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Post by newhope on Oct 3, 2018 11:59:34 GMT -6
Your AD is telling you who to start and who not to start? And you're considering another year there? C'mon man. Never mind the seniors or the parents--and by the way, the one telling you what everyone says about you in the stands is NOT your friend--the AD doing that is a deal breaker in and of itself.
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Post by 50slantstrong on Oct 7, 2018 13:30:09 GMT -6
Got rolled pretty good. 42-7 to the team that’s going to win our league. We did a few good things well defensively. We fit the power, iso and buck sweep well at times but too many breakdowns in which 10 guys did their job, 1 guy didn’t and then their D1 back was off to the races. He had about 275 yards but I’d say 150 of them were on about 5-6 carries. Not trying to rationalize or say we played well but there were a dozen or so times we looked like a real team the way we played power (which they called about 25 times).
Our right tackle got ejected. Dad and him made every excuse to get out of weight lifting and practice all spring and summer but are now acting like this is meaningful. He couldn’t block to save his life on Friday. Talk about reaping what you sow. Out of frustration he ended up throwing a punch, taking his helmet off and challenging a guy to a fight after a play. Easy call for the ref. He’s done for the next game as well, per CIF rules. Dad asked and I told him I wasn’t going to appeal and he said “you’re going to regret it”. Whatever just take your kid out of the program and give me one less headache please.
Our senior QB is a poon and if we had anybody else who could even take a snap, he’d be starting. Refuses to stand tall and take a hit, even though there are guys wide open. They were sitting in cover 1 and didn’t switch on crossing routes and their corners are PI machines on deep balls. They’re a good team but it’ll be the reason they lose in the playoffs. All our QB had to do was drop three steps and fire and take a hit. If he delivered the ball it was a catch or PI. But as soon as he thought he was going to get hit he’d tuck it and run for no gain. Literally about 12 times. We had a pretty athletic sophomore QB but he got two serious concussions in the first 4 JV games. Parents said they don’t want him playing until next season. Don’t know how much I blame them. I tended to him after that second concussion and he was three sheets to the wind.
It’s just hard to watch the film at this point. Our seniors are reaping what they sowed (see above) and our underclassmen are painfully inconsistent. 2 really good things, 3 ridiculously bad things.
2-5, 0-2. 3 games left. Two winnable wins and one tough one. We have to win all three to get in.
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Post by coachfares on Oct 12, 2018 11:35:24 GMT -6
Keep your head up coach!! And keep venting to us we all know the problems that come with this job that we all decided to take. We must be gluten's for pain and that's why we come back year after year. The best thing we have is the coaching community and the ability to network with others. All the feeling you are feeling are normal we have all felt them especially those that were a top assistant at a high level program and get their first HC job at rebuild school that has had a history of bad culture keep up the good fight!
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Post by 50slantstrong on Oct 13, 2018 21:23:57 GMT -6
Won 13-0 in a game called at halftime because of lightning.
We could have won by a lot more but our backs don’t hit the hole. We’re running sweep and power and instead of riding the down block and going inside the kick out, our backs just want to get to the sideline and make highlight runs. If they couldn’t outrun the team we played last night, they probably can’t outrun any defense in California. I’m going to their drills first thing on Monday and letting them know they’re getting pulled next Friday if they don’t get down hill when there’s a hole. Head coach stuff you know? I’m sure there will be parent backlash but I’m willing to tell my AD to kiss my ass at this point.
The school we played is really down on their luck. They haven’t had a winning season since the 90s. Bunch of new schools got built around them and they don’t have a coach who’s in bed with 7-7 coaches and training gurus. Predictably, they’re 0-8 now. Typical Southern California.
Maybe you guys have had the same experience. I felt the refs just wound the clock and didn’t respect either staff simply because neither team was very good. Literally every time the ball went out of bounds they’d wind the clock trying to get the game done and over with ASAP. Several simple penalties they called they’d give me some middle school explaination of, as though I didn’t know we couldn’t have 5 guys in the back field or rolling starts weren’t legal. I never even tried to argue their calls either; it felt very condescending. When I was an assistant we had the same crew in a game in which both teams were ranked in the top 50 in the state. No mishandling of the clock or stopping the game to tell the coach basic rules.
