The Magic That Happens when the Principal Becomes Coach

Click here to see how iSport360 is helping coaches and parents share objective feedback on their players. 

Jeff Gorman has become an overnight celebrity on a magical field of dreams.  Last week he was known as the Deputy Superintendent for Mt. Vernon School District, but this week he is known as the man who coached his 14-year old son and his teammates from Freehold, NJ to the Little League National Championship game. It puts a smile on your face a mile wide and I was lucky enough to hear the story first-hand from the beaming coach since Jeff is a dear friend and former teammate.
As someone who has made it my career to study youth sports and coaching, I needed to know Jeff’s formula for success.  “Of course a great team starts with talent on the field and a coaching staff that has a deep understanding of the game” Jeff began the conversation. But then, he tied it all back to his days as a middle school teacher and Principal.   “A lot of what I do is teaching:  We have sessions where the team talks and reflects, we set goals, we track progress, we talk about our experiences.  This builds confidence and camaraderie.”  Jeff added.
(DISCLAIMER:  Worth noting that Jeff has become one of iSport360’s biggest supporters since he works and coaches at the intersection of Education and Youth Sports)
Then I asked Jeff the loaded question about the dynamics between coaches and parents on his team.  He replied that a coach can either make parents “part of the process” or “part of the problem”…he prefers the former.  “When coaches, parents and players are setting realistic goals together, making decisions based on objective data and talking openly about their player’s development, magic happens.”

“When coaches, parents and players are setting realistic goals together, making decisions based on objective data and talking openly about their player’s development, magic happens.”

Click here to read the full story about Jeff Gorman and the NJ State Champion Freehold All Stars.
Enjoy the Game and please try iSport360 so coaches and team parents can work together and share objective player feedback. www.isport360.com