coachjoe
05-26-2002, 02:15 PM
I was informed by Mike Mers this morning that the board wanted to meet with me and then he told me why; my services were no longer needed as coach and a new coaching style was being sought. It was agreed that there was no need for a meeting since he had told me. So ends my coaching of the Kelts and my involvement with the team on an active basis.
Let me just say that is has been a lot of fun working and playing with the Kelts. It has been very gratifying watching this club evolve and go through the cycles clubs go through. When I started we had a good number of people, Mike Mers was the coach and I helped out. He stepped down and I was asked to take his place. Our numbers were fluctuating a lot then. Who can forget the season 3 and half years ago when we had 8 or 9 continually at practice at Reading High School.
The growth in numbers, the improvement in play, the commitment to the game all drove the Kelts forward and also increased player involvement and bringing on new players. This culminated in a playoff berth and the need for a third side.
There are players on this side who need to expand there level of play. They should try for select sides and higher levels of competition. There are also players on this side that do manipulate things to their advantage. The same exists at most clubs.
I have been told that my style was to confrontational, that I needed to be more positive, that we needed a stronger format for practices, that we need a club strategy, that we needed a written game plan. These issues were brought up last year when I was going to be replaced in the fall by Wax and Paul, who wanted Simon or Sean to coach. They both declined, and all of these items were addressed.
For those who took offense at any remarks or criticism, I say I am sorry. You obviously mis-understood constructive criticism for plain criticism. For those that felt slighted by selections, talk to your selectors. I know that I am to blame in most minds for the selections, sorry, in most cases I did not vote but asked for choices. In some cases here at the end, some of the selectors did not vote either, only a few did and yes some people who had been to practice where forgotten. Take care in who you make selectors and that they pay attention and work for the teams good and not there personal choice.
I will say that I did get mad when we did not follow the game plan and strategy to which all of the club coaching and officer staff had input and approved. The truth of the matter is we should have won all of the games we played this year ( I will not speak to Canada having not been there). NONE of those teams were better than us. Some of them played with more discipline then we did and they won. Discipline in this case means following the game plan and strategy. Unfortunately, we have some folks who think they know more or better and they can break the strategy or rules when they want. This hurts the team and is unfair to those that are following the strategy. I can truthfully say that I would not change that part of my style going forward. And to those that say we got beat by a better team, I say bullshit, you are just making excuses and making yourselves feel better. For me to say more would just be further confrontation, enough of that!
It has been a family affair for us being with the Kelts. My son started with the Kelts when he was three and now he is eight. Joan has been very patient and has truly loved being part of the Kelts. As a family we will determine how to deal with the void, missing what has been a part of us as we have grown. We have been lucky to be involved with a group of individuals that have seen what they can do, that have suprised themselves with their effort and results, and who have more potential then they know if they would listen and learn.
So, so long and farewell. Best of Luck
Joe
Let me just say that is has been a lot of fun working and playing with the Kelts. It has been very gratifying watching this club evolve and go through the cycles clubs go through. When I started we had a good number of people, Mike Mers was the coach and I helped out. He stepped down and I was asked to take his place. Our numbers were fluctuating a lot then. Who can forget the season 3 and half years ago when we had 8 or 9 continually at practice at Reading High School.
The growth in numbers, the improvement in play, the commitment to the game all drove the Kelts forward and also increased player involvement and bringing on new players. This culminated in a playoff berth and the need for a third side.
There are players on this side who need to expand there level of play. They should try for select sides and higher levels of competition. There are also players on this side that do manipulate things to their advantage. The same exists at most clubs.
I have been told that my style was to confrontational, that I needed to be more positive, that we needed a stronger format for practices, that we need a club strategy, that we needed a written game plan. These issues were brought up last year when I was going to be replaced in the fall by Wax and Paul, who wanted Simon or Sean to coach. They both declined, and all of these items were addressed.
For those who took offense at any remarks or criticism, I say I am sorry. You obviously mis-understood constructive criticism for plain criticism. For those that felt slighted by selections, talk to your selectors. I know that I am to blame in most minds for the selections, sorry, in most cases I did not vote but asked for choices. In some cases here at the end, some of the selectors did not vote either, only a few did and yes some people who had been to practice where forgotten. Take care in who you make selectors and that they pay attention and work for the teams good and not there personal choice.
I will say that I did get mad when we did not follow the game plan and strategy to which all of the club coaching and officer staff had input and approved. The truth of the matter is we should have won all of the games we played this year ( I will not speak to Canada having not been there). NONE of those teams were better than us. Some of them played with more discipline then we did and they won. Discipline in this case means following the game plan and strategy. Unfortunately, we have some folks who think they know more or better and they can break the strategy or rules when they want. This hurts the team and is unfair to those that are following the strategy. I can truthfully say that I would not change that part of my style going forward. And to those that say we got beat by a better team, I say bullshit, you are just making excuses and making yourselves feel better. For me to say more would just be further confrontation, enough of that!
It has been a family affair for us being with the Kelts. My son started with the Kelts when he was three and now he is eight. Joan has been very patient and has truly loved being part of the Kelts. As a family we will determine how to deal with the void, missing what has been a part of us as we have grown. We have been lucky to be involved with a group of individuals that have seen what they can do, that have suprised themselves with their effort and results, and who have more potential then they know if they would listen and learn.
So, so long and farewell. Best of Luck
Joe