Personal Goals
I coach swimming because I love the sport. However, I do have dreams and aspirations outside of athlete success.
In the short term, I want to become the head coach of a program. In order to obtain this goal, I plan to continue along my current path of being an Assistant Coach at various programs. Currently, I am working with the Rose-Hulman swim team. I also plan to attend some swim camps to learn everything I can.
I also hope that I can continue training with ASCA and obtain the status of a Level 3 coach. I plan to purchase a lifetime membership after this year's subscription expires.
My long term goals include heading up a Quad, Sectional or National level team (such as Team Indiana). I also want to coach National level athletes on a regular basis, with the ultimate goal of attending the Olympic Trials as a coach/athlete combination.
In 20-30 years, I hope to have the opportunity to attend the Olympics as a member of the swimming and diving coaching staff.
All throughout this process, I plan to be the best person and coach that I can be. By providing a welcoming and open atmosphere for athlete success in and out of the pool.
What I'll Teach
Coaches can have a huge impact on an athletes life, I found that out recently. My goal is to continue that trend. I want to keep my athletes lives ahead of their swimming careers, giving them aid and direction at every encounter.
I want to make my athletes think about every action they make, in or out of the pool, through a thought process of respect.
I will not be the coach that yells or screams, but will instead be calm and respectful of my athletes, coaches and parents in my program.
What They'll Gain
By never giving up on and setting reachable goals, my athletes will gain a sense of control. Control over their lives by setting goals and putting in the necessary work.
Aside from goal setting skills, my athletes will also gain a CANI (Constant and Never ending Improvement) attitude. With the mindset of "Who will out perform me?"
The idea behind the CANI and Who will Out Perform me is to put thoughts in the student's mind to be afraid of someone trying to take their spot. Someone out there is out working you, are you going to let them?
Defining Success
My success will not be defined by what level I have achieved in ASCA, nor will it be defined by the number of championships I have. It will be defined by the number of athletes positively influenced over my coaching career.
If my athletes have fun, improve, have a strong work ethic and show respect to peers, coaches and parents, my program has been successful.
Measuring Success
Success will be measured by improvements in times, grades and attitude.
Times will be assessed regularly by attending swim meets, having test sets in practice and by simple, yet challenging workouts.
Grades will be assessed by talking with students and parents, or by checking grades through the school system. I will not refuse anyone the ability to swim based on grades, but I will enforce school policies and encourage students to improve in order to qualify for scholarships.
Attitude will be monitored daily, by all (athletes and coaches). Negative attitudes are contagious. My hope is to have everyone leave practice happier than they did when the walked in.