Maybe my brain is just consumed with negativity, but I felt my AD said something again this week that confirms my desire to resign. He mentioned something about my OL coach coaching during the summer before he got board approved and finger printed and how I wasn’t supposed to allow him to be out there. I pointed out that board meetings are only once a month and he’s a middle school campus aide so he obviously doesn’t have a record. No harm no foul. He pointed out it’s district policy and if anybody in the district found out, he’d catch heat and not me. Translation, “I don’t want my job to be hard”. Same guy who told me it’s my job to “keep everybody happy” and that the last coach (who won 11 games in 4 years) did a “fantastic” job and I should model my program based off of him. You make admin pay dude, just try to earn some of it please....
3-5, 1-2 now. Next week we’re playing the defending league champs. They’re down a little but still pretty good. Should be an interesting week.
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Post by 50slantstrong on Oct 13, 2018 22:55:25 GMT -6
Oh yea I forgot to add I got reprimanded and was forced to go to a make up meeting for not going to a staff meeting on Tuesday. Apparently seeing a training I’ve already seen half a dozen times is more important than practice in the eyes of my admin....
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Post by 50slantstrong on Oct 15, 2018 13:46:50 GMT -6
Your AD is telling you who to start and who not to start? And you're considering another year there? C'mon man. Never mind the seniors or the parents--and by the way, the one telling you what everyone says about you in the stands is NOT your friend--the AD doing that is a deal breaker in and of itself. The problem is I'm not a tenured employee and can't be until 2020 and 90% of districts in Southern California don't reserve teaching spots for assistants. I don't see myself seeking another HC position either. The silver lining is that my wife will have an admin credential by the beginning of next school year so I could get an "in" somewhere...
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Post by 50slantstrong on Oct 23, 2018 9:55:05 GMT -6
Forgot to update you guys:
Last week was our last home game. We lost to a pretty good team 28-14. We were down 21-0 at the end of 1 but we stayed battling the entire game against a team with a potential scholarship QB. As usual, it was our underclassmen who kept us in it.
I did have a good heart-to-heart with one of our few seniors who's worked hard and tried to do things the right way the entire year. I feel bad. He told me he wishes it could've been this way 3 years before crying his eyes out.
Nothing too ridiculous during the week. Just a culture among the seniors that they're too cool to work hard and their parents are too cool to be parents, not older friends. Same ish all year. Still undecided if I'm going to return or not. I do like the juniors and sophomores immensely more than the graduating seniors, but at the same time, the administration has shown it will not be supportive if I want to make an executive decision. My last coach told me I need to go to the principal and tell her about my AD not giving me freedom to do my job.
One more game this week against an 0-9 team. Another typical California team. Older school, former powerhouse, new schools built around it so it's in the dumps now...
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Post by 50slantstrong on Oct 29, 2018 23:04:35 GMT -6
Won our last game against a winless team 54-7. No playoffs. We finished 4-6, 2-3.
Still pretty sure I’m going to resign. Going to speak with the AD again and ask him to clarify what he thinks about how much power the coaching staff and I have for separating varsity from JV. Also going to go the the principal again and ask her how much she’s going to support me for having a no nonsense attendance policy. Like am I going to be able to tell a kid he ain’t playing if he comes to me at the 11th hour Monday before practice saying he can’t make it because he has homework?
What other things do you think I should ask? Or even just bring up. This school could be pretty good in football with the right culture and enforcement of rules. There are some promising under classmen at almost every position but it’ll be a crime against humanity if they’re allowed to sink into the cool guy apathy this year’s seniors had. And it’ll be impossible to win if I don’t have admin’s backing. Not asking for them to kiss the program’s ass. I just want assurance I’m going to be able to run the program as I see fit and not have to worry about being called into the AD’s office because a couple players are mad I yelled at them for skipping practice. That’s really all I want at this point. Got good assistants who want to return, the right kids, the right facilities and the right teaching position.
