I promised to have more interviews and here are some that I just recieved.

The first coach is from the varsity baseball coach. He is also a math teacher at the high school.

1. Why I became a coach...
Athletics was a big part of my life as a high school and college student.  On the field, floor, or diamond I always enjoyed myself.  The ability to put myself into competitive situations was something I thrived on.  I found myself always anticipating practice.  I could not wait for the school day to be over so I could go to practice. 
 
Once I was done as a player, it happens to all of us, I wanted to continue to be involved in athletics and the avenue that was open was coaching.  It is a great opportunity to be able to pass along the knowledge, techniques, history, and passion of the game.  The ability to watch players improve their skill level and learn to deal with success and failure in positive and constructive manners is a great experience.
 
2.  What does success mean to me?
For some success is measured in wins and losses.  This will always be part of measuring success.  For me, success is measured in the amount of improvement, enthusiasm, and effort that my teams bring to practice and games.  Watching a team become competitive in everything that they do during the course of a season and developing a cohesive drive to work together at a level they did not ordinarily possess.  When the team becomes more important to the athletes that their own individual needs, then I have achieved success.
 
3.  How do I motivate players?
This depends on the individual player.  You must know your players as individuals.  Some need to be driven, others gently helped along.  They must know at all times you have their best interest in mind.  When they do, they will develop a level of trust in you and will respond with their best effort.  Tell them what you want them to do and why.  Let them set goals and assist them in meeting them.  Make sure that they understand your expectations and help them when they fall short.
 
4.  Where does winning take place?
Winning takes place on the classroom, hallways, practice field, and game field.  I expect my players to improve in every aspect of their lives.  If they are lazy and taking shortcuts in any of these areas they will fail in the biggest games they play.  It is in the attention to the smallest detail that creates winning in the game.

5.  What is your main focus--offense or defense? Why?     The focus must be on all aspects of the game.  I try to balance the amount of practice time so that all of this is covered during practice.  If you are weak in one phase you must spend more time in practice on this aspect, but cannot ignore any aspect.  It is always more important to be better defensively that it is offensively.  If they can't score then they can't win.

6. What type of player are you looking for, for your team?   Speed first. Atheletism second.  Skill level third.  These must be coupled with a great work ethic and a dedication to practice.  We want a competitive level that will allow our athletes to deal with adversity in a positive manner.  We also want them to be able to work well within the group.  We will by pass one, two, and three if the athlete does not possess an attitude that would lead to the success of the group.

7. What is your proudest moment as a coach?  When past players come up to me introduce me to their families and let their families know, in my presence, that one of the greatest experiences they have had in their live was playing for me.  It now happens frequently.  This means that I have just been around a long time.

8.  Do you have any advice for new or aspiring coaches?  Roll up your sleeve and go to work with your players.  Let them know that they are important to you as people.  Be willing to start at the bottom and work your way up.  It does not make any difference the level of competition.  Always be prepared to out work you opponents.

---I wish I could have played with this coach. He is all about his players. There was a year when his program was not winning, but I never heard a negative comment about him as a coach from his players.

The second coach is the JV football coach, JV basketball coach and varsity softball coach.

1) Why did you become a coach?

I always enjoy playing athletics whether if was for a team or out in the backyard with a group of friends. However, I have learned and I am constantly learning that coaching is much different than playing. It is more physiological than X’s and O’s. If you are a good coach it is more emotional too.

2) What does success mean to you?

That the athletes play to the best of their abilities and feel good about their performance. It matters very little if the team wins or loses.

3) How do you motivate your players?

By being routine and preaching “do as we do” so they feel confident about making regular everyday plays. That is why we do our EDD’s. Remember a confident athlete is a competitive athlete.

4) Where does winning take place in your program?

