[Andy Grady]

While having an adult in the analyst position is clearly illegal, having an adult mentor in the coaching position is not only legal, but I also recommend it.

Having been in both roles before, I can tell you that there is a ton of stress on a student in the driver/operator position. As a driver, you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. Every move you make is set up to be criticized by your peers. As a student, I always looked to my coach (or coaches as they allowed two back when I was in high school) to be the voice of reason. I dont know that I could have looked to a fellow student in the same way if he/she was a coach.

A good coach knows how to let cooler heads prevail at the proper moments. A good coach will protect his/her students from the stresses of angry team members. A good coach will protect his/her students from the stresses of other angry drive coaches. Fact is, I have seen coaching styles from other teams that I would choose not to subject a student coach to, because maturity in a situation like that might cause an issue.

I also feel that sometimes the mentors should be allowed to have their fun. While this competition is for the students, sometimes you do have to throw the mentors a bone. To some mentors, coaching is an excellent reward for a great effort they put in over the season. After all...most mentors are just big kids too.