12/21/24
March 19, 2005
Toughest Position on the Team: Coach's Son: Tom Blackwood coached a California high school's basketball team to more than 600 wins in 37 years, winning a statewide coach of the year award in 2002. But he made one decision that started out well but eventually turned parents and players against him, leading to his resignation: He played his son as a freshman.
posted by rcade to basketball at 09:54 AM - 5 comments
I'm a little confused. Based on the two articles, it seems that this coach has two sons whom he coached at different times. One son named Chris, one named Justin.
posted by bluesdog at 12:32 PM on March 19, 2005
Looks like you're right. Sounds like Justin's time on the team went differently than it did when his younger brother Chris became the first freshman to ever start varsity at the school.
posted by rcade at 01:22 PM on March 19, 2005
I have been the coach's son at the university level and it can be a brutal experience.
posted by smithers at 07:39 AM on March 21, 2005
If my dad had been a coach, or even the least bit athletic (before taking up gold at age 65), perhaps I might have played sports past 5th grade soccer and baseball.
posted by billsaysthis at 11:00 PM on March 21, 2005
Interesting post. One that hit close to home. My son played alot as a freshman on a team loaded with seniors. In fact two freshman played heavy minutes that year. The parents were brutal. The two freshman went on to be three year starters, 3 years all conference etc. For a coach it can be a catch-22---I have seen several of these examples up close-a coach -coaching his own son---nobody is ever entirely happy....... I always felt that the best players should be put on the floor no matter there grade status....Sometimes we loose the concept of "team" That team my son was on, as a freshman had alot of potential--but they were like 4-18 because they didnt play togather... It was a veteran coach, veteran ball players and lots of supporting talent. but they wouldnt play togather.....