[Andy Baker]

This is the FIRST Robotics Competition. The field coach position should be filled by the best person who is willing to undertake the job.

If a team has a good student coach, then that is great.

If a team has a good adult coach, then that is also great.

I am a proponent for adult coaches. FIRST is about bringing light to role models and heroes. Adult coaches are mentors who are in the limelight, performing under pressure. Good adult coaches are to be admired and respected, as they are good role models for the FIRST community.

I know that the drivers on team 45 cherish the chance of being in an alliance with a team who has a long-time FIRST mentor as a drive team coach. Whether it is Kyle Hughes of 27, Ken Patton of 65, Dan Quiggle of 179, Glenn Lee of 359, or Brian Beatty of 71, each is an eye-opening experience that is revered by students.

The fact that students on FIRST teams can look up to these well-known FIRST drive coaches (and many others) is a good thing. That benefit alone overrides some of the bad experiences that take place with a few over-bearing coaches.

Adult coaches do a good job of certain things that are hard for student coaches to do. They take the heat when the match is lost. They give credit to the drivers when the match is won. They are a steady, consistent face, representing a team on the playing field for year after year. It is no coincidence that many teams with sustainable success on the FIRST playing field have the same adult drive coach for year after year.

With this said, I have seen some great student coaches. Like I said, whatever is best for that team's situation is what should be done.

Andy B.