I Wish I Had Known!
A recent college graduate, newly married and full of optimism and energy, I eagerly set about the task of making my mark in my chosen career, coaching and education. Newly equipped with skills and ideas freshly learned from my college professors, I believed I had the tools to develop a career in coaching and propel myself to the top of my profession quickly with nothing more than hard work, lots of wins and just a bit of timely luck.
I found out quickly I was ill equipped for planning a career in sport. Enthusiasm, hard work and skill in coaching will not get you very far when it comes to developing a career that will last the lifetime of a professional career. It takes so much more.
Too many young coaches, and older, more experienced coaches as well, leave their careers to chance. Ultimately, as individuals we are not in control of very many situations in our life. But to simply leave things to chance is irresponsible and not likely to result in positive career development.
My professors and my college coach, Jack Trager, did in fact equip me well with the skills and knowledge I would need as a first year, entry level teacher and coach. What I lacked for the most part was the skills and information needed to plan a career.
Much of this information I wish I had known when I first started my career in coaching. There are no guarantees in life and as I stated before, we are often in control of little in life. But it pays to have a plan and be prepared for when opportunity knocks, it is always a good idea to be ready! Often the fact you are working at being prepared for career opportunities will draw the positive attention of the decision makers who have the authority to advance your career.
Finally, if you only read one book about coaching, please read Frosty Westering’s thought provoking book Make the Big Time Where You Are. Coaches often fall victim to the world’s idea of what success is. Coaching in college, formerly my career goal, the pro ranks or at the biggest high school in your state might not be the coaching job that will make you happy and successful.
Take a long hard look at what you believe is important about the profession of coaching. The great coaches, regardless of level are usually motivated by the opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of the young men and women they coach. In my book, if you get paid to fulfill that role and you are good at it, you are a great coach. It took me too many years to come to that essential realization, don’t let it take you that long! Hopefully the contents of this book will help you learn what level of coaching best fits you and helps you develop a meaningful career doing what you love, coaching young people.