What Is The Job of A High School Coach?

[rodder07]

As we all know winning is the goal of any competitive sport but does a coach, especially a high school coach, have a responsibility to the student-athlete to help them get to the next level? And if you say yes, would you still consider a winning high school coach a successful coach even if his players do not get schlarships to play at the next level?

Example: A coach who wins a lot of games but the players on his/her team always have difficulties getting a scholarship to school if at all. The student-athlete has the desire, grades, ability and attitude to actually play at the next level but the high school coach puts in little to no effort in helping that student-athlete reach the next level. Is the coach still considered a great coach?

Now who are your top high school coaches or AAU coaches?

[kobe24 8]

rodder thank you for this excellent post as i feel this is a very important subject about a coaches job. my daughter comes from a very successful basketball program who has won back to back state titles,players all have excellent gpa's yet the coach has stated it is not his job to get his players to the next level or help them get scholarships. he even is to the point where he does not even give them there letters from colleges on a regular basis mostly at his own leisure yet he relishes the lime light for ther success mostly for himself!

[Coach CFerg]

Any high school coach who doesn't help there student athletes get to school is not a good high school coach(thats part of your job). I am COACH IN THE 4A (P.G.COUNTY) alot of talent bur most kids aren't going to school. All of my seniors have gone to school wether academics or sports

[CoachO]

Any coach who is in a position to help his players get to college has that responsibility to help the players in any way he or she can. These players sweat and bleed this game and will do anything there coach ask of them. We as coaches owe them to at least pick up the phone answer a few letters or whatever we need to do to help get these kids in school. If a high school coach is winning state championships and the kids are not being prepared for the next level, I don't think the coach is not a good coach i just think the system was the right system for those players. We have to remember that college is a different animal than high school,and every player that plays basketball is NOT going to get a scholorship. That is the reality of this game.

[Coach CFerg]

I agree with you have talent and the grades, of course u have to fit the kids with the right schools(most kids go to schools when they like the coaching staff, playing time, etc)

[rodder07]

Some programs win which attracts talented players which in turn helps win games which in turn makes people say, “He/She is a good coach”, but shouldn’t you look at the track record of the where the players who are talented attend college? What is the work ethic and integrity of the coach and do they have any contacts? And for senior division AAU coaches, if you cannot help players get looks why would a player ever play for you?

Now name your top three high school coaches and your top three AAU coaches/programs?

Selena Smith
Russell Davis
Eddie Simmons
Teresa Waters
Robert Surrat


Team Excel
FairfaxStars
Team Unquie
Vogues
Sparks

[rodder07]

Some programs inherit talented players which in turn helps win games which in turn makes people say, “He/She is a good coach”, but shouldn’t you look at the track record of the where the players who are talented attend college as well? What is the work ethic and integrity of the coach and do they have any colligate contacts or affiliations? And for senior division AAU coaches, if you cannot help players get looks why should a player play for your program?

Now name your top five high school coaches and your top five AAU coaches/programs?

Selena Smith
Russell Davis
Eddie Simmons
Teresa Waters
Robert Surrat


Team Excel
FairfaxStars
Team Unquie
Vogues
Sparks

[CoachO]

Walter Clark
Dianne Richardson
Rod Hariston
Keith Devoe
Coach at Flowers

Team Excell
Fairfax Stars
Beltway Lady Cougars
Team Unique
Vogues

[fhire]

I believe the coach is their to teaching the game, monitoring grades and creating opportunities for the players to be exposed to colleges. They are a lot of coaches in the area who do just that.
Some Notables
Shanon Miller Wilde Lake
Lee Rogers Arundel
Rod Hairston E.Roos
James Nichols and Jerry Kelly Team Unique

Coaches should also advise their athletes wisely when they are selecting a college.
Often times many HS/AAU/Select Coaches and parents fall in love with only the big name of the college and don't consider the fit for the kid. Remember Big time is how your treated individually rather than the name on the front of the jersey!
________
Cooking Forum (http://www.cooking-chef.com/)

[fhire]

Some programs inherit talented players which in turn helps win games which in turn makes people say, ?He/She is a good coach?, but shouldn?t you look at the track record of the where the players who are talented attend college as well? What is the work ethic and integrity of the coach and do they have any colligate contacts or affiliations? And for senior division AAU coaches, if you cannot help players get looks why should a player play for your program?

Now name your top five high school coaches and your top five AAU coaches/programs?

