[pirateforlife]

I have seen several coaches this year coaching varsity basketball games in what I would call not dressing for the job. I've seen coaches wearing sweatpants, jogging pants, jeans, T-Shirts, hoodies, etc. Maybe I am just old school but I think this is inappropriate attire for a high school coach. I'm not saying they need to wear a shirt, tie, and jacket on the sideline but at some of what I've seen just really gets under my skin. This is not just one of two schools it has been several schools. What does everyone feel is an appropriate attire for a coaching staff to wear for games? I can remember several years ago nearly every high school games I watched both coaching staff were suits on the sidelines.

[Big Don]

Bob Huggins set the tone!

[TribeTime]

Khakis, polo or quarter zip, and cool shoes.

[15thRegionFan1515]

Doesn’t matter.

[Spud6]

I think coaches should go suit and tie for district games or regional tournament. Other than that, be comfy. Look at Mark Pope for UK. Only wears suit and tie at Rupp

[Cactus Jack]

I have seen several coaches this year coaching varsity basketball games in what I would call not dressing for the job. I've seen coaches wearing sweatpants, jogging pants, jeans, T-Shirts, hoodies, etc. Maybe I am just old school but I think this is inappropriate attire for a high school coach. I'm not saying they need to wear a shirt, tie, and jacket on the sideline but at some of what I've seen just really gets under my skin. This is not just one of two schools it has been several schools. What does everyone feel is an appropriate attire for a coaching staff to wear for games? I can remember several years ago nearly every high school games I watched both coaching staff were suits on the sidelines.

I take it that you want to relate this question only to regular season or tournament games? So AAU, summer games, or scrimmages, are outside the scope of your question, correct?

[pirateforlife]

I have seen several coaches this year coaching varsity basketball games in what I would call not dressing for the job. I've seen coaches wearing sweatpants, jogging pants, jeans, T-Shirts, hoodies, etc. Maybe I am just old school but I think this is inappropriate attire for a high school coach. I'm not saying they need to wear a shirt, tie, and jacket on the sideline but at some of what I've seen just really gets under my skin. This is not just one of two schools it has been several schools. What does everyone feel is an appropriate attire for a coaching staff to wear for games? I can remember several years ago nearly every high school games I watched both coaching staff were suits on the sidelines.

I take it that you want to relate this question only to regular season or tournament games? So AAU, summer games, or scrimmages, are outside the scope of your question, correct?

Yes high school varsity basketball games. Regular or postseason game

[zaga_fan]

I'd prefer a coach win in a track suit than lose in a three-piece suit.

[KyGymRat]

Times have changed drastically at all levels. 
NBA pullovers fitted sweats for whole staff
Even Uk on road is same besides the head coach who usually wears a version of sweat khakis 
High school everywhere around normally have gone to the same thing because they all buy from same people 
I think as long as your wearing school logos 
On pants and shirts 
Pullovers sweatshirts sweatpants are fine
Cause tbh 

Most schools go through a rep and the clothing is free anyway or comped 
So it saves coaches who already are not making a ton of money a lot of money 

Pope wears suits in Rupp
Cause it’s Rupp 
And it’s kinda easy
When his suits are comped as well
And he makes millions on top of that

[TopSportsFan23]

Most of time in past coaches wear what they wore to school that day. Which is why you saw khakis etc 
Now days with the free gear most get when ordering things they buy logo sweats and tops which is perfectly fine

No one makes the money college coaches do and on top for that most of the college coaches don’t pay for those suits lol 

NBA the richest highest most focal tv driven league in world wears pullovers and sweats with logos usually 

Times have changed 
And tbh it’s prolly for the better 
Much as high school coaches deal with daily
With parents admin etc
Last thing they need to deal with is worrying about what they wear 
When they are trying to win and work for nothing

[Bluegrassbredbobcat]

Who cares if you wear a suit
And lose in first round 
Or wear a t shirt and win the region 

It’s about players and support 
Not attire

[Old School Hound]

I've always appreciated seeing a coach decked out in a jacket and tie.  Wanna be a Hall of Famer? Dress like a Hall of Famer.

[Image: https://www.courier-journal.com/gcdn/pre..._crisp.jpg]


[Image: https://media.newyorker.com/photos/59097...lipari.jpg]

[TheTruth!]

I'd prefer a coach win in a track suit than lose in a three-piece suit.

Yep! Don’t matter what u wearing as long you winning. I’m fine with them wearing polos and khakis. Love how Mark Pope dresses.

