Ask Cael: I have been a head coach for only 2 years, so I cannot expect overnight success but This school has so much potential. Please help me with pointers on this problem.

Story Published Thursday, February 17th, 2011

name:                  Brenan

question:              Hi Cael I was wondering about some advice you would have for a program that just wont grow.  I am the Head coach for Park City High School and have had problems with recruiting and with keeping kids out for the sport.  Also I have tried to get the community to support and yes I have been a head coach for only 2 years, so I cannot expect overnight success but  This school has so much potential.  Please help me with pointers on this problem.  I will be holding a youth camp this summer but I have no Idea of what else to do?

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Hi Coach Brenan,

Thanks for what you are doing!  Don’t get discouraged.  I assume you are talking about Park City, Utah? Just over the mountain from Heber City?  Awesome.  When I was in high school Park City started their wrestling team.  I’ve heard the program has come a long way since then.

My advice would be to stay positive and be patient.  I really believe the only way to build a championship high school team is to start with the youth program.  Four years is just not enough time for the average student to learn how to wrestle.  You have start them young.  If I were you I would go track down my dad and ask him how he set up his kid’s program.  When my dad first got to Heber City he wasn’t getting the results he wanted.  He started a youth program and 10 years later, his teams were dominating the state.  It’s certainly not an overnight project, and Wasatch had a solid tradition already.  So keep things in perspective.  You are coaching a team that has only existed for 15 years or so.   I won’t get into the details of the youth program here but go track my dad down. He’ll help you.  All the best.

Cael

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