Selena Smith
Russell Davis
Eddie Simmons
Teresa Waters
Robert Surrat


Team Excel
FairfaxStars
Team Unquie
Vogues
Sparks

Top 5 Programs Currently
1.Fairfax Stars
2 Team Excel
3.Team Unique
4.Vogues
5. Baltimore Cougars
Last 5 years
1.Fairfax
2.Team Unique
3.Baltimore Cougars
4.Team Excel
5.Bishop McNamara/Nike Select

Hard to say with coaches! We have been blessed with a great many over the past 5 years 17/16 only based on finishes in top exposure event both aau and hs, state tourneys both hs and aau
*College Coaches Presently
HS/AAU Year Rounders
1.*Diane Richardson Riverdale/Excel
2.Rod Hairston E.Roos/Excel
3.Robert Surat/*Mike Bozeman McNamara/Nike Select
4.*Don Graham Western/Balto.Cougars
5. Keith Brown Holy Cross/Fairfax Stars Mike Teasley Notre Dame/Fairfax

AAU/Exposure Only
1.James Nichols Team Unique
2. Luis Garibay Lady Panthers
3 Gary Lampkins Ball Skills
4.Campbell Va Cardinals
5.Fred Preister Vogues

HS Only
1.Lee Rogers Arundel
2.Eddie Simpson St.Johns
3 Tom Splaine Good Counsel
4.Jerome Shelton St. Francis
5.Teresa Waters River Hill
________
Expert Insurance (http://xpertinsurance.com/)

[smokeyhip]

As we all know winning is the goal of any competitive sport but does a coach, especially a high school coach, have a responsibility to the student-athlete to help them get to the next level? And if you say yes, would you still consider a winning high school coach a successful coach even if his players do not get schlarships to play at the next level?

Example: A coach who wins a lot of games but the players on his/her team always have difficulties getting a scholarship to school if at all. The student-athlete has the desire, grades, ability and attitude to actually play at the next level but the high school coach puts in little to no effort in helping that student-athlete reach the next level. Is the coach still considered a great coach?

Now who are your top high school coaches or AAU coaches?

In my opinion the high school coaches responsibility is to teach the game. High School coaches are responsible for expanding on the students understanding of how to play the game.
1.The long term goal of course is to win a championship. As we know there is only one champion per region or district.
2. The short term goal is for the students to have fun playing the game.
3. It is not a high school coaches responsibility to soley be responsible for kids getting schlorships. Yes a great coach will be very instrumental in assisting with the marketing of a player. BUT THEY ARE NOT GETTING PAID FOR THIS ALONE!

[Balling]

What is the typical pay scale for HS coaches per county. I have heard varying fugures.

[akaDimes]

Part I

I believe there will be several opinions flying about the "...job of a High School Coach". Whether it's an Administrator, Parent, Spectator, Referee (yes, they will have an opinion...especially during a game :) ), or the HS Coach; all will have varying perceptions or concepts. One thing I think all can agree on is HS coaches don't gain financial wealth by coaching. Here are a few bullets reflecting my opinion:


Teach the game of basketball (not an easy task, you have to know the game)
Work on player development as much as team development
Use the game to have kids understand the value of work ethic, responsibility, and accountability
Work to be a positive influence (it's rewarding to hear a former player say "thanks" I learned a lot)
Be a positive role model (whether you like it or not Charles Barkley...that's who you are)
Encourage, Correct, Motivate, Support the players into success (this involves some acting at times, as well as some fit-throwing)
As a Coach, you have to love the game and assuredly this love will show and grow


Part II: "I want to play in College."

[hoopsfl]

I think Bill Gibson at West Springfield should be added to the list of top coaches.

[intelligenthoodlum]

1. Can teach the value in winning, and in losing.
2. Can teach the history of the game, and the strategies of the game.
3. Can make the best players better, while teaching them humility towards, and responsibility for, their lesser-talented teammates.
4. Cannot coach down to the level of the worst players, while teaching them respect for, and acknowledgement of, their better-talented teammates.
5. Must instill a solid work-ethic in every player, even the ones who are participating on the team "only for fun, and to stay in shape."
6. Can teach the value of TEAM, while also allowing the INDIVIDUALS to express themselves--within that team concept.
7. For those players who have college basketball aspirations and/or college-level basketball potential, must help them prepare for the college level, basketball-wise and business-wise.
That's enough philosophy from the IH, for now; my teeth are starting to grate on each other too much...

