Over the entirety of my coaching career in high school sports, I have come across my share of fans that believe they are more educated on the subject of strategy and game planning.
I have also come across those fans that seem to make sure that they vocalize that education in order that the coaching staff may hear their words of wisdom from the stands. And, to be honest, most of those “lessons” have been aired out during football contests, rather than baseball or basketball games.
But, let me just give a little advice to those “teachers” that seem to express their opinion mostly when things are not going as well as planned. Here it goes. “HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ARE NOT JUST ABOUT WINS AND LOSSES.”
I have to admit, since my transformation into the newspaper and broadcast world, I have not heard the “voices” coming from the stands as much as I had as a coach. But, for some reason the last two weeks have re-introduced me to the world of the arm chair coach.
We that have had the fortune to be apart of the high school coaching scene understand that everyone has their opinion about how things should be done in terms of play calling and game management. We are used to the “coaches” in the stands giving their opinion. We have learned to become thick-skinned.
However, there are a few things to consider when you decide to “voice” your thoughts on the way the game should be managed.
First and foremost, did you every stop to realize that the coaches on the field have wives, daughters, sons that are also at the game, most likely in the stands as well. Not only are they rooting for their dad, but a lot of times they are the biggest fans of your son or daughter, even if they are not related to them in any way, shape or form.
I mean, how would you like it if people came and “critiqued” you in front of your family at work?
Secondly, not only can the coach’s family here your words of wisdom, but the players on the sideline can hear them as well. Did you ever stop to think that by criticizing the coaches in such a vocal way, that you may be undermining the authority andthe respect the coaches have built up with your son/daughter?
And, here is probably the most important point. High school coaches are not college or pro coaches. They do not earn millions of dollars to be on the field every day, no matter the conditions, to do what they love.
Mostly they are there because they know that a vast majority of the players that go through their system are not going on to the next level. So, they realize that their job is to make great men and women out of the countless number of young adults that they face on a daily basis.
I get it, we all want what is best for our children. And, we all get a little crazy when it comes to athletics. Sports are an emotional part of our lives.
We are passionate about “our team” and we get juiced up when “our team” hits the field of play. A lot of us have had first hand knowledge of that passion, because a lot of us have played sports at some point in our lives.
But, put yourself in the shoes of these coaches. You actually think that they go out on the field of play with a game plan that is designed to bring about a loss? You know, sometimes the other team is just better.
But, mostly in high school sports, coaches deal with young, teenage athletes that are still trying to figure out how to get through this thing called life, much less who do I block on 42 ISO.
The thing that all parents should be looking for in a coach is the person that can guide their child through the rough times and make them better people to send out into the world.
So, the next time you feel the urge to “voice” your opinion from the stands, please hold off. Most coaches are okay with chalk talk away from the game.
Even better, go to a practice and find out what really goes on. You may just get “educated” on why coaches make the decisions they do come game time.
Just MY opinion!!
July 21, 2026
