Qualities of a good HS coach

I'm not looking for perfection here...but what do you expect in a HS coach?
What do you admire the most? What do you like the least?

 

okay..I'll start it off. There are only 4 things that I care about concerning a HS coach. To me, everything else is gravy:

- Does he know the game and can communicate what/how he wants things done
- Does he care about his players
- Do the players trust him
- Does the coach make the players better

These are broad strokes of what I think makes a good HS coach, but please expand on this and cite examples if you wish

 

Coaching Must

A HS coach must be able to ignore politics and who the "important" parents are and have all involved in his program know that the best play, period.

 

Great point!

 

Always do what is best for the "Team"....do not tolerate bad behavior on or off the field....get rid of or bench a "bad seed".

 

a bad seed is still in the basket. You need to remove it

 

Everything already mentioned above.

Also, an excellent high school coach must provide energy and enthusiasm for the game throughout the year:

- puts in extra time during the Fall by having 8-on-1 practices with his players after school

- sets up a Winter program of sprints/weight conditioning for his players (after school if needed)

- gets the players to become a "team" instead of just a group of individuals

- aids players that have college talent get to the next level

 

A great high school coach commands respect from his players. Not demands, but commands. They respect him whether they want to or not, whether they realize it or not. Players who graduated ten or twenty years before still call a great coach "Coach" when they see him on the street. That's the kind of respect he has. They followed him anywhere back then and they'd follow him anywhere now. That's the biggest characteristic of a great coach to me.

 

dbacks,
i agree whole heartedly. but i will also say that it is one of the hardest decisions to make. to get rid of a player. knowing when enough is enough and when you can no longer HELP that player. if the coach cares about the players this is a hard decision. when do you stop helping the player to start helping the team. there is a saying that is sometimes used in the coaching arena.... he needs us more than we need him.

 

When I recall a coach in my past it is usually one of those crusty ol' guys that were tough but would show they cared. Todays players are a bit different. They are willing to run through a wall....but they have to know why