1. COMMON MISTAKES MADE BY ATHLETIC DIRECTORS
Brandon Clark and Andy McGill
August 5, 2019

2. Planning Failing/poor planning
AD’s juggle many things, but none can hit the floor
To-do lists
Today
This week
Long term (work ahead)
Use of Technology (Google/Asana/Apple/Arbiter/rSchools)
Prioritize and delegate (big mistake to not delegate)
Try and block out mornings, if possible
Events
Liability management
Identify people behind the scenes and what they do
Game Day Checklists
Details matter - Aloha HS example
Procrastinating
Plan ahead - use summer and other slower times to pre-plan
Break projects up into smaller tasks
Do not reinvent the wheel
Planning

3. Relationships Spending too much time in the office Get out
Build relationships (example: elementary principals, booster clubs, informal conversations)
Meet with each of your head coaches/directors (go to them)
Must be visible (practices, games, meetings)
Lacking professional courtesy
24 hour rule for messages ( /phone)
Give people 100% of your attention
Communication
Weekly s
Talk/Meet with head coaches at least once a week
Empower your coaches
Open door
Listen to needs/new ideas-Don’t say NO initially
Celebrate your workers and coaches
Fish/Chicken Fry--All Sports Banquet
Build Community Relationships
Veteran’s Night-Pink Out-Fields of Faith-Hall/Wall of Fame-Service Projects-Golf Tournaments-Homecoming Tailgate-Little Leagues
Relationships

4. Learning from Mistakes
Taking action without thinking
Listen first
Slow to speak
Failing to keep promises
Under promise and over deliver
Arrogance
No one has all of the answers
Apologize
It‘s ok to make mistakes
Learn from them and move forward
We can always get better
Eligibility mistake example
Take Risks
Do not be afraid to fail
“If you don’t ever make a mistake, it probably means you’re not doing anything of value or importance” - Joey Struwe, AD, Lincoln HS, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Control the Controllables
Learning from Mistakes

5. Miscellaneous Never asking for help Building a network
Custodians, Office Managers, other AD’s, Principals
Attend workshops, conferences
Assuming coaches understand
Work/Home Life not balanced
Delegate
Trust your team
Make-up for the busier times in each season
Lowering expectations
Professional Development (Organizations/Clinics/Beyond X & O’s)
Book Club
3D Coaching
LTC Coaches
Coaching Evaluations
Not dealing with poor coaches/directors
Miscellaneous

6. Brandon Clark
Athletic/Activities Director
Nixa Public Schools
Andy McGill
Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
Sikeston Public Schools