Parent Coaches at High School?

[hockeyfan74]

Curious what the overall thought of the great hockey minds on this forum is about parent coaches at the high school level. I know in one case it has been very detrimental to a team. Blatant parent favoritism. Doesn't matter that it's an assistant when they coach the position of their son. This has caused other players to be moved from the position they should play and it also hurts the team overall. Coach focuses on one player at the detriment of the other 19. Is it ever a good idea for a staff to have a parent coach?

[Sparlimb]

Curious what the overall thought of the great hockey minds on this forum is about parent coaches at the high school level. I know in one case it has been very detrimental to a team. Blatant parent favoritism. Doesn't matter that it's an assistant when they coach the position of their son. This has caused other players to be moved from the position they should play and it also hurts the team overall. Coach focuses on one player at the detriment of the other 19. Is it ever a good idea for a staff to have a parent coach?

Seems to be working quite well for the HM girls. Probably more of an issue with culture and how the coaches handle things.

[hockeyfan74]

Seems to be working quite well for the HM girls. Probably more of an issue with culture and how the coaches handle things.
[/quote]

I am very well versed in the girls high school hockey scene. And yes from an outside perspective it would seem to work well for the H-M girls. They are a loaded team that has had a ton of success. With that being said even in that situation it is not as clear cut as it may seem.

[CrimsonCakeEater]

I am very well versed in the girls high school hockey scene. And yes from an outside perspective it would seem to work well for the H-M girls. They are a loaded team that has had a ton of success. With that being said even in that situation it is not as clear cut as it may seem.

Calling Johnny Pohl and Krissy Wendell “parent coaches” seems to be underselling their qualifications just a little. Let’s not forget that they immediately went from good to great (similar to Edina when Sami showed up) when they got hired.

[InThePipes]

I am very well versed in the girls high school hockey scene. And yes from an outside perspective it would seem to work well for the H-M girls. They are a loaded team that has had a ton of success. With that being said even in that situation it is not as clear cut as it may seem.

Calling Johnny Pohl and Krissy Wendell “parent coaches” seems to be underselling their qualifications just a little. Let’s not forget that they immediately went from good to great (similar to Edina when Sami showed up) when they got hired.

That’s true, but we also shouldn’t overlook that Johnny and Krissy intentionally compiled that roster. They’re excellent coaches who prioritize skill development, something most programs do a lousy job of, but this isn’t a rags-to-riches story of taking 15 average players and turning them into a state powerhouse.

[InThePipes]

Generally, it’s probably best to avoid parent coaches at the high school level when you can. That said, if the alternative is someone who’s half-engaged with a mediocre or dated understanding the game, then a knowledgeable, experienced and committed parent might actually be the better option.

Like everything in life, depends on the specific situation and what the actual alternatives/choices are.

[Sparlimb]

I am very well versed in the girls high school hockey scene. And yes from an outside perspective it would seem to work well for the H-M girls. They are a loaded team that has had a ton of success. With that being said even in that situation it is not as clear cut as it may seem.

Calling Johnny Pohl and Krissy Wendell “parent coaches” seems to be underselling their qualifications just a little. Let’s not forget that they immediately went from good to great (similar to Edina when Sami showed up) when they got hired.

That’s true, but we also shouldn’t overlook that Johnny and Krissy intentionally compiled that roster. They’re excellent coaches who prioritize skill development, something most programs do a lousy job of, but this isn’t a rags-to-riches story of taking 15 average players and turning them into a state powerhouse.

One other point on the Pohl's. They didn't intend to coach, they hired Natalie Darwitz to coach the team. She happened to get the GM job with the Frost (who fired her after one year) and so she never coached at HM. That all happened late in the summer, so the they chose to coach themselves as opposed to find someone else on short notice. Doesn't matter much, just saying the situation seems to be working out at the moment with little roster turnover.

[Duluthguy]

Is it ever a good idea? It used to be not that uncommon. Saterdalen, Osiecki, Ikola, Gernander, and Randolph all coached their sons at some point. I'm sure there are other examples. I think all were established before their sons came through, so that would be a scenario which would be less problematic.

[headsupsticksdown]

Is it ever a good idea? It used to be not that uncommon. Saterdalen, Osiecki, Ikola, Gernander, and Randolph all coached their sons at some point. I'm sure there are other examples. I think all were established before their sons came through, so that would be a scenario which would be less problematic.