[rodder07]

High School coaches get paid nothing and AAU coaches get even less, so saying there is no money in coaching at these two levels is an understatement. That is why the question was posed. Winning is great but coaching is so much more. In my opinion at the high school level and lower it is the responsibility of all coaches to help players get better not only on the court but also in life. Great teachers not only teach there subject area but they teach life and how there subject area plays a roll in life and will help there students obtain there life goals . I do realize that there are other people who also must play a roll in the lives young people to help them become successful but coaches are pivotal to an athlete and have a lot of authority and responsibility.

So a coach that feels like they have no responsibility to assist there players with there life goals and aspirations, in my opinion is not the coach for my children and I would consider them a sub par coach at best. High School coaches who only help there team win games in my opinion are taking from a young person to fullfill a selfish void in there own life.

We know high school coaches do not coach for the money so it must be for the love of the game, the love of the athletes or the love of competition. When you find a coach that does it for all three reasons, there you have a great coach.

[Coach CFerg]

Lee Rogers- Arundel
Teresa Waters-river Hill
Marvin Vann-gywnn Park
Mike Strothers - Potomac
Eddie Simpson- Formally Of St.johns

[lloyd]

Lets get the record straight there are a lot of High School Coaches in this area that don't do nothing for there girls, all they do is go and recruit them to there Schools, and never get them in School unless they are All Mets, and to go a little deeper most fo our girls that get recruited have been seen on the AAU level, and been taught the game from there AAU coaches, I know because I have been doing this for over 30 years, from Carrol High School to Largo and Riverdale Baptist. So most coaches have been blessed with great players. It is so easy to take a group of girls and win when they know how to win. This is something that has been put in there hearts over there learning skills at a early age. I would like to see some of the High School coaches put in some of the work that the county and AAU coaches do for these girls before they hit High School level. Our girls are not machine and have feelings just like coaches, treat them right and work to get them in School and they will do anything for your team. Be a straight shooter with them and they will respect you as a coach. As far as who the best coaches our, each coach knows the work that is put in with these girls. I don't see a best coach on these list. Also the best AAU program in my opinion is Team Excel and Beltway Lady cougars they have been the most consistant over the past 12 years when it comes to being honest and fair with there programs. Remember respect and commentment is everything.

[smokeyhip]

High School coaches get paid nothing and AAU coaches get even less, so saying there is no money in coaching at these two levels is an understatement. That is why the question was posed. Winning is great but coaching is so much more. In my opinion at the high school level and lower it is the responsibility of all coaches to help players get better not only on the court but also in life. Great teachers not only teach there subject area but they teach life and how there subject area plays a roll in life and will help there students obtain there life goals . I do realize that there are other people who also must play a roll in the lives young people to help them become successful but coaches are pivotal to an athlete and have a lot of authority and responsibility.

So a coach that feels like they have no responsibility to assist there players with there life goals and aspirations, in my opinion is not the coach for my children and I would consider them a sub par coach at best. High School coaches who only help there team win games in my opinion are taking from a young person to fullfill a selfish void in there own life.

We know high school coaches do not coach for the money so it must be for the love of the game, the love of the athletes or the love of competition. When you find a coach that does it for all three reasons, there you have a great coach.


Well said Rodder! Building character is a primary responsibility of a coach. I know of one boy's coach who has been very sucessful that I would not let my child play for. Winning is all he cares about.

[DALIST]

I know of a Current Girls Coach who is the same way! There is ABSOLUTELY no intrest in the kids and them continuing on the next level...but just simply his notoriety and record! This totally disgusts me! :mad:

[akaDimes]

Part II - "I want to play in College"

You will find the majority of HS players echoing this statement. So, what is the role of the HS Coach when it comes to assisting a player to the next level.

A little background: Nowadays the majority of exposure is taking place on the travel circuit during the evaluation periods. Basically, most players get recognized as potential prospects during that time. For the most part HS coaches are unaware of this interest until the player shares the information, or a letter shows up at school, or when a phone call/email is received (if the school is highly iinterested).

HS Coaches across the country are often times blamed for a player not going to the next level, but when you begin to examine the internal factors...Academics is often the culprit. I know of serveral players who were talented enough to earn DI/DII S-ships, but academically unequipped. They either go on to play DIII/NAIA (if admitted) or JUCO (which gives them the Academic foundation to transition). Then there's the other players (and parents) who believe they are a DI/DII players (ahh...we all know these folks quite well).

