[sw293]

Five keys to being a good coach:

1) The confidence of the drivers so that they obey your commands. MUTUAL RESPECT is of the utmost importance.
2) The game-knowlege and intelligence to formulate strategy and handle strategy sessions with other drive teams.
3) A willingness to listen to other coaches/drivers/scouts who may know more than you do in strategy sessions.
4) The ability and self-confidence to make fast, good decisions and stick with them.
5) Good drivers, good scouts, and a good robot.

You will never see a mentor coaching team 293 if I have anything to do with it. I am the coach until finals is over. I got the job last year primarily because the drivers had confidence that I knew what I was doing & talking about. I did a lot of scouting-strategizing last year, and it was a natural step to go from strategist to coach (see #2).

Student coaches versus adult coaches have their strengths and weaknesses. Mentor-coaches almost always fit easily into the leadership role as mentors are already leaders. However, the cohesion that can develop between a student coach and drivers is much greater than that between an adult coach and drivers, because the drivers don't have to listen to a student coach; rather they choose to listen to him because they have confidence in him. Student-coaches on average tend to be a bit sharper than their adult counterparts (however I'm sure there are many many exceptions), because the student coaches are usually selected more for their ability, and mentor-coaches are chosen for their experience.

I'd like to make two points in conclusion. First, the final decision of who coaches should be up to the drivers. Second, a mentor-coach should step aside if it becomes clear that there is a student who can handle the role.

Scott Weingart