[Mark Sheridan]

I have done both on my teams and I think it depends on your team's culture. Now, I think 766 went back to students but 3309 will continue to use an adult (um me). I was originally used to streamline the drive team process hence I was made the coach. I see my role as:

-to keep my students focused
-to calm my students
-to shield my students from blame
-to negotiate the match strategy on the behalf of my students

In the past, I had to comfort my students after a loss, I also had to tell some to cool off. Sometimes these tense moments its better for an adult to be there to help make it better so we can all move on happier.

The past two years, I have had made the previous year's drivers coach the new drivers at an off season event. The old drivers are now college mentors so they are still adults. I just coach a few matchs to make sure everything is ok. I hope this remains a tradition for 3309.