Saturday, November 24, 2007

Advice

This list appears in the most recent edition of Texas Coach magazine. It's from former Corpus Christi ISD athletic director Richard Avila. It's aimed at first-time football coaches, but most items could apply to any new coach.

Advice for a First-Time Head Coach
  1. Thank those who helped you get where you are today...parents, teachers, coaches, mentors, etc. Thank the Board, administration, principal, A.D., upon being awarded the position.
  2. Be loyal to your district, board, superintendent, principal, school, coaches, athletes, etc.
  3. Be careful what you say to the media, be short and to the point - be positive always.
  4. Evaluate existing staff, allow them a chance to prove themselves. If they fit, keep them; if not, help them get another position.
  5. Pick or hire two top assistants. If defensive-minded, get a strong offensive-minded coach and vice versa.
  6. Share and write down your philosophy/goals with your staff and your team.
  7. Loyalty is your number one priority when surrounding yourself with good assistants at all levels.
  8. Support all sports by your presence and your actions: salary, budget, travel, equipment, assistants, etc.
  9. Treat all coaches like you would have wanted to be treated when you were coming up the ranks.
  10. Never run up the score on anyone and don't let other sports in your school do it either.
  11. Never ask coaches to work on Sundays unless you have to, but don't ask them to miss church.
  12. Never neglect your spouse and family - find time for them always.
  13. Study the rules, know them inside out. If you break a rule, turn yourself in...tell the truth. Admit it...learn from it...Take your lumps...Don't do it again!
  14. If an assistant breaks a rule, turn them in and administer a reprimand with approval of principal.
  15. Re-visit Code of Conduct by committee: male & female coaches, student-athlete, assistant principal and you.
  16. Make all meetings. Be professionally dressed, be on time, better yet - be early.
  17. Always have a shirt and tie handy when asked to go "downtown".
  18. Work with local officials' associations. Be courteous, respectful, accept their rulings, etc.
  19. Keep in mind always that you are a role model. You never know who is watching.
  20. Document...document...document

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