A group of parents at the Coppell HS (TX) school district have filed official grievances against the current coaching staff alleging that coaches are playing favorites.
According to USA Today, the situation has actually gone even further, and parents have actually protested outside district headquarters earlier this week alleging misconduct. Some of the protesters directly pointed to the sophomore quarterback, who happens to be the son of the athletic director.
“It’s just sort of reached the boiling point," one parents told local outlet CBS 11. “There’s an extreme tension in the locker room among the kids. There’s a great fear of retaliation. Kids are worried if they say anything, they won’t play.”
The situation has become so heated that it has reportedly caused fights within the team.
I'm still in my first decade of coaching, but in my time as a coach and player I have never witnessed a coach "playing favorites" in the sense that these Texas HS parents are accusing them of. Every coach I know wants to put his best product on the field, and the personnel that will give the team the best chance to bring home a win, regardless of last name or parental affiliation.
The only people who have a full grasp of who should, and should not, be on the field are the coaches who are there at practice, putting in the time and working with all the kids each and every day. How some parents (with a natural bias) feel that they're more qualified to make that call has always boggled my mind. Protesting and filing official grievances is about as over the top as it gets. With that said though, it does sound as if the head coach could have done a better job communicating with the team and with their parents in this situation.
This is one of those situations in life where it's important to understand your role. If you're a scout team player, you don't have to accept that as your destiny for the rest of the season or your entire career, but there is an inherit value to embracing it today, and using the opportunity to get better and still find a way to make a difference on the team. That kind of effort is what coaches notice and reward. Just like in life, not every player can play quarterback, middle linebacker, or score every touchdown, one of the greatest things about football is there is literally a role for all shapes, sizes and talent levels.
Are there some coaches out there with ulterior motives? Probably, but I would venture to guess that is a microscopic portion of the guys that pour their heart into the coaching profession. Back in my day [note : I haven't reached 30 yet], parents would call the coach or go speak with the administration. Be civil and understanding. Picketing, protesting, filing "official grievances"? Oh man. If the parents involved spent that energy asking the coaching staff what their kids could do better to see more time on the field instead of picketing and protesting, it would go a long way in teaching their kids some actual life lessons.
Coppell has two games remaining and is currently sitting at 4-4.