I would say 4th or 5th behind 1. Family and relationship 2. having fun (means practicing and playing better each day) 3. getting good grades 4. being a good person and 5. winning

5) What is your main focus--offense or defense? Why? Defense because that is something every player has some control over how they play.  I also believe that Defense really does will Championships. Remember you struggle some at the plate, during our championship run, but never on defense, and you and your sister made the play that kept Mt. Home from scoring 2 runs. Those are the plays that win championships with every thing else being equal. That’s why we “do as we do” with inny/outty  at the end of every practice.

6) What type of player are you looking for, for your team?

Athleticism, work ethic, and character; with that being said, as a coach some athletes need to work on their character, others their athleticism, while other their work ethic. That’s why coaching isn’t only about X’s and O’s, high school coaches have to work with in the boundaries’ of their school district also. This means that you have a very small area in which to pull your athletes.

7) What is your proudest moment as a coach?

When I got a technical foul once playing Fruitland so one of their players with down syndrome could shoot free-throws. My mom was special education teacher. Blame it on her. It was an awesome thing to be apart of. My team was also the district champions that year. It’s about the kids, not the prize at the end.

8) Do you have any advice for new or aspiring coaches?

Make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. I like to believe that the most successful coaches are those who “do what they do” because they really enjoy the time they spend with their student athletes and want them to achieve success that is beyond trophies and metals and things. 

---I was able to have this coach for four years. Therefore in question 5 he is talking about how I played in our final state game. He is all about his players and raising their self-esteem.

The third coach is an assistant coach for varsity volleyball, sophomore basketball and helps coach the track team. She played volleyball, basketball, and did track for all four years of college.

1) Why did you become a coach?
I love participating in sports! Being an athlete has helped me gain so much knowledge and life experience through high school and college. I really love working with people and making a difference for kids- they deserve to have a good experience! ;)

2) What does success mean to you?-
Program success means that people want to be involved and athletes are willing to push to get to the next level. Winning, improvement, and satisfaction with performance are success.

3) How do you motivate your players?
Set and achieve goals (short and long-term), balance praise with correction and discipline.....and LOTS OF YELLING!!! (just kidding...)

5) What is your main focus--offense or defense? Why?
My basketball team this year had no skills, so we had to take a defensive focus to limit points scored. But in the end, the team who scores the most points wins, so at any level, offensive fundamentals and development of team chemistry on offense are crucial to success.

6) What type of player are you looking for, for your team?
Coachable and hard working!!! I believe anyone can learn the game and experience success if they have those two attributes. Of course, I would prefer someone with an IQ for their sport and possess athletic abilities and skills....

7) What is your proudest moment as a coach? 
This year at the end of the district championship game in volleyball, I looked out on the court and saw a team who had come back from a pressure situation and came together after each point of the comeback keeping each other calm and focused on the next play. These girls had the confidence to stay poised and make the play count and to make their own adjustments on the floor to put themselves in the best possible situation. The moment they won the game point was probably the proudest I have ever been of a group of young ladies. Kuna had never won a district championship in volleyball- and that game was absolutely unforgettable.

8) Do you have any advice for new or aspiring coaches?
Treat your players well. Believe in them and convince them that they are able to achieve greatness. Coaching is not a power-trip. It's a priviledge. Treat your fellow coaches well and surround yourself with good people- it will only make your program better. Set high, clear expectations- think through it long and hard before you begin your season. If you ever become a head coach, be willing to be involved with the younger programs below you. Let them know who you are, and that you CARE! If you become an assistant, watch and learn- take the bad in with the good- and you decide what you believe! Be supportive, do what is asked of you, and if you find yourself disagreeing, be discerning as to whether or not you need to take action- choose your words carefully. If you find yourself having to compromise your standards, make a stand for what is right. Communicate in person as much as possible. Above all, never lose sight of the bigger picture. Remember why you are there. Make sure your reasons are the right reasons. You are their mother. Treat them like your daughers. :)

---I had some difficulty my senior year with a coach and this coach is the one that got me through it. She does stand for what she believes. I also love her point of coaching is a priviledge.

I do have a few more interviews coming and will post them soon :)