"The Politics of Coaching," Thoughts from Carl Pierson

Carl Pierson's "The Politics of Coaching" adds valuable contribution to the coaching literature.

Coach Pierson coached multiple seasons of multiple sports and shares the many difficulties associated with coaching and community politics. Everyone has their stories and I'll share a few. 

As high school players fifty years ago, we heard community 'noise' questioning the priority of winning versus participation. A local politician's child had been 'cut' during tryouts, triggering a veritable kangaroo court. I call this the "Prime Directive," the understandable reality that parents want what is best for their child over what is good for a team.

Pierson discusses ways that parents work to exclude young players from competing for spots against existing team members. That includes preventing incoming high schoolers from competing with high school teams in workouts or offseason teams. 

A minefield awaits new coaches. Does the new coach give 'preference' to existing players (seniority) or allow younger players an equal competitive footing? This robbing Peter to pay Paul upsets people who don't see younger players as having "paid their dues." Of course, it doesn't recognize what investment actually occurred. And when the younger players compete at an equal or higher level yet get disenfranchised, many quit. 

Here are some Pierson quotes:

"Recognizing who the key decision makers are in the hiring process and who exerts the most influence over those decision makers is the beginning of running a successful campaign."

"Know your strengths and acknowledge your weaknesses before you begin your campaign for a head coaching position."

"When conducting individual meetings it has become critically important that the head coach not be alone in the room with the player when the conversation happens."***

"Any mention of playing time ends the discussion. Any mention of a player other than your child ends the discussion."

"A coach that refuses to communicate with the players and parents in their program is creating the breeding ground for a coup."

"Parents have one agenda and that is to do whatever is necessary to help their kid."

"A lot can change between now and the start of next season...be extremely careful about making promises..."

"Keep comments broad or generic and you will do a great deal to diminish public criticism." 

"Never provide parents or opposing teams with ammunition." 

"A coach's job as it pertains to the media is to promote their program and project a positive image..." 

"When a coach is visible at these (youth) events, the youth players and their parents take notice. They see the coach is genuinely interested in them and their progress." 

"As hard as it is to accept, sometimes playing to win is what costs a coach their career." (Have definitely seen this.)

"Stat rats are players that are concerned only about their individual performance and statistics."

Lagniappe. A valuable skill...