HS Coach Goes Ballistic-Curses Out Team (Audio)

Take out the curse words and I don't have a problem with it.

I played for a coach, that when did not get effort, on few occasions went off like this.  BEST coach I ever had.  Keep in mind he rarely had a loud, or curse word moment, however at times, boy he would give it to you!  That was a different time, and era....can't get away with that now.  If this was a rare occasion moment, that was earned by the players, I don't have a problem with it.  I do have a problem that it was recorded, however anymore with electronic technology not available when I went to HS, you can't do anything without a video being taken.

 

 

and some bratty kid gets a pat on the back for taping it.  Bravo!

I had a ruthlessly profane HS coach who's mouth was as bad or worse than this coach in this clip. The major difference between the two was that my high school coach had little passion for helping my teammates and me improve as players. His abruptness and lashing out was personal and had a very negative effect on all of us. To this day, I consider him a model of everything I don't want to be as a professional in any industry.

 

Could this coach have gone without the profanity? Yes, probably. But I would have killed to have played for a high school coach with the type of passion I heard on that recording. I interpreted that as raw emotion and genuine frustration as a reflection of an outcome he detested, after working diligently to reach a goal that wasn't reached. Is it a bit rough around the edges? Sure. Is the language inappropriate? Definitely. Would I want to play for a coach that shows as much passion as was displayed in this clip? Absolutely.

 

+1 redbird

 

and

 

+1 JH 

ill go to my grave knowing that my son's best coach was a guy who went ballistic on a regular basis when it was called for. guy cared for the team and cared to make them better, i am putting my kid in his hands for baseball not to learn communication skills.

 

somewhere out there is a video of the Texas HC losing it, had my wife and son watch it (its profane to say the least), and we all agreed that playing for him would be a privilege and we would all welcome it without hesitation.

The truth is that this is really sad.  A coach who is that frustrated and I'd think players who were equally frustrated.  If you have to go into that type of tirade, imo, it's time to get out.  If you have to demand respect from one of your players, something went wrong long before this game.  Hey, I've thrown tantrums with the best of them only to realize that I embarrassed myself and my program.  Same here with audio.  When a coach goes this far to make his point, he needs to look in the mirror and realize his role in this as well.  JMHO!

Nothing more than a garden variety a$$ chewing IMO... My HS football OC makes this coach sound like Dr. Phil.  The F bombs aren't appropriate, but still... Par for the course.  I will say that he sounds like a coach who knows that he has lost his players somewhere along the way.  The fact that some t**d betrayed him by recording in the locker room demonstrates this as well I think.  Quite a player and quite a teammate.

The coach was definitely gunning for Tommy Lasorda's post game F bomb record.

 

The issue is in this day a coach can't talk with the level of vulgarity at kids. I'm not sure a coach is allowed to yell at the level he was at. Based on the level of emotion in his voice I wish there was video to go with the audio. He may have been right up in some kid's faces which will also get coaches in trouble. 

 

My son said his high school baseball coach was often vulgar regardless of his emotions. He said some of the time it was really funny. But when he was upset he never went off the rails like the coach in the article. To me his tone is more of an issue than the language. 

 

This coach is the kind of coaches I had in three high school sports in the 70's. It never killed anyone even if I didn't like it. But kids have been trained to be sensitive to this kind of stuff now.  

 

To add perspective to how my son sees the world, when Bobby Knight was in the face of a Texas Tech basketball player on ESPN he commented, "What's the issue? The player is disrespecting his coach by not looking him in the eyes."

There are several things that came to my mind while I listened to it. Random thoughts because I guess I am a random person.

This guy is passionate about what he does.

This guy has poured his heart and soul into this program.

This guy wants to win very badly.

This guy expects his players to play with passion.

This guy cares.

This guy expects a certain level of play and approach to the game and he didn't get it.

This guy probably prepares his players well for the next level.

This guy is not the guy to play for if your soft coddled and spoiled.

This guy is not the guy to play for if your not passionate about the game of baseball.

This guy needs to find another couple of words to express himself because the words he uses become the focus and not the actual message.

These players that got so upset with the words used probably have CD's in there cars with worse language on them they are not offended by.

These players that taped this coach better hope no one ever finds out who they are if they expect to play at the next level.

This is childs play compared to my days in HS and College and it didn't hurt my feelings or cause me to be damaged. That could be debated by some. lol

We need more people as passionate about what they do.

Imagine a Math teacher getting this pis sed with poor performance in his class room?

Maybe if more people were as demanding and as passionate it would be a better thing?

 

I didn't curse like this Coach. But if you didn't bring it around me I would rip your butt just as bad if not worse in private. If I was going to pour my heart and soul into it you were too or you were not going to be around me. And if you can't take a butt chewing by me I don't want you at the plate for me, in the field for me or anywhere around me.

