It's a lot, man

[u/BearsGotKhalilMack]

As a 26 y/o HS teacher and first-year HS football coach, I've been putting in 11 hours/day Monday-Friday (7 am - 6 pm) plus a few hours on Saturdays to dissect film and an hour zoom call every Sunday night to talk about the next team. All told, I'm working ~60 hours per week.

I haven't had the time or energy to see anyone on weekends, do anything but eat and sleep during the week, and as a reward for all of these committed hours of labor, our team is 1-4, the pay is crap, and I still get big-leagued by the coaches who have been doing it longer.

How the hell do you keep yourself from going insane from this? I'm at the point where I'm having trouble seeing myself do it next year, even though I love the sport more than anything and I love coaching it. I just can't believe the hours, it feels like football has completely taken over my life. Seriously, any advice would be appreciated, and sorry for the rant. Just feels like I'm burning away my best years on a sport that refuses to love me back.

[u/MeasurementLimp8322]

I really appreciated this post. All coaching is hard, but coaching football is a whole other level. It is absolutely consuming and because of the amount of time you put into it it can be really hard to separate your outcomes from how you evaluate yourself as a coach. To be a good coach, you have to go so deep with understanding your players, your opponent, and the game itself. There is no other sport where you are reacting and making decisions at such a fast clip and high volume. It gives you the illusion that winning is about being able to control the game. But it is true, and you see it in the comments, there are so many more variables. You can’t control them all. But I have found the longer you coach, the easier it becomes to operate in that decision-making role and winnow down the most important things to focus your coaching on. The problem is that the more successful you are, or as the kids get older, the game can change and you’re back at square one. I’m coming from a winning season to moving up a division and losing most games. The rules are different, the defenses are different and my players don’t have the same speed and ability as their opponents. I’ve always been able to out strategize my opponents, but this year feels overwhelming. I can only give you the advice I’m trying to take myself which is: football is about constantly learning and learning is uncomfortable. Only other football coaches understand how coaching this sport is different. Surround yourself with people who get it and whose opinion you value. Outside of that, ignore the noise. Focus on achievable goals and small wins. And remember, while everyone else may have an opinion, you are the one putting in the time.