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Post by coachdavis11 on Oct 30, 2018 7:07:07 GMT -6
Don’t know if this is a vent or a “story of the present season” First year head coach. Took over at a tough place. Didn’t think it was going to be easy. The consensus insight I’ve been given is that the seniors will be the hardest to sell to. Holy chit that wasn’t a joke. Our attendance has been atrocious. Our parents, especially of the seniors, are enablers. If I had a nickle for every “little Johnny is sick he can’t come to practice” text I got at the 11th hour I’d be able to pay off my mortgage. Unfortunately we’re small and I can’t just tell kids to take a hike. It’s going to be a challenge to field two levels. At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re only one level by season’s end. Our first game is tomorrow. Our team captain, right guard and mike backer texted me today after school that he was quitting. Literally one of maybe 3 seniors I thought was reliable. Something about not feeling appreciated and blah blah but he wants to be our biggest fan. WTF? I’m going to call him and I think I can get him back but it’s still just a pain in the ass I have to do it. In the last month: -Another senior thought he didn’t have to go to practice because they had summer ASB stuff. When I told him he can do all the ASB stuff he wanted 22 other hours of the day, he went to the ASB teacher, who then went to the AD complaining “football is not in season but he’s making kids practice”. AD took my side, but ever since kid has just been a stick in the mud and won’t practice hard. Literally went from projected starter to a kid I don’t even want to put in a JV game. -Two parents, of seniors, gave me the third degree about our dead period rules. They didn’t think it was legal to have kids lift. I pointed out that we can lift just not practice. They didn’t believe me and went to our governing body and tried to say I was running illegal practices, only to find out I was perfectly within the rules. God forbid they listen to a guy who does this for a living. Their kids are also cheerleaders (no that’s not a typo) who wanted to go to a cheer camp. -A parent, of a senior, at a meeting continually told me my practice schedule doesn’t make sense because it wasn’t what the previous coach did. He literally yelled it out half a dozen times. I explained it in perfect English why I’m doing it the way I am every time. Luckily I kept my cool. Kid won’t practice hard and told me he doesn’t think he should have to be in 6th period athletics. Luckily his counselor thought otherwise. Shocking, he’s another stick in the mud at practice. Unfortunately he has to go in for about 15-20 snaps a game. There are no other options. -One of the returning players, the starting FS and a potential college football player, might not be eligible because his parents forgot to resubmit his annual intradistrict transfer papers and was enrolled at another school for a day. I’ll likely find out tomorrow. He didn’t show back up until Wednesday. Knowing our parents, they’ve already informed the governing body. -Now that school has started I can’t get all the kids into the athletic period. Credit recovery and other BS reasons and I don’t believe the counselors are supporting athletics as much as they could. That means I’m going to have to start practice later, which means more kids missing All this apprehension and reservation and we haven’t played a game. Seniors quitting, not buying in, coming up with excuse after excuse to miss. The silver lining is our underclassmen are pretty bought in, except they’re tiny. Literally 8 juniors and 8 sophomores, one of whom is out for the year. Our freshman class is somewhat deep (16) and talented but they’re raw. None of them could hold a candle in a varsity game. It just seems like everyday the last few weeks it’s just been one ridiculous thing after another after another. I don’t know what I’ve done wrong. I’ve done what I felt is best at maintaining relationships throughout since I’ve been hired, sold a good message “we not me”, and done what I feel is fair. I took this job knowing it wasn’t great but wow this is some movie type chit I’m dealing with. Haven’t even played a game and on my ride home today I was thinking about what I’m going to say in my resignation speech. Sorry for the vent guys. I hope you guys all have great seasons Do we coach together and I just don't know it? sounds way to familiar....
