wildbilly

I can not believe this has turned into a we want to "baby" everyone argument. Wanting to be treated with the same respect demanded of you is not "babying". It is amazing to me that we equate insults with instilling "toughness" and belittling with instilling "discipline". I dare say if this methodology of instilling "toughness" and "discipline" were used in the workplace or classroom, you would be shown the door. And, people are people whether they are in the workplace, the classroom or the football field. By the way, how's this "instilling toughness and discipline" technique working out for this team so far? I'm just curious -who is this "most successful coach in the school history" to whom you refer?

Evidently, we are not reading the same posts. I can't find the ones that say how "bad Coach Nunley" is nor can I locate any posts that dispute his knowledge of foobtall. Coach Nunley's motivation has never been questioned-I think if you will reread-you'll see that most of the posts deal with the lack of motivation, effort, and heart on the part of the players. Then, the bigger question becomes- if this is true- why is it so? This question needs to be answered. This is not about "getting on anyone's back" or "theories".. And, I think it is a pretty sad commentary that the majority of these posts are in defense of the adults who coach this sport and very few are in defense of the teens playing this sport. The players are the ones in the real need of the pat on the back.

Who is "bashing the coaches"? I think we have some fine coaches. Offering up a different point of view does not necessarily constitute "bashing". But, I believe that what got this started is one post offering a point of view on the emotional state of the team. The response was to lay it on those "heartless" players we have. My point is leadership accounts for some of this. No one wants the "coaches' heads". As for the "not breaking it down", Pedo, you are exactly correct that is not the problem- it is the symptom of a larger problem. It is not fostering belonging, sportsmanship, and a sense of ownership in your team....win or lose. Incidentally, this is not about "yelling" at the kids. It is about building mutually respectful relationships-see the players were able to take the yelling of Price because he tempered it with praise , and they had a relationship with him. And to develop such a relationship takes time and patience and trust. No one is asking these coaches to go "easy" on the kids, but when you've just had your a** handed to you on the football field by another team, I'm betting that's not the best time to hear how "selfish" you are. There is absolutely nothing wrong in having the highest standards and goals for your team. In fact, that is what you should do. But, do not confuse yelling with belittling or discipline with degradation. Trust me, no one wants these young men to go through life thinking they can "do no wrong" as some adults are apt to do. And, frankly, I'm pretty tired of all the pundits pontificating about those select players who are giving it "all" or "110" percent...that's the real bandwagon that's being jumped on.

No, 5A , it's not funny stuff. Especially when your suggestion or support as you refer to it is to "rip the Raiders stickers off the helmets and make them wear practice jerseys during the game." Oh, yes, public humilation is the method of choice when you are wishing to motiviate young men. I, too, talk to the players -guess what -one of them actually lives with me! This team is demoralized, and that is exactly why they are playing with "no emotion". This does not take a sports psychologist to figure out. Criticism is not equated to "trashing coaches" and, there is some criticism due: when you do not allow your team a post game huddle on the field when your constant post game theme is "you are selfish players" when you tell a bus load of players before the game "you are acting like idiots and dumbasses" when you do not allow your player a post game "break it down" when you do not make a single positive comment following the game ..then you are due some criticism. And, that is not trashing, it is criticizing. When a player does not feel that his head coach believes in him, then he can't believe in himself. And, the "you s**k" becomes a self-fullfilling prophecy. But, since you talk to these players "every week" you should know this already. Your diagnosis is wrong...it is not "frustration" it is "demoralization". The motivation and desire have to be instilled. Hopefully, it is not too late to do that...

Here's a few quotes for you 5A Coaches who can outline plays on a black board are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their players and motivate. Vince Lombardi It is still a coach's game. Make no mistake. You start at the top. If you don't have a good one at the top, you don't have a cut-dog's chance. If you do, the rest falls into place. You have to have good assistants, and a lot of things, but first you have to have a chairman of the board. Bear Bryant You're never as good as everyone tells you when you win, and you're never as bad as they say when you lose. Lou Holtz Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you're in control, they're in control. Tom Landry Or maybe you'll enjoy this one: You know the only difference between a three week old puppy and a sports writer- The puppy quits whining after six weeks. Mike Ditka