Public School District Parent Coach Policy

[Doug Romrell]

I'm still more than a little lost. Are the head coaches only staying as long as their daughters are in school, or is the HC a permanent fixture, but the AC change every few years? Thanks in advance for the clarification.

The head coach was hired 4-5 years ago. Had a player daughter at the time (now graduated). Has a daughter in the program now, and will have a couple more over the next few years. This isn't necessarily the issue, though it is the seed of the issue. The revolving door policy of this head coach regarding daddy assistants is what makes this a larger issue. Players knowing that the daughters of these daddy assistant coaches have their position directly or implicitly guaranteed creates an environment of "Why should I even try?" among players vying for those "first class" players' positions. I'm appalled at those who don't see a potential problem with this in a PUBLIC sports program.

 

[JJS]

The head coach was hired 4-5 years ago. Had a player daughter at the time (now graduated). Has a daughter in the program now, and will have a couple more over the next few years. This isn't necessarily the issue, though it is the seed of the issue. The revolving door policy of this head coach regarding daddy assistants is what makes this a larger issue. Players knowing that the daughters of these daddy assistant coaches have their position directly or implicitly guaranteed creates an environment of "Why should I even try?" among players vying for those "first class" players' positions. I'm appalled at those who don't see a potential problem with this in a PUBLIC sports program.

Ok. So now we are at the root of this problem. You, someone on the school board, and possibly others don't trust the coach to choose the proper ACs and don't agree with how he is handling his duties as the HC. This is an easy one. Fire him, or get him fired. No need for a policy.

If you want a policy, then get a policy that the ACs all have to be teachers within the school district. Then pay them, and hold them accountable.

If the current ACs are paid then shame on the district for allowing this to happen. If they are not, then you get what you paid for.

 

[Doug Romrell]

No I'm not Doug. Its sad that you are personally so jaded over this situation that you read that from what I wrote.

My DD's school has all paid coaches that are teachers within the school district. No parents are EVER allowed on the field, practice or otherwise. If a station needs manned, then the girls take turns doing it. First, I'm not sure what the need is of 4 assistant coaches at the HS level are. Second, if you don't trust the head coach and AD, then get them fired or don't let your daughter play. Third, who cares? It is just high school softball. I've talked to many college coaches that say that they will not attend a HS game. My DD plays HS ball to be a part of the school and hang out with her friends. She plays summer ball to kick butt and quench the thirst for winning. HS ball is just a different animal. Take it(or don't) for what it is worth.

Most here already know what I will describe below (from older threads). I see you joined Jan 2015, so let me summarize the details...

My DD, now a senior, no longer plays high school ball, due mainly to the politics, but also due to the fact that the HS head coach can't stand that am a pitching coach (DD not a pitcher) and the coach of a competitive team. He really does believe that he owns any and all players living within the high school's boundary 12 months of the year. DD was a starting varsity left fielder her sophomore year, broke her back last December skiing (she's now just fine), so really couldn't have played last season. Shortly after her sophomore year season, she was shunned by the head coach for opting out of playing on his private travel ball team. This is now an old story, but it does make me more sensitive, as it would with any dad, when it comes to having a fraternity of daddy coaches from a single private travel-ball organization controlling the high school softball program. They are the gate-keepers.

The CURRENT concern I have is for my pitching students (a junior and a senior). They have absolutely no chance of pitching varsity.... Last HS season the freshman pitcher's daddy was brought in as an assistant daddy coach, because he has served as a coach in the head coach's private travel ball organization. The head coach sees the freshman as the "heir apparent" for varsity pitching this coming season. Sure, that pitcher is a decent pitcher, but so are the two I work with. I'm interested in the school board's interest in this regard because (1) my two pitching students won't have a chance because they are MY students, and (2) my DD's senior year in softball has been robbed from her. Do I think the head coach should be forced to do this or do that? NO! I do, however, believe this daddy coach fraternity arose because of an athletic director who didn't really care that a certain group of dads gained control of the program at the expense of players whose dads/moms couldn't or didn't volunteer to coach in the head coach's private softball organization. Yes, I do think the AD needs to be more accountable for allowing this kind of abuse of power to prevail. It's a legitimate concern. Others have voiced similar concerns, not only regarding softball, but other sports. The school board is now looking into it through the principal(s). They are also considering district-wide policy in this regard. If they decide they need to act, which I believe they will, maybe guidelines for athletic directors would be better than policy that strictly limits the use of daddy coaches.

 

[BuckeyeGuy]

Ah, now I see the (mostly) whole picture.

I remember some of the story from before, Doug. I don't think a policy needs to be made, but I do think that that particular coach has created an unhealthy learning environment for the kids. If they were to fire him, the problem solves itself across the district, I bet.

 

[Doug Romrell]

I'll surprise some folks here.... I don't think there are grounds to fire him. I do believe a strong reprimand is in order. Further, I think there are serious character issues with the guy, but not enough to warrant firing.

 

[BuckeyeGuy]

I'll surprise some folks here.... I don't think there are grounds to fire him. I do believe a strong reprimand is in order.

If he's not a teacher, no grounds are needed. He's just not invited back next season. The goal of school ball is the goal of school: facilitate maximum learning.

 

[Mad4Ball]

Most here already know what I will describe below (from older threads). I see you joined Jan 2015, so let me summarize the details...

