New Director of Coaching???

[Dennis]

Has anyone heard anything about what USAB is doing about getting a new National Director of Coaching?

My suggestion is to have an administrator who helps the coaches, but stays out of the actual coaching. Then bring in outstanding coaches from across the country on a rotating basis. Have them stay in CS for weeks or months at a time. USAB can hire them for 3 months or 6 months. Have at least 2 there at all times. Then over the next few years they can learn who really can lead the US Team to glory. I know there are some risks, but so is there in commiting to one coach as we did several years ago. I would still like to see training camps for coaches too. Spread the wealth and the knowledge. I can learn from someone else and maybe they can learn something from me. Remember Hal and Mel before you two get started - I said MAYBE!!!

[boxmel]

Has anyone heard anything about what USAB is doing about getting a new National Director of Coaching?

USAB communicate? Let us know what's happening?

My suggestion is to have an administrator who helps the coaches, but stays out of the actual coaching.

I believe that our agreement with the USOC is for a full-time coaching director. An "administrator" would not be needed as, with 19 staff members, the director's needs could be taken care of with existing support personnel - as happened when Campbell was there.

Then bring in outstanding coaches from across the country

And would YOU want to be in the position of determining who those "outstanding" coaches are - fairly (what's the determining criteria) and without politics (impossible)?

Have them stay in CS for weeks or months at a time. USAB can hire them for 3 months or 6 months. Have at least 2 there at all times.

I wonder just how many "outstanding" coaches can actually take that kind of time off from their work or families. They would have to move to Colorado Springs and be paid enough to cover all expenses (housing, food, gas, movies - basic stuff people do).

Then over the next few years they can learn who really can lead the US Team to glory.

Who is "they?" And how would they determine who the best coach is?

I would still like to see training camps for coaches too.

Isn't that what the coaches portion of TTT is?

Spread the wealth and the knowledge. I can learn from someone else and maybe they can learn something from me. Remember Hal and Mel before you two get started - I said MAYBE!!!

Heh heh. No comment. However, you have obviously forgotten the humongeous egos involved. Coaches learn from each other? You are really a dreamer.

[Dennis]

Has anyone heard anything about what USAB is doing about getting a new National Director of Coaching?

USAB communicate? Let us know what's happening?

My suggestion is to have an administrator who helps the coaches, but stays out of the actual coaching.

I believe that our agreement with the USOC is for a full-time coaching director. An "administrator" would not be needed as, with 19 staff members, the director's needs could be taken care of with existing support personnel - as happened when Campbell was there.

Then bring in outstanding coaches from across the country

And would YOU want to be in the position of determining who those "outstanding" coaches are - fairly (what's the determining criteria) and without politics (impossible)?

Have them stay in CS for weeks or months at a time. USAB can hire them for 3 months or 6 months. Have at least 2 there at all times.

I wonder just how many "outstanding" coaches can actually take that kind of time off from their work or families. They would have to move to Colorado Springs and be paid enough to cover all expenses (housing, food, gas, movies - basic stuff people do).

Then over the next few years they can learn who really can lead the US Team to glory.

Who is "they?" And how would they determine who the best coach is?

I would still like to see training camps for coaches too.

Isn't that what the coaches portion of TTT is?

Spread the wealth and the knowledge. I can learn from someone else and maybe they can learn something from me. Remember Hal and Mel before you two get started - I said MAYBE!!!

Heh heh. No comment. However, you have obviously forgotten the humongeous egos involved. Coaches learn from each other? You are really a dreamer.

The "THEY" is whoever made the decision to hire Dan and will make the decision to hire the Director this time around. I haven't gone through TTT so I don't know, but I kind of doubt it. TTT teaches coaches, but I don't believe it is hands on with boxers. I could be wrong though. My thought is this would be sort of a supplement to a TTT clinic. Take what you learn there and apply it. Take coaches who have previously gone through TTT in years past and let them show what they have learned over the years. In other words, training camps shouldn't be just for the boxers. Coaches can also benefit from going to training camps and working with other coaches and elite boxers. I'm not talking about coaches who are just starting, but coaches who have been around for a number of years and have been to various national tournaments. I know that I have learned from working with other coaches at national tournaments. I try to take little bits of what they do well and use it in my own coaching. I'm sure I could learn even more by training boxers alongside other coaches. I know that life is about constantly learning and adapting. If you don't, it will pass you by.

Are you serious? They have 19 people in the office now? The registrations should be current and they should be able to send out lists to the LBC's of when coaches need to get recertified and other useful information. There should be more info about nutrition and training on their website. They should be doing a lot more with that many people.

[boxmel]

The "THEY" is whoever made the decision to hire Dan and will make the decision to hire the Director this time around.

