Wisdom from Track Twitter: Advice for New High School Track and Field Coaches

As a long-time advocate for the track and field community, I recently asked high school track and field coaches on Twitter, “What is the best piece of advice you could give to somebody just starting their coaching career?”

The responses were insightful, inspiring, and a testament to the collaborative spirit of our coaching community. Here are some highlights from the many great pieces of advice shared by experienced coaches like yourself (PS: the original tweet has been bookmarked by a lot of people, maybe you should too!)

Find a Mentor

One of the most repeated pieces of advice was the importance of finding a mentor. Shawn Siemers (@Siemers_XC_TF) suggested, “Watch one successful coach and observe his/her team. Notice what they do, then introduce yourself to the coach and let him/her know you’re new, respect what they do and ask if you can ask them a few questions.” Matthew Davis (@EACoachDavis) echoed this sentiment, advising new coaches to “find a good mentor or someone with experience you can learn from.” Similarly, Coach Kelby Benware (@CoachBenware) advised, “Talk with other experienced coaches college, high school, private coaches. Keep learning, there is more than one way to skin a cat.”

Focus on Basics and Fundamentals

The emphasis on mastering the basics was another recurring theme. As Matthew Davis (@EACoachDavis) put it, “Each year you get older but they are always the same age. Remember that each year you gotta do the basics over and over.” The importance of repetition and fundamentals cannot be overstated in building a strong foundation for athletes.

Celebrate Growth and PRs

Sean Duff (@bluehenduff) emphasized the value of tracking progress and celebrating growth: “Track your data and show and celebrate growth. Not all your athletes will be state champions, but when everyone on the team goes wild for new PRs, it builds a culture of success from top to bottom.”

Build Relationships

Coach Charles Tiller (@CoachTiller) highlighted the importance of relationships: “It’s not about the workouts, it’s about the relationship with the athlete.” Niko Karavolos (@CoachKaravolos) added, “Identify your ‘why’ and learn how to build relationships with your athletes. The Xs and Os can be learned year to year but if you don’t have good relationships then nothing you do will work.” Chester Hightower, Jr., HOF (@CoachHightower2) simply stated, “Be open to learning new things!”

Encourage and Empower Assistants

Surrounding oneself with great assistants and empowering them was another crucial piece of advice. JimiB (@jimi357) kept it straightforward: “Hire good assistants.” Jesse Zentz (@JesseZentz) expanded on this by suggesting, “Surround yourself with great assistants and empower them.” Coach Johnson (@CoachJohnson17) also recommended, “Write down your workouts, let your assistants coach and trust them, you can’t coach everything.”

Emphasize Adaptability and Continuous Learning

Mironda (@EducatorMNS) stressed the importance of continuous learning and networking: “Attend as many clinics as possible and make connections with the veteran coaches.” Similarly, Coach K. (@beni_nbg) advised, “Always be open to learning. Build a relationship and don’t let track be the end all be all.” Nicki Fischer (@_NickiFischer) added, “Immerse yourself in learning, don’t subscribe to one single method or follow one single coach/program. Be open to new things but also fully commit to what you are doing.”

Be Yourself and Stay Humble

Coach Rudy (@CoachRudy123) offered wise counsel on authenticity and humility: “Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Trust yourself but always be willing to listen. When in doubt, ask your athletes' opinion.” Trey Meadows (@TreyMeadows_) echoed this by saying, “Take input and be a learner, but also, BE YOURSELF! We don’t need carbon copies even if your mentor was the GOAT.”

Celebrate Every Achievement

Celebrating all achievements, big or small, was a consistent theme. Robbie Scharold (@RobBobUK5) shared, “Celebrate every athlete. We go over who ran a PR at the last meet in the next practice regardless of how fast or slow it is. That helps those who don’t properly cheer on those who do.” Steven Montoya (@steven_montoya) added, “Celebrate whatever it is you want to see more of. Kids will catch on and do more of that thing.”

Love the Process

Coach Dalt (@CoachDalt) encapsulated the spirit of coaching by saying, “Have a philosophy that a kid can easily know after they walk away 4 years later. Mine is 1. Love the process, not the outcome and things will work out. 2. It doesn’t cost a dime to be nice to someone who may need it. Typically following those 2 things brings success!”

Maintain a Positive Culture

Several coaches emphasized the importance of culture in coaching. timm (@TimMcC158) noted, “Spend as much time on how you build culture as you do building your training plan. Great performances without a positive team culture don’t build upon each other, but great team cultures make good athletes great.” Mayde Creek Track and Field (@MaydeCreekTF) also advised, “Listen, ask questions, always be a student of the sport.”

Practical Tips and Miscellaneous Advice

Some coaches offered practical tips and unique advice. Coach Annen (@MrAnnen1) recommended, “Be a sponge and listen! Be flexible. Learn from other coaches your entire career!” David Pedigo (@Davidrpedigo) suggested, “Discount everything for beginners, from hurdle height and distance to throw implement weight let them feel the correct movement with less.” Finally, Coach Kelby Benware (@CoachBenware) emphasized the importance of keeping daily notes and finding the best technique for each athlete.

The collective wisdom shared by these experienced coaches serves as a valuable guide for anyone starting their journey in high school track and field coaching. The emphasis on mentorship, fundamentals, relationship-building, adaptability, and celebrating growth and achievements highlights the holistic approach required to be successful in this role. As you embark on this journey, remember these pieces of advice and let them guide you in shaping the next generation of athletes.