So you think you can be a Coach?

Yeah, I caught a little chatter online the other day.  Almost peed myself, I was laughing so hard.  This one person feels that they have the background to coach peeps for a living.  Now I'm not sure if it will be in triathlon, running, power-walking *cough-cough* or like what the hell, they actually think they can coach?   More power to them and I hope a priest passes blessings for the team or individuals she/he coaches. 

 Coaching is defintitely a different calling, than lets say Personal Training.  I know a few people that PT and they are good at what they do.  They also have an extensive background in sport and have done their share of IM, competitive swimming and other race venues in their long history.  I've had Personal Trainers before, some are ok, and others are pretty worthless.

For me in order to even consider a coach, whether being a USAT/USATF or having other coaching

credentials given by the big names in sports, you fricking better have somewhat of a history in sports, ie:  participating in one of the areas you are planning to coach for at least >10yrs.  Maybe that sounds a little much, but hey, if I'm looking for a good coach (don't need to, already have one) I not only look at their credentials, but how much experience they have had and continue to have as an athlete.  In my book, part of their (your) glowing credentials  better have some sort of degree in sport's science or part of your degree better have had anatomy, physiology and a working knowledge of nutrition and how your body works with said nutrition as energy.  This is the nuts and bolts for any type of coaching period!

Anyone it seems like these days can put a shingle up expressing that they are such and such coach to whomever.  Like really?  C'mon shut the fuck up!  Show me what you have as per above, and then show me what type of human being you are on top of that.  There are coaches out there that have "the shit."  They do.  Tho, are they good enuf to push you when you need a push, to hold you back even tho you don't want to hold back?  Do they care about you as a person or are they after the almighty dollar that their athletes bring them monthly?  Sometimes as an athlete you won't realize this until after you have hired them on, but if you are already aware of their personality traits, and don't seem to have a prob with them, then go for it.  Tho, if they have a personality of a rock, or maybe they express themselves too willingly and tend to be a grating smartass all of the time regardless of cost to the coach/athlete relationship, then I for one would consider this a major drawback.  Let me ask you, "Ms/Mr. I want to be a coach when I grow up," will you care enuf about your athletes or will you just give them a ration of shit and quit when you get frustrated with them, the situation at hand, or heaven forbid they quit you?

If you can get your shit together, get your ass in school, get the required sciences, sport's psychology, nutrition behind you, you might be ok to start coaching Jr High, maybe even HS.  Then move up to the adults.  We athletes can be a demanding bunch, ask any coach worth their .02 out there.  Baby steps...baby steps.