Coaching Conumdrum: Recruiting/Coaching Gen Y

[Water Pony]

Fascinating article about recruiting, coaching and motivating today's players. The contrast between Callahan and Meyers is worth the read:

http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootba ... y/10427536

Lessons to be learned for any head coach at SMU!

[OR-See-Nee]

There are a number of studies, and highly paid consultants who will speak to you, about the generational differences. Kids in GenY respond differently than other generations. Promotions and titles in the corporate sector aren't important to them--flexibility in work hours and ability to spend time at home are important.

One of the fascinating parts of Spencer's article is his statement that facilities don't matter that much to kids. I don't know if that's true or not--all big time athletic departments tend to think that's true, explaining the arms race in practice facilities and the like. If facilities are not that important to kids, but being in a "family" with an opportunity to play are important values, then I think SMU ought to be at the front of the line. (Note: crappy facilities probably deter folks, but the difference between a decent facility and a state-of-the-art facility may not make a big difference).

I'm not sure about the other coaches around here, but Doh seems to understand this "family" mentality. He seems to be going to great lengths to bring the entire university together as a family--recruits, players, coaches, faculty. I think he gets it.

[OC Mustang]

Heard similar directly from Rodney Southern, current 1st year coach at Belton HS and former Marshall HS Head Coach. Negative reinforcement simply does not work in isolation. One can be a disciplinarian, but shouting is out unless the situation warrants, and scolding a player for drawing a flag while scoring a TD doesn't warrant. These kids are coming up into college now and guess what....

Work them...work them hard. But don't expect them to respond to being crapped on.

[couch 'em]

When kids are raised to be soft and weak, and that they are "special", what do you expect?

We can't let kids play 'tag' during recess (when they have it - many districts in DFW have completely eliminated recess) yet we can tell teacher that they cannot grade in red pen because red is too harsh for their ego.

[PonyKai]

When kids are raised to be soft and weak, and that they are "special", what do you expect?

We can't let kids play 'tag' during recess (when they have it - many districts in DFW have completely eliminated recess) yet we can tell teacher that they cannot grade in red pen because red is too harsh for their ego.

Man raises a point. No more dodge ball, schools that actually make it impossible to fail, no red ink, no tag, no recess, no name calling, etc. etc. etc. Kind of a feeling of I love me, I love me, special special special, i'm the most bestest super good kid on the face of the earth!

I still remember what it was like to be that way, and man dodgeball was fun. Tag was fun. And red pens never hurt my eyes, and I turned out probably too self-confident. They're off their rockers!

[couch 'em]

It really bugs me, because they pull this BS in schools, and they wonder why so many boys today aren't interest in school and become behavior problems, or became so timid that it affects their life negatively. You can't raise boys like girls. Somehow it was acceptable to criticize schools as harmful to girls by being too masculine 30 years ago, but it's not OK to say we have swung too far the other direction. Young boys need to be in an environment where they have to stand up for themselves, there is competition, everyone gets their knees scraped up from time to time, and sometimes, you just have to fight.

I remember when I was in 6th grade - if you were in a fight, even if you were defending yourself, you would be arrested and taken to the police station. What kind of message are we sending young men? That you should accept getting pushed around, rather than stand up for what is right?

[Stallion]

yeah no more competitive sports for kids in elementary school-now they are all 30 pounds too fat.

[davidsmu94]

Amen.. what the heck are we doing to our kids these days?

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

Amen.. what the heck are we doing to our kids these days?

It's called the wussification of America.

[PonyKai]

"I've SEEN the future. Do you know what it is? It's a 47-year-old virgin sitting around in his beige pajamas, drinking a banana-broccoli shake, singing "I'm an Oscar Meyer Wiener". "

[CA Mustang]

"I've SEEN the future. Do you know what it is? It's a 47-year-old virgin sitting around in his beige pajamas, drinking a banana-broccoli shake, singing "I'm an Oscar Meyer Wiener". "

That was an underrated movie.

[couch 'em]

"I've SEEN the future. Do you know what it is? It's a 47-year-old virgin sitting around in his beige pajamas, drinking a banana-broccoli shake, singing "I'm an Oscar Meyer Wiener". "

That was an underrated movie.

One of the top 3 most underrated movies, along with "The Stoned Age" and "Caligula"

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

"I've SEEN the future. Do you know what it is? It's a 47-year-old virgin sitting around in his beige pajamas, drinking a banana-broccoli shake, singing "I'm an Oscar Meyer Wiener". "

That was an underrated movie.

One of the top 3 most underrated movies, along with "The Stoned Age" and "Caligula"

*sigh* what is it with you and these 2 movies?

[Samurai Stang]

yeah no more competitive sports for kids in elementary school-now they are all 30 pounds too fat.

Ah, takes me back to my koncho days.

[The Spaz]

defending yourself, you would be arrested and taken to the police station. What kind of message are we sending young men? That you should accept getting pushed around, rather than stand up for what is right?

When I got in a fight in the 6th grade, I got arrested and taken to the station CUZ I KILLED THA FOOL!!!