Dr. Jack Welch

 May 8, 2025

Coaches play a critical role in shaping not only the athletic success of their players but also their personal growth and life outcomes. Their influence extends far beyond wins and losses. Research conducted by scholars at the Harris School of Public Policy analyzed hundreds of seasons of sports data and found that coaches account for 20% to 30% of the variation in team performance. This clearly demonstrates that coaching is not an interchangeable role, despite common assumptions in sports analytics.

In professional sports, coaches influence key performance variables. For instance, Major League Baseball (MLB) managers significantly affect runs allowed, run differentials, and overall victories, having a greater impact on defense than offense. In professional football, coaches influence not only points allowed and point margins but also team discipline, reflected in penalties and fumbles. At the collegiate level, particularly in football and Division I basketball, the coach’s impact is even more pronounced, affecting every aspect from points scored and allowed to overall win-loss records.

But beyond stats and scoreboards, coaches serve as mentors and role models. Especially in high school settings, coaches help shape the character of young athletes by instilling core values such as discipline, respect, integrity, sportsmanship, and perseverance. Many

coaches find themselves offering life advice, often reminding players, “This is something you will face sooner or later, so be prepared.”

However, having a lifelong impact on players is not without its challenges. Whether new to the profession or seasoned with years of experience, coaches encounter recurring obstacles that can make or break their effectiveness:

Setting boundaries: Navigating the balance between being a mentor, a friend, and an authority figure.

Building trust: Creating a safe space where athletes feel heard and respected is critical to fostering growth.

Managing sessions: Keeping practices or meetings focused, especially when players use the time to vent frustrations.

Focusing on the person, not the problem: Coaches must often look beyond performance issues to address deeper emotional or psychological barriers.

Promoting accountability: Encouraging athletes to take ownership of their actions and development.

Guiding behavioral change: Helping players recognize and adjust habits that may hinder both their performance and personal growth.

Even the most skilled coaches are sometimes caught off guard by unexpected situations. Coaching is a human-centered practice, it requires flexibility, emotional intelligence, and constant learning. By recognizing and preparing for these challenges, coaches can strengthen their impact and better guide athletes not only through competition but also through life.

Thought for the week, “A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.” Rosalynn Carter.

Dr. Jack Welch is an educator and professional football coach. His doctorate is in educational administration, and he has been an educator, administrator, and football coach, mentoring young minds, for over 40 years.

He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching. He can be reached at jackwelch1975@ gmail.com.