“The wins and losses are the easy part. It’s everything else we’re not trained for that keeps us up at night.”
— Anonymous high school coach (frequently cited in coaching surveys and burnout studies)
In my latest podcast with Dr. James Troha, President of Juniata College, he discussed the idea that maybe (okay, definitely) we’ve asked too much of our coaches over the years, and especially over the past 5 years—things that stretch well beyond their job description or formal training.
Most coaches do not hold graduate degrees in psychology or counseling. Yet they’re often the first responders when athletes break down, feel overwhelmed, or begin to show signs of mental distress. Why? Because the bonds formed in team culture are deep—parent/child, mentor/mentee, big brother/sister dynamics rooted in trust and shared sacrifice. Coaches preach “One Team, One Dream” and “Stronger Together,” not as slogans, but as sacred truth.
So when a player is struggling—mentally, emotionally, financially—they lean on the people they believe will show up for them. And coaches, being who they are, do.
“I’m not watching any kid starve, and I’m not sending any kid to walk through the projects at night by himself after practice.” — Coach Carl Reed, on X @CoachReedLive
“Teddy Bridgewater just got suspended… not for cheating, not for breaking rules, but for providing meals and rides to players so they could take care of their bodies and chase their dreams.” — Robert Griffin III, on X @RGIII
These are the opposite of feel-good stories.
They’re reminders that the system is upside down. We keep asking coaches to be more—without giving them more.
But Who Coaches the Coaches?
We train our athletes to eat right, lift properly, and be mentally tough—but how many schools train coaches in how to respond to anxiety, trauma, or emotional overload in their teams? How many administrators regularly check in on the mental health of their staff?
Let’s be honest: we’re not doing enough.
Too many coaches are pouring from empty cups.
It’s not enough to slap a “mental health matters” slogan on the locker room wall and host one staff development seminar a year. Coaching has changed—and our support systems need to change with it.
The Pay Doesn’t Match the Pressure
Let’s also talk about the reality behind the scenes:
The salary rarely matches the hours, responsibility, or emotional weight.
Many coaches—especially at the high school and small college levels—are expected to be coaches, counselors, mentors, medics, fundraisers, chauffeurs, and logistics managers… all for a stipend that often breaks down to a few dollars per hour.
And here’s the hard truth:
When we don’t invest in assistant coaches, the head coach carries it all.
When we underpay those assistants, we send the message that support staff doesn’t matter.
When we normalize that pressure, we burn out the exact people we count on to lead with character.
If we want better mental health outcomes for athletes, we need to think systemically. That starts with staffing and support.
The Athletic Director’s Role
ADs—you set the tone. You shape the culture.
Here’s how you can make a difference right now:
- Advocate for better stipends and full-time positions where possible. Compensate coaches for the hours they actually give.
- Help hire strong assistant coaches who bring balance, diversity, and specific strengths to the team culture.
- Check in regularly with your head coaches—not just on wins and losses, but on workload, pressure, and personal well-being.
- Be the buffer when outside noise gets loud. Protect your coaches from unreasonable parent, admin, or media expectations.
- Celebrate empathy the way you celebrate championships. Great coaching starts with care.
Because if your coaches are overwhelmed, unsupported, or quietly breaking down, your athletes feel it. And your culture suffers.
Here’s Where We Start
If we want stronger teams and healthier athletes, we need to invest in the people who lead them. That means more than slogans and posters. It means real action:
1. Normalize Mental Health Training for Coaches
Provide year-round professional development that helps coaches recognize, respond, and refer athletes in crisis.
2. Build Peer Support Networks
Give coaches spaces to talk to each other about what they’re carrying. Just like athletes, coaches need teammates too.
3. Offer Counseling and Wellness Resources for Staff
Mental health support shouldn’t stop at the edge of the playing field. Include coaches in your resource plans.
4. Teach Boundaries Without Losing Compassion
Train coaches to listen, refer, and care—without trying to fix everything alone. That’s not strength, that’s survival.
5. Make Budget and Staffing a Mental Health Conversation
Fewer duties, better pay, and real help go a long way in sustaining a coach’s ability to care for others.
Final Thought
We keep asking coaches to be the glue, the bridge, the safe haven.
Let’s stop expecting them to do that without being coached, cared for, and supported themselves.
If we want healthier teams, we need healthier coaches.
And that starts when we finally make the decision to coach our coaches.
Looking for More Support?
If you’re an athletic director, school leader, coach, or parent looking to create a healthier sports environment for your athletes and your staff—I’d love to help.
At CoachMattRogers.com, I offer:
- Keynote speaking and workshops for schools and athletic departments on leadership, mental health, and recruiting.
- 1-on-1 strategy sessions for coaches who want to grow their programs without losing themselves in the process.
- Resources for student-athletes and families, including my books Significant Recruiting and The Recruit’s Journal to help navigate the college journey with clarity and confidence.
- Weekly blog posts, podcasts, and recruiting tips delivered straight to your inbox when you subscribe to the newsletter.
If you found this blog helpful, please share it with a fellow coach or administrator who might need to hear it.
And if you’re ready to build a program that prioritizes both performance and people, start today at CoachMattRogers.com.
