Unless programs are winning games or matches and advancing through the playoffs, coaches catch the brunt when teams struggle.
An injury or two to main players are sometimes crucial to a teams’ success. Sometimes its just the luck of how the ball bounces.
The coaching profession is a thankless job compounded by those who routinely bash a coach or coaches.
Coaches give their time and effort when they could be home with their families. It’s something they want to do. They don’t get paid for all the hours they put into the job nor do they recoup money to help some of their needy players.
I came across something a coach wrote. Maybe this will hit home with some and for those it doesn’t maybe prayers will help.
A little true coach speak
We stand in the cold. We sweat in the heat.
We give our nights, our weekends, all of our extra finances.
We give our hearts. And yet, One bad game, one tough call, one imperfect moment… And we become the villain.
We take the blame when things go wrong.
We rarely get credit when things go right.
We juggle expectations, criticisms and responsibilities - often with little thanks.
We show up.
Even when we’re sick. Even when our bodies ache.
Even when our hearts are heavy.
Because we made a commitment - not just to the sport, but to your kids.
Before you judge or criticize a coach, step into their shoes: Could you spend hours OUTSIDE of practice and games analyzing, figuring, planning - how to reach the quiet one - how to push the talented one - how to build up the one who’s always a step behind …each kid with different strengths, weaknesses, and personalities - and somehow make it work for all of them?
Could you handle the pressure, the scrutiny, the heartbreak, knowing that no matter how much time, effort, and heart you pour into this, someone will still say it’s not enough?
Could you teach, lead, inspire, and console ALL AT ONCE?
We don’t just coach. We mentor. We listen. We teach lessons that last far beyond the scoreboard.
We carry your child’s struggles, their setbacks, their doubts - as if they were our own.
Because, in a way, they are.
Before you judge a coach, or use your words to negatively influence others, Remember the hours unseen, the sacrifices unspoken.
Remember that we are human too.
Because at the end of the day, we’re all on the same team.
• Rick Head is the Publisher and Editor of The Brantley Beacon and the Waycross Journal- Herald. He can be reached at beacon@btconline. net
