Stephanie Dillard, Matt Nally

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: November 22, 2024

Stephanie Dillard, Matt Nally

In this episode, Jamie Boswell, Athletic Director at Andrews High School interviews Stephanie Dillard and Matt Nally

The Coaches Call Podcast: Navigating the Modern Parent Landscape

Source: The Coaches Call podcast - a coaches' roundtable podcast featuring Jamie Boswell, Athletic Director at Andrews High School, Stephanie Dillard, Head Volleyball Coach at Palestine ISD, and Matt Nally, Head Football Coach at Melissa High School.

I. Introductions

Each coach provides their background and current role in their respective schools, offering context for their experiences and insights.

II. Fostering Positive Parental Involvement

Coach Dillard emphasizes the importance of parent meetings, team-building activities, and recognizing parents' desired level of involvement to create a collaborative and positive environment.
Coach Nally highlights the key role of "Team Moms" in organizing events, community service projects, and acting as a communication bridge between parents and the coaching staff.

III. Addressing Entitlement and the Desire for Instant Gratification

The coaches acknowledge the prevalence of entitlement among parents and discuss strategies for managing expectations, emphasizing open communication, transparency, and a focus on the growth and development of all student-athletes, not just individual playing time.

IV. Managing Upset Parents

Coach Nally advocates active listening, allowing parents to express their concerns, and focusing on concrete steps for improvement rather than dwelling on playing time. He also discusses the importance of protocol, involving the student-athlete in conversations, and utilizing a 48-hour cooling-off period before parent meetings.
Coach Dillard promotes transparency, equity, and the "chain of communication," empowering student-athletes to advocate for themselves. She highlights the importance of building strong relationships with parents and athletes before conflicts arise and utilizes the "second person rule" to ensure clear communication and understanding.

V. Meeting Etiquette and Boundaries

The coaches debate the use of 24-hour versus 48-hour rules for scheduling parent meetings and the effectiveness of offering water to de-escalate tense situations.
They strongly advise against meeting with parents without the student-athlete present, except in cases involving sensitive issues like mental health concerns or potential harm.
Coach Nally shares his experiences with disruptive parents and the need for administrative support and established protocols to maintain order.

VI. Real-Life Challenges and Resolutions

The coaches share anecdotes of challenging interactions with parents, emphasizing the importance of staying calm, involving administrators when necessary, and learning from each experience.
The detrimental impact of social media on coaches' mental health is discussed, with coaches advising colleagues to prioritize self-care and minimize engagement on platforms prone to negativity.

VII. Escalating Concerns to Administration

The coaches emphasize the importance of administrative support and outline a clear escalation process for unresolved parental concerns, involving the athletic director and ultimately the superintendent.
They highlight the need for coaches to remain confident in their decisions, prioritize the well-being of all students, and utilize administrators as resources and sounding boards.

VIII. Advice for Young Coaches

Coach Dillard encourages young coaches to seek out mentors, engage in professional development, establish clear boundaries with parents and athletes, and utilize the "second person rule" for crucial conversations.
Coach Nally stresses the importance of self-care, maintaining professional distance with parents, and finding a trusted mentor to provide guidance and support. He reiterates the value of helping all student-athletes find success and remembering that parent concerns often stem from a desire to see their child thrive.