Mike Christner

Head Softball Coach Wm Penn University

[Mike Christner @christnerm3]

@CoachFerrill Is that the small gym?

[Mike Christner @christnerm3]

@SCC_Blackhawks That would be a lot closer for him. But he went to Juco.

[Craig Doty @CoachDoty]

Why are so many talented coaches getting out of coaching?

One reason is because the coaching portion of their job is now just 1% of the position.

A large part of coaching is adapting to the rapidly changing landscape of athletics including:

*Roster management
*Student-athlete needs
*Engaging boosters/stakeholders
*Conflict resolution
*Academic advising and monitoring
*Working with administration
*Program marketing
*Staff management
*Creative solutions and vision
*Budgeting and logistics
*Creating and managing expectations with players, staff, administration, parents, and community (this includes managing and working through politics)

The job is more comprehensive than ever and is becoming less about coaching and more about creating and managing. The head coach is essentially a CEO of a small business.

Coaching isn’t different than other industries though. For example, many restaurant owners opened their restaurant because they love cooking and are very talented in the kitchen. However, once their business gets going they are often in the kitchen less and focusing more on the restaurant operations as a whole. They didn’t open their restaurant with a passion of engaging with unruly customers, managing workforce turnover, working with food vendors on increased pricing due to inflation, or managing costly building repairs. However, all of these things are paramount to running a successful restaurant.

Many coaches say the player-coach impact/relations as well as X’s and O’s are the things they love most about coaching. It’s the reason why they got into coaching. Much like the restaurant owner, coaches need to adapt to and embrace the many things that aren’t their direct passion to be able to be successful.

Embrace the required 99% so you get to do the 1% you love.

[𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 @DrBradJohnson]

When I am asked my number one piece of advice for a new administrator, it is simply to take care of your staff. If you take care of them, they will take care of the students. A culture of care, support, appreciation and encouragement is a culture when everyone can thrive.

[Jamy Bechler @jamybechler]

PLAYERS: A coach's job can't always revolve around making you happy. A coach's job is to help make the team better.

[The Coaches' Journal @TheCoachJournal]

Coachable: "I want to get better."
Uncoachable: "I'm better than…"

Coachable: "What can I work on?"
Uncoachable: "I know what to do."

Coachable: "It's my responsibility."
Uncoachable: "It's not my fault."

Coachable: "Thanks for pushing me."
Uncoachable: "Stop picking on me."

[Grind House Basketball @GrindHouseBB]

“You can tell people the truth and they still won’t listen to you because they feel like you hating on em…”

All criticism ain’t hate. Some people actually wanna see you do good so they tell you the truth about who you are so you can become a better you.

[Jon Beck @CoachJonBeck]

I always hear “my child struggles with their confidence”. If they’re struggling with confidence it means they aren’t at all comfortable. They aren’t comfortable because they haven’t put in enough of the right kind of work. Confidence is earned & always comes from being prepared!

[Sports Psychology @SportPsychTips]

After you make a mistake in a game, remember that there's nothing you can do to undo it, so you might as well forget about it, stay positive, and focus on the next play!

[The Winning Difference @thewinningdiff1]

"I was not afraid to fail.
I have failed plenty.
But, I am not afraid of it.
I don't know if that is something that is innate or if it is something that you learn.
Because you can't play our sport if you are not mentally strong." @derekjeter

[CoachTube.com @thecoachtube]

Brad Stevens speaking FACTS 🎯

[The Winning Difference @thewinningdiff1]

Don't be upset by the results you don't get from the work that you didn't do.

Success doesn't come easily or without effort.

Success isn't a handout, it's something you earn.

Your effort determines your outcome. Take responsibility and accountability to increase your ability.

[Sports Psychology @SportPsychTips]

Stop worrying so much. Just focus on what you can control and do your best. The rest will take care of itself.

[Drew Maddux @DrewMaddux]

“If you're not humble, it's hard to be coached. If you can't be coached, it's hard to get better.”

- Jay Wright

[Dan Cevette @DanCevette]

Hitters: YOU don't control the strikes being called, but YOU do control your approach.

Pitchers: YOU don't control the strikes being called, but YOU do control your focus.

STOP letting the things we don't control beat us. 💯

Control the controllables ‼️🙌

[Steve Collins @TeachHoopsBBall]

"The tough player is the one that is difficult to play against and easy to play with.
Are you going to lift up those around you and make the team better, or are you going to be me-first instead of we-first?
Commit to the things that make you a tough player." Geno

[Sports Psychology @SportPsychTips]

As an athlete, the only people who truly understand what you go through mentally and emotionally are your fellow athletes. Therefore, you need to lean on each other for support.

[Sports Psychology @SportPsychTips]

When it comes to confidence, there’s a difference between thinking and believing. Don’t just think you can succeed. Believe you will succeed with all your heart!

[Coach Richardson @TBHSSoftball]

A must watch for parents!!

[Sports Psychology @SportPsychTips]

Mentally tough athletes stay motivated no matter the amount of failure or success they experience. They never give up when faced with adversity, and they always stay hungry after success.