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Post by coachfares on Nov 2, 2018 11:12:05 GMT -6
Won our last game against a winless team 54-7. No playoffs. We finished 4-6, 2-3. Still pretty sure I’m going to resign. Going to speak with the AD again and ask him to clarify what he thinks about how much power the coaching staff and I have for separating varsity from JV. Also going to go the the principal again and ask her how much she’s going to support me for having a no nonsense attendance policy. Like am I going to be able to tell a kid he ain’t playing if he comes to me at the 11th hour Monday before practice saying he can’t make it because he has homework? What other things do you think I should ask? Or even just bring up. This school could be pretty good in football with the right culture and enforcement of rules. There are some promising under classmen at almost every position but it’ll be a crime against humanity if they’re allowed to sink into the cool guy apathy this year’s seniors had. And it’ll be impossible to win if I don’t have admin’s backing. Not asking for them to kiss the program’s ass. I just want assurance I’m going to be able to run the program as I see fit and not have to worry about being called into the AD’s office because a couple players are mad I yelled at them for skipping practice. That’s really all I want at this point. Got good assistants who want to return, the right kids, the right facilities and the right teaching position. I've always been told, by my father, growing up and i hold on to it to this day. Don't ever make a big decision from a position of weakness. What he meant by weakness, how I understood it, is the emotional drainage from your situation the lows of your struggles. Step back from the situation now and take some time to breathe and really gather your thoughts. Ask some mentors their thoughts and then understand, ultimately, in order to get the culture you want and the standard raised to where you want it there are going to be struggles and problems and are you willing to deal with those problems? And yes, also the support from the admin makes that easier or harder and they play a big roll in how fast you get it turned around and if you can get it turned around. Good luck coach don't let the first year at historically bad team deflate you. Remember that job is not a Microwave job its a slow-cooker and going to take some time and sweat equity!!
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Post by fkaboneyard on Nov 6, 2018 14:36:22 GMT -6
Won our last game against a winless team 54-7. No playoffs. We finished 4-6, 2-3. Still pretty sure I’m going to resign. Going to speak with the AD again and ask him to clarify what he thinks about how much power the coaching staff and I have for separating varsity from JV. Also going to go the the principal again and ask her how much she’s going to support me for having a no nonsense attendance policy. Like am I going to be able to tell a kid he ain’t playing if he comes to me at the 11th hour Monday before practice saying he can’t make it because he has homework? What other things do you think I should ask? Or even just bring up. This school could be pretty good in football with the right culture and enforcement of rules. There are some promising under classmen at almost every position but it’ll be a crime against humanity if they’re allowed to sink into the cool guy apathy this year’s seniors had. And it’ll be impossible to win if I don’t have admin’s backing. Not asking for them to kiss the program’s ass. I just want assurance I’m going to be able to run the program as I see fit and not have to worry about being called into the AD’s office because a couple players are mad I yelled at them for skipping practice. That’s really all I want at this point. Got good assistants who want to return, the right kids, the right facilities and the right teaching position. I've always been told, by my father, growing up and i hold on to it to this day. Don't ever make a big decision from a position of weakness. What he meant by weakness, how I understood it, is the emotional drainage from your situation the lows of your struggles. Step back from the situation now and take some time to breathe and really gather your thoughts. Ask some mentors their thoughts and then understand, ultimately, in order to get the culture you want and the standard raised to where you want it there are going to be struggles and problems and are you willing to deal with those problems? And yes, also the support from the admin makes that easier or harder and they play a big roll in how fast you get it turned around and if you can get it turned around. Good luck coach don't let the first year at historically bad team deflate you. Remember that job is not a Microwave job its a slow-cooker and going to take some time and sweat equity!!
This is excellent advice. A little time gives some perspective, you owe yourself to take it before you make any big decisions.
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Post by 50slantstrong on Nov 29, 2018 11:41:07 GMT -6
Officially decided I'm going to resign.
I had several discussions with the AD as it pertains to how I'd like to run the program moving forward and he kept saying I should do it differently as it pertains to player attendance, expectations and philosophy of the program. The common theme was he didn't want me to do anything that could get parents or players upset. He seemed even more perplexed when I told him as a school we need to have a fact-check and follow-up procedure when a kid lobs an accusation like "coach said F homework" "coach said I can't go to my grandma's funeral" rather than take it for Gospel. I even reached out to the principal and all she told me was she pushes all things athletics related to the AD. No responsibility. Just a system of "don't do anything that makes my job harder".
The final straw was when the discussion of assistant coaches for next year came up and he kept pushing a former freshmen coach here who's also a sub, assistant basketball and assistant baseball coach. Basically a 70-year-old stipend-{censored}. I suggested I throw a net out and reach out to former players. He basically kept deflecting and insisted I consider his guy, even though my only experience was him subbing my class and coming back to tagged desks, vulgarity written on the white board and a note saying "every class was great!"
This was all before Thanksgiving break. Over the break, I talked to my former head coach and two head coaches I worked for, as well as my family, my Priest and even my parents. They unanimously said I need to move on.
