times, but don’t give up coaching. You never gave up while playing.
You and I agree on our appreciation for two exemplary college coaches, Len Casanova and John Wooden. They proved to all coaches that winning respect of players is the first step in developing winning programs.
Even though it all too often appears the Casanova-Wooden mold has been broken, an overwhelming majority of school coaches are erroneously stereotyped by the few coaches and players who believe they are self-made (and worship their maker).
Just being called “coach” by a kid communicates an expectation to be idolized. Even though we seem to have a few examples of the degeneration of “coaching ethics between coaches” being passed on to their players, the Washington State Coaches Association Halls of Fame have an unlimited supply of deserving nominees.
We admire the overwhelming majority who pass on your coaching philosophy. You jogged my memory of a couple of thought-filled bus rides with “Don’t take everything away from the other team, especially if they have a long ride home.” And every coach’s office should conspicuously display your philosophy on trash talking: “The scoreboard will provide all the lip service necessary.”
All coaches feel philosophically blessed when they have the talent to “make sure all kids get some playing time.” With talent they still win. It takes a philosophically courageous, job-secure coach to do so and lose.
Kids today “do what they are coached to do” … and while learning, their behavior can be alarming. Yes, it was a sad reflection on high school coaches that taunting and celebrating had to be controlled by rules. As British radio announcer Michael Aspel said, “Red squirrels… you don’t see many of them since they became extinct.”
Kids need to be reminded of the fact that Steve Largent was an NFL red squirrel. That is why he is now a U.S. congressman, a reward to his school coaches and an example of what respectful behavior achieves.
Real athletes never believe it is too late in any competition to distinguish themselves. In fact, when games are lost, the opportunities increase. Great coaching rewards come from players who play the last play like it was the first, regardless of the score. A very few embarrass themselves by walking away from an opponent knowing they failed to give their best effort in skill and conduct.
We both know the most challenging, and least recognized, responsibilities in athletic education are those of the school athletic administrator. Athletic directors are expected to coach educational philosophy to win-oriented coaches who are attempting to referee a metamorphosing sports philosophy.
On any one day, an entire season of appreciation is deserved by Jim Piccolo (Stanwood), Teri McMahan (Edmonds), Greg Erickson (Marysville), Dan Leasvitt (Lake Stevens), Bob Smithson (Everett), Jack Roy (Lakewood), John Kiniseley (Monroe), Jim Peters (Mukilteo), Allen Jefferson (Arlington) and all school activities administrators. Just one day following in their footsteps is a season.
As much as we would like to keep ethics and ideals the same, teammates, strategies, and game plans differ almost daily. Still, I’m vain enough to think those I have coached are like me. I hope they, too, are invigorated by indulging in reveries of coaching or being coached.
The perpetual constant of youth athletics is you and I, Coach. We hold the bona fide franchise for coaching philosophies. I’m with you. Hire coaches that really care enough to discipline and play all the kids.
Just don’t fire them because they do.
Sincerely,
Your Old Coach
Cliff Gillies
Cliff Gillies, former executive director of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, writes weekly during the school year for The Herald. His mailing address is 7500 U.S. Highway 101, South Bend, WA 98586. His e-mail address is cliffsal@techline.com.
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