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We’ve all been there.
You’re gearing up for a full day of practice or game planning, film review, recruiting, and other tasks to get done when you get the dreaded text…
“I’m so sorry, I can’t make it today. I woke up feeling sick!”
Or maybe your little one has a fever. One of your players calls to say they’re dealing with a personal issue. Or an assistant coach suddenly has a family emergency. Or your partner’s work schedule suddenly shifts.
It’s 6:45am – your day hasn’t even started yet, but it already feels like it’s over.
Cue the deep breath.
As college coaches, structure and routine are critical to leading a successful program. We rely on assistant coaches, support staff, and schedules to keep things moving efficiently so we can focus on what we do best—coaching, mentoring, and developing athletes.
So when plans change, yes, it can throw us off. But this is also why we must build systems that allow us to adapt, shift, and still show up at our best.
A Perspective Shift
Coaching is full of duality. It’s holding two truths at once – like wanting uninterrupted time to focus on work while also needing to have open-door availability for your players.
It’s wanting to get home for dinner with your family while also feeling the pull to stay late and refine your game plan.
It’s the excitement of leading your team in practice or during a game while also craving an hour of quiet to recharge.
When things fall through, it’s easy to focus on the disruption. But what if this is actually a reminder of the adaptability and leadership you’ve built?
The ability to pivot, to choose what matters most, to practice grace over frustration?
And trust me, I’ve been there…
Over the course of my career, I went through staff changes, player mentals heath or disciplinary issues, unexpected schedule shifts, and personal challenges (coaching with my husband and having 2 kids to name a few). Again and again, things fell through. We had to adjust on the fly—reworking responsibilities, finding new ways to maximize time, and leaning into what truly mattered.
Instead of resisting, I leaned in. And even though it was really challenging some days, I saw it as an opportunity to simplify, prioritize, and focus on what only I could do as a head coach.
I still showed up, still moved the needle, and focused on what only I could do… just in a way that honored what was truly important in that season.
And guess what? Our program not only stayed on track, but it actually improved (A LOT!!)
I refined our systems, delegated more efficiently, and got clear on what was truly required. It turned out to be such a gift.
That’s the power of leading with adaptability and perspective.
Permission To Reset & Reprioritize
Instead of scrambling to “do it all,” here’s how to reset and make the day work for you:
- Reset Expectations. Not everything on your list will get done today – and that’s okay. Take a deep breath and ask yourself: What’s truly essential? Let go of the rest.
- Communicate Clearly. Give yourself permission to be transparent: “Hey team, we’ve had a schedule shift today. Here’s how we’re adjusting…” Your staff and players will respect your ability to adapt and lead with clarity.
- Reframe the Day. Instead of resisting the chaos, lean into it. This unexpected change? It’s a challenge to embrace. How lucky am I to have a staff that can step up? To have built a program that allows for flexibility. Let go of what was supposed to be and embrace what is.
- Create a Supportive Plan B. Can a GA step up to lead a drill? Can you adjust practice structure to be more self-led? Can you tackle recruiting calls from home if needed? It might not be ideal, but it works.
- Find a Self-Care Moment. Even on the busiest days, carve out two minutes for yourself. Step outside, sip a warm drink, stretch, or take a deep breath before the next challenge. It makes a difference.
Coaching is about leadership, adaptability, and perspective. The more you embrace the unexpected, the better you’ll lead—and the sooner you’ll get home to the people who matter most.
To your success,
Mandy Green
Here are some other ways I can help you:
FREE 30 Minute Consultation/Coaching Call. Click the link to schedule.
To leverage your time: High Performance Coach and Recruiter
To leverage your staff: Assistant Coach Accelerator,
To leverage your recruiting system: Recruiting Made Simple
How to stay consistent with social media for recruiting purposes: Social Story Recruiting
The Busy Coach Planner is something I think every college coach should have on their desk for the start of 2025. Grab one here and start fresh, organized and dialed in next year.
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