I just got an email from NSCA soliciting Strength coach of the year nominations. Let me preface this by saying that these types of awards are ridiculous. Mostly popularity contests given those with winning teams with no understanding of what goes on behind the scenes.
That being said I have a nomination – I nominate Joe Anonymous, Joe is the coach Podunk High School, a school of 800 students in the middle of Florida. He has a 300 square foot weight room with no benches, dumbbells, three Olympic bars and three squat racks, no air conditioning, but he does have a concrete pad outside his weight room that is 800 square that he laid himself. He works with 23 sports boys and girls and he has no help. He does it all by himself. He does have a an iPad that he bought himself that he uses to video the athletes. He arrives to work at 5:30 AM to get ready for the first group of athletes who start at 6:00 PM. He has three groups before school and then he teaches five periods of history and then starts again at 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. During the summer he works with the athletes from 6:00 to 9:00 AM and then from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. He does this for a coaching stipend of $1500 that he uses to buy equipment. He has had zero ACL injuries the last four years. The teams are competitive, not great but they are healthy fit and functionally strong.
Folks this is reality! The NSCA does not even want to think to recognize this guy. He will never speak at a convention or get any recognition and he does not need any. There are thousands of Joe Anonymous out there all around the country. I tip my hat to you, you are the real coaches who do it for the kids. (PS - If you think this is fiction, look around)