So, coaches are getting some bad press in a couple of other threads, so I thought it might be interesting to talk about who has really impressed us as a coach (masters or open) and what it was about that coach that was so good. Ok, I'll go first.
A fellow named Archie Mckinnon was my first coach in age group, when I was 7-9yrs old & was flat out the best communicator I have ever seen. He let us know why we were doing what we were doing, what we were going to do & consulted us frequently as to what we wanted to get from our swimming (us individually, not the parents). Sounds out of a modern textbook, right? This was 1959-62 I've never had a coach since who came close to him, which had a great deal to do with me leaving swimming when I was fourteen.
Parents
Former Member
Originally posted by gull80
Favorites--Rob Orr and Pete Orscheidt (a tie). Both were great motivators and really cared about all of the swimmers on the team. Rob is still coaching (Princeton); don't know about Pete.
Least favorite--Pete Payne (football coach turned swim coach at Memorial High School in Houston back in the 70s (he was actually the head coach for the entire Spring Branch school district--six schools, boys and girls).
Rob Orr's son is my swim coach now for a summer team at our local swim club where we live outside of Princeton. He is an awesome coach...and when i saw his father's name, i laughed. Tonight one of the kids at the 2nd practice mentioned how his father coached, and asked if he learned from his Dad. lol and now seeing this. So, i guess it runs in the family. But, back to his son. haha He knows how to work one on one when you need help. I was watching him when we were practicing, (ive been going to 2 practices a day) but if you need help, he'll bend over backwards to try to help you learn something, and get it done right!! I'll tell you right now i wont ever forget him, because this year i think ive gotten my backstroke the best its ever been. Even though he makes fun of me and how i reach my arms all the way back in a bent position. lol oh well. I'll have to write him a thank you note since I am moving and thank him for all the help with swimming, etc. etc.
sooo yeah. haaa! what a small world
Reply
Former Member
Originally posted by gull80
Favorites--Rob Orr and Pete Orscheidt (a tie). Both were great motivators and really cared about all of the swimmers on the team. Rob is still coaching (Princeton); don't know about Pete.
Least favorite--Pete Payne (football coach turned swim coach at Memorial High School in Houston back in the 70s (he was actually the head coach for the entire Spring Branch school district--six schools, boys and girls).
Rob Orr's son is my swim coach now for a summer team at our local swim club where we live outside of Princeton. He is an awesome coach...and when i saw his father's name, i laughed. Tonight one of the kids at the 2nd practice mentioned how his father coached, and asked if he learned from his Dad. lol and now seeing this. So, i guess it runs in the family. But, back to his son. haha He knows how to work one on one when you need help. I was watching him when we were practicing, (ive been going to 2 practices a day) but if you need help, he'll bend over backwards to try to help you learn something, and get it done right!! I'll tell you right now i wont ever forget him, because this year i think ive gotten my backstroke the best its ever been. Even though he makes fun of me and how i reach my arms all the way back in a bent position. lol oh well. I'll have to write him a thank you note since I am moving and thank him for all the help with swimming, etc. etc.
sooo yeah. haaa! what a small world
