What does everyone think of the Northern California coaches that hop from program to program each year looking for that 'paycheck'? Isn't coaching supposed to be about the athletes. There are many nor cal coaches that continuously switch programs and don't seem to make a huge impact wherever they are?
I didn't realize there were coaches moving from gym to gym just for a bigger paycheck. If that is indeed the case, that's sad because there isn't much of a commitment from someone who is in it just for the money. Our organization has had the same coaches for years, and I don't think they get paid for it (if they do, it's certainly not enough to make a living). They do it because they truly care about the success of the organization; they do it because they care about the cheerleaders, each and every one of them. And we do quite well, year after year! It's really an honor for my daughter to cheer for coaches with that kind of dedication. Just my thoughts on the subject, hope others have similar experiences.
Most programs can't afford to pay their coaches well. My colleagues and I work for virtually nothing, but our teams are near or at the top of their divisions each year.
I do notice several coaches that hop around - I don't know that it's "for the paycheck", because I am friendly with coaches that have "hopped" around for other reasons - they want more responsibility, they want a more successful/prestigious program to work for, they don't like their managment, etc. But I would imagine that a coach that hops around solely for a paycheck probably feels rather unfulfilled - they end up with no bond with the athletes they coach, no feeling of commitment to their program or from their program to them, and really, those are things that help lead to overall team success, so in the end, that paycheck may not be there for long anyway.
Wow I didn't realize this happens either... our program is a top team and some of, or most of our coaches donate all of their time plus pay for their own kids tuition (or part). I would say the coaches who envest thier time rather than a paycheck come out on top with the love and respect they recieve from the children who's life they touch. As the saying goes.... One hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of car I drive, clothes I have, or house I live in... what matters is that I may make the world a little better because I was important in the life of a child. Just my opinion.
a cheer mom wrote: Wow I didn't realize this happens either... our program is a top team and some of, or most of our coaches donate all of their time plus pay for their own kids tuition (or part). I would say the coaches who envest thier time rather than a paycheck come out on top with the love and respect they recieve from the children who's life they touch. As the saying goes.... One hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of car I drive, clothes I have, or house I live in... what matters is that I may make the world a little better because I was important in the life of a child. Just my opinion.
Well the problem with some gyms is that they are ran inefficiently. Either they are managed or not managed at all. Then you have gyms that win many competitions, but there is drama behind the scenes. It can range from coaches dating, not being paid on time, being paid late, management not listening to coaches, gym owners making decisions not consulting the staff or customers, and just many other reasons. One thing you have to share as gym coaches/owners is the SAME passion for cheerleading. You can't have some people like it and others LOVE it. IT won't work. I do agree that loyalty and commitment mean less and less each year. ITs always about money, trophies, or ego. It is really sad, because if you get in the habit of leaving things all the time, then it will effect your family, personal life , and eventually lost faith in you as a coach. I predict more MERGERS in the next 5 years in gyms. The customer base in cheerleading is limited, so you can only spread so kids so thin before someone gives.
I am the owner of what would be considered a medium sized gym in our area. I read a couple of post that stated that these coaches coach for free and do not get paid a dime. I think that is great and all but if you are doing so because the owner has told you that he or she can't afford it, I would beg to differ. I have a small staff of about 4-5 people and every one of them gets paid a very competitive wage. Either your owner is not charging enough fees to cover rent and payroll or he or she is pulling the wool over your eyes. Yes it is for the kids, but the kids wouldn't want to think that your coaches are having a hard time making ends meet.
It is true that many coaches cannot make a living by coaching just alone but you can also supplement your income by doing private lessons. The main issue is that most gyms are not open a regular work week of 40 hours so even if you are making $10-15 an hour and you work what is considered full time in a gym atmosphere ( avr is about 20-30 hrs ) then you would need a second job.
If you are one of the coaches that 'works for free' ask your owner and don't feel bad when you do so. What happens if you get injured on the job, you are not a paid employee so you would not recieve any compensation if needed. There is nothing wrong with getting paid for what you love you are in charge of the most precious gift we have, our children, our future. I can pressume that if parents knew that fees were being raised a couple of dollars a month to pay coaches they would not have a problem with it.
This is in no way bashing the wonderful people that volunteer all of their time and energy to coaching, it takes alot to give yourself freely like that.
norcal all star wrote: Its not just in california...
look at Ray Jasper.. you never know where hes gonna be.
coaches from miami elite also went to cheerforce this year.
cheer is turning into the NFL!
