A Call to Action: Supporting Our High School Coaches

Tell me if this sounds familiar. The high school baseball season comes to an end. You had a great season. You made a deep run into playoffs, maybe won your league title, or even overachieved and had a 500 record, collected all the uniforms, completed the banquet and now you're preparing for the summer season, getting the fields ready for all the travel tournaments. Oh wait, campus next week. Did I order enough t-shirts? Is the weather going to cooperate? Meanwhile, you're telling your son or daughter don't worry, as soon as the season is over I'll be able to go to your game or I'll be able to go out back and throw the ball with you. Your wife wants to know if you're still okay to go on vacation in July and don't forget to cut the grass. You look down at your phone and it's a text from the athletic director asking you to stop by. The office wanted to discuss a complaint from a parent that just came in. Hello and welcome back to the Athlete One Podcast, where we explore the world of sports and delve into the challenges and triumphs of athletes and coaches. I'm your host, ken Carpenter, and today we're diving into a pressing issue the departure of high school coaches and the importance of support from parents and athletic directors. We'll also explore the invaluable life lessons that coaches provide in their crucial role, so let's jump right in. Next, on the Athlete One Podcast.

Welcome to the Athlete One Podcast. Veteran high school baseball coach Ken Carpenter takes you into life's classroom as experienced through sports. Go behind the scenes with athletes and coaches as they share great stories, life lessons and ways to impact others.

Episode 74 of the Athlete One Podcast is powered by the Netting Professionals, improving programs one facility at a time. The Netting Professionals specialize in the design, fabrication and installation of custom netting for baseball and softball. This includes backstops, batting cages, bp turtles, screens, ball carts and more. They also design and install digital graphic wall padding, windscreen, turf, turf protectors, dugout benches and cubbies. The Netting Pros also work with football, soccer, lacrosse and golf courses. Contact them today at 844-620-2707. Visit them online at wwwnettingproscom or check them out on Twitter, instagram, facebook and LinkedIn at Netting Pros. Lots of people would love to be a high school baseball coach and if you sit in the stands, it seems like it's pretty easy, according to the people that are watching the game. But something you need to think about a head coach will make anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000 per year and an assistant will make anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000 per year. Let that sink in. If you worked at McDonald's and made $16 an hour, you would make $30,000 a year. That's not a knock on fast food workers. My point is high school coaches in season will devote 12 to 14 hours a day to the players and out of season anywhere from 8 to 10 hours a day. Ask any coach. They do not coach for the money. They coach for the love of the game and the chance to work with young athletes. High school coaches are the backbone of athletic programs, guiding and mentoring young athletes on and off the field. However, it's disheartening to witness the increasing number of coaches that are walking away or being forced out of their positions due to a lack of support, whether it be from the parents, athletic directors or administration. So what are the reasons behind this troubling trend? One significant factor is the erosion of the coach's authority and respect within the high school athletic community. Coaches require support from parents to establish discipline, enforce rules and maintain a positive team culture. Unfortunately, some parents may undermine the coach's decisions, constantly questioning their strategies and advocating for more playing time for their son. This lack of support can erode the authority, making it challenging to maintain a cohesive and successful team. If an athletic director does not have the coaches back, it can exacerbate the problem. The athletic director plays a critical role in setting the tone and expectations for coaches within the program. When they fail to provide adequate support, resources or guidance, coaches can feel isolated and unsupported, leading to frustration and, ultimately, their departure from the profession. When I look back at my time at Buckeye Valley as the head baseball coach. I remember John McGiffen and Carol Evans. I worked for both athletic directors and the one thing they did is they always had my back as a coach. They were always up front and honest with me and they evaluated me at the end of each season. They supported me and didn't have discussions with parents about playing time. Now let's shift our focus to the invaluable life lesson that coaches provide in their role. Beyond wins and losses, coaches serve as mentors and role models, teaching athletes valuable skills that extend far beyond the playing field. They instill discipline, perseverance and a strong work ethic in their players. They teach the importance of teamwork, cooperation and respect for others. Coaches foster resilience and the ability to handle adversity, preparing athletes for the challenges they'll face in life. High school coaches have the unique opportunity to shape character and values, helping young athletes develop into responsible and compassionate individuals. They impart life lessons about integrity, sportsmanship and the importance of setting and achieving goals. These lessons resonate with athletes long after their playing days are over, guiding them in their personal and professional lives. So how do we address the issue and ensure the continued presence of dedicated and passionate coaches in high school sports. It starts with creating a culture of support and respect within the athletic community. Parents must recognize the coaches' expertise and trust their decisions, providing constructive feedback rather than criticism. Athletic directors must prioritize the well-being and professional development of their coaches, providing resources, mentorship and supportive environment. Additionally, fostering open lines of communication among parents, coaches and athletic directors can help address concerns and promote a healthy relationship built on trust and collaboration. Together, we can create an environment where coaches feel valued, supported and motivated to continue their important work. Coaches aren't perfect, but I can assure you of two things They want to win and they do play favorites, and those favorites are the players that are on time, have a great attitude and give 100% effort every time that they show up for practice or a game. The Athlete One podcast is proudly sponsored by the net professionals, improving programs one facility at a time. Contact them today at 844-620-2707. That's 844-620-2707. Until next time, thanks for listening to the Athlete One podcast. Be sure to tell a friend and, if you get a chance, leave us a review on Apple Podcast, as always. Thanks for listening and take care.