The fastest way to lose a head coaching job? It's not losing games...
Thad Wells@ThadWells
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Oct 26, 2025
~2 min read
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The fastest way to lose a head coaching job?
It's not losing games alone.
It's something few coaches understand.
🧵THREAD
It's not losing games alone.
It's something few coaches understand.
🧵THREAD
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Here's the truth:
You can win championships and still get fired.
You can go 5-5 and keep your job.
You can win championships and still get fired.
You can go 5-5 and keep your job.
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The difference?
How many headaches you create versus how many you eliminate.
Decision makers care about this more than most coaches think.
How many headaches you create versus how many you eliminate.
Decision makers care about this more than most coaches think.
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Think about it from their perspective.
The decision makers deal with hundreds of issues daily.
The last thing they want is more problems on their desk.
The decision makers deal with hundreds of issues daily.
The last thing they want is more problems on their desk.
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When your program generates constant complaints, you become a liability.
Even if you're winning.
Because headaches compound faster than wins.
Even if you're winning.
Because headaches compound faster than wins.
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Where do most headaches come from?
Parents and supporters.
Parents and supporters.
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Playing time disputes.
Communication breakdowns.
Perceived favoritism.
Lack of an ROI.
Communication breakdowns.
Perceived favoritism.
Lack of an ROI.
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These issues reach the AD's office faster than game results.
And they stick around longer than losses.
When you step back to think about this you’ll start to see it more and more.
And they stick around longer than losses.
When you step back to think about this you’ll start to see it more and more.
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Here's how to eliminate headaches before they start:
Set crystal clear expectations in writing.
Over-communicate with parents and supporters weekly.
Set crystal clear expectations in writing.
Over-communicate with parents and supporters weekly.
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Create transparent playing time criteria.
Share it. Post it. Reference it constantly.
This alone cuts parent complaints by 70%.
Share it. Post it. Reference it constantly.
This alone cuts parent complaints by 70%.
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Document everything.
Every conversation. Every decision. Every incident.
When issues arise, you have receipts.
Every conversation. Every decision. Every incident.
When issues arise, you have receipts.
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Build relationships BEFORE problems emerge.
That parent who trusts you won't run to the AD.
They'll come to you first.
That parent who trusts you won't run to the AD.
They'll come to you first.
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The coaches who last decades understand this:
Your job isn't just winning games.
It's making your boss's life easier.
Your job isn't just winning games.
It's making your boss's life easier.
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When decision makers think of you, they should feel relief.
Not anxiety about what problem might pop up next.
That's real job security.
Not anxiety about what problem might pop up next.
That's real job security.
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Winners who create drama get replaced.
Builders who eliminate problems get retained.
Which one are you?
Builders who eliminate problems get retained.
Which one are you?
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Stop thinking your record alone will save you.
Start thinking about the total impact of your program.
On students. Parents. Administrators. The community.
Start thinking about the total impact of your program.
On students. Parents. Administrators. The community.
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The best coaches aren't just good at X's and O's.
They're masters at reducing friction.
At every level of the program.
They're masters at reducing friction.
At every level of the program.
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When you make their job easier, they'll fight to keep you.
Even through losing seasons.
Follow @ThadWells for more thoughts like this.
Even through losing seasons.
Follow @ThadWells for more thoughts like this.
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