The Paradox of Coaching

Some of you know I’m a bit of a movie buff. I thought it would be fun to consider what the perfect movie coach might look like. Browsing the top 100 sports movies , one quickly realizes there are some great role models to choose from. To cast the perfect coach I have chosen 10 important qualities every great coach should possess. I would love to know your thoughts. Who do you think is the all-time best movie coach? Teacher – Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) “Coach Carter” Coach Ken Carter knew what his athletes needed to succeed in both sports and life, and even more importantly, he got them to understand the value of education. Balancing athlete’s needs and wants is a difficult trick Coach Carter did well. Motivator – Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) “Hoosiers” Coach Dale inspired his players to accept their fears and shortcomings as they moved their small Indiana town toward an impossible dream. The geniuses of Coach Dale was his ability to create a common emotion of pride which ultima...

The beating of your heart sounds like a 21-gun salute. The droplets of sweat rolling down your back keeps reminding you not to doodle on the freshly printed resume sitting in your lap. Most of the coaches I have worked with would choose walking on hot coals as an alternative to interviewing any day of the week. The pressure and stress of interviewing for a new coaching position is one of those things every coach eventually must face. And, no one enjoys. In my positions as a coaching consultant and college professor, I am often working with younger coaches who are hoping to someday soon have their own program. Knowing that the job interview is the first hoop that must be jump through, I am frequently asked about the questioning process and what they should expect. My advice is simple; the coach who gives the best answers usually doesn’t get the job, the coach who asks the best questions usually does. Most administrators agree, the questions and scenarios they ask prospective co...