HS Coach should:


Know and understand the recruiting process/Academic requirements for NCAA, NAIA, JUCO
Be able to guide players to exposure resources (Teams, camps, clinics)
Be an available resource for players and parents who are seeking opportunities
Have open lines of communication with players and parents about playing college
Have the ability to appropriately evaluate a player's talents for future recommendation
Be honest about a player's ability and work ethic, especially when talking with College Coaches
Seek opportunities for players who may not have DI talent, but can surely play somewhere
Be aware of the player's Academic standing and make the player and parents aware

[akaDimes]

I wonder how many HS coaches picked up the phone after the season and tried to find a home (DI/DII/DIII) for one of their seniors who has the ability and academic aptitude, and was willing to play most anywhere. Every year there are several seniors who could go on to play at some level and only requires

If a HS coach truly is in it for the love of the game, love is unconditional and is a full commitment. Picking up the phone to help a player should be an easy ask (one would think).

[hoopslover]

I had an incident this year, and this is a true story. One of my players from my AAU team was being looked at by several schools. I was on the phone constantly with most of the coaches on the East Coast. My cell phone bill was over 500.00 dollars and I spent almost 300.00 dollars mailing out game DVD's to most of those schools of this player alone. When her high school coach found out the schools that was interested and the ones that I got to come out and watch her during the high school season, he called most of the schools and pretty much trashed her. "Oh she can't handle the ball, she can't run the point in transition, she can't play man to man defense." He almost destroyed this player, when the reason he didn't have any footage of her doing any of these things, is because he didn't let her run the point and he played zone the enitre year. And this was a coach that called me after most of their games to ask for advice. Now tell me, who was he out for. I have been coaching girls basketball for 8 years (I'm only 28), only in AAU, and I have coached HS Boys Head JV coach and Asst Varsity for 5 years. I feel if I didn't do what ever is possible to get my players into high school, whether it is to play ball or not, I would be a complete failure. We as coaches high school, AAU, BGC, whatever level, it is our responsibility to teach our players not only the game of basketball, but the game of life. Winning is not important as far as personal success. I have never wanted the spotlight, yes I like to win, but I want to teach more than anything. My name is not a big name, a lot of people may know me in the area if you see me, and some wouldn't. My teams have never had the big name players, but we have players that want to learn, and it is my job as the coach to TEACH.

[hoopdad]

Parents our biggest responsibility is to our kids education, that should be our first concern. Once that is taken care of the question is, who's hands would you place your daughters in. Although the high school coaches come with the schools it is our responsible for any AAU choices we make.

1) Who's hands would you place your daughter in?
2) What is important to you?
3) Talk to other parent about the coach.
4) Check coaches record with getting girls to the next level. (who knows who?)
5) For some $$$

It is the Daughters responsibility to stay true to the game. regardless of the coaches they must work out on there own. Playing with boys and playing pick up games will help. Weight training.

Coaches need to have integrity when dealing with our kids. what I mean is some coaches get caught up in self instead of the child's development. If what's important to you is the coaches personality the find one with the qualities you are looking for. The same thing goes for work ethics, skills development, promoting to the collegiate levels.

The development of our children is a big task which falls on all of us, not just one person. Good luck if you get all that your looking for, if not, utilize as many resources as possible.

[teammom4]

This is one of my favorite topics and I like the way it has been presented.
Those of you sports fans that have been hangin in this 'hood for sometime now may already know my schpill when it comes to this, but you newbies may not.
My daughter is a current sr. and has had a pretty succesful HS career, (she started in the 10th gr.), and she was able to earn a scholarship to a D1 school in the ACC, she is Fully ELIGIBLE!
IMO HS (or any level associated with school) coaches ARE responsible for a child's OVERALL development. Because they are coaching them for more time on a consistent basis, and grades & behavior factor into eligibility, a school coach should always express an interest in these areas of the child's life! At the time my daughter entered HS they current three time champs were two blocks from our house. However winning isn't everything and the coach of that program did not appear to be totally vested in the kids.
I went about her HS school selection process just about as deliberately as we did her collegiate recruiting process. The coach that she ended up playing for, made some promises and delivered on them all. He is a teacher & has a DEGREE in the field of Phys Ed. & coaching. He also comes from a tradition rich, philosophy filled program himself. Having gone thru the process, he was able to attend college for free. I believe these credentials go far because a lot can be gained from someone who has been through it all. N0 a coach is not solely responsible for a child! Hoopsdad is correct in saying this is a three way split! My daughter was focused and grounded and probably could have been succesful anywhere. But for her to be exposed to someone with that integrity and passion for KIDS and the game at that point of her life is very instrumental in her being as well rounded as she is today! I am rushing I will come back to add to & clean it up!!:)