Being a student-athlete can be one of the most memorable experiences a person takes away from their time in high school. Over the years, high school athletics have changed significantly, mostly due to evolving technology and new information on how to better support student-athletes. In recent years, the role of coaching has shifted to focusing more on building relationships and creating a positive, engaging experience, rather than using fear-based motivation and an authoritarian demeanor. Roughly 20 years ago, coaches focused on harsher discipline and traditional structures. At WCHS, coaches work with their athletes rather than against them to prepare these players in the best way they know how.
“Something that I have noticed that has changed over the years is definitely athletes’ mental toughness,” WCHS boys varsity basketball coach David Blumenthal said. “Different coaches have different expectations, but the overall idea on how to treat our players has 100% changed from what it was.”
Driven by research, modern coaching philosophies now prioritize athlete freedom and appropriate leisure time in order to avoid stress and burnout. Mental health and player safety have been talked about more, so student-athletes are increasingly prioritizing their overall well-being over performance alone as they feel more comfortable seeking professional support. Coaches have adjusted their “old-school” authority to make sure that students feel able to advocate for their own mental health and physical needs.
“Coaching has evolved in so many areas,” WCHS Athletic Director Jesse Smith said. “From how coaches coach student-athletes and the game, to the preparation of themselves and their team, to the requirements needed to be a coach. When it comes to the treatment of our student-athletes, coaches are more understanding and empathetic to all that goes on in their players’ lives.”
This understanding of players has changed coaches’ roles and continues to alter expectations. Beyond providing helpful resources and opportunities for online support, technology has transformed coaching by providing the visual evidence and data needed to sharpen athletic skills.
“[With] everything being on film, it allows us to scout ourselves, and visually show our kids the things they are doing wrong and could improve on, as well as the things they are doing good at,” Blumenthal said. “That allows us to easily scout out our opponents and prepare for games ahead of time.”
While players in previous decades relied primarily on their coaches’ intuition and direct feedback, today’s athletes have access to many more resources to guide their development. Similarly, communication with coaches and athletes has increased through messaging apps, which therefore increases the opportunity for mentorship beyond the physical constraints of practice. However, while these digital tools offer immense benefits for player development, they also bring a new set of demanding expectations for the coaching staff.
“Coaches have a lot more on their plates now,” Smith said. “They are required to complete more training to be able to qualify as a coach. They are also expected to be available 24/7 by others during their season, which causes them to have to learn and adapt to the use of new technologies in order to keep up with their opponents.”
Playing a sport year-round is a new normal to this generation. With practices constantly, the pressure for coaches to support their players has increased enormously. These expectations have reshaped the day-to-day responsibilities of coaches, turning a seasonal commitment into a year-round obligation. Yet, at the end of the day, high school coaches experience the reward of seeing improvement from players and overall team success. Technology, communication and athlete mental toughness have changed in more ways than one, but the gratification of witnessing an athlete’s personal growth stays the same.
“I love seeing the introduction of technology in sports and how that impacts our players,” Smith said. “It provides tracking of statistics and promotion of players, but it also provides the ability for coaches and players to evaluate themselves and others, which really helps the teams here at WCHS grow.”
