End-of-Season Evaluation for Coaches

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: November 29, 2024

Jason Richards, Muleshoe, Colby Davis, Lewisville ISD, Greg Voyles Wink Coach

In this episode, Brian Gibson, Athletic Director at Wink High School interviews Jason Richards of Muleshoe, Colby Davis of Lewisville ISD, and Greg Voyles of Wink.

Briefing Doc: End-of-Season Evaluation for Coaches

Source: Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) Coaches Call Podcast

Participants:

Brian Gibson: Athletic Director (AD), Wink High School (Moderator)
Jason Richards: AD and Head Football Coach, Muleshoe High School
Colby Davis: Associate Athletic Director, Lewisville ISD
Greg Voyles: Defensive Coordinator, Wink High School

Main Themes:

Evaluations as a Growth Tool: The conversation emphasizes moving away from the perception of evaluations as punitive and towards seeing them as opportunities for development for both coaches and programs.
Building Relationships and Trust: Open communication, transparency, and fostering trust between ADs and coaches are crucial for effective evaluations and creating a culture of continuous improvement.
Beyond Wins and Losses: Evaluating coaches should go beyond mere win-loss records to encompass aspects like player development, program culture, community engagement, and contribution to the overall school environment.
Pre-Season Evaluations: The concept of pre-season evaluations setting expectations and goals, and identifying areas of needed support from the AD was highlighted as a valuable practice.

Key Ideas and Facts:

Importance of Self-Reflection: Coach Richards emphasizes the importance of self-assessment for coaches, stating, "I think it's real important to do those evaluations and talk about growth immediately once that season is over."
Addressing Defensiveness: Coach Davis advises coaches to view negative feedback as a chance for growth, noting that "It's the coach's response to that negative feedback [that] tells me a whole lot more about the character of that coach."
Proactive Feedback: Coach Voyles encourages coaches to actively seek feedback even if not explicitly offered, suggesting they "ask your AD or ask coaches, hey, how's everything going in your eyes?"
Culture of Openness: Coach Richards advocates for an open-door policy where coaches feel comfortable discussing their performance and seeking guidance. He emphasizes that "Coaching the coaches is harder than coaching the kids."
Addressing the "Win Now" Mentality: Coach Davis highlights the importance of focusing on intangibles beyond wins, stating, "I think the intangibles are the things that are so important... how these coaches are interacting with the community, how they are contributing to the overall campus culture.”
Key Evaluator Questions: Coach Voyles suggests asking open-ended questions like "What they think or how their program went this year" to encourage self-critique and facilitate a productive discussion.
Documentation and Pre-Season Evaluations: Coach Richards underscores the importance of documentation, particularly for addressing performance issues. He expresses interest in Coach Davis's pre-season evaluation model that sets clear expectations from the start.
Transparency and Trust: Coach Davis emphasizes the importance of transparency from the AD, stating "We need to foster trust and a culture of continuous improvement."
Identifying Leadership Potential: Coach Davis points out that evaluations can help identify future coaching or athletic administration leaders by revealing insights into a coach's strengths and areas for development.

Actionable Insights:

Implement pre-season evaluations to establish clear expectations and goals.
Encourage self-reflection and proactive feedback-seeking among coaches.
Foster a culture of open communication and trust between ADs and coaches.
Focus evaluation on holistic program development, including culture and player growth, not just wins and losses.
Utilize evaluations as a tool for identifying and nurturing future leaders within the athletic department.