Players turned coaches

[SoonerNorm]

I am a bit surprised how few players get into coaching. I wonder if most players are just fed up with basketball and ready to do something else.

That said, it would not surprise me if Morgan decides to pursue a coaching career. She appears to be Sherri's coach on the court, seems to love basketball, and she might marry into the family. I guess we may know what career path she intends to follow within a few months. I personally think she would make a good coach.

 

[Soonercuda]

I am a bit surprised how few players get into coaching. I wonder if most players are just fed up with basketball and ready to do something else.

That said, it would not surprise me if Morgan decides to pursue a coaching career. She appears to be Sherri's coach on the court, seems to love basketball, and she might marry into the family. I guess we may know what career path she intends to follow within a few months. I personally think she would make a good coach.

There are only a limited number of coaching jobs...there are a lot more former college players than there are coaching jobs. I am sure there are a few...but I can't think of a coach that wasn't a college player somewhere.

 

[SoonerNorm]

There are only a limited number of coaching jobs...there are a lot more former college players than there are coaching jobs. I am sure there are a few...but I can't think of a coach that wasn't a college player somewhere.

When you consider jr. high, high school, jr. college, NAIA, D-1, D-2, etc, there are a lot of coaching jobs available.

 

[badger]

It is cutthroat and competitive, much like the game itself at the highest levels. It's also easy to get blacklisted compared to some of the top male positions, reportedly allegedly etc

At the same time, who's to say some won't go the path of Sherri--- teach and coach in high school before trying to break into the college ranks. It's not a bad path to take, especially when you consider how important high school ties are for recruiting

 

[MsProudSooner]

I think many female players see their basketball scholarship as their key to other professions - doctor, lawyer, physical therapist, nurse.

Frankly, it's probably more difficult for a woman to be a coach and be a parent than it is for a man. It shouldn't be that way, but it is.

 

[sybarite]

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2004-09-28-coaches_x.htm

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...y-high-level-coach-one-men-college-basketball

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?id=3045864

 

[badger]

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2004-09-28-coaches_x.htm

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...y-high-level-coach-one-men-college-basketball

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?id=3045864

I read Mike Leach's "Swing Your Sword" autobiography after getting it for Christmas. Very fun read and shows how some people are just made for coaching, even if they didn't play in college.

I think it's fair to say that former players have a better chance of becoming coaches, though, based on the sheer number of ex-players that are in college coaching now.

 

[Sooner Cal]

I am a bit surprised how few players get into coaching. I wonder if most players are just fed up with basketball and ready to do something else.

That said, it would not surprise me if Morgan decides to pursue a coaching career. She appears to be Sherri's coach on the court, seems to love basketball, and she might marry into the family. I guess we may know what career path she intends to follow within a few months. I personally think she would make a good coach.

The skill set to be a successful coach is quite different from the skill set to be a player. You don't have to play a sport to know the theory, tactics or skills required, anyone can learn them.

The main difference is that a coach has to know how to reach and motivate dozens of people, a player just has to motivate himself. A coach has to know how to combine players with different skills sets to get the maximum performance out of the team, players just have to know their responsibilities and understand how he fits into the system. Coaches have to be observant, they have to see a bigger picture than an individual player. A coach has to make sure that the logistics required to get the team to games, to get the equipment there to eat and have accommodations. He hs to interact with the administration as well as boosters.

He has to recruit, fundraise nod deal with the media. He has to deal with discipline and handle personnel issues for people on his staff. He hs to deal with egos while keeping his own in check. He has to be involved in coaching associations and stay current with new approaches.

You have to love coaching to be a coach for very long. The aggregation and stress are real so there'd better be success or you'll be miserable. Coaching isn't for everyone.

Ted Williams was one of the 5 best players of all time, but he was a lousy manager. Part of the reason the greats don't make good coaches is the game was easier for them that it is for 99% of the rest of the players. It's hard for them to relate to the challenge some players face.