[Ky1976]

I hear you! There's something about a coach in a suit and sports coat that just screams "game time." It's like they're ready to call plays and close business deals all in one go. Plus, looking sharp on the sidelines can set the tone for the team's professionalism and focus. So, let's bring back the suits and sports coats—because winning looks even better when you're dressed for success! ??✨

[Granny Bear]

I never thought about this. I have always enjoyed seeing Haddix in his cargo shorts on the sidelines, even in the snow.

[-STAT-]

I've always appreciated seeing a coach decked out in a jacket and tie.  Wanna be a Hall of Famer? Dress like a Hall of Famer.

[Image: https://www.courier-journal.com/gcdn/pre..._crisp.jpg]


[Image: https://media.newyorker.com/photos/59097...lipari.jpg]

Man oh man, Hicks wearing that red blazer at the State Tournament was a march tradition. 

Little off topic from the attire thread, but Scott Co made the tournament every year it seems, so it was always tradition to see that red blazer and Hicks complain about every single call, even the ones he got! Really rubbed people the wrong way (also all the Toyota recruitment) but I heard a ton of stories about how great of a person he was, that he was always willing to help, guide or assist a young up & coming coach. A true legend in KY HS Basketball. It's funny that we would always complain about seeing him on the sidelines at Rupp every single year, but now I'd love to see him one more time, in that red blazer.

[-STAT-]

I guess just like the game they coach, everything changes & evolves. I am used to the old school way of wearing a suit & tie. Of course, it all changed whenever the COVID season started. I agree that some coaches have seemed to get lazy, wearing sweats or jogging pants, I've seen some hs coaches wearing jeans as previously mentioned.

I am now a fan of the qtr. zips, khakis & loafers, even tho I do like the Nike dunks most coaches wear now a days too. As long as the qtr zip has a team logo on it, and the Nike shoes if worn are team colorway. That's also another thing I hate now a days, and this one is more directed toward players, what is up with the different color shoes? Like your team colors are blue & white, and you'll see players out there with green, red, pink, yellow shoes, I just don't understand it. Used to, players had team shoes with the same colorway, that's just the way it was, didn't matter if you had your own special pair with different colors, you worn what you got as part of the team. I honestly think that irks me more than coach's attire.

Hell, since I'm still on my soapbox, while we're at it, ANOTHER thing that kills me, is players having their shirt tails untucked all game long, and only a few refs now a days will enforce it and make them tuck the jersey in. Are the refs/coaches just that scared of the players that they won't make them tuck their jerseys in? Are they thinking the players might complain to mommy & daddy that they don't want them tucked in? With how it is nowadays, that wouldn't surprise me one bit.

Ok, I am off my soapbox now.

[Old School Hound]

I've always appreciated seeing a coach decked out in a jacket and tie.  Wanna be a Hall of Famer? Dress like a Hall of Famer.

[Image: https://www.courier-journal.com/gcdn/pre..._crisp.jpg]


[Image: https://media.newyorker.com/photos/59097...lipari.jpg]

Man oh man, Hicks wearing that red blazer at the State Tournament was a march tradition. 

Little off topic from the attire thread, but Scott Co made the tournament every year it seems, so it was always tradition to see that red blazer and Hicks complain about every single call, even the ones he got! Really rubbed people the wrong way (also all the Toyota recruitment) but I heard a ton of stories about how great of a person he was, that he was always willing to help, guide or assist a young up & coming coach. A true legend in KY HS Basketball. It's funny that we would always complain about seeing him on the sidelines at Rupp every single year, but now I'd love to see him one more time, in that red blazer.

Billy was a gem. We got to see him on the sidelines at Corbin for several years back in the '90's. Little Tyler was just a toddler back then with his little plastic baseball bat. Such precious times. I miss Billy. He was so nice. I  remember him going nose to nose(literally) with Bill Swafford at midcourt at KCHS. That was fun. They don't make 'em like Billy anymore.  Ask Tony Pietrowski what he thought of Billy. He loved the guy.

1,013-276  speaks for itself .

[Granny Bear]

Billy Hicks was the nicest, most genuine man there ever was. So is his wife, Betsy. I LOVED to watch him on the side lines!!! Never was and never will be a more animated coach!!!

