Let’s get right down to it, some coaches really suck.

Point blank. Period. Some people should not take on coaching as a profession. Not as a side job, not as an assistant, not even an assistant to the assistant. I believe that being a coach –– someone who leads and makes a difference in the lives of young athletes –– is a job not many can handle or excel at. I know I have had my fair share of “sucky” coaches over the years, and I’m sure many others can relate. In fact, it’s almost impossible to go your whole athletic career with a perfect record of great coaches. I mean, what are the odds you’re blessed with a 10/10 person every single season?

Although sucky coaches, well, suck, I do believe there is much to learn from them. They can provide great examples of what NOT to do –– not only as an athlete, but as a person. Having bad coaches can also help you better appreciate the great ones. So instead of wasting any more time focusing on my list of coaches who shouldn’t be, I want to shed some light on the coaches who have made a difference in my life, even after our season ended.

Coach(es),

Over the years I have learned that being an athlete isn’t just about the cool jerseys, the out-of-town trips, how good your stats are, or the number of wins your team has. But all of those are super great, too.

A big part of being an athlete comes with the life lessons you learn and put to use even after your athletic career is over. I was a better athlete and am now a better person because of you. You taught me what hard work looks like and how it all pays off in the end.

You taught me to never give up on myself, even when the odds are against me. Although my middle school/high school years seem like forever ago and I am now entering my twenties (Wow. feel old, yet?), I remember those times like it was yesterday.

It’s not the playoffs, the awful track workouts, or the motivational YouTube videos that I remember so fondly. It's the things we learned throughout our time together. We learned to keep pushing forward, even if we were the underdogs and coach is MIA (or in the hospital) for one of the biggest games of the season. We witnessed coaches who genuinely care for their athletes. We know that tough love is definitely a thing and even if workouts make us cry, it’s worth it in the end.

The difference between a regular coach and a life-changing coach has nothing to do with the game at all. Anyone can attempt to teach a kid how to play the game, throw the ball, master the correct form, but not everyone can leave lasting impressions after the game is over.

Whether you were with us for 9 months or 3 years, having you as a coach was a blessing.

To the coaches who made a difference, thank you for everything.

Sincerely,

An athlete who remembers.