Varsity coaches

[Guest]

I am curious to know other people's experience/opinions of varsity coaches. My son's coach has a massive ego but also is incredibly petty bordering childish. Additionally, the last couple of roster spots do not seem to go to the best player. It seems as if politics are at play. I'm curious to know if this a prevalent across NJ or not.

[Futbol is Life!]

I am curious to know other people's experience/opinions of varsity coaches. My son's coach has a massive ego but also is incredibly petty bordering childish. Additionally, the last couple of roster spots do not seem to go to the best player. It seems as if politics are at play. I'm curious to know if this a prevalent across NJ or not.

Short answer, yes. HS coaches are petty, usually teachers and play into school politics.

[Guest]

Zero politics and drama where we are. Town has lots of talent and teams are tough to make. Championships are always the goal. Picking the top 18 is very tough.

[Guest]

Short answer, yes. HS coaches are petty, usually teachers and play into school politics.

Not entirely - the better and usually larger programs have club coaches in charge, the stereotyped history teacher. They want the wins because they get to keep their job for next year. While some bottom of the roster decisions can be political (booster clubs can sometimes play a role in that) those kids dont' get played much. HS starts the real meaning of "playing time is earned." This isn't club where everyone is writing the same very large check. Sometimes aggressive/loud parents will gripe to the athletic director about their kids' PT and if he and the coach are wusses then there can be issues. But any semi decent AD will have a coach's back and ignore parents.

To the thread OP I wouldn't sweat it too much. There's nothing your kid can do about it anyway other than make the best of the situation.

[Guest]

Not entirely - the better and usually larger programs have club coaches in charge, NOT the stereotyped history teacher. They want the wins because they get to keep their job for next year. While some bottom of the roster decisions can be political (booster clubs can sometimes play a role in that) those kids dont' get played much. HS starts the real meaning of "playing time is earned." This isn't club where everyone is writing the same very large check. Sometimes aggressive/loud parents will gripe to the athletic director about their kids' PT and if he and the coach are wusses then there can be issues. But any semi decent AD will have a coach's back and ignore parents.

To the thread OP I wouldn't sweat it too much. There's nothing your kid can do about it anyway other than make the best of the situation.

fixed an omission

[Guest]

HS Coach feedback: players with the worst footwork but better conditioning are still more competitive.

[Guest]

It’s pretty standard that an older, more physically developed player who is willing to run, run, run is picked over a player with more skill, but less physical traits. The high school game is all about how fast you can run, how long you can run for and are you willing to battle. Having skill is a bonus.

Most schools have 4-5 kids who are decent. The rest are runners, scrappers, junky seniors who have been with the program for 4 years and the rare freshman/sophomore who is very good technically.

75%+ of coaches are completely clueless. If you have a club coach you are a lucky duck, but those guys also know their **** doesn’t stink compared to the teachers they’re coaching against. This (and bigger schools with long tenured winning coaches) is where you get the ego.

Politics and parental influence are a thing though. Just nothing you can do. Complaining only means your kid is going to have a harder time next year. Seen it too many times.

[Guest]

It’s pretty standard that an older, more physically developed player who is willing to run, run, run is picked over a player with more skill, but less physical traits. The high school game is all about how fast you can run, how long you can run for and are you willing to battle. Having skill is a bonus.

Most schools have 4-5 kids who are decent. The rest are runners, scrappers, junky seniors who have been with the program for 4 years and the rare freshman/sophomore who is very good technically.

75%+ of coaches are completely clueless. If you have a club coach you are a lucky duck, but those guys also know their **** doesn’t stink compared to the teachers they’re coaching against. This (and bigger schools with long tenured winning coaches) is where you get the ego.

Politics and parental influence are a thing though. Just nothing you can do. Complaining only means your kid is going to have a harder time next year. Seen it too many times.

Absolutely. Just have to suck it up.

[Guest]

There is an alternative if your kid is decent and lucky enough to have a club coach who also coaches at a Catholic or other private school (as my daughter’s does—as an assistant coach at a HS where head coach is a gym teacher who at least knows he knows nothing.). Our club coach literally got the kids in a circle after their freshman fall HS season and asked who might want to transfer to a different school. Got a few kids into his program with financial aid included. Find one of those club coaches. They’ve out there.

[Futbol is Life!]

There is an alternative if your kid is decent and lucky enough to have a club coach who also coaches at a Catholic or other private school (as my daughter’s does—as an assistant coach at a HS where head coach is a gym teacher who at least knows he knows nothing.). Our club coach literally got the kids in a circle after their freshman fall HS season and asked who might want to transfer to a different school. Got a few kids into his program with financial aid included. Find one of those club coaches. They’ve out there.

He poached kids from a school?

[Guest]

He poached kids from a school?

No sounds like he got his club kids who were at different schools to come to his private school. Happens often. Private/parochial school coaches recruit players they want instead of trying to make do with what they've been handed (public)

[Guest]

No sounds like he got his club kids who were at different schools to come to his private school. Happens often. Private/parochial school coaches recruit players they want instead of trying to make do with what they've been handed (public)

yes, exactly.

[Guest]

In the boys' side some of the best HS team in NJ are from private schools.

[Guest]

In the boys' side some of the best HS team in NJ are from private schools.

NE prep schools have some of the best in the US , many are international. It's the rare instance where college coaches will watch HS games

[Guest]

In the boys' side some of the best HS team in NJ are from private schools.

Private schools bring in talent from anywhere even out of state (neighboring). The kids can get academic scholarships for high school. It is a win, win.