Professionalism in Coaching
#TXHSFBCHAT July 19, 2023
Last week saw one of the largest gatherings of coaches ever at the Texas High School Coaches Association Convention, otherwise known as Coaching School. Coaches travel from around the state to network, learn, purchase, and engage in fellowship as summer comes to an end and the work of the upcoming season begins.
This year I noticed as the days to the convention neared, there was a social media push from the association to remind coaches to dress professionally. Tweet after tweet telling coaches to dress the part and represent the profession in a positive light. Granted, it has been a few years since I’ve been able to attend, but I don’t recall having to be told how to dress for our convention before. The staff I was on set the expectation for me as a young coach. Every year since, it became second nature to dress professionally for this event.
Has professionalism dropped so much during this time that we require these reminders of basic behaviors? Every now and then I see tweets from coaches regarding what is and what is not how a coach acts and looks. No matter if I agree with the tweet or not, there is always a reply stating disagreement. It seems we have a variety of opinions on what professionalism looks like in coaching.
My view of professionalism in coaching starts with the attitude in which you approach the job. This is what I went to school to do, and the career I have chosen to provide for my family. I am also passionate about the sports I coach and working alongside others who share the same commitment. This is why I want to make sure that I look and act the part of what a classroom teacher and athletic coach are and should be.
Professionalism is not whether you wear your hat backwards or forwards on the sideline. That has nothing to do with it. But you should dress appropriately for each part of your job. Wear team colors to practice, the gameday clothes your head coach requires, and follow the rules of professional dress in the classroom as set by your principal and district. Dress for the job you have and for the position you want.
You should pursue continuing education in your field. Care for and teach the students you serve to be the best unit on the field. Pay as much attention to detail in your classroom as you do your football position. Exhibit good sportsmanship to your opponents and to the officials. Yes we are competitors, but competition should not make us lose our heads and be unprofessional.
Coaching is essentially an apprenticeship based profession. It is our duty to provide the best on the job training for the people choosing to enter in to coaching. It is our duty to be the example of coaching to those student-athletes who consider becoming teachers and coaches because of us.
As our season begins, and as we enter into our annual preseason meetings, listen to what a coach is for your staff. Listen to what is expected of teachers on your campus. Sure it may be the same ol’ stuff that you go over every year, but it’s obviously important to the person presenting, otherwise they would not take the time to do it. Reflect on your own behaviors and appearance. What job are working on now? What job are you hoping to work towards?
Respect the profession and the people who have come before you, who you are currently working with, and especially those who come into the profession after you.