Coaching- A Perspective

When I was sitting at the US Track and Cross Country Coaches Association hall fame dinner two weeks ago, listening to the acceptance speeches from the living inductees and the representatives of those who were deceased. It struck me again how all encompassing and consuming coaching is. Then the recent attention that Urban Meyer has received made me think even more. I have said for years that coaching is not something you do, it is something you are. It has to be the essence of who you are or you are going through the motions. Listening to those hall of fame coaches and watching the Urban Meyer interview the other day made me realize again what it takes. It is not easy to put in words. Coaching is very special, I think you have to have a passion that burns inside of you. I know it is hard on families and relationships, so it takes a very understanding support structure. I know I have been blessed with a wife and family that has not only tolerated but also embraced my passion for coaching. I realize how lucky I have been.

I think that is what Urban Meyer was trying to convey in his press conference about going out to practice Sunday morning. There is something special about seeing the athletes you work grow athletically and more importantly as people. Believe me it is special to a get a phone call from an old White Sox player asking advice on how to lose weight or what to do in a career decision. You then realize what it is all about. That is what makes coaching special. I don’t think sport writers and other outsiders can get it. You have to experience it. It can fry you and it can invigorate you – somehow, someway you have to find a balance, most of us are not very good at achieving that balance. I know I am still trying for that balance as I start my 41st year of coaching.
Discuss entry

• Bio
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Latest Posts

Vern Gambetta

Director at Gambetta Sports Training Systems

Vern is the Director of Gambetta Sports Training Systems. He has been the a conditioning coach for several MLS teams as well as the conditioning consultant to the US Men's World Cup Soccer team. Vern is the former Director of Conditioning for the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets. He has lectured and conducted clinics in Canada, Japan, Australia and Europe and has authored six books and over one hundred articles related to coaching and sport performance in a variety of sports. He has a BA in teaching with a coaching minor and an MA in Education with an emphasis in physical education from Stanford University.

@coachgambetta

Athletic Development Coach, Educator & Consultant. Founder of GAIN Network. Proud dad. Love to read everything.

RT @DieenJaap: Now available on-line: our review on running styles, proposing a simple model for classification, which we hope will inspire… - 11 hours ago

Vern Gambetta

Latest posts by Vern Gambetta (see all)

• If You Think You Have It Figured Out - February 19, 2021
• Muscles Firing – Where is the Switch? - February 18, 2021
• Volume - February 8, 2021
• Set-up Concept - February 1, 2021
• Some Life Lessons - January 19, 2021