Coach Houser:
So many coaches have terrible tempers, use foul language, get up in players' faces, can't control their alcohol use, etc. Is it that hard for an adult these days to be a role model?
I have to work and work to become the person that my players can trust. How can I expect my kids to be good sports, when I'm not? How can I expect them to be prompt, when I'm not? How can I expect them to be focused and serious, when I'm not? This goes on and on......and on.
I won't expect any more in the area of character from my team than I'm willing to exhibit. If I can't show a certain behavior, why should I expect my kids to? But, no, good coaches don't use that as an excuse to act stupid. No, we will never say, "Well, since I can't stop cursing, I can't bust my kids when they curse." NO. JUST STOP CURSING!!!
If you can't fix many of your faults, if you can't cover them over, put some foundation on them as if they're zits.......then get away from kids. A few years ago, when something was said about a girl being a cancer on a certain coach's team, the coach said, "I really can't do anything about her attitude, b/c I have that same attitude when I play. She and I are just alike." I was stunned. I was like, "WHAT?!?!?!?"
I will try my best to be as good a person as I can be in all parts of coaching, teaching, and being a human being.......even though I will come up short every day. And I expect my players to do the same.......either by imitation, by habit, or by listening/learning/adjusting. If I can reign in my competitive foolishness, then why can't the kids? If I can stop cursing in public, then they can too. In fact, they can change much easier than I can.......at least that what I tell them! haha.
Coaches: Fix or cover up those character flaws. You can do it. Hold 'em in. Don't let them out. Your job will be much easier if you do!