Accountability

     In the coaching industry there is a lot of debate over whether an old school or new school approach is better. I tend to lean towards the new school because I think if we are not constantly evolving then things can't continue to get better. One old school trait that will never go out of style is holding everyone in the program accountable for their actions. The coaches and players must be held to the same standard no matter their skill level or nothing will ever be accomplished over a long period time. The buzzword culture is used a lot these days and I think overused especially if everyone isn't being held accountable for their actions. 

    Accountability has to start with the head coach laying down expectations for the assistant coaches and players and tell them exactly how you want things done. If this isn't done, then accountability is immediately lost right away because the head coach has no expectations for anyone. If these expectations aren't met, then punishment has to be given and it has to be the same for every player. You have to have the same expectations of your star players as you do the worst player on the roster. Good culture is shown by sustained success over time and wins and losses especially early on shouldn't be a sign that culture is good or bad. Ultimately talent can win games in the short term even with bad culture and teams can lose games with a good culture because they aren't talented enough.  

    Coaches have to also be held accountable when they aren't doing the right things to make players better. Going back to the new school vs old school argument and why I tend to lean towards the new school side is that you need to be accountable in getting your players better. Technology has proven to make players better and if you aren't using it to measure progress in your program then you aren't doing what is best for your players. What is best for players is to give them every possible avenue that you can to make them a better player. So many baseball players go to outside sources now because programs can't offer them any ways to develop and get better. 

    Overall, there has to be expectations that are set by the person leading the program and to be a part of the program you have to be able to meet those expectations. Teams that think they have good culture but don't hold everyone accountable will eventually crumble because they aren't doing the right things day in and day out. Sustained success is the hardest thing to achieve in any sport but the best way to achieve it is to follow the basics of having the same expectations of improvement. The old school model of accountability will live on forever and these teams that have it will always be more successful.  

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