[Elwayfan]

Actually no, I am a college athlete that has been exposed to coaches at the highest level (Division 1 and professional). So I think I may know just a little bit about what I am talking about.

I think I am correct in what I say, but our interpretation of a "conflicting personalities" is different.

I am well aware of the whole public personality . The whole shaking hands, kissing baby's faces, and around here who's rear end. But I was referring to conflicting with the players. You are correct in saying you have to have the players. If a player doesn't want to play for the coach, they won't win. But a coach also has to have a firm hand on his program. You can't go around trying to please everyone. I feel like there is always going to be conflict. A kid is going to think that his coaches are stupid for calling this defense, or calling this play, or letting one kid play more then the other. To me that's conflict. But that's not something the coach has to worry about. He has to have kids that buy into his system and believe everything he is doing. And I'm sorry, but if a kid doesn't buy into what I'm selling then I don't want him around.

The comment you make about Bob Knight is a good example of what is wrong with this area as a whole. Kids grow up being babied and they go off to college where they are treated like men and not 12 years olds and they pack up their things and go home. I feel like coaches and most educators in this area are doing our young people injustices. They are not preparing students and student-athletes for REAL LIFE. Isn't that why people go into this profession? To mold and develop young people for success in life? Why does it have to start in college? Why can't it start in this high school? And I think i know what you mean by disrespecting someones child, and I know you can't dog cuss someone and demean. But some people have the perception that their child should play ever second, and if not that is disrespect.

Everything you say about off the field, or off the court is correct. You must be a model citizen and you must be a large part of the community if you want to be successful. I'm merely talking about behind the scenes.
I come from a long line of coaches, my grandfather coaches in highschool and college for over 30 years, and my dad the same. And I am exposed and have been exposed to professionals every single day. So I feel like I may have a pretty good grasp on what I'm talking about.

I was the one who said "non-conflicting personality." A better choice of words may have been "positive personality." What I mean is that a coach has to make his players and community feel that he is with them and not against them. If a player messes up on or off the field, of course the coach should correct, teach, and discipline if necassary. the players should feel that a coach is there for them at all times through whatever. A coach that has a negative attitude or personality can probably get kids to do whatever they ask, but with a positive or non-conflicting personality most of your kids will do the right thing without the coach having to tell them because they won't want to let the coach down. Mike Krzyzewski comes to mind when talking about qualifications as a coach!