Modern_Day_Coaching_in_the_World_of_Women's_Basketball

Modern Day Coaching in the World of Women’s Basketball When thinking of the greatest women’s basketball coaches of this time, names such as Geno Auriemma and Pat Summit come to mind. They have both greatly influenced the game by winning over 5 National Championships each at the college level. But how does a young coach get started in this business' Many coaches get their first job from their former coaches. “It’s important to make connections while you’re still in school because you never know who could be a future employer,” said Tanya Richards, assistant women’s basketball coach at Mansfield Timberview High School. She was hired by the coach at her old high school rival school for her first coaching job. It’s also important to have experience. Playing in high school is key, but playing at or beyond the college level is a giant plus when being considered for a coaching job. Grayson County College head coach Elena Lovato also looks for passion and compatibility with players when she’s looking for an assistant coach. “At this level, [college] I have to be able to count on my assistant to be dependable on and off the court as well as having experience being a college graduate themselves, so that the girls can relate to them.” Some young players, such as Kasey Poovey enter college aspiring to be coaches. “It seems like a really cool job and I would love to inspire young people” But the field is getting more and more competitive because college athletes who have trouble getting a job elsewhere use coaching as a fallback. Richards played for three years overseas in India after she graduated from The University of Texas in Arlington, making her a prime candidate for a high school coaching job. “I had no intention of being a basketball coach after college,” Richards states, “but I chose to major in psychology, and then couldn’t find a job, so it was a really good thing I had a minor in education.” Poovey on the other hand is majoring in physical education and kinesiology, as well as playing on the basketball team. “I know it’s getting competitive out there, so I want to be as prepared as possible, and I know my major will put me ahead when it comes down to looking for a job.” said Poovey. And she’s right. Lovato said that if she were deciding between Poovey and Richards for a job, she would choose Poovey. “She knows that she wants this and so I can tell that she has the kind of drive that I’m looking for in an assistant coach.” Another thing about the coaching industry is that it is an ever changing network. Coaches change schools frequently as well as the level that they are coaching on. Candi Harvey for instance has coached at every level of women’s basketball, ranging from high school to the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). “Each level is a different experience and you just have to find the one you are most comfortable with.” For her that would be at Mansfield Timberview High School, where she currently resides as head coach. “I love the high school level because the kids are so impressionable and eager to learn. I’ve gotten offers to return to college coaching, but I feel like this is my calling.” Unlike Harvey, other coaches enjoy switching jobs often. “This is my third coaching job, and I only plan on spending about two years here.” Lovato said, “It’s so exciting to travel and work with so many different people.” And she is not alone. College basketball coaching staffs change on the regular. This is mostly because coaches like to travel around like Lovato. A women’s basketball coach on average changes positions every two years. “I don’t really know what level I want to be on yet, I just can’t wait to get started.” said Poovey. Though the job is rewarding, the long hours and amount of travel make it hard to have a family. Richards has an eight year old daughter and says she spends a lot of time searching for babysitters. She does not want to go to a higher level or move around too much because it would be hard on her daughter, Bailey. But the more prestigious coaches simply don’t have families. Harvey is fifty-one years old and has never been married or had any children. “I’m married to the game and consider my players as my children” she says with a chuckle. And there are many coaches like her. Most college head coaches are unmarried with no children because their jobs are so demanding. Poovey doesn’t seem too concerned about living a lonely life. “I just want to get a good start and then maybe a husband and children will come later.” There is one last factor in getting a job in women’s basketball coaching: gender. “It is turning into a war out there” says Lovato. “There are women that say I should hire them over a man because “we’ve got to stick together”, and then there are men that try to accuse me of being sexist if I do choose a woman over them. It’s crazy!” One thing is for sure, people are taking women’s basketball more seriously every year, meaning coaching is going to get more competitive. But Poovey seems ready to face this challenge head on. “I know it is going to be tough but I feel like I’m going to be prepared. So bring it on!” Works Cited Harvey, Candi, personal interview, September 17, 2010 Lovato, Elena, personal interview, September 24, 2010 Poovey, Kasey, personal interview, September21, 2010 Richards, Tanya, personal interview, September 17, 2010