BleacherCoaches.com

If the rumor that Sue Conner has resigned from coaching the Everett girls’ basketball team is true, I would just like to say that basketball program is losing a very good, quality coach in Sue Conner. The Everett girls’ basketball teams of the future will surely suffer for this loss. Sue has established a great basketball program for Everett and her winning record proves that, yet there is no loyalty or appreciation shown for what she has accomplished during her reign as coach. Instead, the administration / school board listens to and makes decisions based on phone calls from disgruntled parents?!?

I feel that the parents of today are given way too much power and influence over the hiring and firing of coaches. When I played sports, my parents would have never thought of expressing their opposition to a coach’s rule, decision, or philosophy. My parents treated the coaches with respect and appreciated everything they did. The coaches had the power to run the program how he/she saw fit and the administration/school board had a backbone and supported them all the way. Nowadays, the parents are calling the administration on every whim…if their child doesn’t get to play, if their child gets screamed at for something in a game or at practice, and sadly enough even if their child complains about the hard work involved. Nowadays, the administration and school board are highly influenced by the parents and make decisions to satisfy the parents instead of doing what is right for the success of the program.

Politics are definitely an issue anywhere you turn. Sure, a coach SHOULD play the best players and key on winning…but this is often hard to do when you have the administration and school board hounding you and threatening your role as coach. It’s high time that the parents and players suck it up and let the coach do the job. It is aggravating to me to see yet another coach be dragged through the mud and be treated with such disrespect because of parental influences and hearsay.

After all Sue’s accomplishments and all the memories she must have over the years, this whole situation undoubtedly leaves nothing but a sour taste in her mouth when it comes to the Everett School District. It will be hard to fill the shoes of Sue Conner, and I highly doubt anyone will. I have a feeling that the program will plummet downhill and never regain what they once had.

Well, I guess Everett has had enough drama now to last them a lifetime. After last night's board meeting, the Conners will return to coach the Lady Warriors this season.

First, let me state my opinion on this whole situation. I played for the Conners during my years at Everett and we were really good. However, some of the comments that were in the paper today amaze me. For example, Bubba builds self-confidence. After playing for numerous coaches in other sports, I would say the exact opposite. Bubba does know his basketball, but he makes you feel worthless while you play for him. Most people who don't have him as a coach think girls don't like him because he yells, well that is only the beginning. Once, Bubba made the team stand in a circle and went around pointing to each one saying "You suck, you suck, you suck." This is completely uncalled for in high school sports. If Bubba was a teacher, he would have been fired long ago for his stubborn and ridiculous behavior. He has headbutted the athletic director and kicked one of his players. Bubba should be long gone from coaching on the sidelines of a basketball game, but I guess to the people of Everett - Winning is all that really matters. :roll:

On the other hand, I'm glad to see that Sue is staying. She is an extremely successful coach in both basketball and volleyball. I enjoyed playing for her. She is a motivator and a believer and through her I feel Lady Warrior basketball has become what it is today.

Best of luck to the Lady Warriors! I truly hope that all of this can be something of the past. To all of the parents and people in support of Bubba last night - remember he is there because of you. Therefore, don't complain about him, his coaching, or his behavior during the upcoming basketball seasons. :?

I think their are many ways to motivate young men and women. I think coaches are great and can do pretty much anything legal not hitting or kicking their players. I like yelling and think it is part of the athletics as a whole if needed! I have never coached girls which might be different in that sense!! Let the coaches coach and you will win games!!

pitt47 if you are going to mention what Bubba has done, then you should tell the WHOLE story. He didn't outright kick a player, he was sitting beside the player and he kicked her foot (and not hard by the way) just to get her attention. And when he headbutted the AD it was after the AD pushed him first. As for the 'you suck' part...maybe you did suck or maybe he knew you could play better than what you have been playing.

it takes all types.from tony dungy calm cool, encouraging.to vince lombardi who pitted players against each other and demeaned them. to bill cowher who is raving lunatic. we grow when we different influences around us everyone can't be as charming and lovely as hollywood.

I played for Bubba and yes he yells. And he yells loud. But if you know Bubba, he is always loud. That is just his personality. It is when Bubba stops yelling at you that you need to worry. If he yells at you, that means he knows you could be better and he's trying to help you. Bubba knows the game of basketball. His players should listen to him. His personality may clash with your's but you just have to deal with it. Coaches are going to yell, that's their job. Listen to what they say not how they say it.

Basketball practice was never easy, it's not supposed to be. I know I did my fair share of complaining, we all did. You would too if you had practices where you barely touched a ball. But in the end when we were District champs, we knew why we worked our butts off. The sad part about today's athletes is most, not all, don't want to work hard and they don't want anyone yelling at them. In order to succeed, you need to be willing to work harder than your opponent.

As for the parents...they need to just sit in the stands and cheer for the TEAM, not just their kid but the entire team. DO NOT talk negatively about other players. It's sad to hear some of the things our parents say now. And if you don't want someone else yelling at your child, then don't let them play sports. Remember parents, you are not at practices everyday. You don't always know why the coach makes the decions that they make, but he/she knows best. You just need to sit back and deal with it.

Whoever coaches Everett this year, unless it's Sue, is gonna have a headache. A couple of those girls have attitude problems, ie Everett's volleyball team. The Lady Warriors have the talent to win the SHL. Cessna and Smith could become the best low post threats around, but getting a new coach could mean trouble.