General Responsibilities for Head Coaches

All coaches are regarded as teachers and receive payment for their services in accordance with a schedule which takes into account the duties and responsibilities of different coaching assignments. As a teacher, coaches recognize the difference between coaching a team and managing a team. Coaching includes management but emphasis is on teaching and developing players rather than discovering and managing them.

Athletic coaches enjoy a very favorable position in the eyes of students and patrons. The coach must exemplify that which is best at all times in his/her conduct and emotional control, and he/she must not seek personal recognition.

At times during an athletic contest, all eyes are focused on the coach to see how he/she reacts to a play or a decision. Immediately, reactions of the students and other spectators reflect his/her actions. Under no circumstances should a coach display uncontrolled emotion. The only reason a coach should enter the court or playing field while a contest is in progress is to assist an injured player.

The principal and staff (including the coach) are responsible for the conduct of the students who are spectators. The principal delegates the responsibility for the players' conduct to the coach.

The principal and staff should conduct an on-going public relations program that emphasizes the purpose and values of the athletic program. Attention should also be given to the matter of parental acceptance of the coaches’ judgment in the selection, training and strategy of the team.

Parents of athletes should be informed of the reasoning behind selection of players and how players are selected under various game conditions. Coaches should exercise care and judgment in the language they use with athletes and avoid ridiculing an athlete in public by scolding him/her in an audible or visible way.

It is our responsibility to see that high standards are maintained throughout the entire athletic program. The coach’s foremost duty is to the student athlete who comes out for the team.

Whether a student is on the first or last team of the squad, he/she is as important in the program as the “star” member. The educational development of the student athlete must be the first and foremost consideration of the entire athletic program.

If the athletic program is to be considered an integral part of our school curriculum, school does not end for the athlete at the conclusion of the academic schedule. The school day will end for those participating in athletics at the close of practice session, game or at the time of dismissal by his/her coach.

It is the full responsibility of the coaches of an activity to educate themselves on the policies and rules that govern the activity they are coaching. Head coaches will be expected to meet weekly with the athletic director during the season to communicate needs, issues, or planning.