I'm going to send my resignation letter to district HR a few days before Christmas break and ignore every phone call and text over the break from people outside of family. Not sure what's in store for next year. I'm open to anything that doesn't involve being a head coach...
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Post by 53 on Nov 29, 2018 13:29:44 GMT -6
Sounds like you've thought it out and doing what's best for you and your family.
Good luck coach.
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Post by blb on Nov 29, 2018 15:23:55 GMT -6
50slantstrong If you're going to resign, why don't you do it now - why wait until "few days before Christmas break"?
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Post by 50slantstrong on Nov 29, 2018 15:53:59 GMT -6
50slantstrong If you're going to resign, why don't you do it now - why wait until "few days before Christmas break"? Still have the banquet on Saturday, still doing inventory of equipment, exit interviews, making sure the 6th period class is set for next semester and getting all the keys I've been given are accounted for. I want it to be nicer than when it was when I got here.
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Post by blb on Nov 29, 2018 16:18:23 GMT -6
50slantstrong If you're going to resign, why don't you do it now - why wait until "few days before Christmas break"? Still have the banquet on Saturday, still doing inventory of equipment, exit interviews, making sure the 6th period class is set for next semester and getting all the keys I've been given are accounted for. I want it to be nicer than when it was when I got here.
"exit interviews" - with who, and why?
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Post by pvogel on Nov 29, 2018 18:51:34 GMT -6
50slantstrong thanks for this thread. Sorry for the rough year but I appreciate you chronicling it. These stories are FAR too common and a constant sobering reminder that not all that glitters is gold. I've "wanted" to be a HC and was driven by that path - how do I become a HC and am I doing what I need to do to get there. But F that. I've seen and known many really good coaches in similar situations - take a job, but its a crap job for a reason and the stress and ordeal just isn't worth it. The support is killer. At this point I just want to be a part of a good program. One with support and enthusiasm that allows me to do my job (whatever it is) effectively. Heck, I would rather do nothing but cut up film and make scout cards for Texas or whoever than I would want to be a HS HC at a poor program. So I think i'll just stick to being a coordinator for now. That's plenty. God bless you man and good luck in the future. I don't know where you're at in CA but if you need any contacts in San Diego County or the Central Valley hit me up and I'll do anything I can.
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Post by 50slantstrong on Nov 29, 2018 22:22:11 GMT -6
Still have the banquet on Saturday, still doing inventory of equipment, exit interviews, making sure the 6th period class is set for next semester and getting all the keys I've been given are accounted for. I want it to be nicer than when it was when I got here.
"exit interviews" - with who, and why?
All varsity players. What they think they did well, what they’d redo and other general questions. I have a template my old HC has used for years.
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Post by coachd5085 on Dec 1, 2018 18:01:14 GMT -6
"exit interviews" - with who, and why?
All varsity players. What they think they did well, what they’d redo and other general questions. I have a template my old HC has used for years. In all honesty though coach, if you aren't coming back, why do this?
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Post by coachmonkey on Dec 3, 2018 9:56:25 GMT -6
I think if you quite it's a mistake. You think you have talent coming up, like the facilities, like the teaching job. I think it sounds like you would improve upon this years record. Then the kids would start buying in even more. It was unrealistic to think you will change culture overnight. Everyone hates change, so they resist change.
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Post by coachd5085 on Dec 3, 2018 21:43:32 GMT -6
I think if you quite it's a mistake. You think you have talent coming up, like the facilities, like the teaching job. I think it sounds like you would improve upon this years record. Then the kids would start buying in even more. It was unrealistic to think you will change culture overnight. Everyone hates change, so they resist change. If the AD and Principal don't back you, you won't be able to change the culture. Not overnight, Not over 4 years.
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Colonel Perry
Sophomore Member
Random Thought: Parents who call plays from the stands should join my staff.
Posts: 142
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Post by Colonel Perry on Jan 5, 2019 13:41:53 GMT -6
It really ticks me off when you get an AD and/or a principal who are more like NFL owners and NBA General Managers.
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Post by 50slantstrong on Jan 5, 2019 19:41:39 GMT -6
It really ticks me off when you get an AD and/or a principal who are more like NFL owners and NBA General Managers. I would say more like a DMV supervisor.
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