Dictionary.com defines a coach as “A person who trains or directs an athlete or athletic teams.?Yet there is so much more to coaching, especially at the high school level. A coach does more than just lead a person in whatever sport they play. A high school coach is a mentor, counselor, advisor and a teacher. Coaches don’t only teach the sport, they prepare young athletes for life. A high school coach bears much more weight than any other type of coach. These coaches have to deal with outside issues like grades, disciplinary problems and the basics of teaching the sport to younger and less knowledgeable athletes. Paint Branch has coaches who work with student-athletes and fill more than just the role of coach. A coach teaches, “Discipline, focus, hard work, going the extra mile, pride, teamwork, trust, family, commitment and how this caries through all aspects of your life now and in the future,?says Panther girls basketball coach Heather Podosek. Second year teacher Tim Gilchrist of the Paint Branch varsity girls volleyball, JV boys basketball and varsity coed volleyball teams says his job is to, “Help these athletes improve their skill and knowledge of the sport,?and to, “provide an environment where athletes can mature physically, mentally, socially and emotionally.?

A student athlete cannot succeed without the guidance of a coach so that s/he can make the right decisions in life. When asked if he felt it is important to help athletes with personal problems Blake JV basketball coach and Paint Branch math teacher Dan Feher replied, “I think it is important to be available as a guide and mentor and help them (the athletes) find the right solution to a problem? Feher exemplifies the expanding role of a coach and the complex role of a coach who must handle things such as being a role model and mentor. Being a high school coach comes with many responsibilities. From the preparation before a game to an after school tutoring session with a student struggling to meet eligibility requirements, a coach’s job never ends. Paint Branch puts a strong emphasis on the grade requirements for their student athletes. A phrase often associated with Paint Branch athletes is “students first; athletes second.? Suzette Thom of the JV Lady Panthers basketball team says, “Academics are the #1 priority in the (athletic) programs. Students know they have to make the grade before they make the jump shot. Study hall, grade sheets, and tutors are provided. Students who do not meet our standards are provided with extra help during practice.?Without the strong backing provided by a coach, students may not do as well later in life and that is the way coaches at Paint Branch emphasis academics.

A strong bond is built between a coach and an athlete, similar to that of a parent and child relationship. For athletes, coaches are people to look up to away from home and that is a big job for anyone to fill. In order for an athlete to be fully developed he/she must have a strong bond with someone who is helping them with that sport and other aspects of life. Creating that bond is where coaches come in. “The best way to gain trust and respect from students, athletes, colleagues, and friends is to bond with them. Ask questions and actually listen to their answers. I really enjoy what I do, so bonding with my players isn’t a chore, it is a privilege, says first year Paint Branch JV baseball coach Tom Rey about his view on the importance of bonding with a student.

There have been coaching greats such as Phil Jackson, with nine NBA championships; Lenny Wilkens, who owns the highest win percentage of any coach in NBA history; and Vince Lombardi with five NFL and Super Bowl wins. The difference between these coaching legends and a high school coach is that the high school coach must make their players into stars on the court and in life, while the pro level coach never has to think about grades or an athlete’s thoughts. In the words of Walter Hardy, Paint Branch varsity boys basketball coach, “Athletes have to be prepared for life beyond the sport.?That is exactly what Paint Branch coaches are doing.