Ummm miami elite is no longer a gym so its not really gym hopping when the coach went to cheerforce is it. His gym closed down and it was up to him to where he wants to go.
its not hopping....but when you move from a very successful company that is still in business..to another gym that is just about the same in success....and your a/less than mediocre coach....it make you wonder "WHY?"...it happened at our gym from one of our coaches....i know that my friends and I are very upset...and still think he is a trader...but...he probably doesnt care because if he did...he wouldnt have left....everythime we asked why there was an excuse....but we have alot of coaches that commute from far away, i odnt understand why he couldnt have......just letting it all out.....
oh by the way...ray jasper is an AMAZING choreographer and coach who is well known in the cheerleading world.....but these nobody coaches that are switching gyms are the ones that make you wonder...because obviously they cant be successful somewhere...maybe they think the grass is greener on the other side...i cant wait till they find out otherwise...
I am a nor cal coach and I do know of some individuals who have done that or even left their job to work at another gym because they felt the teams would be better. It is horrible that coaches would leave another gym to get paid better. I understand if they left to go to a better enviroment though. At my gym, we work as hard as we can to get kids involved. If that means we have to charge them less to nothing, we'll do it. It's about the kids! The best feeling is knowing that after they perform, that smile that is on their face is because you did your job. I love it when I see my kids laughing, jumping around, advancing, having fun! Money couldn't buy a smile like that. Money is worth nothing compared to a smile. : )
Nor cal Coach here wrote: I am a nor cal coach and I do know of some individuals who have done that or even left their job to work at another gym because they felt the teams would be better. It is horrible that coaches would leave another gym to get paid better. I understand if they left to go to a better enviroment though. At my gym, we work as hard as we can to get kids involved. If that means we have to charge them less to nothing, we'll do it. It's about the kids! The best feeling is knowing that after they perform, that smile that is on their face is because you did your job. I love it when I see my kids laughing, jumping around, advancing, having fun! Money couldn't buy a smile like that. Money is worth nothing compared to a smile. : )
I would bet you are one of our coaches! If not, what you said represents all that is right in cheerleading. Thanks for what and WHY you do what you do!
I agree womewhat but even coaches have to pay rent.
No, I'm not a coach and No I'm not from NorCal. SoCal coaches get paid fairly well. But then again, we probably have bigger gyms with more kids so we can do so.
And there lies the problem, IF you had coaches that did it just for the money. The only gyms that can afford to pay their coaches well are the big gyms with lots of kids, as Yes and No just pointed out.
Thank goodness for the great coaches out there that do it for other reasons, otherwise the big gyms would completely dominate.
Oops, had cap locks on... I agree somewhat that that can pose a problem, but also on the other hand, since our gym pays our coaches well, this also means that our gym is run EXTREMELY EXTREMELY well. We don't have the drama, thank goodness and our coaches don't leave. Our of NUMEROUS coaches, we lost ONE last season because this persons family member went seriously ill and this person needed to go back home. But other than that, we haven't lost a coach once! Now, we are lucky enough to have someone who knows business, have families who are ABLE to pay their tuitions and ON TIME, and are able to have a large number of kids in the gym, so this really really helps. Our fundraisers pay for stuff in the gym, not tuitions.
So just cause your coaches are making decent (not tons) but decent money, doesn't mean that they don't care. We just have a business manager who cares enough to make sure that things are paid for, bills don't get behind and that money is coming in. We are very lucky. And we are thankful too.
Try not to assume..... well, we all know that saying.
I think everyone needs to remember that just because a coach leaves what you perceive to be a "great gym" or a very "great situation" doesn't mean there isn't more going on behind the scenes that you don't know about. I'm not saying that this is always happening, but even the greatest gyms that are run very well have coaches leave for different reasons, including just simple personality differences. It doesn't mean they care about their kids any less, just remember that these coaches are people too. If you worked for a company and you loved all the employees and clients you worked with and you truly enjoyed your job, but your boss made your life a nightmare, would you really stay there? Probably not forever. So lets just make sure that we're not jumping to conclusions when it comes to coaches leaving and working at another gym. Sometimes it's not about the money, it's just about what works for them.
Thank you Remember. You are so right. Even though a gym may be a great one, not everyone may fit in for whatever reason. Thanks for the thought provoking post.
