Writings
While many athletic administrators want and feel that they should do more with regard to mentoring their coaches, they are often confronted with a perceived lack of time to adequately guide their staff. Some may also be unsure how to begin the process and limited money is an ever-present problem. The following suggestions should help even in light of possible limitations that athletic directors may face.
• Use email frequently – daily if there is something important to share – to remind coaches of basic responsibilities, provide encouragement and include tidbits that will provide a better understanding and appreciation of education-based athletics. Some of these prompts also might be able to be used by coaches as teachable moments with their teams and athletes. Through email, athletic directors will be actively
and effectively mentoring their coaches.
• Look for and share specific articles covering topics that will help the staff grow and develop as professionals and those which cover the various aspects of education-based athletics. Coaches should be just as professional as classroom teachers because they are both educators. Therefore, articles centered on sportsmanship, leadership development, respect, fair play and a host of other topics will help coaches meet their responsibilities. Athletic directors should share articles that are most pertinent to their particular setting.
• Set up a schedule and utilize the NFHS free courses at www.NFHSLearn.com. Athletic directors should determine which course, based upon the central topic, that they want their coaches to take and give them two to three weeks to complete it. By following this routine throughout the school year, coaches could complete eight or nine courses – all of which are connected to the coaching profession and education-based athletics. Also, it is extremely easy to monitor if any coach did not complete a course by going online and checking the national data bank. These courses are a great professional development and mentoring vehicle and they are easy to use, free, practical and valuable.
Citations: NFHS, www.nfhs.org/articles/athletic-directors-effective-mentoring-ideas-for-your-coaches/.