Posted on July 23, 2010: How do I handle an aggressive assistant coach?
A Responsible Sports Fan suggested the following Scenario Question:
I am the head coach of a girls U14 club soccer team and have had an assistant coach for the past two seasons who has a different style in coaching the kids than I do. His style tends to be aggressive and less than positive and the girls really don't like him as a coach. At times it seems we are competing to be the head coach and I have to continue to reel him in and very carefully remind him that he and I need to communicate better in order to work together better. How do I prevent this situation from getting out of hand? And should I ask this coach to step down and just be a parent?
Dear Jim,
It sounds like you’re faced with a really challenging situation with your assistant coach. I can’t tell from your question if you think this coach has any potential of changing, however it sounds like the ideal outcome would be to keep him on (but only if his coaching style and knowledge of the game improve).
Here are some ideas:
1) Offer to attend some coaching clinics (focused on the game of soccer) with him. You will undoubtedly learn something, and he may learn a lot. Then, when designing your next practice plan, set him up to teach/lead something where you’re quite likely he’ll have success. Maybe this is a concept/skill you two just went over at the coaching clinic.
2) Have him sign a specific coaching job description before the season starts (one that you sign as well). Let him know you’re going to show the players and their parents this job description, so they can best support you as coaches. This job description will clearly state what is expected of the coaches – positive, non-aggressive behavior with the players for a start. By having him sign this, you’ll be able to return to this if his coaching behavior ever deviates from this mutually agreed upon document.
3) Ask him to work through the online coaching guide at ResponsibleSports.com. Tell him you’re going to do this, too. This will give him a specific and detailed picture of the type of assistant coach you’d like to have working with your team.
If your assistant coach is not receptive to this additional training, let him know that you two always want your athletes to keep learning and improving, and let him know you think it’s important for the coaches to model this same attitude. If he remains unwilling to expand his coaching skills, then it’s time to look for a new assistant coach who better reflects your coaching standards.
For more, please visit the Responsible Coaching Guide.
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