Author: Sean Dahlin

Why Learning Matters: An Effective Coach’s Perspective

(3 Minute Read)

The question, “How does one become an effective coach?” is something that I have pondered and my perspective on the answer to this question has changed over the years. Previously, I equated effectiveness with the coaches that had the highest winning percentage or had earned the most championships. However, the more I talk with, observe and research coaches at different levels, my perception of effective coaches now focuses on the holistic development (e.g., athletically, academically, civically, socially, etc.) of their athletes.

According to Côté and Gilbert (2009), effective coaching is “consistent application of integrated professional, interpersonal, and intrapersonal knowledge to improve athletes’ competence, confidence, connection, and character in specific coaching contexts” (p. 316). Based on this description, effectiveness is reached when a coach consistently works on his or her development through the following three types of knowledge to positively develop one’s athletes in and out of competition:

Read More

Perspectives: How do Coaches Find a Work-Life Balance?

After finding success in terms of wins and losses, including two national championships, as the head football coach at Bowling Green State University, the University of Utah, and the University of Florida, Urban Meyer found himself having to step away from coaching for a full year due to serious health complications caused by the stress of coaching. In fact, when referring to a chest pain incident in which he had to be rushed to the ER, he stated, “I was scared for my health…I was scared for my family” (Sneed, 2016, par. 90).

In his time off from coaching, Meyer focused on improving his health and his relationships with his family. Then the opportunity came to become the head football coach for The Ohio State University – a life-long dream for the Ohio native. At his daughter’s insistence however, Meyer was required to sign a contract his family had put together and follow its conditions before being able to accept the position. It read:

My family will always come first. I will take care of my family and maintain good health. I will not go more than nine hours a day at the office. I will trust God’s plan and not be overanxious. I will eat three meals a day (Sneed, 2016, par. 30).

Read More

Becoming an Effective Coach: It’s a Developmental Process

In any professional career, people frequently strive to achieve a level of excellence where they’re considered experts or at least highly effective in their chosen field of work (Nunn, 2008). The world of sport is no different, although determining whether or not coaches are effective and their subsequent hiring or firing is frequently assessed by win-loss records.

But being considered an effective coach should not only be defined solely or even predominantly by a head coach’s win-loss record. Becoming effective is a developmental process that takes time and involves much more than just game scores. Watching 10-time national champion, legendary Hall of Fame, and former UCLA men’s basketball head coach John Wooden during practices, Tharp and Gallimore (1976) found that he spent 50.3% of his time teaching his athletes the fundamental skills of basketball. Consistent with the concept of pursuing teaching & coaching mastery, Wooden spent half his time instructing his athletes (Nater & Gallimore, 2010).

A Coaching Case Study
This article highlights the complex experiences and thoughts of an effective female NCAA Division III (DIII) head women’s volleyball coach as her career developed. The information comes from a larger study on the development of effective coaches at the DIII level. The effective coaches in the study were identified as those who currently serve as head coaches of a DIII team sport, five-plus years of experience as a head coach at his or her current DIII institution, a career winning percentage of .500-plus, and peer recognition such as coach of the year (Gilbert, Côté, & Mallett, 2006).

Read More