 

We have a world of politically correct non passionate play it safe whimps acting like they are preparing and molding the youth of today for the real world. Don't hurt anyone's feelings. Don't be so demanding of them. Make everyone feel good. Tell everyone what they want to hear. I can tell you that my two boys are tough dude's. Why? Because I demanded they bring it in whatever they did. And if they didn't there were immediate and serious consequences.

 

Like I said the F bombs I can live without. The passion? I can't live without.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let's not rule out that it could be a parent who taped this (hiding behind dugout, etc) or even an assistant coach. 

Great post Coach May! You nailed it once again. My son has told me stories of his travel Coach blistering them every once in awhile like this. Never had a problem with it. Asked my son what he thought and he shrugged his shoulders, I guess we needed it was the reply. Please, I had a coach in High School who was a Korean War vet. Every once in awhile he would absolutely lose it. Never bothered us and we loved the guy.

 

This is nonsense and, quite frankly, a really tired narrative. I've essentially spent everyday of the last ten years of my life surrounded by high school and/or college athletes and can count on one hand the amount of times when a player had an issue with a coach's actions, or when I saw a coach act inappropriately to a player.

 

Kids are not "trained to be sensitive" nowadays. It's comments like this that propagate that opinion. Kids haven't changed at all.

 

The "it was better in my day" thing is obnoxious. I've been hearing it for years and it's ridiculous. The patronizing between generations is not only wrong, but disrespectful.

 

I'm sure I'll get some backlash for this post, and I couldn't care less.

 

EDIT: Thinking about it more…even if this were true (it's not), wouldn't this be a reflection of the generation parenting and not the actual kids? Just some food for thought.

 

 

JH your not going to get backlash from me because I have basically seen the same thing in todays players. I think what is being said is not so much the players but everyone else around them get so excited and really do not know how to react to situations like this. Why? I have no idea. But I think you will find the overreaction to a coaches tirade more with people(parents) who have never really played at more then a sandlot level.

JH ... I have a lot of respect for what you've accomplished to this point in your life. I don't doubt how mentally tough you are. I have no question how smart you are. But you have no idea how wrong you are about how the average kid is just as tough as past years. Kids are way too coddled now and pumped full of false self esteem. Life has become a participation trophy for too many. Then when they graduate from college they expect a participation job.

JH - I agree with some of your comments, however if you do not think kids are different /  changed between generations, I can't disagree more.  I am not sure how old you are, or if you have kids, however, from a person who is far removed from today's generation and has three kids, I can tell you kids are different today.  Every generation feels more entitled, and it seems each new generation more so.  Although we can debate that all day long, all one has to do is read the news daily to see that.  Kids litigating against their own parents for lack of opportunity, a  medical diagnosis for just about every character flaw (anyone hear "affluenza"?), and it makes one wonder what happened to personal responsibility.

 

Every generation is different, however I personally feel, it is ever increasingly difficult to raise "men", than the pre-entitlement / pre-political correct generation we are in today.

 

Then again, this may be similar to talking politics, and religion.

The kids have changed. IMO they are much more dedicated, harder working, and more passionate about the game than when I played. The gap between the athlete and the non athlete has grown wider IMO. But that's another issue. The parents and never have played individuals will see this as ridiculous by this coach. Players? The vast majority will only tell another story of a coach they used to have that rivals it. Or wish they have a coach that cared enough to rip them a new one.

Guys, I think JH has a point in what he is saying. I know my kids were not coddled and I doubt if yours were RJM or yours either Backfoot. But I think when he calls out the parenting in kids being coddled he has a legitimate point there. Kids are a product of upbringing and environment.

I agree, it makes a person tougher to be constantly patronized to and told you know nothing.

For the record - since it was oddly brought up in another thread - I am NOT OldSkool2. I don't know who that person is.

 

However, that's the point I was trying to get across. Telling me I'm mentally tough and different from the perception of my generation doesn't take away from the patronizing nature with which these types of conversations are approached. It's rude and obnoxious.

 

I don't say that my parent's generation is clueless because they struggle with technology, or they're largely responsible for the economic recession I've grown up in, or caused the job market to be at an all-time low in comparison to personal debt nationwide.

 

Quite frankly, I don't think it's appropriate to generalize a generation because of the actions of a few people you've come across. It's very ignorant.

 

JH - for fear that this thread will have the wheels come flying off, I will make this statement, and then bow out.

 

Yes, I think it is fair, and not ignorant to generalize generations for both their strengths. And weaknesses.  If it walks, and quacks like a duck, it's still a duck.

 

Cold war generation, stock market bubble burst generation, entitlement generation, etc., have all impacted the youth in that particular generation, some good, and some bad.  I do not think it to be ignorant, nor obnoxious to acknowledge that.

 

Acknowledging past events and environmental factors that impact upbringing is not the same as classifying each individual in a generation based on a mass perception of that generation (from, ironically, another generation). It might not be ignorant, but it's definitely lazy, incorrect, and short-sighted.

