The downward trend of ODP takes an even deeper nose dive

TatonkaBurger wrote:You are paying good money for a product and should absolutely expect feedback from a coach. If a coach is not willing to give it to you and to take the time to give you an honest evaluation of your DD, then he or she is either too lazy or too busy with too many teams in order to take time to do it.  Heck expect it in writing.  Get your money's worth people!

CharlieSheen's Brain wrote:NOT WINNING!

The ODP program has been on life support for many years now.   I think it's ready to be put out of it's misery.  Especially with so many other choices like: DA, ECNL, Champions League, JDL, LH, Plano, Arlington, and garland (Hat Tip to Soapbox Mom).    Unfortunately, the program is run by a megalomaniac who runs the program like it's his own personal fiefdom.   Other programs across the country have success and solid reputations.(and believe it or not are highly sought after by players in those regions).  The North Texas Program is another story.   The North Texas Staff is great and very professional, its just the head person is obnoxious and 100% responsible for running the program into the ground.  Buyer beware.  

Issues - just to name a few:

Revolving door of coaches - would be better for a person/family/player to spend money on skills with a constant coach in order to measure performance and improvement
Favoritism - rules don't apply.  Players don't need to show up in order to get invite to Camps.  Those that do show up, probably negatively affect their status because the coach sees too much... if that's possible.
Non-transparency - there is no open communication, everything is a secret.  Look at other ODP programs and they have their rankings posted for all to see (in the form of who is on travel team, etc)
No community involvement - ODP coaches do not go to league games to see their current ODP players or recruit solid excellent players for the program.
No commitment to a clear goal - A) is the program there to develop and showcase the most outstanding players, or B) train potential good players to become better players, or C) just a money grab.
Head of ODP program feeds ego by denigrating players.  He probably doesn't realize his poor choice of words and the affect on the ODP participants.
No consistent or meaningful feedback. I don't even know if coaches take notes during or after practice anymore.  Definitely nothing is shared with the player, even if they ask.  
During regionals, Texas gets hammered because the coaches don't know their players and are not prepared to champion them during the "Selection board meetings".   Florida, Georgia, even freaking Mississippi attend those meetings armed with stats and knowledge and regularly come out with more slots than probably deserved.  

I got more, but my hands/finger hurt from typing. and I got some Tigers Blood I need to harvest for my progeny.

All the above is just my simple humble opinion based on observations and possibly first hand experience.   Just a shame.

CharlieSheen's Brain wrote:NOT WINNING!

Non-transparency - there is no open communication, everything is a secret.  Look at other ODP programs and they have their rankings posted for all to see (in the form of who is on travel team, etc)
No community involvement - ODP coaches do not go to league games to see their current ODP players or recruit solid excellent players for the program.
No consistent or meaningful feedback. I don't even know if coaches take notes during or after practice anymore.  Definitely nothing is shared with the player, even if they ask.  I asked about feedback the first year. Was promised there would be some. She got feedback one time in year 3...from a coach who had never coached her before the 2 hour session.

All the above is just my simple humble opinion based on observations and possibly first hand experience. SAME