Good reading here, worth considering
Jim Brownfield, who built one of the CIF's most successfull coaching careers over a span of 40 years, was interviewed recently by Jim McConnell for his "Then and Now" column. It ran in Tuesday's editions, and included Brownfield's "Ten Commandments of Coaching," which he stressed were developed as much for living life as well as coaching.
They're worth repeating here:
1. Safety First, Last and Always. "The worst thing a coach can do isn't to lose. It is not being attentive to the things that can prevent injuries. That's why I made this commandment No. 1. You have to take care of your kids. Injuries happen, but you can do a lot to minimize them."
2. Just Do The Right Thing. "You need to know the rules, and obey them. Once you start trying to cut corners, to cheat even a little bit, your players know it immediately. And you lose their respect. Once that's gone, you've lost their attention."
3. Teach Life Skills. "I had winning teams and was lucky enough to have some great athletes. But nothing makes me prouder than to know my players went on to have productive lives. You coach football, or basketball, or track but you also can do so much more. Nothing is more gratifying than to have a positive impact on a kid's life."
4. Know Your Clientele. "You should never expect more out of an athlete than they are capable of giving. This is especially true of young athletes. Coaches have to know their players' strengths, and weaknesses. It's just unfair to the kid not to."
5. Their Bodies Are Their Temples. "This is where proper training and conditioning come in. Other teams may have had better athletes, but I never wanted a team of mine to lose because of lack of proper conditioning. And that includes making sure your athletes understand the dangers of substance abuse."
6. Good Coaching is Good Teaching. "What works in a classroom will work on the football field. A great coach is always first and foremost a great educator."
7. Be A Student of the Game. "You should always be learning. Attend clinics. Talk to other coaches. Watch game film. If you aren't really interested in the sport you're coaching, how in the world can you expect your athletes to be interested?"
8. Plan Ahead. "Sounds simple, but I am always amazed at how many in coaching and teaching are so disorganized. You have to have a plan. You should never be surprised or caught off-guard."
9. Develop Your People Skills. "Hey, you're not coaching donkeys, you're coaching human beings. You need to learn how to communicate. You need to keep your commitments. Treat your players right and they will do right by you."
10. Be a Pro. "You're getting paid, act like it. Strive to better yourself. You want to get paid more? Better yourself first."
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Steve Ramirez is the prep sports editor for the Whittier Daily News.
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Pete Gonzalez should take heed to this great coach Ten Commandments, especially numbers 3,9, and 10. He lacks Character,Life Skills, and the ability to be a pro. maybe it`s the short man`s complex. I truly believe without his staff this guy would fall on his face. Grow up littleman and take care of your family.
Peace,
Respectfully a Coach from the past
I think Brownfield's back-to-back championship teams in 1985-86 were the SGV's most dominant program. Before that, Bishop Amat's 1970 (QB Pat Haden, WR J.K. McKay) and 1971 (QB John Sciarra) teams were special. Amat's '69 team is right there with them, even though the Lancers lost to Blair (led by the "Blair Pair, James McAlister and Kermit Johnson) in one of the great CIF finales, 28-27, in the Coliseum." The SGV hasn't seen programs like those since.
An added note: Years later, St. Paul coach Marion Ancich called the Blair Pair the "best combination in a backfield I've ever seen in high school."
Roger: has there been as dominant a team in the San Gabriel Valley since his days at Muir? Good research but I don't have the time.
Good piece for coaches I guess. Muir definitely was a powerhouse under Brownfield.. Good coaching and plenty of speed.