Can you request a coaching change?????????

Yes-first post, but I've been watching this forum. So what, get over it and help me out with SERIOUS answers.

How does it work with requests for coaching changes and BIG clubs (Solar, Sting, FCD, Texans, etc.)? Is it even possible? I always read and heard that the club assigns the coach, but what if there is no team for the club simply because parents feel a coaching change is necessary? The current coach has had the team for a few years, would obviously not request it (DUH), and would damage the relationship with parents/players if a change was requested and not made. It's for typical reasons........late to practices or cancels without reason, team not developing at the average rate of others (yeah-they want to win a few), team not responding to coach's motivation tactics, lack of communication with the players and parents about expectations, etc. If changes aren't made, the team dissolves. If a new coach came in, it would give the team a chance to stick together which is their goal at this point and the concensus among parents. Parents like the club and don't want to make change in that regard.

So, can a request be made by the team to one of the big clubs for a coaching change? If so, what's the best way to go about it? Who needs to be involved? Is it even worth the effort? What's your experience with this type of situation? etc.

Serious answers appreciated, smartass answers please find another thread.

Thanks.

I would approach the Club's Director of Coaching with your concerns and the same constructive tone that you have expressed here and I'm betting they will be receptive to a change. The Club doesn't want to lose a team, and if the general feeling is "we love our Club and team, but don't think the coaching is working out", then I'm betting they would be happy for a change as well. This is a good time of the season to start that process, and heck, the D.o.C. may already be thinking the same thing, and can begin the transition and shepherd the process in such a way that there are no hard feelings either way.

Get the parents together and unify, than go to the club and demand the change or you'll split and go get your own coach. Shouldn't be hard and happens fairly often.

DevilsAdvocate wrote:Yes-first post, but I've been watching this forum. So what, get over it and help me out with SERIOUS answers.

How does it work with requests for coaching changes and BIG clubs (Solar, Sting, FCD, Texans, etc.)? Is it even possible? I always read and heard that the club assigns the coach, but what if there is no team for the club simply because parents feel a coaching change is necessary? The current coach has had the team for a few years, would obviously not request it (DUH), and would damage the relationship with parents/players if a change was requested and not made. It's for typical reasons........late to practices or cancels without reason, team not developing at the average rate of others (yeah-they want to win a few), team not responding to coach's motivation tactics, lack of communication with the players and parents about expectations, etc. If changes aren't made, the team dissolves. If a new coach came in, it would give the team a chance to stick together which is their goal at this point and the concensus among parents. Parents like the club and don't want to make change in that regard.

So, can a request be made by the team to one of the big clubs for a coaching change? If so, what's the best way to go about it? Who needs to be involved? Is it even worth the effort? What's your experience with this type of situation? etc.

Serious answers appreciated, smartass answers please find another thread.

Thanks.

Talk to the Director of Coaching and explain your issues. If other parents feel the same way maybe request the DOC to hold a parent meeting. Sometimes this has worked and other times not.

Each club handles this situation different,but I have observed Sting, Texans, and FCD will make the coach changes. I have seen Solar typically does not change the coaches and the teams that should have changed coaches fold. There is always exceptions when teams are requesting coaching changes and the problem is not the coach, but this is what I have personally observed over the last 6 years of observation of the NTX soccer scene.

Also, if you are the lone person asking for a coaching change, be prepared to be walk if the change doesn't happen. Most likely your DD will be cut or released if you don't get the coaching change. The coach you might receive may be just like your existing coach if not worse. That might be why the coach is "Available".

If your DOC was concerned, he would have noticed the progress or lack there of and already stepped in and made a transition plan \ progress path for the team.

The steps IMO:
1. Start by talking to a couple families you're tight with to gauge their interest in making this request. (Sounds like you've already done this.)
2. Hold a secret parents-only meeting for any parents that may not already be aware of the idea. You will need a LARGE majority of the families to be on board with this. If it isn't a large majority and some families want the coach to stay while others want the coach replaced... BANG!!! You just blew up your DD's entire team and factions will quickly be created as you're now heading in different directions. It is likely that there will be nothing left to stay around for. (1/3 of the team stay. 1/4 goes to this club. 2 girls go to that other club. Etc.)
3. Come up with a list of candidates you'd like the DoC to assign to the team as a replacement. If you don't do that, you may like the next coach even less.
4. If you have a large majority of families supporting this decision, then contact the Director of Coaching.

Don't expect the DoC to keep any secrets from the coach. Don't tell the DoC anything you don't want the coach to learn about later.

Prepare yourself to find out that several of the families that mentioned some interest in doing this suddenly don't want to do it anymore. Prepare yourself to find out that you want this more than anybody else. Prepare yourself (and your daughter and your spouse) that you may need to start looking for a new team because once the "Cat is out of the bag" there will be no going back to that coach. Prepare yourself for this to fly back into your face.

I would agree with all the previous posts... especially with the comment that if you're with Solar, you should start shopping now. That club is just a collection individual/independent teams that happen to wear the same jersey (don't hate on me...lots of them are very good). Coaches and teams have nothing to do with each other. Each team is an island, and the DOC won't do much to interfere/intercede. It's just not the way that club is run. I would guess that appeals to a lot of coaches who are tired of being micromanaged at some of the other clubs.

Yes, be prepared to leave, but don't let that stop you from trying to get the change, especially if most of the team is behind you. Just let DD decide first if the sh__ hits the fan, SHE is ok going to a different team. If yours is anything like mine, you should QUIETLY shop teams a little first, and she'll be less anxious. I would also add that the first question the DOC will ask is have you talked to the coach about your concerns, so be ready with an answer.

Good luck...I don't envy your situation.