My team just got a new coach about four months ago. Now personally, I don't have any major problems with this coach. He gives a pretty good workout, he is quite knowledgeable about stroke techniques, and he is trying to build some team unity. Admittedly, we have had some issues with him about showing up for workouts a few minutes late and relying too much on the pool lifeguards to provide us with a workout when he sometimes doesn't show (a much bigger problem for the newer/less experienced swimmers).
The big conflict seems to be from the beginning/intermediate swimmers and the triathletes (I'm also a triathlete, but I have a pretty strong swimming background). Now, this may seem quite trivial, and even a little bit petty to those of us who swam in college and have an intense competitive drive and thrive on the thrill of a good swim, but many of our intermediate/beginners are complaining that they are not getting recognition for their efforts. Thinking back to my early age group days, I can remember when a coach simply saying "good job" to me meant everything. It's what kept me coming back for more painful workouts the next week. Now swimming Masters, I really don't care if a coach singles me out for accomplishing something. I'm happy with an occasional Top Ten or winning a medal at Nationals. But we are now losing a lot of swimmers because they feel they are working for nothing. They don't see why they should swim Masters vs. just lap swim.
What's brought this to a head is that this morning, after workout, my wife sent me a text expressing how disgusted she was with our coach. She didn't go into specifics, but she ended with the statement "I'm done!". I didn't see what brought this on, but I did notice that halfway through workout, she was just swimming laps by herself. Back and forth, no stopping. I glanced at our coach, and he gave me a confused look, saying "so-and-so just wants to swim". While I'm not trying to make excuses for anyone, coach is a pretty young guy, with most of our members being 20-30 years older than him, and I think he might be a bit nervous expressing himself to some of us.
So heck, now I'm stuck in the middle. What do I do? Do I try to talk to the coach? Do I stay out of it? Help!
Begging your pardon, Aquageek, but this is not, as you describe, and "ambush". The coach has been approached before about the attendance/tardy issues, and he was the one that suggested the meeting to iron out the differences.
Also, I fail to see how raising issues about tardiness and absenteeism is "unprofessional" and "childish", especially when it concerns someone who is being paid to render a service. Did I miss something?
Finally, go back and read my OP. I'm not here to complain, but to ask for suggestions.
If you wanted suggestions, don't complain when you get them. If you want suggestions but have decided to mob ambush and fire him, why post on this forum?
Since you aren't open to suggestions and have your plan made, here is what I would do as a Masters swimmer. I would meet with him privately and express my concerns off the deck. I would meet with his supervisor and him and express my concerns off the deck. That's what adults do.
Here is what I would expect as a Masters coach. I would expect my supervisor to put me on a performance plan if the gossipy allegations are true. If I violate my private and confidential performance plan, I would expect to be relieved of my duties as a coach in a professional manner.
I do not understand why members are involved in hiring/firing decisions at this club nor why club business is being aired on an internet forum. It's not like it's a big mystery which club you are speaking about.
Begging your pardon, Aquageek, but this is not, as you describe, and "ambush". The coach has been approached before about the attendance/tardy issues, and he was the one that suggested the meeting to iron out the differences.
Also, I fail to see how raising issues about tardiness and absenteeism is "unprofessional" and "childish", especially when it concerns someone who is being paid to render a service. Did I miss something?
Finally, go back and read my OP. I'm not here to complain, but to ask for suggestions.
If you wanted suggestions, don't complain when you get them. If you want suggestions but have decided to mob ambush and fire him, why post on this forum?
Since you aren't open to suggestions and have your plan made, here is what I would do as a Masters swimmer. I would meet with him privately and express my concerns off the deck. I would meet with his supervisor and him and express my concerns off the deck. That's what adults do.
Here is what I would expect as a Masters coach. I would expect my supervisor to put me on a performance plan if the gossipy allegations are true. If I violate my private and confidential performance plan, I would expect to be relieved of my duties as a coach in a professional manner.
I do not understand why members are involved in hiring/firing decisions at this club nor why club business is being aired on an internet forum. It's not like it's a big mystery which club you are speaking about.
