New HC/Manager, depressing results.

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Dec 6, 2016
7
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Change in Head Coach

I am in a situation where I am AC for a historically successful program and I am wondering how to handle a situation where there is a lot of inactivity from the HC/Manager regarding fundraising and general softball training. I have talked to several parents and we are concerned with the speed of progression for team activities.

Essentially we have a new HC/Manager with no experience at this level and we are trying to help them through the process but I don't know that they are understanding. I am on the fence as to whether to give up and let them just run things the way they want to or to continue to try to push and help them. The problem I have is that I feel like I am just becoming a giant pain in the rear.

If parents aren't happy with the way things are going for a team, what can they do?
 
Last edited:
Dec 6, 2016
7
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Sorry, I reduced the amount of detail in the original post, just in case coach frequents here...

Essentially, I live and breathe this team. I am sending drills and ideas to coach at practices almost every week. I am very involved in practices and I try to add as much as I can but I basically work on agility/conditioning and he manages the other 100 minutes.
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
Essentially we have a new HC/Manager with no experience at this level and we are trying to help them through the process but I don't know that they are understanding. I am on the fence as to whether to give up and let them just run things the way they want to or to continue to try to push and help them. The problem I have is that I feel like I am just becoming a giant pain in the rear.

Who is 'we' and who are 'they' and 'them'?

Is 'we' the parents? And 'them' the coaches?

And if you're AC, why aren't you one of 'them'? :)

Sounds like difficult dynamics.

In most cases, it's not healthy for assistant coaches to commiserate with parents and refer to the rest of the staff or the organization as 'them,' but I'm not there and don't know the full story.
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
I am going to speculate that the HC doesn't have a daughter on the team (and is a former player).

I am going to guess the OP has a daughter on the team?
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
Essentially, I live and breathe this team. I am sending drills and ideas to coach at practices almost every week. I am very involved in practices and I try to add as much as I can but I basically work on agility/conditioning and he manages the other 100 minutes.

What is the stated objective of the team? What level TB do y'all play? Does every girl have the passion to play in college? While you and your DD may "live and breathe this team" there is a good chance others on the team do not.
 
Dec 6, 2016
7
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HC has a daughter on the team. AC's both have daughters. MGR has a daughter. Its a parent-driven operation.

The level of seriousness is not that high in the grand scheme of things but the expectation is that we are going to enter into 7 tournaments over the year, many of which are >5-6 hours away and so the expectation is that we are working hard to improve and doing some fundraising to support this. I admit we were spoiled the prior 2 seasons with a tremendous HC and so those who were with him are feeling culture shock at what we have now.

My dilemma is basically, do I stop pushing at the head coach to fundraise and get more serious with the training (like other coaches in the organization do), or do I just eat the season and hope next year is better. Parents have approached me with the exact same concerns but curious as to why they haven't approached the HC directly.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
Could you run some supplementary practices, before/after regular practices or on a separate day? You could frame it as an opportunity for the girls to get some extra work in on higher level skills, not as a dis towards the HC. My DH is AC for our team, but he has A level coaching experience from last year. He knows a lot of really good drills. So each practice he sends HC a practice plan ahead of time. HC will take a look and let him know if there were other things he had planned or whatever. If he's not a huge control freak he may be fine with this.

Fundraising is easy unless, again, HC is a huge control freak. Pick one or two and organize them. The problem I see with fundraising is nobody wants to take charge. So, take charge. On our team everybody comes up with fundraising ideas.
 
Dec 6, 2016
7
0
Fundraising is easy unless, again, HC is a huge control freak. Pick one or two and organize them. The problem I see with fundraising is nobody wants to take charge. So, take charge. On our team everybody comes up with fundraising ideas.

Thanks for the thoughtful response.

Control freak, not really. Just either lazy or frozen. He doesn't know what to do and so I will provide him with information and he will often use it. But its a very odd dynamic that makes me uncomfortable. I don't want it to seem like I am trying to take over the team and its not that I am in disagreement with the things that he is doing... because he's not doing anything really.

I like your idea about planning the fundraising myself... I have others who are ready to help... but I've been reluctant because the Manager is supposed to do this and I don't want this to seem like a coup.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
Yeah, that makes sense. It's a tough situation to be in. Maybe you could let him know you have some fundraising ideas and ask if he minds if you run with them. I bet he won't mind at all, and then since you cleared it with him, it's not like you're trying to take over?
 

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