Parents Changing Coaches?!?!

First, it is tough whenever family is involved.  I was fortunate to get to pick my staff BUT they had to be approved by the school board.  Naturally, the AD and Principal were also involved and approved my request.  Once I had my staff set, I'd be darn if parents told me what to do with my staff.  Where does their intrusion stop?  Will they be suggesting starting players and batting orders?  I would have no part of it.  Find yourself another coach. 

There is so little information in the LA times article, it's not worth getting worked up about "crazy, intrusive, helicopter parents".  I believe a journalism professor would fail that article if submitted by one of his/her students.

it is a private school, I am going to guess the parents that had some influence also are donors, probably multi generational legacy family or families and quite honestly are more important to the school organization then a baseball coach. Certainly wouldn't make it right but it has happened many times before and certainly fits the MO.

old_school posted:

it is a private school, I am going to guess the parents that had some influence also are donors, probably multi generational legacy family or families and quite honestly are more important to the school organization then a baseball coach. Certainly wouldn't make it right but it has happened many times before and certainly fits the MO.

Could be, could be a thousand things.  Could be intrusive parents.  My point is it's a very shallow article without much information.  It's like the local TV news showing a house on fire, then moving on to the puppy of the week adoption.  No real substance.

Go44dad posted:

There is so little information in the LA times article, it's not worth getting worked up about "crazy, intrusive, helicopter parents".  I believe a journalism professor would fail that article if submitted by one of his/her students.

Fair enough. There is slightly more -- but only slightly -- info in the story published yesterday afternoon in the local paper: www.vcstar.com/sports/penprase...fadec-365838551.html

But it also is from the head coach's perspective.  That said, absent some misconduct, parents suggesting changes to the coaching staff seems crazy to me.

Parents. It's not surprising, but troubling. It's also a testament to the lack of spine of the administration that they entertained the idea from these parents. 

I think their Equestrian coach is safe.  $30k annual tuition - might explain why parents have some pull.

The article does not say WHY parents asked for the coach's father's ouster.

If it was over things like playing time, strategy, etc., then the parents were in the wrong and the administration was likewise in the wrong.

If it was over abuse or other serious misconduct, then I would be OK with it.  Where abuse is involved, parental intervention is not only permissible, it is to be encouraged.

That doesn't mean you get to take routine disagreements, label them "abuse" and skirt the standards.  It's up to the administration to listen and check things out and then judge what's really what.

I don't think everyone understands how things work at small private schools, it is something I am pretty familiar with. most kids don't pay sticker price, some do. the truth is most of these schools receive repeated large donations by wealthy families who care very deeply about it for whatever reason. there are times it is a scheduled yearly donation, other times it is being the guy who the school can call and ask for help...and get it - over and over.

some of these schools get gifts of 6 figures at times - if it is a project or need that is dear to a person or family unit I have seen 7 figures donated. it often ends up with a name on a building...there is little chance that a baseball coach or any other sport coach or an AD could stand up to the pressure to make a move. The executive board of the school wouldn't allow the risk to the bigger picture of the organization.

Again, not saying it is right but I have watched it happen.

Our high school used to have a reputation for parents lynching coaches. Then a new AD arrived. He was more interested in winning than pleasing parents. It drove parents crazy to be blown off.

Nearby is a formerly nationally ranked private. The top players had a hissy fit on the bus. It became very confrontation. A very qualified coach was gone the next week. Two of the players had dads on the board. They were very well off and very influential. The coach started the confrontation with a comment. But the players fought back. My son got live play by play texts from the back of the bus from a travel teammate.

Other influential parents ultimately got involved about paying 25k per year and their K-12 kids getting bumped from the field in high school by recruited athletes on scholarship. The program went from a national power to struggling against the Little Sisters of Mercy. 

I don't know the first thing about what has happened here, but I'm mad as hell!