7 Things I Wish I Knew My 1st Year…
As I am closing in on ending my 6th season working in player development. I thought about what I wish I knew when I started. Kind of like those letters people write to their younger selves. Well, here is my letter or tips to myself back in 2016 when I began this journey at the University of Houston.
1. Connect and create a community
Player development? I took the job not knowing what it really meant. I was told to build relationships with players but there had to be more than just that. I wish I would’ve taken the time to search other football programs to see if they had directors of player development. I would’ve connected with these individuals and created a community where we can all help each other. I could’ve learned what’s expected of the role, how I could enhance the role. Things that would have prevented a few speed bumps that first year. I’m part of a well-connected player development community now, but I always wonder how advanced I would be if I would’ve created one back then.
2. Fail hard, fail now
In this role that was new to me I didn’t want to stir too many feathers. I just wanted to do what was asked of me and that only. Now looking back, I wish I would’ve been riskier towards creating experiences that benefit student-athletes. Creating more programming, coming up with more ideas. Being ok with hearing the words “NO” or “NOT YET”. I was a one-man department, no one would directly be affected by my zealous ambition to create impact. There was such a learning gap that I left behind by playing everything safe.
3. Keep tabs on the yearly calendar and the things that happen during those times, you may see room for possibilities
My first year in college athletics, I went through a coaching change. In this change our operational support staff went with the HC to another university. When our new operations staff came in, they asked questions about how we did things during this time last year. I remember sitting in my seat saying I knew I should have made a binder or scanned those documents. I would ask about possible programming and they would say sure. Then the questions of how we did it last year came, and I was left there standing with no answer. We all worked it out together, but it would’ve been smoother if I would have kept track of our yearly calendar.
4. Build more relationships on campus
I graduated from the University of Houston, so in my role I took for granted the relationships I had on campus. In my third year, I realized how pivotal those relationships on campus would be to the impact I wanted to create for our student-athletes. Relationships with the career center, alumni organization, campus outreach, multicultural affairs, student organizations, campus housing and campus dining. All the relationships on campus have helped me so much in my career. These people in these departments are there to enhance the lives of all the students on campus. They love to join and see lives touched by action and service. Many hands lighten the load.
5. Write the vision down and make it plain
That first year when I finally started to see the impact that I could make, my brain was flooded with ideas. Ideas are nice warm up laps for the brain, but once you put down those ideas on a piece of paper, they now become vision. It took me two years to finally have one distinct and effective vision. If I could have done this my first year, it would have been epic.
6. Create time for you and the Head Coach
They are communication and other organization charts that help with the efficiency of programs, but it is important in the player development role that the HC knows how his players are being developed. Fight for that time, even if it’s five minutes, it is crucial for the HC to know for decision making and recruiting. Giving the information to others to give to the HC is good, but no one will deliver the news with a passion like you. The details and answers to questions are with you, find that time to portray the vision to the HC.
7. Create a year in review
You need to know what you did that year and the things that can be better next year. This year in review also solidified the reason for player development to be a part of the program. I would have easily been able to access this and assess my success in the role during evaluation time. It can also be a way to help increase the funding or resources to the player development department. I use year in reviews now but missed out on this the first year.
I hope you enjoyed the 7 things I wish I knew my first year in player development. If you’re in the role or beginning, please learn from me and eliminate small obstacles to your growth and impact.
Thank you for checking out this blog. For more information on player development the Beyond the Field EBook can be found here : https://www.btfprogram.com/btf-program-resources