Navigating Mid Season Coaching Changes

Navigating Mid-Season Coaching Changes
Adam H. Naylor
www.bu.edu/aec
AASP Conference 2009

To My “Boss” In the Middle of the Season
Assumption:
I’m on my way out with him.
Reality:
Stay around…

A Season to Remember
Canadian Hockey League (CHL) – major junior team
16-20 year olds
Pros in training
Professional schedule and small stipends
Over half of each team will “graduate” to pro hockey
Record: 22-46 (made the playoffs)
2 years off of a division championship victory
At least 2 prominent draft picks every recent team

My Role with the Team
Sport psychology educator
Contracted for 1 workshop a month for duration of season
Leadership educator for team captains
Sounding board for players and coaches

The Mid-Season Change
Coach A
Coach B
“Young”
American
Intimidating
High expectations
Character
Passionate
Believes in sport psychology
Record: 14-32
“Experienced”
Maritime Canadian
Welcoming
High expectations
Character
Passionate
Believes in sport psychology
Record: 8-14

An Unusual Challenge
A Business in Chaos
The sport psych guy is an afterthought
Breakdown of communication systems
The Best Laid Plans… Need Re-Planning
Norms are no longer norms
Basic Tenets of Psych Practice Challenged
Transition
Care for the client (athlete)
Closure/termination

Defining “Successful” Navigation
Professionalism, ethics, and respect of the business of sport
Appropriate concern for “primary clients”
Continuation or closure as possible
Maintenance of quality educational initiatives
* It is nice to keep your job, but accomplishing this feat does not necessarily mean “successful” navigation

Considerations for Navigating a Coaching Change
Self-Management and Monitoring
Professionalism
Re-Rapport Building

Personal FactorsSelf-Management and Monitoring
Ego/Pride
No one likes the potential of losing one’s job
Dedication
Liking to finish the job you started
Loyalty
To previous coach, to players, to team
How do you remain objective and professional
Impatience
With a mental/emotional development plan in place… will you see it to fruition?

Our “Humanness” Can Get In Our Way During Such Stressful SituationsCheck Your Internal Compass Regularly

Professional FactorsProfessionalism
Maintaining Contact
Proceed cautiously – gatekeeper is coaching staff, do not contact players directly unless they have contacted you first
A Stiff Upper Lip
Do not add to coaches and athletes ill wills
“I’m not here to talk about the past…”
Be Flexible
To new norms and new expectations
Strive for educational objectives while being flexible how information will be delivered

Situational/Leadership FactorsRe-Relationship Building
Group Process – Storming
Trust and interest of new coach must be established
Listen
Be team and player focused
New coach is the boss… treat as such
Nothing is certain
Workshop, game time, and practice protocol may/will be changed
Be open minded
The change was “business not personal”

Concluding Thoughts
Be professional and be patient
Righteousness is rarely either
System is in transition, smooth sailing takes time
Remain client-centered remembering that you are part of a dynamic system
Help manage the emotions of players and coaches
Guide towards future focus
Be prepared for new ways of working with and relating to team

Thank You
Adam H. Naylor, Ed.D., AASP-CC
www.bu.edu/aec