Was the then Executive Director (Lamont Jones) and the BOD, with the approval of the USOC.

Coaches can also benefit from going to training camps and working with other coaches and elite boxers.

This happens already. And has been for many years.

Are you serious? They have 19 people in the office now?

Actually, 17 - as follows: CEO, Executive Assistant, Jr. Executive Assistant, Business Manager, Accounting Assistant, Events Coordinator, Resident Program Coordinator, Media/Public Relations Director, Digital and Publications Manager, Director of Membership Services, Membership Services Manager, Insurance Coordinator, Data Entry/Membership Services Assistant, Database Coordinator, Receptionist/Membership Services Assistant, Broadcast & Digital Media Manager, Marketing Manager. Open positions are Assistant Events Director and National Coach/Director of Coaching.

The registrations should be current and they should be able to send out lists to the LBC's of when coaches need to get recertified

This is not the job of the office and never has been. It is up to the individual to know when he or she needs to get recertified.

There should be more info about nutrition and training on their website.

Why don't you email Suzanne Grassel and suggest that? Maybe Tom Coulter, the Coach Director, could contribute to that effort.

[Dennis]

Mel - USAB does keep track of the coaches certifications. They put that info on the registration cards. If they already have the info in a database, how hard would it be to print out a list of coaches who need to be recertified within the next 6 months.

[boxmel]

Mel - USAB does keep track of the coaches certifications. They put that info on the registration cards. If they already have the info in a database, how hard would it be to print out a list of coaches who need to be recertified within the next 6 months

I know, as they do the official's. Their database isn't the most user friendly and they would have to sort by by registered member, by LBC, and by last certification date. Since coaches and officials are certified at different times during the year, they would have to print out the lists at least twice a year. And, again, why should USA Boxing be responsible for the certification of non-athletes? All they do is input the data IF and WHEN it's received from the clinicians - they don't keep track and, trust me, their database isn't up to date. If a non-athlete isn't smart enough to keep track of his/her certifications, he/she deserves to be uncertified. USAB is NOT in the job of babysitting its volunteers. Just my opinion, of course.

[squarering]

Can you say Al Mitchell ?

[Dennis]

I'm not sure he is our guy. He had all the boxers at NMU under his control and they weren't that successful once they were at NMU for a period of time.

[boxmel]

My understanding is that whoever applies for and is selected MUST have a college degree - this is why Al Mitchell didn't get it last time. So I don't think he'll be in the running this time. New person must be able to pull up stakes and move himself (and family, if not single) to Colorado Springs - must be Level 4 coach (I'm sure) and must have a college degree. Rather narrows down the field. :??

[JMac]

Lamont Jones hired Dan, not the BOD. The group that was put together to sift through the applicants (17) and then bring in the top ones to interview then gave Lamont a list of the top 3. Dan was not in the top 3. Go figure.

Hal is right, there is a push by some (Eric Parthans via Millman) to bring back Al. He would just switch places with Larry Nicholson who's wife wants to go back to Michighan. The coaches Task Force is putting together a list of requirements for the job. I hope Millman listens and takes their recommendation. The coach IMO needs to be an educator and a communicator and somebody who can work with the personal coaches and get everybody on the same page. The also need a history of taking boxers from novice to national champion.

[Dennis]

Lamont Jones hired Dan, not the BOD. The group that was put together to sift through the applicants (17) and then bring in the top ones to interview then gave Lamont a list of the top 3. Dan was not in the top 3. Go figure.

Hal is right, there is a push by some (Eric Parthans via Millman) to bring back Al. He would just switch places with Larry Nicholson who's wife wants to go back to Michighan. The coaches Task Force is putting together a list of requirements for the job. I hope Millman listens and takes their recommendation. The coach IMO needs to be an educator and a communicator and somebody who can work with the personal coaches and get everybody on the same page. The also need a history of taking boxers from novice to national champion.

I agree with JMac!

[boxmel]

Lamont Jones hired Dan, not the BOD.

I knew that.

Hal is right, there is a push by some (Eric Parthans via Millman) to bring back Al. He would just switch places with Larry Nicholson who's wife wants to go back to Michighan.

Larry's running the Residency Program. If Sarah wants to go back to Michigan, who would take Larry's place? Is a college degree now not necessary?

[Dennis]

Lamont Jones hired Dan, not the BOD.

I knew that.

Hal is right, there is a push by some (Eric Parthans via Millman) to bring back Al. He would just switch places with Larry Nicholson who's wife wants to go back to Michighan.

Larry's running the Residency Program. If Sarah wants to go back to Michigan, who would take Larry's place? Is a college degree now not necessary?

