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HOT
TOPIC
November, 1998
By
Staff Writer |
College
Football Coaches
Today, coaches are expected to communicate more effectively than ever, and to do so in an informed, well-focused, and inspiring manner. They need winning communication skills to get ahead and stay ahead, or they run the risk of losing all they've worked for. Some of the communication issues challenging coaches this season are: media relations, institutional relationships, internal communications, recruiting, and athlete-coach communications. Poor communication in these areas can result in a tarnished image, a losing team, or a threat to job security – while effective communication can result in increased confidence, improved performance, and long-term success. Uncomfortable Media Relations Recently, Nebraska Coach Frank Solich addressed the media "like a coach who's feeling some heat," according to an AP wire report. The pressure Solich felt was the result of two losses which cost the team a chance at a national title. When addressing the media, Solich's body language and demeanor spoke volumes about anxiety. "His voice uncharacteristically rose when he wanted to make a point. His hands sometimes shook. He answered some questions at length, occasionally even rambling." He was not the confident coach that supporters knew from the beginning of the season. A coach must convey a message of control or the public will begin to doubt his or her ability to lead. That's why it's critical, each time coaches speak, that they sell their ideas to their audiences. The best way for a coach to do this is with confident body language, a strong clear voice, and a well focused message. Poor Internal Communications Last month, Auburn Coach Terry Bowden resigned due to, in his words: "a very serious and public debate about the certainty of my status." A week earlier, his AD said: "We are not going to get involved with rhetoric and negativity. Coach Bowden is our football coach." Meanwhile, according to the president of the Alumni Association, Bowden's exit "was a forced situation by some of the trustees." He said that both the AD and the university president assured him that they didn't seek Bowden's resignation. However, both men said that Bowden told them the previous week that he was being pressured. We may never know the real story behind Bowden's resignation, but it's clear that, if there had been an atmosphere of open communication within the organization, there might have been a chance of resolving the conflict before Bowden stepped down. Recruiting for Success In 1994, NCAA sanctions stripped the Alabama football program of crucial scholarships. This presented Coach Mike DuBose with a serious recruiting problem. As a result, the team is not living up to its stellar history (6 - 3 so far this season), and DuBose is feeling some tension in a state where people take football very seriously. "The lifeline of your program is recruiting," he has said. "I'm certainly not satisfied with the outcome of last year's season, but after two excellent recruiting classes, I really like where we're headed." Next spring's recruitment, according to DuBose, is "the most important in the history of the university." It takes more than scholarships to win athletes over, it takes powerful recruiting skills. Recruiting is an information exchange, in which the athlete's family and the coach share their goals and concerns. A coach who can recruit successfully is a coach who will succeed in the long run. Positive Athlete-Coach Communications Ohio State Coach John Cooper may never forget his team's defeat on Nov. 7. A 28-point favorite going into the game, the Buckeyes suffered their first loss of the season to Michigan State, 49-21. Cooper, who said "I've been through some valleys, but the one this week was particularly deep," is accustomed to the unpredictable nature of his profession. "The worst thing you can do when you lose like that is go out and yell and scream [at your athletes] and berate them," he said, "They feel as bad as you do." Cooper also refused to blame individual athletes, insisting "It's a team game." Coaches who understand the importance of athlete-coach relationships are more likely to build successful teams. While many believe that the spontaneous tirade is effective, it can be counterproductive. Strong athlete-coach relationships may not guarantee a win, but they build trust within a team and improve its long term prospects. Good Communicators, Successful Coaches These situations are the same kinds that coaches face every day. Pressure is a fundamental aspect of sports, so what counts is how coaches handle it. The key is to develop a philosophy of open communication and stick with it. Coaches can't allow the situation or environment dictate their reaction, for if they do, they will lose the confidence of their team, their organization, and the public.
For
more on coaches communication skills, check out the newly published
and "long overdue" ARTICLE UPDATE Since this article was written, two college football coaches have been relieved of their positions, while another is rumored to be in danger of losing his job. Nov. 17, 1998 Coach Jeff Horton of the UNLV Rebels was fired after a winless season. This was in spite of attempts made by his peers to save his career with glowing endorsements during the WAC coaches' conference on Nov. 16. Nov. 18, 1998 Clemson coach Tommy West was fired after the Tigers, 2-8, had their worst season since 1975. He will stay through the season ender against South Carolina on Nov. 21. South Carolina's Brad Scott, whose team is 1-9, is rumored to be in danger of losing his job as well. He openly sympathizes with West.
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