If you're truly a good coach there should be no issue. Sure there are parents that will always scream favoritism once Johnny gets cut or doesn't get enough ice time but I can't think of a good, reputable coach that had this be an issue. To me what is more concerning and actually a head scratcher is all of these so called agents, how they are connected to programs and what goes on in the back room these days. It is mind boggling that parents can pay so called agents that are then intertwined with various programs (HS included) throughout the country.

[BSUBeaver]

Is it ever a good idea? It used to be not that uncommon. Saterdalen, Osiecki, Ikola, Gernander, and Randolph all coached their sons at some point. I'm sure there are other examples. I think all were established before their sons came through, so that would be a scenario which would be less problematic.

If you're truly a good coach there should be no issue. Sure there are parents that will always scream favoritism once Johnny gets cut or doesn't get enough ice time but I can't think of a good, reputable coach that had this be an issue. To me what is more concerning and actually a head scratcher is all of these so called agents, how they are connected to programs and what goes on in the back room these days. It is mind boggling that parents can pay so called agents that are then intertwined with various programs (HS included) throughout the country.

Advisors. If you sign with an agent, you eligibility is gone as agents deal with pro contracts. From AI:

Hockey agents negotiate professional contracts and take a percentage of earnings, while family advisors are paid upfront fees to provide guidance, mentorship, and placement for amateur (NCAA-bound) players. Agents are for pros; advisors keep amateur eligibility intact.

Key Differences:

Role & Function: Advisors help navigate the amateur landscape (junior, prep, NCAA), while agents act as the legal representative for professional contract negotiations.

Compensation: Advisors charge a flat fee ($3,000–$10,000 annually). Agents typically earn a percentage (4–10%) of a player's pro contract and (10–20%) of endorsement deals.

NCAA Eligibility: Using an agent to negotiate on behalf of an amateur can violate NCAA rules. Advisors must be paid for their services to avoid being considered "gifting" or illegal representation.

Timing: Advisors are for U15-U18 players aiming for development, while agents are hired once a player turns professional.

When to Choose Which:

Family Advisor: Best for players looking to advance through high-level minor hockey, prep school, or aiming for NCAA commitment.

Hockey Agent: Required for players signing Major Junior (CHL) or professional contracts.

[headsupsticksdown]

Is it ever a good idea? It used to be not that uncommon. Saterdalen, Osiecki, Ikola, Gernander, and Randolph all coached their sons at some point. I'm sure there are other examples. I think all were established before their sons came through, so that would be a scenario which would be less problematic.

If you're truly a good coach there should be no issue. Sure there are parents that will always scream favoritism once Johnny gets cut or doesn't get enough ice time but I can't think of a good, reputable coach that had this be an issue. To me what is more concerning and actually a head scratcher is all of these so called agents, how they are connected to programs and what goes on in the back room these days. It is mind boggling that parents can pay so called agents that are then intertwined with various programs (HS included) throughout the country.

Advisors. If you sign with an agent, you eligibility is gone as agents deal with pro contracts. From AI:

Hockey agents negotiate professional contracts and take a percentage of earnings, while family advisors are paid upfront fees to provide guidance, mentorship, and placement for amateur (NCAA-bound) players. Agents are for pros; advisors keep amateur eligibility intact.

Key Differences:

Role & Function: Advisors help navigate the amateur landscape (junior, prep, NCAA), while agents act as the legal representative for professional contract negotiations.

Compensation: Advisors charge a flat fee ($3,000–$10,000 annually). Agents typically earn a percentage (4–10%) of a player's pro contract and (10–20%) of endorsement deals.

NCAA Eligibility: Using an agent to negotiate on behalf of an amateur can violate NCAA rules. Advisors must be paid for their services to avoid being considered "gifting" or illegal representation.

Timing: Advisors are for U15-U18 players aiming for development, while agents are hired once a player turns professional.

When to Choose Which:

Family Advisor: Best for players looking to advance through high-level minor hockey, prep school, or aiming for NCAA commitment.

Hockey Agent: Required for players signing Major Junior (CHL) or professional contracts.

Right, my bad. Advisors. Still, isn't this a conflict of interest type of situation still?

[Yoopskater]

The likelihood of a parent coaching a child in a HS sport is inversely proportional to how ‘big’ the sport is in that school. At Minnetonka, it is more likely that the bowling team has a parent coach than the hockey team. The ‘minor’ sports generally end up getting coaches who have some passion and invested interest, which a lot of times means parent coaches.