Opinions vary on basketball coach traits
By Bill Tamburrino
Opinions varied from wanting a coach who encourages multi-sport athletes to one who encourages year-round single-sport play when Ramona High School’s principal and athletic director discussed and asked for comments about the hiring process and search for a new boys varsity basketball coach at the school.
David Reichner, the school’s boys varsity basketball coach for the past three years, resigned at the end of the 2014 season.
Principal Chris King told the 21 people at the April 2 meeting that, while he prefers hiring a teacher-coach, he has an open mind.
“There is nothing like having a coach that is a teacher at the school,” said King. “A teacher-coach can inspire the student/athletes academically, athletically and can help build interest in the program among the students on campus. Good teachers are good coaches and good coaches are good teachers. I am biased but I will keep an open mind.”
Approximately 20 candidates from all over the United States and Costa Rica have expressed interest in the opening, said Damon Baldwin, athletic director.
Notices of the job opening are on the CIF website and MaxPreps. “We don’t have a particular time table for hiring,” said King. “Right now we are marketing the job but not posting it. May is our target date, but that is not in stone ... We want to go slow and do this right and not rush. This is an important hire. It is a great job. We have great community support, a good fan base, and we have several returning starters and good players.”
A committee will be formed when the time comes to hire a new coach, he said. “We will involve teachers, administrators, players and members of the community.”
King asked for comments from those at the meeting, specifically for traits, attributes and characteristics that they want in the next coach.
The comments and concerns varied. King and Baldwin explained that a school Ramona’s size must “share athletes” whenever possible but single sport athletes do exist. That is fine as long as that is the student’s choice and not as a result of pressure from a coach.
One person was concerned that other schools were practicing and planning summer tournaments and leagues. Ramona has an open gym on Wednesday nights, when teacher-coach Dan Marshall offers instruction and playing time for Ramona High athletes.
When one parent asked if the parents could run the off-season program, Baldwin explained the rules and laws regarding high school coaches.
“They must be first aid and CPR certified, must have passed a course on concussions, undergo a criminal background check and FBI fingerprint check, pass a coaching course, and go through the interview process,” he said
Gym time was also a concern. The wrestling team will not be practicing in the gym next season, because declining enrollment is making portable classrooms available.
Other traits that those present wanted were: a good communicator, experience (preferably college) and the ability to discipline fairly. One individual said that Facebook was not as good a way of communicating as emails.