Video: Top 10 Running Backs from the Class of 2019
These backs should light it up in the next season.
For some, it is that time of the year. The season is over, and it is time to evaluate how things went. When I was a head coach, I always started with evaluating myself, then my staff, then our Xs and Os, and so on. I evaluated myself and my staff through a variety of different ways, including having my players and coaching staff fill out an anonymous survey.
I am a firm believer that practical evaluation from the players is a major way to improve your program from one year to the next. I asked myself five questions about my coaching staff at the end of every season. The players' evaluation played a factor in answering these questions.
Did they stay true to the mission you laid out for this season?Without any evaluation from the players, you have a great understanding of this answer by now. In fact, if you need to remove a coach, you probably started to get this answer months ago. Unfortunately, not every assistant is going to stay true to the mission throughout the course of the season. That's part of the nature of the beast that is putting together a staff. And sometimes you are able to redirect a coach who has strayed from your mission, other times you'll need to cut him loose. I really think this is the first question to ask yourself. If they haven't stayed true to your mission and goals for the program and you need to remove them, save yourself some time on the following questions.
Retaining good coaches and letting ones go that don't fit your program should be done after careful evaluation following each season.
File photo by Ed Fisher
Staff chemistry is key to team chemistry in my opinion. It is so important that the staff has strong cohesion when they are leading the players. No problem with disagreeing behind closed doors, but everyone being on the same page when you leave that meeting room is absolute key. We have probably all been on that staff where a coach just didn't fit in, didn't buy into the mission of the team or didn't pull their weight. The product on the field matched his efforts. If a coach just isn't connecting with the rest of the staff, you need to take time to figure out why, and if it is repairable.
Did they connect with the players?Sadly, some coaches fail to connect with the players. This is another question that has been made clear long before the season is over, in most cases. If a coach isn't connecting with his players, he probably isn't a very valuable coach. Players need to feel like they can trust their coach, and that their coach values them. If a player doesn't trust their coach, or feel valued, they won't connect with their coach, and it is time to make a change.
Did their unit get better, get worse or stay the same?You want your coaches to have a positive change on the field through the product on the field. How did your assistants do in this area? Did they make improvements to the unit they were in charge of? If they didn't make their unit better, why not? Is it explainable through injuries or some other reason? Head coaches need to evaluate whether or not to keep a coach around who is not making players better. Sometimes a coach has potential that isn't meeting met, and needs to be pushed more. In this case, will another season allow for more mentorship, and a chance to improve the players next season?
Do you trust them?At the end of the day, I think the most important question to ask is this one. Do you trust them? Do you trust that wide receivers coach after the season you've just had? Do you trust that he has the best interests of the program at heart? Is he going to support you in the community? Is he going to get better as a coach this offseason?
Trusting your staff is one of the most important aspects of being a head coach. It helps you sleep at night. Do you trust your staff? Why or why not?
Ask these questions of yourself, coach. Write down your answers. Consult with others if you need. Spouses pick up a whole lot from you throughout the course of the year. Your athletic director can be another support system.
Chris Fore is a veteran Head Football Coach and Athletic Director from Southern California. He consults coaches and programs nationwide through his business Eight Laces Consulting.
