Winingest Coach - what should it mean?
What does or should an athlete look for in a coach? Do you really think the term “winingest” is at the top of the list? If they are serious about their sport, and plan on going as far as possible in it, then there must be other qualities that are much more important.
If I could ask some famous and successful coaches such as Paul “Bear” Bryant – Auburn University Football, Tom Landry – Dallas Cowboys, Billy Beane – Oakland Atheletes, Pat Riley NBA Miami Heat (widely regarded as one of the greatest NBA coaches of all time), Josh Pastner – Memphis Tigers, or any number of other renowned coaches, did being the winingest coach make you win the next game or season? I doubt any of them would say that just being the “winingest coach” made them a great one or could even guarantee their players next game would be a win. I doubt they would equate being the winingest coach to what made their teams successful and winning, at all.
It seems somewhat like putting the “HORSE BEFORE THE CART”.
I would venture to say that being many things such as:
Always safety minded.
Experienced and has a high level of ability.
Knowledge in every detail of the game.
Program planning for the individual player, not just for the team.
Encouraging.
Caring,
Supportive.
Builds self-esteem, no intimidation or embarrassment
Involved in a network, has connections to advance the players level of play.
Has self character and high morale standings
Surrounded by assistants and support personal with the same goals, character and high morale standings
Inspires their player
Makes it possible to have a good time and make it fun.
Has the ability to turn losses into teaching lessons and encouragement.
Life skills, what is often taught in a youth sport activity will carry on to lessons that are later applied in their lives. Especially perspectives on losing, hardships and even wining, good sportsmanship, fair play, being honest and having integrity are all important to playing well with others, and growing into responsible adults.
Knows when and how to be flexible,
Understands the player as an individual.
A good communicator, no yelling and certainly no obscenities!
Takes time to listen.
Interacts with parents as well as with the player equally.
Challenges their players and themselves to do better, to grow, and continue to develop new skills.
Being all of the above, is what it is all about. The winning part just naturally follows. But, having to use bragging rights based on figments of imagination and ones own grandeur never enter into the real scheme of things. If anything, would be harmful.
So therefore, I would put the term “winingest coach” at the very bottom of the list, if on the list at all, when considering a coach for my child.
Definitely not one that is so insecure in their own abilities that they have to lavish around the title like it makes them better than any other.
You would never hear Bryant, Landry, Beane, Pastner or any other amazing, truly award wining coach having to refer to themselves as the “winingest”. Did they want to win, of course they did. Did winning mean something in their repertoire, I am sure it did, or else what was the objective. But, did being the winingest help make them win at the beginning of each season or any given game for that matter? No, it was their coaching skills that put them where they were, and if their team ended up being the winingest that season, well then that was just the icing on the cake!
It’s never about just winning; it’s about how you play the game. Winning comes from doing all of the above. Not the other way around. No folks, winingest doesn’t make you a good coach.
There are plenty of wrong ways one can employ to be a “winingest coach”.
Oh yes, and I almost forgot! Let's just put the stats to bed. They really aren't important when it comes to being the "BEST COACH" for any child.
"I LOOK TO YOU!"
For Whitney!