 

Cold war generation, not a value statement. Stock market bubble burst generation, not a value statement. Entitlement generation, a value statement. It's obnoxious and patronizing and just flat out wrong.

OK, I lied, you guys pulled me in again.

 

JH - If RJM or myself were lumping every individual into a generational classification then I'd agree its lazy.  Unfortunately, there are more than I'd like to see that fit the description, but certainly not all.  Seeing as you posed a question related to parents, I'll pose a question:  since your profession revolves around young men playing a sport at the highest level, is it remotely possible that the young men you are exposed to are the exception, not only at the sports level, however on many levels?

 

Skool - what criteria do you utilize to discern value from one generation comparison to another?  I suspect the criteria is highly subjective?

Back foot slider- Perhaps, but I'm also 24 years old and was born in 1990. I grew up a part of the generation being discussed, and thus have had a lot of experience with many people both participating in sports (at any level) and not participating in sports. Those that are entitled - and yes, they certainly exist - are the minority, in my experience.

 

The difference in kids or players in this generation and players of a past generation has nothing to do with the players of this generation being offended at the language this coach used.  I promise you none of them were.  The difference is some of the players know they have a sympathetic ear or ears at home that will make them a victim.

 

I cannot say my generation was more mentally tough than today's generation.  In many ways I think they are tougher or just as tough.  I still see many of this generation volunteering to defend our country and ensure my freedoms.  I will never lose sight of what they are fighting and dying for.  I have the great fortune and I am honored to be able to coach, instruct and workwith the "younger generation " and I never saw any of them as mentally weaker than my generation.  

 

This crap about the participation trophy is so overblown.  There is not a 11 year old baseball player that goes  0-4 in a youth tournament and wants a participation trophy.  They dont.  My daughter lost her championship soccer game and threw the second place trophy away. She is  a sophomore in hs.  

 

Parents of today give some of their kids an avenue to take to be a victim. and there are more of those parents today than in the past.  But I can't throw the entire generation in that bag.

I don't feel the need to discern value between generations. People are people, they have some faults they have some good qualities. Why do I need to divide them by arbitrary constructs?

JH - thanks for your reply, I understand where your frustration comes from, even if we are not in agreement on some points.  I am a little more than twice your age, and without patronizing you with this statement, will ask you in 25 years to revisit your stance.  I heard it from my parents, and they likely heard how spoiled they were compared to theirs as well.  Without question, each generation has opportunity, that was not available before,  In addition, each generation had either technological, or social circumstances that shaped their youth, some good, some bad.  To acknowledge that in general terms is appropriate in my opinion.   As it relates to the OP, in my opinion, leans towards generations past that would have less heartburn over it, than today's generation that would call child abuse.  Again, not all, but too many.

 

Good banter / debate....I suspect that is what this site is about!

 

100% agree that there is different opportunity for each generation. Also 100% agree that environmental factors influence everyone differently. I'm VERY different than all the people I've met from my parents' generation, in both good ways and bad ways. My point in this thread is that the mass generalization of external influences having a negative impact on the character (or, to use a scouting term, "makeup") of people of my generation is, in my opinion, ignorant. No doubt there are differences, but that's not always a bad thing.

 

Skool - if you don't feel the need to divide generations by arbitrary constructs, then why did you feel obligated to assign value to only 1/3 of the generations cited?  Each of those generations created very discernible qualities, good and bad....generally speaking.

Cold War and Stock Market are pronouns, entitlement is a noun. In this instance, the noun was used in a derogatory manner, therefore putting an intended subjective value on it.

 

What's the delineation line between generations?

BTW, did anyone listen to the entire 17 minutes? My favorite was when the coach yelled at all the kids that, "YOU REPRESENT ME!"

Skool - all three clearly describe generations, therefore you are incorrect, they all are nouns.  You read derogatory into the statement, however I have been very clear that all generations had flaws, and quality attributes.  You are incorrect.

Hahaha I don't know if it's because it reminds me so much of my receivers coach in college or not but after listing to it I'm all jacked up and ready to go kick some butt.

Can we invoke the stick rule here? Moderators?

I'm good with that. 

Well. After reading through all of these posts, I'll admit: I'm confused as to who believes what.

 

Oh well. I believe this was harmless, and the fact that men like this get tossed aside does not bode well for us all.

 

 

People have been bitching about "kids these days" for as long as there have been kids. "Kids these days" have been the worst kids ever for as long as there have been parents. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

 

Also, if today's kids are really the "entitled" generation, ask yourself who raised them to be that way.  Then ask yourself who raised the people that instilled those values in today's kids. The apple falls roughly as far from the tree now as it ever has.

F bombs are one thing.  But when he said F U to individual kids, I'm surprised they didn't pop his nose.  Those are fighting words. That wasn't appropriate.