Coaches are selected based on their knowledge of their sport and their understanding of the school’s rules and regulations. One thing that is nearly unavoidable when hiring coaches is having their own children come up through the athletic programs. This exact thing has happened in several school teams, including sports such as soccer and football.
Assistant coach David McCarter coaches his daughter, Layla McCarter, on the girls’ soccer team. D. McCarter previously acted as the head coach for the boys’ soccer team, and this is his first year coaching the girls’ team.
“After 26 years of coaching other people’s children, I didn’t want to miss out on her time in the program,” D. McCarter said. “You can’t miss your own children playing and participating in what they love.”
Head football coach Vincent Nedimyer coaches his son, Vincent Nedimyer Jr.
“Vince has been around the team even since he was a little kid,” V. Nedimyer Sr. said. “He was nine years old, I think, whenever I first got the job. So he’s been around, and the kids that have been playing know him.”
Athletic Director Phil Riccio is one of the administrators in charge of hiring coaches.
“We’re looking for the best coach that’s available in the best possible situation to lead our programs,” Riccio said. “You’re never going to get away from somebody’s son or daughter coming up through a program that they may be coaching. That’s just nature. We hold the coach to the responsibility of putting the team above everything and getting all those athletes to buy into the culture, to be good people and give them the opportunity to go to the next step in life.”
D. McCarter and V. Nedimyer Sr. shared how they view their team dynamics.
“Whenever we’re talking pre game, post game, that transcends family, we’re all family at that point,” D. McCarter said. “So in my mind now, I view all those people as players and as people part of a team working together.”
“A lot of the things that we hold our players accountable to or similar things that I do with my kids,” V. Nedimyer Sr. said. “Sports teach you character and adversity that kids come into contact with, build those characters. And whenever you’re faced with adversity, you see the type of person that you are, it brings out whatever positive or negative characteristics that may be inside of you.”
D. McCarter and V. Nedimyer Sr. have found that coaching their own kids has allowed them to spend more time together.
“I love it, and it’s been a true bonus for something I love to do for years as a passionate soccer coach,” D. McCarter said. “Now my kids are there too, so it’s more of a family thing. My wife’s coming to games now; she’s more actively involved in being a fan and a team parent. It’s been a great experience for us as a family, and I’m enjoying every minute.”
“It’s been pretty nice because, anytime I need something, I can easily ask him,” L. McCarter said.
“He’s there with me on a daily basis,” V. Nedimyer Sr. said. “It’s fun to see him grow just like the other kids. It’s been a good experience.”
V. Nedimyer and D. McCarter have their own philosophies about how to handle coaching their kids.
“I’ve coached him in different sports,” V. Nedimyer Sr. said. “It’s a little different when you get to the high school level because you’re growing up a little bit. But now he understands the expectations of not just me but our other coaches… My kid is not going to get any special treatment by any means.”
“Coaching is coaching,” D. McCarter said. “I try to leave some of the finer points to other coaches … it’s a different voice than my own, and I’ve coached her in youth soccer and other organizations forever, so I love the idea that other coaches are going to help her get her game to a different level.”
Parents have been coaching their own children for years, and there will likely be parent coaches for many years to come.
“Love the game, know the game, learn the game if you don’t know it, and you better be there for every player in that team to get better, or they’re going to know it in a second,” D. McCarter said. “If you’re there uber-focused on your kid, it shouldn’t be that way. You’re in charge of a whole team. You have to coach the entire team. That would be my best advice.”
