It seems that every other day, a college or high school or even professional coach is getting the axe after only an abbreviated stint in his/her new position.
In this “win now”, “what have you done for me lately” era of sports, the new norm is to fire a coach because he/she had not brought home the “bling” to decorate the trophy case.
It does not matter whether that coach is trying to build that program into an image that he/she can live with. It also seems to not matter the character of the person in charge.
And it certainly does not seem to matter if the coach is shaping the players into great human beings and citizens of the world. The bottom line now a days is the W’s and the hardware.
However, on Wednesday night, America got to see what believing in a system, a coach and a person can do for a program and the lives that run through it, when now retired Florida State head baseball coach Mike Msrtin took one final bow in Omaha.
Martin embodied what coaching is supposed to be. The septuagenarian, who coached college baseball for 45 years (40 of those as the head coach at Florida State), proved that winning it all is not what makes a person a successful coach.
Yes, Martin retires as the coach with the most wins in the history of NCAA baseball. But, for all of those 2,000+ victories under his belt, Martin never got to win the biggest one of all: a National Championship.
Here is the thing, who cares? Martin showed the class and leadership that every coach, regardless of age or sport, should strive to attain. Martin not only coached players that went on to the professional ranks, but he also coached players who took other paths in life including paths that have helped this world become a better place.
Maybe the word “coached” is too sterile. Maybe the word should be “mentored.”
That is what a coach is supposed to be, right? A person who helps guide you, mold you, shape you, care for you, and make you a better person.
They are supposed to make you ready for life and the challenges that will undoubtedly cross your path, no matter how old you are.
Mike Martin did. Just ask any of his players.
The question then becomes: If Martin had started his career five years ago, could he have survived not getting chopped because he did not bring home a championship?
We may never know. If I were a gambling man, I would have laid big money down on his departure.
The important factor for Martin is that he began his head coaching career in an era that honored those that ran a program the way it is supposed to be run.
Florida State got it right when they kept Martin on for all of these years. Although, firing a legendary father figure like Martin would have brought the wrath down on the FSU Administration.
I think administrators of other programs across the country, be it college or high school, should take note on how to treat a person who gives his life to making sure that the players that cross his/her path have the character, morals and standards needed to be great human beings.
At the same time, coaches have to earn that respect. Being a mentor means not only being their coach, but also their counselor, their role model and yes, even their parent at times. That should continue forever.
If that is done, then to hell with the rest.
My biggest accomplishment as a coach was not a win or a trophy, but it was when a former player of mine thanked me for what I had done for him as a person. Man, what a humbling feeling!!!
In Martin’s last post-game speech to his players, he told them “You don’t always get everything in life you want.”
Wow!! Even after Martin lost his last chance at a ring, he is always the mentor.
Shouldn’t that be the way it always is?
Image
TRACEY JAGNEAUX