When I was growing up there was ONE coach and the TEAM.
Check out this photo of the Florida State Seminoles at McCamish Pavilion vs. Georgia Tech. How many coaches and trainers do you need? Besides all the suits standing, the real coach is kneeling on the floor in the huddle.
It's not just this way with the Seminoles. Tech and all the teams are this way.
What is the coach-to-player ratio? 1-to-1?
Don't get me wrong, I love sports and my son and I enjoyed a great time together at the Tech game vs. the Seminoles. But, as I sat there and looked at the bench, half-filled with grown men in suits, it was truly laughable.
My opinion...sports are often taken way too seriously today. My vote, let's go back to ONE coach and the TEAM.
Tom Oswald
2:16 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
At the level of competition and responsibilities of the Head Coach on any team these days, even in youth sports, 1 coach can't possibly handle it all. I've been coaching youth sports for 11 years (Spring/Fall) and could have never done it alone, on or off the field. I can't thank the other coaches and team mom's enough for all their help at practices, games and other events.
Creston Mapes
4:59 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Tom,
I completely understand where you are coming from and understand it is necessary today to have more coaches. I guess I just wonder how we got to THIS point, where it seems excessive. Truly, to look at a bench and see 4-6 guys in suits, dotting in between the players? To me it is ... I don't know a better word: excessive!
Thanks for the comment Tom!
Creston
Tom Oswald
11:21 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
The reason how is easy. It's the almighty $$$$. Youth, Prep, College and Professional Sports are bringing more money in than ever before. The more money, the more competitive you have to be, and to achieve that you will need more coaches per team. Have you ever been to the Mill Creek High School Football and Baseball Facilities and actually went inside the work out and training rooms? It rivals any College or Pro set up. And the growth will not stop anytime soon. Just take a look at this new baseball park they are building in Dyersvile, Iowa. It will never be the way it was when we were younger.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151472244452164&set=a.125425572163.102393.125293162163&type=1&theater
Mitch
12:20 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
That's not Iowa, it's heaven.
Creston Mapes
11:40 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
Yep, all points well taken, Tom. And that is some complex in Dyersville.
When I was in little league we sat on wooden benches along the baselines. We didn't have shaded dugouts with a pennant for every kid and a cubby hole for every kid. Heck we would borrow each other's bats and helmets....I know, old school, right?
But at least it was fun and everyone wasn't so bent on having their kids play in the major leagues.