How the Fort Worth area’s new high school coaches navigated the off-season amid COVID
New coaches always have to take time to get used to their new school.
The off-season is the time for them to meet their players and gain trust and build chemistry before the regular season.
This year is by far the toughest transition as new coaches combat the coronavirus pandemic.
With schools closed since March 16, it meant more phone calls, text messages and online meetings. It also meant not meeting players in person for at least three months.
Jessica Tyler was hired as the volleyball coach at Burleson Centennial in April. She had to wait to see her players in person when summer workouts started in June.
“COVID has put a damper on getting to know and see the kids on the court as a new coach,” Tyler said. “In the spring, I tried to get to know them through virtual meetings. But as we all know nothing takes the place of face-to-face meetings.”
Tyler was recommended to Burleson ISD by the district’s new athletic director Kevin Ozee, who sat in the same boat.
He was hired at BISD on March 2, two weeks shy of the COVID shutdown.
“It’s been surreal for sure. My whole platform starting out is to build relationships with our coaches and it’s been difficult doing it by Zoom,” Ozee said. “I have a love/hate relationship with Zoom, Google Meet, etc. I love the technology and the efficiency, but hate the lack of personal interaction.”
Ozee’s first hire was Burleson head football coach Jon Kitna on March 9.
“Interviewing new coaches has gone as smooth as expected for online only interviews, but there’s still a gap in my opinion,” Ozee said. “I believe that coaches should see the campus, facilities and community before accepting a job and that’s been difficult during this time.”
Getting Creative
Coaches couldn’t see their kids in person March through May.
But players still had to find a way to stay in shape.
Tyler and the school district decided to go with an online strength and conditioning program.
“Coming in new, skills during the summer is a great way to get to see and know the kids as well. But during this COVID time, it’s making skills harder,” Tyler said. “We were able to track everything so we got to know some of their work ethics. We have started skills, but that’s limited as well.
“Biggest thing is getting the program up and running and now having to do it with limitations. This definitely is a new challenge that faces all coaches, but especially hard on new ones trying to get things rolling.”
Things will get tougher. The UIL announced on Tuesday its fall athletic plans.
Teams in Class 5A and 6A have a delayed start on Sept. 7 while 4A and below can start on time Aug. 3
“We’re trying to figure out what in the world my first off-season with the girls will look like if we have to start the school year with distance learning,” Byron Nelson softball coach Dani Hoff said. “Luckily, I’ve become pretty proficient on Zoom in the last few months, but it’s obviously just not the same as getting to see the girls in person.”
Online classes, Zoom meetings and social distancing seems to be the new normal.
“Our teachers and coaches have been amazing during this time,” Ozee said. “They are heroes and hopefully society remembers how much they had to fit a square peg into a round hole in a very short time period.”
First Time Head Coach
Marshall Williams had a little more time with his players before COVID. He was hired as football coach at Keller Timber Creek in early February, the first time he’s been a head coach.
But like everything else, the virus canceled high school sports, including spring football.
“Hard to establish relationships with parents and players through a communication app, but I was able to get most of my high school kids, middle school kids and parents. It has been as good as it can be up to this point.”
With no spring football or 7-on-7, it’s hard for coaches to evaluate what they have. Strength and conditioning and skill workouts have been going on since June 8.
“It’s been tough to evaluate rising juniors and seniors that you’re counting on to contributing right away,” Williams said. “With so many guidelines put in place to follow, I have had to be creative on how to try and get our players back in shape and most importantly safe. Our staff has done a great job along with our kids. We have great attendance and are practicing social distancing.”
A coaching staff and senior class has been a tremendous plus.
“I have inherited a bunch of really good coaches that care for kids,” Williams said. “I also have a senior class that have welcomed me and the culture that I have brought to Timber Creek.”
Hoff got her first head coaching gig when she was hired at Byron in June.
“Normally, you want to get in front of your players and their families as soon as possible so you can hit the ground running,” she said. “But because of COVID, we haven’t really had an opportunity to schedule a safe way for me to meet everyone in person. The safety of my kids and their families is more important than me getting to meet them all right away.”
This story was originally published July 30, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