Somebody actually misses Marquette? WOW, amazing! D

[debc]

I don't know if Sarah misses Marquette, but she has family there! And the NMU program was a great program and Al Mitchell did a great job.

However, USAB announced they would not support the program anymore before the trials and that really put a damper on the guys in the program, also there was no money for them to go travel to tournaments such as the PAL or the eastern, western trials.

[Dennis]

Maybe the NMU team should have done what other gyms have to do and raise money or spend their own to go to the tournaments. Teams/Clubs that are used to getting everything paid for have difficulty when the funding dries up. NMU is not the only one that is for sure.

[JMac]

Hal is right, there is a push by some (Eric Parthans via Millman) to bring back Al. He would just switch places with Larry Nicholson who's wife wants to go back to Michighan.

Larry's running the Residency Program. If Sarah wants to go back to Michigan, who would take Larry's place? Is a college degree now not necessary?

I think what might try to be done is for Larry and Al to switch places. If Larry wants to leave, they should open the job and whoever gets it needs to go through the application process. Same thing for Al's job if he leaves.
I don't know if a college degree is needed for Larry's job at the OTC. It should be and the same thing for the national coach job.

[boxmel]

I

think what might try to be done is for Larry and Al to switch places.

Okay - but that's for the residency program - NOT the Coaching Director.

I don't know if a college degree is needed for Larry's job at the OTC.

I heard it was and he got/has his - finally!

[Dennis]

A college degree is required for what reason? Do they want the coach to have knowledge in boxing or Art History? If they say a Psychology degree is necessary to deal with all the egos in the sport that might make sense. If they the coach needs an Anatomy/Physiology degree, OK. Sports science, OK. But just a degree? I'm not sure how a degree in certain fields would really help. I have a J.D., but does that help get boxers ready for international competitions? Not really, unless I need to help get them out of a legal situation. I hope they consider coaches who might not have a college degree, but are still excellent boxing coaches.

[boxmel]

A college degree is required for what reason?

Because most corporations require a college degree when placing a person in a supervisory/directorship position. It could be in Underwater Basket Weaving - it doesn't matter.

[Dennis]

I understand it for a management position like the CEO of USAB, but not for the head coach. I would much rather have a coach who has a track record of taking kids off the streets and turning them into national champions than a person with the basket weaving degree and no track record. I get it for a program like NMU's (USOEC) where you have boxers going to college on scholarship. However, they hired Al who didn't have a degree. Here we are talking about boxers who are trying to make the Olympics and won't necessarily be in college. If our focus is to give the boxers the best chance at international success, then don't potentially eliminate some great coaches just because they might not have a college degree.

[JMac]

JMac wrote:
Quote:
think what might try to be done is for Larry and Al to switch places.
Mel wrote:
Okay - but that's for the residency program - NOT the Coaching Director.

It might be a back door way to try and get Al back into the National Coach/Olympic coach job.
I hope that is not what is done but Milman may try to make it happen.

[boxmel]

It might be a back door way to try and get Al back into the National Coach/Olympic coach job. I hope that is not what is done but Milman may try to make it happen.

Thanks, Jim. Sounds like the SOS at USAB. We'll just have to wait and see.

[Dennis]

Same old _ _ _ _! Wow, those are harsh words Mel. I don't know that Al is our guy, but at least he has a better track record than Dan did. Let's broaden the search a little USAB. No rash decisions that you'll regret later. Coaching does make a huge difference so we have to get it right this time. If we do, it could revitalize USA amateur boxing so that we can get back to winning medals.

[squarering]

I attended the Naval Academy on several occasions, built two of the buildings on Salisbury University's campus and had a few relatives that have gone on to higher learning, does any of that count. I even took a course in Psych 101 and passed gaining so much knowledge about Froidian's theory that everything is based on sex as in a gun is masculine and bread box is feminine, ect ect. I figured I had everything I needed to make it in life at that piont and opted to decline any more knowledge that might conflict with that theory. I * know * I
* am* not * a * smart * man,* but * I *do * know * what * love* is * Jenny.
I never studied quantum physics or anatomy but I do know that when a well place right hand lands squarely on the chin, theres very little coherent firing of brain waves taking place in within the traumatized portion of the cerebral cortex.
How to connect and communicate with the kids that go from the streets to the nationals can not be condensed into a 3 credit course you can take in college. You got to live it with these kids.

[boxmel]

How to connect and communicate with the kids that go from the streets to the nationals can not be condensed into a 3 credit course you can take in college. You got to live it with these kids.

Ummm - are you talking about the new exercise director? Or the fact that the new coaching director might have to have a college degree? Many of our coaches do.

I loved all your big words - is that a result of your cigar smoking?