Coach Communication Issues

You'll need to provide more information. Are you a HS running communicating with a college coach as part of the recruitment process? Then this might be normal response times from a busy coach. If you are paying him for private coaching services, then you you will need to talk to him (live) about what to expect from him for how much contact you will have and timely responses. This is normal with private coaching services. E-mail (and texting) overload is a modern problem, just like phone tag.

ImprobableDreamer wrote:

he's even said that he enjoyed reading my bio and is very interested in my story.

This is a little strange. What does this mean? You're talking about wanting to develop into an elite athlete--has he given any indication that he thinks this could be possible?

Carl Spackler wrote:

You'll need to provide more information. Are you a HS running communicating with a college coach as part of the recruitment process? Then this might be normal response times from a busy coach. If you are paying him for private coaching services, then you you will need to talk to him (live) about what to expect from him for how much contact you will have and timely responses. This is normal with private coaching services. E-mail (and texting) overload is a modern problem, just like phone tag.

He's a private coach, so that makes me feel a bit better about his communication (or lack thereof). He hasn't brought up whether or not he'd like to be paid (though I did offer). Should I not email/text him until he gets in contact with me?

Er... wrote:

This is a little strange. What does this mean? You're talking about wanting to develop into an elite athlete--has he given any indication that he thinks this could be possible?

In the running biography he had me fill out, I filled out a piece indicating my journey throughout running and how I believe I have potential. Due to communication being on the short side, he hasn't stated whether or not he thinks he'll be able to develop me as an elite athlete.

(Which I imagine he would be able to do so as he's coached athletes that have participated in the Olympic Games, Commonwealth games, IAAFs, and so on.)

Coaches are busy people whether they are private or part-time or full-time.

This day and age people get too worked up about not receiving a messege in 1 hour or even 20 minutes.. The same coach might respond within 30 second or 3-5 days. Messeges can be accidently deleted or some times they think they replied to the messege and it didn't send. It never hurts to follow up 24-48 hours after a messege. Technology isn't what we think it is.

I know I have been working on messeges then get a phone call and I forgot I didn't finish it after an hour phone call. Stuff happens.

ImprobableDreamer wrote:

He's a private coach, so that makes me feel a bit better about his communication (or lack thereof). He hasn't brought up whether or not he'd like to be paid (though I did offer). Should I not email/text him until he gets in contact with me?

If you're seeking him out to coach you (as opposed to him pursuing you), I don't think it'd be effective to use "non-communication" as a communication tool. Be patient and recognize that he may be a very busy individual, but be persistent. And communicate as Carl Spackler wrote above to make sure you're both clear on the expectations from both sides.

Former Bearcat wrote:

Coaches are busy people whether they are private or part-time or full-time.

This day and age people get too worked up about not receiving a messege in 1 hour or even 20 minutes.. The same coach might respond within 30 second or 3-5 days. Messeges can be accidently deleted or some times they think they replied to the messege and it didn't send. It never hurts to follow up 24-48 hours after a messege. Technology isn't what we think it is.

I know I have been working on messeges then get a phone call and I forgot I didn't finish it after an hour phone call. Stuff happens.

Like I said, he does teach at a university; so I do imagine he's rather busy. I wouldn't have posted on here if my last message to him wasn't along the lines of "when's the best time to call and/or skype about coaching?" without a reply (this was almost 5 days ago).

empty space wrote:

I don't think it'd be effective to use "non-communication" as a communication tool. Be patient and recognize that he may be a very busy individual, but be persistent. And communicate as Carl Spackler wrote above to make sure you're both clear on the expectations from both sides.

I just worry that it'll look as if I'm spamming him with a boat-load of emails and text messages.