INDIANA FAMILY

THE FIRST AND ONLY INDIANA TEAM TO WIN THE EYBL NIKE NATIONALS. 2005 EYBL CHAMPIONS. @CoachK4325 Kevin Merriweather [email protected] [phone]

[Coach Hollins @Coach_KHollins]

*REPOST HIGH SCHOOL COACHES or SHARE*

One of the biggest misconceptions in high school sports is that coaching is primarily about practices, games, and wins.

The reality is that coaching has become one of the most challenging roles in education because coaches are expected to wear dozens of hats while being evaluated from every direction.

Every parent, player, administrator, and community member often has a different expectation of success.

One family wants college recruiting to be the priority.

Another wants playing time.

Another wants winning.

Another wants player development.

Another wants discipline.

Another simply wants their child to enjoy the experience.

The challenge is that those goals frequently conflict, and coaches are often expected to satisfy all of them simultaneously.

Most coaches are balancing far more than what happens between the lines. They manage team culture, player conflicts, parent concerns, academics, transportation, fundraising, budgets, equipment, scheduling, eligibility, social media issues, and the emotional needs of teenagers.

At the same time, every roster includes athletes with different abilities, goals, motivations, and commitment levels. Some dream of college athletics. Some are trying to make varsity. Some simply want to belong. Building one program that serves all of them is incredibly difficult.

Perhaps the greatest challenge is decision-making.

Who starts?

Who plays?

Who sits?

Who travels?

Who gets moved up?

Who gets cut?

Every decision creates opportunity for one athlete and disappointment for another. Even well-intentioned decisions can be viewed as favoritism or politics when seen through the lens of an individual family.

Recruiting adds another layer of complexity. Coaches are expected to help athletes pursue college opportunities while also managing the needs of an entire team. Supporting one athlete can sometimes raise questions from another family about their child’s opportunities.

Social media has amplified many of these challenges. One lineup decision, one difficult conversation, or one emotional moment can quickly become public discussion, often without the full context.

There are also pressures many people never see.

Pressure from administrators to represent the school well.

Pressure from parents to provide opportunities.

Pressure from athletes to help them achieve their goals.

Pressure from communities that often measure success by wins and losses.

Pressure to retain athletes in an era of increasing transfers and movement.

And all of this occurs while coaches are trying to develop young people, not just athletes.

What makes coaching difficult is not that people don’t care.

It’s that everyone cares deeply, but often about different things.

Parents focus on their child.

Players focus on their opportunities.

Administrators focus on the school.

Communities focus on results.

Coaches must somehow balance all of those interests while making decisions they believe are best for the team.

As a former college coach, athletic director, and high school administrator, I’ve learned that most coaches are not trying to hold athletes back, play favorites, or make life difficult for families. Most are simply navigating competing priorities, limited resources, and difficult decisions while trying to do what’s best for kids.

Because at its core, coaching has never really been about managing games.

It’s about managing people.

And that’s what makes it both incredibly challenging and incredibly important

[Coach Hollins @Coach_KHollins]

Congratulations to Komari Booker @komarii_hoops on winning the 2026 Indiana All-Star @indallstars John Wooden–MCL Restaurant & Bakery Citizenship Award!

A well-deserved honor recognizing her leadership, character, and impact on her school and community. We couldn't be more proud!

[Coach Hollins @Coach_KHollins]

🚨 FUTURES ALL-STAR GAME DAY 🚨

Tonight, Savayah Mitchell @VayMitchell35 will represent Pike in the Indiana Futures All-Star Game at New Palestine High School.

🏀 Indiana Futures All-Star Game
📍 New Palestine HS
⏰ 6:00 PM
🎟️ $15 Admission

Let's pack the stands and support her as she competes against the best young talent in Indiana!

Watch Live here:
https://t.co/MyqwpSrRC8

[Coach Hollins @Coach_KHollins]

🏀 Today is the Day!🏀

Come out and support Pike's own Saniya Smith @Saniya_S1 as she represents our community in the Indiana Junior All-Star Game against the Kentucky Junior All-Stars!

📍 Charlestown High School
⏰ 2:00 PM
🎟️ Admission: $15

Let's pack the gym and show Saniya some Pike pride as she takes the court with the best players in the state!

Watch live here: https://t.co/xZxnyJcYwS

[Purdue Polytechnic High School EW Girls Basketball @PPHSGIRLSBBALL]

Excited to go watch @Teasiabriscoe go represent Purdue Poly and the state of Indiana vs Kentucky on Sunday at 2pm at Charlestown High School. Go Indiana!

[Savayah Mitchell @VayMitchell35]

3 workouts yesterday. 3 workouts today. 2 workouts tomorrow. Friday, Saturday and Sunday rest! 3 days of recovery, rest and reset! 3 days of family time and chill then back to the grind June 1! 💪🏽📈

[Te’asia @Teasiabriscoe]

After a great conversation with @haffeyk, I’m Grateful to receive a D1 offer from @Detroit_WBB thank you for believing in me and for this opportunity!!

[Indy One EYBL @IndyOneEYBL]

Savayah Mitchell ‘29. Offer. Columbia University.

@VayMitchell35 | #weareOne | 1️⃣

[Indy One EYBL @IndyOneEYBL]

Savayah Mitchell ‘29. Offer. IU Indy.

@VayMitchell35 | #weareOne | 1️⃣

[Savayah Mitchell @VayMitchell35]

Thank you @CoachKateBruce for believing in me!

[Purdue Polytechnic High School EW Girls Basketball @PPHSGIRLSBBALL]

@CapturedByJac0b 🔥

[Cincinnati Women's Basketball @GoBearcatsWBB]

#FlashbackFriday

[Cincinnati Women's Basketball @GoBearcatsWBB]

Huge semester in the classroom. 👏

#TheSisterhood | #Bearcats

[Coach Hollins @Coach_KHollins]

Congratulations to 2029 Savayah Mitchell @VayMitchell35 from Pike High School (Indianapolis, IN) @LadyRedDevilsB1 on receiving an offer from Columbia University @CULionsWBB

[Te’asia @Teasiabriscoe]

Grateful for my 1st D1 offer! Thank you @CoachKateBruce and @iuindywbb for this opportunity! I enjoyed the unofficial visit! Excited to continue building the relationship.

[Coach Hollins @Coach_KHollins]

Congratulations to 2028 Chami Williams @ChamiWilliams17 from Pike High School (Indianapolis IN) @LadyRedDevilsB1 on receiving an offer from Indiana University-Indianapolis @iuindy_wbb

[Te’asia @Teasiabriscoe]

Thank you for the write up!! & taking your time out to come watch! @PGHChristopher

[Savayah Mitchell @VayMitchell35]

After a great conversation with @cconsuegra I am blessed to receive an offer from @MarquetteWBB! Thank you for believing in me! The work continues! 💪🏽

#AGTG #betonHer #blessed

[Savayah Mitchell @VayMitchell35]

😁 #blessed #highlyfavored