Getting rid of an older coach

Happens in the teaching profession all the time. Actually happens in many professions, why plenty have forced retirement age. Very awkward conversation for administration so most just choose to avoid it for as long as possible. Definitely go to the AD with concerns, but do so in a polite way with your concerns and not accusations such as "why have you not gotten rid of this old guy is it because he is old?" With how many ADs treat XC, they may not even be aware of it and are just happy to have the same guy coach year after year because it makes their job easier.

I'm sure there are exceptions, but most high school coaching jobs go to the incumbent if they want it. I don't think it has much to do with fear of lawsuits. The AD just wants to have all of the positions filled. If the incumbent returns then they don't have to do a search for someone new. Most decisions aren't driven by performance unless it's a school with an elite athletic program.

And I don't think it's necessarily an age thing either. The best coach I ever had was well into his retirement but he was still extremely motivated to be a good coach and kept up on the state of the art training methods.

Go to the AD. If enough people go in the coach will likely be out

Suggest a young assistant to help with technology. They will soon take over.

Gee, you mean the coach prefers to communicate face to face by talking to the athletes? Parents don't need to be communicated with, they can learn to communicate with their own kids and get the info from them after they get it from the coach via the old fashioned way.

The biggest problem with coaching these days is dealing with snow plow parents. Back off dude, or apply for the coaching job and do it yourself.

It cracks me up every time I hear parents complaining about high school cross country coaches. The old guy probably works for peanuts and that's why he's still employed. Practically works for free. Good luck finding a new hire if you guys get rid of your current coach. I doubt there are hundreds of people waiting in line to take his gig. That laughable stipend is not worth all the work these high school coaches put in. lol

I would not complain unless he is writing letters and mailing them instead of making phone calls. What do you want the coach to do - message you through tik tok videos?

The reason I'd not complain is because the person who replaces the coach will likely be much worse. Some teacher who ran the local "5k marathon" and thinks you train for xc by running 5 kilometers some days and doing some sprints on others.

i take the post as venting about coaching quality in HS which, fair point, it's goofy the team over there gets some brilliant guy and you get a behind times time-server, and then your kid has to show up like it's an even playing field, and it may impact their progression. my suggestion, outside coaching. i learned jack in HS soccer, which to me felt easy, but what made me a player people wanted was my select learning and training.

that being said, personally unless there is misconduct or someone in authority asks your opinion, i would stow it. but if the principal or AD asks what do you think of the team, i would raise the issues and you may not get a personnel change but you might get pressure to modernize/improve on the side issues.

When members of the XC boosters, most of whom work full time, are trying to coordinate and plan fund raisers and just get simple questions answered, face to face meetings aren’t always an option, nor are they the most efficient way to communicate.

HS kids communicating effectively with parents ... 🤣🤣🤣! Have you met any HS kids?
Have you had any interactions with parents?

I'm fairly certain that OP means the coach is not doing things like sending emails or text messages or via other messaging platforms.

Exactly! I coach next to one of these older guys and feel really lucky.

He coaches the boys and I coach the girls. I have learned a lot of great things from him.

He hasn't got a grip on technology, but despite that he is an effective communicator, and the kids meet him halfway. They have enormous respect for him as do I.

^ This. 100% Good luck finding anyone decent who will take $2-3k stipend and is available at 4:00-6:00 M-F plus Saturday meets, etc. You have to love the sport…

telling an AD you want a coach fired because he doesnt text is going to get you laughed out of the building. please do this. it will give everyone in the school something to laugh about in the break room.

that's why i was saying don't bother unless there is misconduct or you're asked your opinion. and if you're asked your opinion i would point out policies to change as opposed to go headhunting.

Experience crushes youth, you can't beat wisdom.

Agree. Also, there's no way this old-timer is getting paid enough to spend his evenings texting with 14 year olds and their parents about stuff that could wait until practice tomorrow.

I would suggest, if there's someone connected with the team or school who he trusts, a very kindly written old fashioned letter explaining why it's time to move on and make room for someone younger to take over. Make sure to cite all of his accomplishments and the things he's done to help young people succeed in a healthy, lifetime sport.

What place was the team at conference the past 3 years?

A Sunday afternoon newsletter for the upcomimg week's schedule of events, locations, bus times etc for practice and meet info including course maps was the best gesture I could make to encourage parent to stay informed and help their kid be where they were supposed to be, on time and with what they needed.

The expectation for the kids was that they are responsible for everything they needed to know and not to rely on parents because it was their activity and needed to start growing up and becoming self reliant. A lot of kids have parents that dont want to be involved but informed. Other parents can be very helpful in organizing parents, food and a lot of other things coaches dont have time to do that make the overall experience for everyone even better.

So, an effective communicator that is efficient without cluttering up adult mailboxes can build a culture of well informed and helpul people that know whats going on. Its up to them at that point how engaged they want to be. Having over 100 kids on the team doesnt warrant a lot of face to face conversations but the same strategy works for smaller teams. Nobody dared complain that they didnt know about what was going on. It was always all out there and the kids were expected to fill info gaps that might occur on occassion.

My main goal was to keep parents interested in their kids and what they were doing. Hopefully, they could find time in their schedules to come see them run at least in our home meets. Having parents care for and help each other was a big part of having a support team as some just needed others to show them how. I also had a parent section in our team handbook that I printed and handed out at our well attended parent meeting. I emailed it to all after the meeting for those who couldnt make it.

I told them I remember doing all of these things for myself as a kid and there's nothing wrong with it but its sure a lot nicer for the kid when a parent is available to help out or at least show up once to support them. Just make sure the kid is learning to be self reliant. I never had a problem after the initial parent meeting. Many came forward and asked how they could help. Some, I never had the pleasure to meet in the 4 years of their kids experience. But they were informed.

Im old. To each his own. Dont judge the old man. Teach your kid to be self reliant and helpful to the parents.