WHATSAMATTA U or BUST

Well as I right this a title has not come to me,but give me time. I have been involved with education for 24 years and track just as long.It baffles me as to how some people are allowed to coach when they do absolutely NOTHING for the young people they work with.One of the reasons John Wooden was a success was that he got to know his athletes as people first, Dr Edward Temple had 3 simple demands for his TigerBelles...........now here is what I know about the vast majority of HS,and age-group coaches in my sport:

1) They are all mashuggah( Yiddish look it up)

2) Most of them can spell sprint mechanics and dynamics and they sure as hezmanna don't know what they are

3) Not everybody who was a great athlete in HS/College,will be a great coach....unless of course your coach was someone like Norris Stevenson or Houston Chandler(my icons/role models)

4) Why are you asking them about what college to go to? They only know the ones in your backyard,and do not understand the admissions process at all.

5) They do give a damn about someone with talent.Why......so they can say ride that kids success to a better job(and ya know I is right....think about it). So why would you trust ANYTHING they tell you.


My rant is triggered by a former athlete who went to a school,that I knew would not be a good fit academically and athletically because his mashuggah coach( there's that word again) told him that's where somebody of his talent should be. What this schmuck( more Yiddish...gotta stop watching Mel Brooks movies) didn't tell the kids' parents' is Mr Wonderful gets a kickback from the college coach for every kid he sends to Whatsamatta U( Hey Rocky ,watch me pull a rabbit out my hat). Now this kid is in limbo,because half his credits wont transfer, he may lose a year of eligibility and he owes WU some money............don't think I wont say I told you so( those that know me may chime in now). Here is what I am saying- If you are lucky to have a coach that knows you kid as a person first and is genuinely concerned about their welfare, I wont ever try to disappoint them or you.