Son's soccer coach quit

[Rock'n Robin]

DS is in kindergarten soccer. I am in also the commissioner of that division.
Tonight at practice the asst. coach told us that the coach had quit and he would be coaching, although his schedule only allows him to be at 50% of the games, and another dad will be helping out. I was never informed of this in any way until the rest of the parents found out.
Seems coach's son doesn't want to play anymore. He is special needs in some way, I don't know what--he is very white, almost pale and wears sunglasses in almost any light, so he may be albino. He is already 6 and never really focused on the field or off. I can understand that if he doesn't want to play he shouldn't have to, but if a coach commits shouldn't he stay the whole season? There are only 3 weeks left! I put DS on his team (since I make the rosters, ha ha) since I knew he was the jr. high principal and figured he was reliable.
I have to EMail the head of the association now and see if I have to do anything about this from my commissioner standpoint. But now I'll also have to find another head coach for spring.
Robin M.

 

[stacy6552]

Gee Robin, that's crummy. Ive been in your position and of course you put in all the time to ensure a fun experience for your child, at the very least, and the other kids. But you cant force volunteers.

If his child does have albinism, then the outside exposure may be too much for him, or his vision may be off and hes getting too fustrated. Noone will have fun with a perpetually fustrated 6 year old or a dad who's got issue because his son can't play.....

Put the word out and see if there's a non-parent volunteer who can step in. Call the local HS and see if theres a player who'd like the experience.

Good luck!

 

[debster812]

Ugh Robin, That just stinks!

DS is playing 6YO (1st Grade) soccer this year. They are only a touch more focused than the K kids. He has had the same coach 2 years, and this guy is GREAT. Knows little to nothing about soccer, but went to a bunch of coaching workshops, and really does a great job with the kids.

I'm so sorry this happened to you guys. And with only 3 weeks left, just crummy

 

[CamColt]

Ugh! Good luck!
We had a similar situation. DH didnt now much about soccer so when DS started in the Youth Soccer program he volunteered to be an assistant coach, NOT a head coach. Well, the head coach didnt show up to many practices and missed a bunch of games too. He was very busy. So the start of this season he told DH because of work he couldnt make any practices, but he would try for the games. In 5 games he and his daughter have showed up for 2 1/2(they showed up after halftime last week). If this guy would step down as "coach", DH could become coach and get another parent to assist, but since he hasnt, DH is pretty much on his own.

 

[TammiMcMan]

How disappointing. Regardless of his son's ability to play, IMO he did owe you the courtesy of a phone call before up and abandoning these youngsters. I realize that we are all volunteers, but there is an indication of committment when you take a position.

In our league, we only offer a boys and girls clinic for the kindergarten players. They meet once a week for one hour to learn skills and play some 3 v 3 games. This seems to be all the attention span they can muster. It also makes it a bit easier to find volunteers, having to only commit to one day a week. Sounds like in your situation, you'll have to go with what you have for the remainder of the season though. As commissioner of that age group, you might even have to step in and help that assistant coach to finish up the 3 weeks. I would get the word out to the parents right now that you are looking for someone to take over in the spring. Sometimes it's so hard to get volunteers, but when they hear that there is a chance the team may not be formed in the spring, that's usually when someone does step forward. I would contact your local high school also to set up something for the spring. Our high school requires so many hours of community service for seniors to graduate and volunteering at this level would serve both purposes.

Good luck with the remainder of your season.

 

[Piglet]

Well, I have been in a similar position as your former head coach with a special needs child and I agree that he should have called and let you know, but in his defense, he may be having some difficulties (medically) with his child and it got to be too much for him. Simple things can get really scary and overwhelming when your childs life is very fragile. But if he called and explained it to you (which is what I would have done), I am sure you and the parents would have understood.

Melinda