Minnesota high school coaches seek leading edge for motivating athletes

A high school coach with an open-door policy might sound good, but it doesn't resonate much with athletes these days.

Instead, coaches should spend time in their athletes' living rooms to find out who they are and what best motivates them, reflecting a new era of "transformational coaching,'' a national researcher told high school activities directors from across the state last week.

The message from Jeff Duke, who leads a postgraduate program in coaching at the University of Central Florida, was part of a one-day seminar at Minnetonka High School called "Athletic Administrators Leading in the 21st Century.''

Topics ranged from organizational and coaching leadership to law and liability. Presenters included Duke, who developed his "Three-Dimensional Pyramid of Coaching Success"; Mark Dienhart, former Gophers athletic director; Minnesota State High School League legal and legislative counsel and a roundtable of superintendents.

"This is about us getting better," Bob Madison, Mounds View activities director and seminar steering committee member, told his 86 fellow educators, many of whom scribbled with pens, typed on tablet computers or listened with thoughtful facial expressions.

The first speaker, Dienhart, offered a sobering view of the changes within athletes and athletics. Athletics, he said, "is the primary source of status for high school students" but he wondered whether youngsters in the social media age are more concerned with celebrity than success.

He also talked about "goal-sickness," his term for coaches who "could be taken over by wins and losses." The job of a high school activities director, Dienhart said, is to "keep reminding folks that isn't what it's all about."

"If the coach says, 'Get on the bus,' most kids will get on without knowing where it's going," Duke said. "So, who is coaching the coaches?"

His "pyramid of coaching success'' starts with fundamentals, teaching athletes the skills they need for their sport. Few coaches, Duke said, will succeed beyond this level if they don't invest in psychology, the second tier.

Today's athletes, Duke said, feel they "should get something for playing sports.'' He cautioned that motivating through the hope of a college scholarships or giving everyone a trophy at the team banquet adds to a sense of entitlement.

He challenged coaches to learn how to best motivate their athletes. Doing so also moves coaches to the third tier, transformation of the heart, both within athletes and themselves.

Duke's presentation served as the day's high point for several attendees. Fridley activities director Dan Roff said he heard a similar message at a conference for secondary school principals and was encouraged by the affirmation of what he is seeing in athletics.

Orono activities director Bucky Mieras said he heard about transformational coaching but wasn't sure how to get there before Duke's presentation. Breaking down the first two tiers, Mieras said, "really connected with me."

Eastview activities director Matt Percival said Duke's presentation encouraged him to modify his school's upcoming summer coaches meeting and include bigger-picture ideas.

"There are practical parts of the job that can consume you," Percival said. "I'd like to spend more time talking about methods of coaches and the purpose of extracurricular activities."

The roundtable of superintendents included Ric Dressen (Edina), Deb Henton (North Branch), Dan Hoverman (Mounds View), Dennis Peterson (Minnetonka) and Todd Sesker (Faribault). They answered questions from a moderator on myriad topics related to activities directors.

Hoverman said Madison and Irondale activities director Ron Broberg "probably have the most difficult job" in the Mounds View district.

Outcry from coaches about parent intrusion into coaching prompted legislation this spring from Rep. Dean Urdahl that was recently signed into law. The measure declared that parent complaints cannot be the sole reason for a board not to renew a coaching contract.

Henton described the expectations of providing stronger athletics programs as "a war." Turf fields, large field houses and strong summer programs have become the norm for powerful high school programs.

"There is a lot of pressure from certain parents to do more with what we have," Henton said.

Sesker added: "I don't know if it's ever going to be enough."

An open dialogue with a superintendent, Roff said, is not a luxury every activities director enjoys.

The roundtable capped a day several activities directors agreed fulfilled Madison's mission and made them better.