Change is inevitable, especially in the world of sports. When a coach is fired, it can be a tumultuous time for athletes, filled with uncertainty and anxiety. However, it’s crucial to approach this transition with resilience and a positive mindset.
After my season ended during sophomore year (college), I found out that my entire coaching staff was being laid off. Even though we had a really challenging season, I was surprised and had so many questions. Who would the next coach be? Where would my former coaches go? Will I still retain my scholarship? Will the new coaching staff find value in my playing and leadership style? The questions kept spinning in my head like a record. If you’ve never experienced this before, it can be unsettling. Here are 15 things for college or professional athletes to consider if your coach is fired:
15 Things to Consider When Your Coach is Fired
Stay Calm and Collected: In moments of upheaval, emotions can run high. Take a deep breath and try to remain composed. Clear thinking will help you navigate the situation more effectively.
Acknowledge Your Feelings: It’s okay to feel upset, frustrated, or even angry about the situation. Allow yourself to experience these emotions, but don’t let them consume you. Find healthy outlets to express and process your feelings.
Focus on What You Can Control: While you may not have control over the coaching change, you do have control over how you respond to it. Redirect your energy towards aspects of your performance and mindset that you can influence.
Maintain Open Communication: Seek clarity from athletic department officials or team leaders about the reasons behind the coaching change and what to expect moving forward. Transparent communication can alleviate uncertainties and help you understand what direction they’re hoping to take with your program.
Stay Committed to Your Goals: Regardless of who is leading the team, your personal and team goals remain unchanged. Stay focused on what you want to achieve and continue to work hard towards those objectives.
Embrace the Opportunity for Growth: Change often brings opportunities for personal and team growth. This could mean a change in your position, your role, your scholarship, or the salary on your team. Use this transition as a chance to learn, adapt, and improve both on and off the field.
Support Your Teammates: Your teammates are going through the same transition, so lean on each other for support. Strengthen your bonds as a team and work together to overcome any challenges that arise.
Remain Flexible and Adaptable: A new coach may bring different strategies, expectations, and coaching styles. Be open-minded and adaptable to change, embracing new ways of doing things for the betterment of the team.
Stay Positive: A positive attitude can be contagious and uplifting, even during challenging times. Approach the coaching change with optimism and a belief that good things are on the horizon.
Seek Guidance if Needed: If you’re struggling to cope with the coaching change, don’t hesitate to seek support from trusted friends, family members, teammates, or mental health professionals. It’s okay to ask for help when you need it.
Remain Professional: Regardless of your personal feelings towards the coaching change, maintain professionalism in your words and actions, especially when you’re on campus or sharing any words online. Represent yourself, your team, and your institution with integrity and respect.
Stay Committed to Your Team: Loyalty to your team transcends coaching changes and can have ripple affects for years to come. Stay committed to your teammates, the program, and the institution, giving your best effort both on and off the field.
Focus on the Present Moment: Dwelling on the past or worrying about the future can detract from your performance. Stay focused on the present moment, taking each day and each practice one step at a time.
Be Patient: Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a successful team. It’s been years since I graduated from college, and I’m now starting to see many positive changes happening with my team. Give the new coach time to implement their vision and strategies, and trust the process as the team evolves and grows. Keep in mind that these changes might take a while to happen, extending past your playing days with the program.
Believe in Yourself and Your Team: Above all, maintain belief in yourself and your teammates. Change may be unsettling, but with determination, resilience, and unity, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve greatness together.
While coaching changes can be challenging, it also presents opportunities for growth, unity, and success. By staying focused, you can navigate this transition with grace and emerge stronger on the other side. After coming to terms with the change of coaching staff on my team, I realized that this was just a preview of what I might experience in life. Jobs come and go, managers change, and companies shift priorities on the regular. Remember, it’s not the challenges we face that define us, but how we respond to them that truly matters.