[4 Quarters]

I have seen several coaches this year coaching varsity basketball games in what I would call not dressing for the job. I've seen coaches wearing sweatpants, jogging pants, jeans, T-Shirts, hoodies, etc. Maybe I am just old school but I think this is inappropriate attire for a high school coach. I'm not saying they need to wear a shirt, tie, and jacket on the sideline but at some of what I've seen just really gets under my skin. This is not just one of two schools it has been several schools. What does everyone feel is an appropriate attire for a coaching staff to wear for games? I can remember several years ago nearly every high school games I watched both coaching staff were suits on the sidelines.

I'm 100% with you, clean up the dress code some.

[Fanman]

Times have changed and evolved, in all sports. Baseball coaches used to wear the same uniform the players did, not the case anymore. I think football, particularly the NFL, was the first to start the trend when coaches started being required to wear team apparel as walking advertisements for gear, also as a way to stay warmer.

As far as high school, I personally don't mind the dress down approach. However I do like it when the coaching staff has matching gear. I think that comes off professional and looks like you at least give a crap.

[BCF4L]

I've always appreciated seeing a coach decked out in a jacket and tie.  Wanna be a Hall of Famer? Dress like a Hall of Famer.

[Image: https://www.courier-journal.com/gcdn/pre..._crisp.jpg]


[Image: https://media.newyorker.com/photos/59097...lipari.jpg]

Man oh man, Hicks wearing that red blazer at the State Tournament was a march tradition. 

Little off topic from the attire thread, but Scott Co made the tournament every year it seems, so it was always tradition to see that red blazer and Hicks complain about every single call, even the ones he got! Really rubbed people the wrong way (also all the Toyota recruitment) but I heard a ton of stories about how great of a person he was, that he was always willing to help, guide or assist a young up & coming coach. A true legend in KY HS Basketball. It's funny that we would always complain about seeing him on the sidelines at Rupp every single year, but now I'd love to see him one more time, in that red blazer.

When I played basketball in Georgetown in middle school, he’d stop in practices and invite us to the Toyota Classic he hosted every year. He was great in the community and really helpful to youth looking to make it to the next level.

[Old School Hound]

Billy Hicks was the nicest, most genuine man there ever was.  So is his wife, Betsy.  I LOVED to watch him on the side lines!!!  Never was and never will be a more animated coach!!!

One of the nicest , most congenial guys I ever had the pleasure of meeting. Always smiling,  with that country charm about him. He loved eastern Kentucky. More importantly, he loved helping kids. There will never be anyone quite like Billy Hicks. Corbin loved him and he loved Corbin. When he faced off against Tony P. and Corbin in the Sweet 16, I remember him saying he didn't really like going up against his formers players and schools that he loved so dearly. Billy Hicks was a class human being.

[Granny Bear]

Yes he was!! I out fished him one time, and I NEVER let him live it down.

[Old School Hound]

As I mentioned previously, I really enjoy and appreciate seeing coaches dressed in coat and tie. I think it exudes confidence, class, professionalism, and expectations of a winning culture. I think it matters. Not that a coach who dresses down can't be hugely successful but a coach who is dressed like he is at a business seminar just creates the look of success, and I think it rubs off on the kids. 

I feel compelled today to list another coach who always impressed me with how he presented himself on the sidelines with the coat and tie. Today, we are broken-hearted but you were a class human being and you will forever be a legend, sir.

[Image: https://www.courier-journal.com/gcdn/pre...5A1421.jpg]

[Hi Risk Warrior]

Honestly, I couldn't tell you what any coach wears during a game, I pay no attention to them,
only the players and the game going on. The only thing that might get my attention is if
they were out there in their "Birthday Suit", running up and down the sideline......that might
grab my attention! =)

[Ky1976]

I believe the way players/coaches present themselves is important both on and off the court. Coming to the game in nice clothes sets the tone for professionalism and shows respect for the game, their teammates, and the fans. It’s not just about looking good—it’s about feeling confident and ready to perform. Dressing well before a game can help establish a mindset of focus and discipline, and it’s something that reflects the team's commitment to excellence. It’s a small detail that can make a big impact, contributing to the overall atmosphere of preparation and respect for the competition.

[4 Quarters]

I believe the way players/coaches present themselves is important both on and off the court. Coming to the game in nice clothes sets the tone for professionalism and shows respect for the game, their teammates, and the fans. It’s not just about looking good—it’s about feeling confident and ready to perform. Dressing well before a game can help establish a mindset of focus and discipline, and it’s something that reflects the team's commitment to excellence. It’s a small detail that can make a big impact, contributing to the overall atmosphere of preparation and respect for the competition.

I'm with you 100%, have a little class.