My DD, now a senior, no longer plays high school ball, due mainly to the politics, but also due to the fact that the HS head coach can't stand that am a pitching coach (DD not a pitcher) and the coach of a competitive team. He really does believe that he owns any and all players living within the high school's boundary 12 months of the year. DD was a starting varsity left fielder her sophomore year, broke her back last December skiing (she's now just fine), so really couldn't have played last season. Shortly after her sophomore year season, she was shunned by the head coach for opting out of playing on his private travel ball team. This is now an old story, but it does make me more sensitive, as it would with any dad, when it comes to having a fraternity of daddy coaches from a single private travel-ball organization controlling the high school softball program. They are the gate-keepers.

The CURRENT concern I have is for my pitching students (a junior and a senior). They have absolutely no chance of pitching varsity.... Last HS season the freshman pitcher's daddy was brought in as an assistant daddy coach, because he has served as a coach in the head coach's private travel ball organization. The head coach sees the freshman as the "heir apparent" for varsity pitching this coming season. Sure, that pitcher is a decent pitcher, but so are the two I work with. I'm interested in the school board's interest in this regard because (1) my two pitching students won't have a chance because they are MY students, and (2) my DD's senior year in softball has been robbed from her. Do I think the head coach should be forced to do this or do that? NO! I do, however, believe this daddy coach fraternity arose because of an athletic director who didn't really care that a certain group of dads gained control of the program at the expense of players whose dads/moms couldn't or didn't volunteer to coach in the head coach's private softball organization. Yes, I do think the AD needs to be more accountable for allowing this kind of abuse of power to prevail. It's a legitimate concern. Others have voiced similar concerns, not only regarding softball, but other sports. The school board is now looking into it through the principal(s). They are also considering district-wide policy in this regard. If they decide they need to act, which I believe they will, maybe guidelines for athletic directors would be better than policy that strictly limits the use of daddy coaches.

Sounds like they should make a policy for Athletic Directors not coaches. In our soccer league the AD approves Daddy Coaches only if their daughters are clearly good enough to make the team. If they are on the bubble you are out, if they are a solid yes then bam you are a coach. But having a hands on director is key. Like most things in life if you are not hands on things deteriorate. It's worth adding that if your daughter makes the team the HC could ask you to help after the selection process is over.

 

[Cannonball]

JJS, and keep in mind that I am biased because I am a HS softball coach, why is it that people continue to say that HS doesn't matter and yet, one of the main things that get players attention are their placement on all area, all regional and all state teams? I know that people continue to say that college coaches don't make HS games but we had several watch my dd in HS. In fact, we put on a tournament that has a pass gate and we routinely have several college coaches weigh in. Now I don't know how important this stuff is but go look at the various websites for players at the collegiate level. What you will see posted on many of those site are the HS Accolades. Finally, my dd's freshman year, the "star" pitcher decided she would not play HS ball and instead play TB out of Missouri. Right away I got a call from the college coach (D-1) asking what was up. I didn't know what to say.

 

[JJS]

JJS, and keep in mind that I am biased because I am a HS softball coach, why is it that people continue to say that HS doesn't matter and yet, one of the main things that get players attention are their placement on all area, all regional and all state teams? I know that people continue to say that college coaches don't make HS games but we had several watch my dd in HS. In fact, we put on a tournament that has a pass gate and we routinely have several college coaches weigh in. Now I don't know how important this stuff is but go look at the various websites for players at the collegiate level. What you will see posted on many of those site are the HS Accolades. Finally, my dd's freshman year, the "star" pitcher decided she would not play HS ball and instead play TB out of Missouri. Right away I got a call from the college coach (D-1) asking what was up. I didn't know what to say.

As you know Cannonball very little that we discuss on this forum is an absolute. We can always find an exception to the rule. I'm going to bet that UMSL didn't find your daughter at a HS game, but rather at a camp and /or a TB tournament. Why do I think that? Well, that's where most coaches spend their time watching girls. You will see some coaches every great once in a while watching girls at a HS game, but it is usually because they are hard selling their commitment to one girl on the team. I'm willing to bet that your daughter would have also been asked to play at UMSL even if she didn't play school ball. The competition level in HS isn't anywhere close to what the girls will face in the summer. Most coaches want to see how the girls will play against the best competition, and will therefore watch them at a showcase or a big TB tournament.

I have heard it straight from a coaches mouth that they will never attend a HS game. That it is a waste of their time.

You are right about colleges posting the HS accolades on their websites when the girls commit. My personal theory is that it is easier to say that a player was a three time all state player in HS than it is to try to explain that a girl played 75 games for Jersey Intensity and all that it entails.

Or it could be that the public is so used to seeing those accolades in their big money sports(football) where there is no other league at the HS level that other sports follow suit.

 

[JJS]

JJS, and keep in mind that I am biased because I am a HS softball coach, why is it that people continue to say that HS doesn't matter and yet, one of the main things that get players attention are their placement on all area, all regional and all state teams? I know that people continue to say that college coaches don't make HS games but we had several watch my dd in HS. In fact, we put on a tournament that has a pass gate and we routinely have several college coaches weigh in. Now I don't know how important this stuff is but go look at the various websites for players at the collegiate level. What you will see posted on many of those site are the HS Accolades. Finally, my dd's freshman year, the "star" pitcher decided she would not play HS ball and instead play TB out of Missouri. Right away I got a call from the college coach (D-1) asking what was up. I didn't know what to say.

Out of curiosity what happened to the girl that didn't play HS ball? Did she still get recruited?