Coaching Middle School?

Doing a bit more research into the school, it appears that they take athletics quite seriously. The AD puts out a quarterly news report congratulating the teams on their seasons: 7th and 8th grade football teams went 7-1, volleyball went undefeated, XC went 6-1, golf(!) team had 10 victories, baseball went 10-2 (7th) and 11-3 (8th), lacrosse teams went around .500 (7th grade went 11-0), boys AND girls track went undefeated...

...and the softball team went 3-13.

I think maybe I should follow my email with a phone call. I don't KNOW that I can do better, but this looks like the kind of challenge I love!

BuckeyeGuy said:

Doing a bit more research into the school, it appears that they take athletics quite seriously. The AD puts out a quarterly news report congratulating the teams on their seasons: 7th and 8th grade football teams went 7-1, volleyball went undefeated, XC went 6-1, golf(!) team had 10 victories, baseball went 10-2 (7th) and 11-3 (8th), lacrosse teams went around .500 (7th grade went 11-0), boys AND girls track went undefeated...

...and the softball team went 3-13.

I think maybe I should follow my email with a phone call. I don't KNOW that I can do better, but this looks like the kind of challenge I love!

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So Ohio doesn't require you to be employed in the school system to be a head coach?

GOINGDEEP said:

So Ohio doesn't require you to be employed in the school system to be a head coach?

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Not the way you're thinking, no. I am already certified to teach as an independent contractor because I teach MSF safety classes at a state facility that requires me to be certified. FBI background check, they tax me, and I am forced to contribute to the teachers' retirement program - but I'm not a credentialed teacher, and wouldn't need to be for this position.

Position filled via internal candidate. I'm guessing they're in for another rough season, though I could be wrong.

That is too bad.

MS ball is the highlight of DD’s softball year.

I'm feeling a little disappointed. I don't have the most awesome coaching resume, so I didn't really expect get hired...but I was hoping for an interview at least! Just makes me that much more determined to find a "next level" coaching position.

Oh, and thanks to all who contributed here! I really appreciate the info!

BuckeyeGuy, Sorry to hear you didn't get shot, sounds like you would have been a good coach. I coached MS at Watkins for 5 years and MS is a different animal. I had classes that had really good pitching and some that had no pitching, makes for some long games if you don't. Important to get everyone in the game at some point, not like varsity where it is the best on the field period. Hopefully you get a another opportunity.

I have been coaching MS here in Tennessee for eight years (this year will be my seventh doing softball) and I see alot of good posts and points already. But a few things I wish I could have addressed.
1. Practice facilities: make sure that if you have to share (with baseball or the HS program) field or other, that you are guaranteed your fair share. You may need to get this in writing.
2. Fundraising: If you have to (and who doesn't) make sure you can do what you need to do (within reason) and that it is protected from other sports trying to hijack it. We have had to fend off HS baseball from slipping in and taking ours (school system allows only one for us, unlimited for HS sports), this year HS softball is trying to.
3. Assistant Coach: make sure you have input here and control. Sometimes a well connected but incapable parent may actually succeed in using politics to force out your assistant and get themselves appointed.
4. Know what the parents are allowed and not allowed to do (school policy) make sure you communicate these and what you allow to the parents as early as possible! I started sending this home with info packets with interested kids THREE months before tryouts.
5. Be sure you know exactly what you can use team funds for and what you will get reimbursed for. Don't get stuck with a $300 bill for pregame food for your players, because of a technicality.
6. The Athletic Director and Principal can be your greatest allies or your worst enemies. Fortunately for me I have been very blessed in this regard. I have seen other coaches at other schools where there was not a good working relationship.
7. KNOW the rules of your state and local associations (I would assume Ohio uses NFHS as a starting point) before you do anything. This will probably come into play more with coaches within your own school (of other sports) than other schools.

I LOVE what I do, and I love coaching this age, so I do not want you to get the wrong idea. It is much better to be prepared than surprised.

Thanks, BNB - I'm going to keep all of this input and put it to use when I get a shot. Love this board.

BuckeyeGuy said:

I'm feeling a little disappointed. I don't have the most awesome coaching resume, so I didn't really expect get hired...but I was hoping for an interview at least! Just makes me that much more determined to find a "next level" coaching position.

Oh, and thanks to all who contributed here! I really appreciate the info!

Click to expand...

BG, Sorry that you didn't get the position. Unfortunately, as I said, due to Union contracts with the teachers, I kind of figured this would happen. They have to offer these positions first to those interested contract teachers within the school district. Unfortunately, if only one person wants it, whether they have the credentials and knowledge or not is immaterial as long as they are a teacher under contract with that school district. They get first shot at the additional $$. If no one wants it, then they can offer it to outside personnel/people who are qualified.