Female Coaches?

How important is it for you or your daughter that a team/program has female coaches? Last night, my dd's team had tryouts. Other teams were holding tryouts as well. One parent remarked that at my dd's tryouts, there were 6 women and 2 guys. Neither of the guys were HCs. Every one of the women were either current or former college players. Even the range of positions played, imo, was impressive from catcher to pitcher to infielders to outfielders. This parent made the comment that the various coaching staffs makeup is what drew her to bring her dd to these tryouts. Opinions?

The best team I ever managed had two former D2 national champions as coaches. This was 16U and the players loved them. It was great for me too because - after talking with them - all I had to do was put together the consensus best lineup and manage the clock.

Conversely I've seen teams with former players as coaches where I wouldn't let my DD near them. As always, it depends. Some former players can make the switch to coaching after playing and some can't.

DD has had some fantastic male & female coaches over the years. I think a person can either coach, or they can't. It doesn't matter what the gender is. That said though, it was important for me that she have female role models so eventually she played for a program run by all current or former D1 coaches/players. Today she coaches for that same program.

Female coaches would not be a deciding factor in choosing a team, but I think it is nice to have someone on staff who has been where they are or can relate to just being a girl. I don't think being a former player automatically makes you a better coach though. Male or female - the ability to effectively relay information and provide instruction is what makes you a good coach, imo.

SoCalASABlue said:

The best team I ever managed had two former D2 national champions as coaches. This was 16U and the players loved them. It was great for me too because - after talking with them - all I had to do was put together the consensus best lineup and manage the clock.

Conversely I've seen teams with former players as coaches where I wouldn't let my DD near them. As always, it depends. Some former players can make the switch to coaching after playing and some can't.

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I also think it depends on what they are teaching from a coaching perspective. We've experienced two coaches that were teaching the 90s style hitting and HE pitching because that's what they "grew up" on. One was even part of a college World Series winning team. If they are continuing to learn the sport and evolve based on what is actually happening (video, research) then I think having a female coach adds tremendous value.

BUT....there seems to be a double standard when it comes to women coaches. Male coaches can coach no questions asked. Female coaches need to have college experience. This has been my experience. When I've coached - this is the #1 question I get from parents. Nevermind the thousands of hours I've spent on learning about hitting, high level swings, high level throwing, fielding and pitching. Nevermind the results I've gotten from helping players improve. If a male coach with no experience whatsoever comes along as says "squish the bug" then whatever I said goes out the window.....until I prove it.

Last thing - it also depends on the type of female. DDs last team experience had an experienced female assistant coach - knowledgable. This woman had a weak personality. She didn't command respect or attention. She was not assertive and many of the players didn't take her seriously. Couple of the players had played for me previously and mentioned then difference. Now, I've also seen weak males so this travels both ways but stands out for me as I am an assertive female.

Assertive not aggressive (unless you mess with my family, money or food)

Okay - rant over. Phew - I started to feel like OILF for moment

Heres my rant.

Male v Female? Doesn't matter to me.
What does matter:
Can they relate, lead, and earn the respect of the age group they are coaching?
Can they communicate with both the players and the families?

I have seen way too many failures of the current team business model of hiring a fresh college graduate player who
could maybe play the game but could not coach the game.

As a female coach I've always received comments that I can relate to the girls in ways that males cannot, possibly also partially because I am younger while usually male coaches are either parents or a similar age range. Another thing "female" coaches bring to the mix is the are usually former college softball players who have experienced first hand the goals of many of the players and are passionate enough about the sport to want to stay involved passed their playing days.

Overall I think relating well to a coach is a big plus for any player but I will also +1 that this does not replace the need for a competent coach. All things equal its great but pick the coach that will help the players develop the most.

If I have 2 equally qualified coaches, on 2 relatively equal teams, and I like everything about them exactly the same (haha), I'd choose the woman coach. But it's only a tiny preference. I've met some female coaches there is no way I'd entrust my daughter to. And I've worked with some really awesome male coaches. To me it's more important that they are knowledgeable about softball and coaching, and that they care about the players.

I love having female coaches on staff. I think they approach things from a different perspective, they have insight to the psyche of the players that a male coach can't possibly have, and, in my experience, they tend to be more methodical and organized.

My one caveat is that just because you were a good player, doesn't make you a good coach, male or female. Organizations that tout their "recent college grads" as coaches are often bringing in coaches who don't understand how to coach a team because they've never done it before. Coaching is more than just doing drills and putting together a lineup, which is all many players learn in college.

As a head coach, I always wanted a staff of AC college age females. My wife just wouldn't allow it.