Whether your're currently a head coach, or simply an aspiring one at the moment, chances are good that you will eventually have to address the subject of players on your roster working with a private trainer, instead of attending the typical team workouts.
A lot of coaches out there are not exactly proponents of handing some of the off season development of players on their roster off to someone else, not to mention the team bonding and camaraderie that many feel players that choose to train elsewhere may be missing out on. On top of that, there tend to be a lot of misconceptions and over-generalizations out there about folks that come from the private training sector.
Truth be told, there are plenty of quality private strength coaches out there that do what they do, and are driven for many of the same reasons we choose to coach - to help kids become better players and better people.
Recently, one of those private strength and conditioning coaches wrote an open letter to the coaching members of the Texas High School Coaches Association. It was so well received, and is something that coaches in literally every state in America are encountering, that it was then passed it along to us to share with our national audience of coaches.
Read the letter, from Tim Crowder, the owner of Nuclear Athletes and Head of Athletic Performance below.
Dear Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA),
My name is Tim Crowder. Currently, I am the owner of Nuclear Athletes and head of athletic performance. We are located in the Round Rock, Tx area. Most of our athletes are football players from the middle and high school level. I am also the personal coach for many NFL athletes in the area. Before continuing further I will give you my background.
My sports career started at one of the premier HS football programs in the state of Texas, John Tyler high. After my HS career I was blessed with a few athletic scholarships and decided on representing my state by playing for THE University of Texas. I started out in Kinesiology and finished with a degree in the school of Education. I was part of some great teams that won 2 Rose Bowls, one of them being the National Championship in 2005. During my college career I made 1st team All Conference and All-American. After my college career I was drafted to the NFL by the Denver Broncos. I played my last 3 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers playing a total of 5 years.
Throughout my sports career I had the opportunity to play under Hall of Fame coaches (Mike Shanahan, Mack Brown to name a few). In addition, I trained under dynamic strength & speed coaches (Jeff “Maddog” Madden, Rich Tuten, Luke Richesson, Darryl Eto, etc.). Being around these tremendous coaches allowed me to gain an immense amount of knowledge about coaching, professionalism, and sports performance.
After reading articles [like this one, and this one href="https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/collegesports/2017/12/06/jimbo-fisher-just-step-cold-war-visit-select-7-7-coach-go-https://247sports.com/college/texas-am/Article/Jimbo-Fisher-and-Texas-high-school-coaches-111900677" target="_blank"] there is apparently a war going on between Texas HS coaches and “private trainers.” Since I can be considered a “private trainer” or “outside trainer” this is directed at me. I am writing this letter to address the Texas HS coaches and clear my name.
I can only speak on behalf of myself and Nuclear Athletes. To all the coaches that we have great relationships with, thank you. To the coaches who are skeptical or dislike us, we ask that you invite us to a face-to-face meeting with your entire staff. Ask whichever questions that make you skeptical or dislike us. Then I ask that you visit one of our training sessions before casting judgment.
Next, I want to break the ice by speaking on the stigmas that has labeled “outside trainers” for years. Supposedly we have all been categorized as “money grabbers”, “handlers”, or “not in the best interest of the athletes.” Let's talk about “money grabbers.” This insinuates that I only care about the money. Unfortunately, society is setup to where we work to make a living. When setting our rates I go out of my way to make us affordable for what we offer. Texas HS coaches are paid a salary to coach as well.
In moving on to the “handlers” stigma, I am not sure what this implies. If it implies that I call to check on my athlete's to talk about everything but football, then consider me a handler. If my athlete's ask me for advice I am definitely going to find the best answer for them. When my athlete's struggled to build a relationship with their HS coach I stepped in to be a bridge to that relationship. Most coaches don't know that. I was born and raised in Texas high school football so I understand the history and sacredness of it.
The last stigma I want to address is “private trainers are not in the best interest of the athlete.” During my sports career I got the chance to accomplish many goals and live my dream. I would give it all away if my athlete's got the chance to experience what I have felt, seen, and lived. I love my athletes.
How does Nuclear Athletes help HS programs? Many HS coaches have told me that they wish they had more time to develop the athletes. Therefore, we become a source for the athlete's to continue to develop their skills. Due to extra development time many of our athlete's are successful, which helps their HS program. To add, all of our programs are aligned with their HS programs. For example, we do not offer strength training during the offseason months out of respect to their school's offseason programs. During spring ball and football season we recommend that our athletes work specifically with their HS coaches. I believe in putting in the work during the winter/spring months to showcase for spring ball. This extra work could include 7v7 tournaments to continue to sharpen their skills. Once summer arrives it is time to prepare for the greatest camps of all, THURSDAY & FRIDAY NIGHTS.
As I come to a close, I know many HS coaches and some of you are my close friends. Instead of being at war with each other as the articles implies, let's come together. Don't forget that it takes a village to raise a child. To the “trainers”, “private coaches”, or “recruiting services” that are not in the best interest of the athletes, I despise you as well. You make a bad name for all of us and need to change your ways or weed yourself out.
I put my name on this letter to show you that I am authentic. I have nothing to hide and speak only in truth and peace. If you want to talk with me I will leave my contact information below. #KeepTexasHSFootballSacred
Tim Crowder
Nuclear Athletes-Owner & Head of Athletic Performance