Tim Kolodziej: Are you SURE you want to be a coach?

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About Tim Kolodziej: Tim is director of new media at The News. His blog appears each Thursday.

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February 9, 2012

Tim Kolodziej New Castle News New Castle News Thu Feb 09, 2012, 03:54 AM EST

NEW CASTLE — “Sitting down, Jesus called the twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” — Mark 9:35

So, you want to be a coach.

Or a (insert type of leader you aspire to be in here.)

Be ready for questions. Lots and lots of questions.

Here’s how most of them will start:

•“Can you ...”

•“Would you ...”

•“Did you ...”

•“Could you help me ...”

• “Do you have a sec ...” (Beware: “Sec” is code for at least 10 minutes.)

•“Do you have a minute ...” (Beware: “Minute” is code for an hour and a half.)

•“I need some help ...”

•“I need an idea ...”

•“Do you have a number for ...”

•“Can you call ...”

•“Can you do me a favor ...”

But don’t sweat the questions. You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to point people in the right direction.

“A person who is worthy of being a leader wants power not for himself, but in order to be of service.” — Sam J. Ervin Jr.

So, you want to be a coach.

Or a (insert type of leader you aspire to be in here.)

Be ready for criticism. Lots and lots of criticism.

Here’s how most of it will go:

• “Can you believe they lost to ...”

• “Why didn’t he call a timeout ...”

• “My son should be starting ...”

• “Wow, did she get outcoached ...”

• “He’s too easy on the players. He needs to crack the whip ...”

• “She’s too hard on her players . She needs to lighten up ...”

• “They are under-achieving with all of that talent ...”

•“They look like they never practice ...”

But don’t sweat the heat. Your goal as a coach is to teach, emphasize and put into practice your passions and values. No need to make excuses. Just keep making progress.

"One coach will impact more people in a year than the average person will in a lifetime." — Billy Graham

So, you want to be a coach.

Or a (insert type of leader you aspire to be in here.)

•You’ll be the first one in.

•You’ll often be the last to leave.

•You’ll laugh with your players.

•You’ll cry with your players.

•You’ll likely spend your own money to meet a need.

•And you’ll regret that you just can’t meet all the needs your players have.

•Your players will frustrate the heck out of you during most games.

•And there will be some games you wish you could just sit back and watch because things are going so well.

•You’ll call a timeout and ask your players to do A,B and C.

•They’ll leave the timeout and, instead, do X,Y and Z.

•Some days you’ll run on fumes.

•And some days you’ll be energized beyond belief.

•You’ll praise.

•You’ll correct.

•You’ll slap high-fives and bump fists.

•You’ll share intense hugs.

•You’ll share regrets with your players when a season ends too early.

•Or, if things go well enough, you might get doused with water. Or Gatorade.

•And you’ll teach.

•Because it’s what you are called to do.

Despite all the questions.

Despite all the criticism.

Despite all the burdens.

There’s no greater privilege than watching student-athletes reach their potential.

And knowing that maybe, just maybe, you gave them a little boost along the way.

Thank you, Coach (insert name and school here.)

For all you’ve done. And all you will continue to do.

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