What Level Would You Prefer To Coach?

[David Andersen]

Assuming an interest in coaching and the opportunity to coach any level (pre-HS, High School, College, Post-College Elite, Non-elite local amateurs), what would you prefer and why?

[dukehjsteve]

pre high school, the younger the better. More rewarding, building grass roots interest, and fewer attitude/personality problems.

[mojo]

pre high school, the younger the better. More rewarding, building grass roots interest, and fewer attitude/personality problems.

That is the level I coach for the most part. Been doing it for so many years that it would be nice to have a world class athlete just to see how the other half lives.

We also have to do so much more than coach-fund raising. officiating, organizing etc. etc.

It is extremely rewarding in its own way though.

[tafnut]

hypothetically speaking, of course: High School! The PRs come fast and furious as the lights come on. Taking an athlete from a little 9th grader who barely masters the fundamentals of an event to a mature 12th grader who can utilize all his/her physical gifts as a confident athlete is extremely rewarding no matter whether he/she is the state champion or just a District Qualifier. Seeing someone else succeed is so much better than achieving any measure of success yourself as an adult athlete, because the former involves two people working together.

[guru]

Not even close, high school.

The field is (relatively)level. The coach who hustles the most, in terms of recruiting within the student body, and knows what he/she is doing wins. No worrying about competing against other schools in recruiting. You go to the other sports' contests, walk the halls, and you'll find what you need to put a winning program out there every year.

Of course, our brand new $3.4 million track facility, which opens next year, helps too. I wouldn't trade my situation for more than a handful of collegiate jobs.

[gm]

a tie between college and post-collegiate elite

why? no parents barking about little Johnny/Janie

[lonewolf]

[
[why? no parents barking about little Johnny/Janie[/quote]

That is the beauty of T&F. If you can time it or measure it, the parents don't have much reason to bark as compared to sports where ability is subjectively ( and sometimes not so subjectively) judged.

[bekeselassie]

I don't coach, but if I did, I'd be interested in the high schoolers. For athletic reasons, some of you have already given the reasons I'd offer - PR's coming more often leading to greater encouragement, building an interest in the sport, spotting talent and trying to encourage good stewardship of that talent, etc.

I'm also one who wouldn't just want to confine my influence to the track. I'd hope to be a positive influence on the kids however possible. You never know what these kids are going through or struggling with. I work with 9th grade boys at church and never ceased to be amazed with what happens to them at home or what they're going through. Hmmmm . . . maybe I could start a team with them.

[tafnut]

why? no parents barking about little Johnny/Janie

In 13 years I have NEVER had a parental complaint (as mentioned above, the results speak for themselves), but my favorite question was from a beginning pole vaulter's dad:

"What pole do I need to buy for my daughter to be state champion?"

He was dead serious.

[EPelle]

I would say elite. I appreciate the high school scene, but I, personally, would get most satisfaction from the elite scene.

As much as I appreciate the rewards asociated with learning an event to mastering it in four years, I appreciate more the opportunity to coach somoene to their dreams of World, Olympic, European or Finnkampen success. I had a former roommate who ran 3.45,86 at university, then ran 3.38,65 a couple years later. Dropped from 1.50,6 to 1.47,3 in that same time frame. He was on top of the world, and there was no greater joy I saw in our coach than being able to put it all together to get that kid very near his dreams (missed going to OG by 0,65 seconds in the 1,500m, though he qualified 2:nd at USA OT). All those repeat 600m intervals alone with just the coach, a dream and a stopwatch were worth it. I could see myself with one, two, perhaps three elites who were on the cusp of greatness needing that harmony betweeen mind, body and trainer looking to me for that support.

[bekeselassie]

EPelle's only in it for the money! :x

[Quarter Horse]

I'm currently coaching at a high school and on top of all the reasons listed above, I enjoy the fact that I can give back to sport that has given me so much. I get to teach the kids about more than just running races, but how to set and accomplish short and long term goals. I get them prepared to compete on a collegiate level as well as show them a potential future at the elite level. We discuss the current culture of track and field (good and bad) and what they can do to improve things (internally for the ones who continue to compete and externally for the ones who venture into other areas). I get them in touch with the grassroots movement and hope that they can someday change things for the better. I try to do the same at the elite level, but for a lot of the elite athletes, money speaks louder than words (with regards to changing the sport for the better).

[EPelle]

I:m in it to live vicariously through my athletes!

[mojo]

I:m in it to live vicariously through my athletes!

Just like Jon you are an elitist.





:wink:

[David Andersen]

Thanks for all the answers.