In coaching at a small school, I must take into account all the kids who play in the program. We had 22, I believe, who started out this year, but ended up with 20 players. Of those 20, I have to provide a competitive atmosphere for our varsity and j.v. and I desire to have a third team so that our freshmen do not sit an entire year without play.First, I do not cut if I can keep from it. I see no reason in cutting freshmen and older kids who have stayed with the program, deserve the loyalty to remain a part of the program if they desire. That is my belief and not shared by all, and I understand that. When a season begins, I have rarely had thoughts that "I won't play that kid even if he is on the team". I start out with the idea that everyone can earn playing time. Sometimes things occur like injuries, being sick, not being at school, and missing many practices can lead to someone not getting the playing time they thought they would get. It is in these situations that we get tied up as coaches because rarely do people know that goes on or does not go on at practice where playing time is earned. I can tell you as a coach and my staff that rarely what happens in basketball games decides playing time, but it is those 10+ hours per week where it is gained or lost....a total of 68 practices to date.
If I choose to cut someone it can have ramifications on the entire program. By keeping those who want to be part of the program, it allows for me to bump kids down giving younger kids playing time on another team.
As coaches, we deal with negative situations all too often. Each situation is different, but I try to be fair and have taken criticism in one situation all too often by someone who benefitted from a decision I made in the past. We as coaches put so much time in away from our families to be with other people's children that the players become like our own kids. Throw in my supportive wife who has spent many hours away from me for the same reason, or has cooked food for the players, decorated their lockers, decorated the locker room it doesn't sometimes make sense.....
I have recently been called ignorant, having double standards, having a big ego, incompetent, absolutely corrupt, wrong, a bad person, and an overall idiot. That is hard to take because they are things that I don't feel are true...except the big ego part. I don't care who you are, if you have any kind of feelings and are honest, it does affect you. If doesn't affect me as much, but it does my wife and my own parents. I know that it is part of the job, and I accept it as such.
I was told that when I was a parent, I would be a different coach by some upset parents in the past. They were right. I am more tolerant than I was in the past and treat my players the way I would want my children treated. I can promise also that the experiences I have had as a coach will make me a better, more supportive parent when my children participate, if they choose to participate in sports or anything else.
I want to thank everyone who supports the boys' basketball team, Henryville H.S., my family, the coaching staff and me. You make it worthwhile. We have ended another regular season and are headed into sectional play. One way or another the season will end shortly, and I hope the team knows that I care for each of them and that the seniors are welcome back as part of the program.....anytime.
