Coach Archetypes

Types of Coaches

Coaches come in all types. Just like anywhere in life, there’s not one exact path you have to take for success. In this chapter we will explore the five base personality types of coaches. You have seen personality assessments for behavior and workplace skill-sets in the form of DISC, working genius, and enneagram.. Just as everyone falls into a “type” in those assessments, you can fall into a behavioral category as a coach as well.

Within each category individuals will differ, however the root of who you are as a coach would fall under the same category. The overview is a quick summary of this coach’s personality traits. Strengths and weaknesses are what they typically do well and poorly. At your best is what this coach looks like when they are completely in a healthy mindset. The red flags are situations in which you need to realize that you need to change the unhealthy parts of you in order to build into your team. 

AUTHORITARIAN

Example: Bill Belichik, New England Patriots. Nick Saban, Alabama Crimson Tide.

Overview: The Authoritarian coach is someone who is in total control of his or her program. They don’t accept anything less than 100% and desire perfection. This type of coach fears giving up control to others because he or she has an extremely specific way of doing things and doesn't think others under them can hit that bar. Typically what this person looks like during games is constantly demanding execution through yelling or nonverbal aggression. It takes a specific type of player that can play for them as they can be scary to play for. It takes time for players to realize that they have a soft heart and care for you, but their desire to win covers up emotions.

Strengths: You are able to obtain complete control over your team. No one questions who is in charge. You always have a plan. Your players know they have to be sharp or you will hold them accountable. Your team will execute a game plan better than most.

Weaknesses: You can easily scare off or alienate your team. Your anger verges on verbal degradation. Assistants don’t gain as much hands-on experience. Your stubbornness can get in the way of growth.

At your best: You are in complete control of your team. Your players respect you and trust that you’ll lead them to where they want to be. They know that if you get onto them it’s because you want them to reach their full potential. There is no situation in which you are unprepared. Your assistants are thriving by watching your actions and following through with your expectations. Your team has minimal distractions and all players know their role.

Red flag: When your players are afraid of you. When this happens you need to see the world through their eyes. Ask yourself some hard questions. What’s it like to be on the other side of you?. Are you pushing them positively or hindering them with fear? Are your expectations reasonable? Try to implement mercy and understanding to get your team back to full trust. 

HYPE MAN

Example: Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions. Dabo Swinney, Clemson Tigers.

Overview: This type of coach has the ability to excite his team at the drop of a hat. You constantly celebrate success. When a big play happens you jump out of your seat as if you’re a kid again. During games you are constantly yelling out positives. Inversely you withdraw when positives are absent. This type of coach is capable of boosting morale instantly with his/her energy and passion for the game. A descriptor that can perfectly describe you is: Contagious energy.

Strengths: Players enjoy playing for you. You create positive energy. You create waves of momentum. Your team has more fun than most.

Weaknesses: When things aren’t going well you tend to disappear. You can complain just as fast as you can hype up. When things go bad they can snowball into an avalanche.

At your best: Your team constantly and enthusiastically celebrates each other. There is joy in your locker room. Your team is able to weather the storm in order to find sunshine. Your players play harder in the joy they exude.

Red flag: When your team reacts poorly to road blocks, making bad situations worse. When you get to this point you need to realize that your team will mimic your energy. That doesn’t just mean good energy. You need to be just as positive and encouraging during bad times as when you are thriving. It’s easy to be excited and animated when things go your way. It’s when you’re losing that those actions become harder to emit. Be intentional about being positive and encouraging during difficult times to get your team back to good health. 

STEADY EDDY

Example: Brad Stevens, Butler University Bulldogs and Boston Celtics. Phil Jackosn, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. 

Overview: This type of coach stays in the perfect middle of overexcitement and complete withdrawal. Some coaches get way too excited to focus during good times. Some coaches withdraw during bad times. You stay perfectly calm regardless of the waves of momentum that occur during a game. During games you pace the sideline coaching with a steady hand. This type of coach is perfectly OK giving the spotlight to others.

Strengths: Nothing riles you up. You have the ability to stay calm through any storm. This demeanor can help you ride the roller coaster that comes with every game.

Weaknesses: There are times when a team needs their leader to speak up and gain command and you have a hard time getting yourself to that point. You struggle to verbally excite your troops. Your team can become passive or soft.

At your best: Your team can ride any wave of momentum. Your assistant coaches don’t get too reactive. Your team knows the expectation and finds leaders within to excite and calm each other. Your players don’t overreact to officiating. Crowd noise does not bother your team.

Red flag: When your team struggles to get off to fast starts or stay motivated throughout games. When you notice that at the beginning of the game or quarters, or even after timeouts, your team struggles to get going, they may be lacking the energy necessary to focus them on the task. A calming presence can be great at keeping emotions at bay, but there are actually times when your players need to feed off of your energy. When you notice your team getting off to sluggish starts, try to tap into the energy inside of you to share it with your team. 

PLAYERS’ COACH

Example: Tony Dungy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts. Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors.

Overview: This type of coach is a frequent communicator with his or her team. They also allow the players’ voices to be heard and make decisions. They can gain implicit trust in their locker room. During games this coach is often asking their team what they’re seeing and applying it to the game plan. This coach is having conversations with players, rather than yelling at them. This coach is often found around his team rather than isolated in a coach's office or several bleacher sections away. They aren’t afraid to have real conversations with players and staff that other coaches would tend to stay away from. The line can at times become blurred between boss and friend.

Strengths: Players flock to your program. You give the freedom to make choices and that enlightens players. You provide a sense of comfortability and trust in your program.

Weaknesses: You can lose control of focus at times. You can have trouble getting players to completely lock in during practice or meetings. Players’ behavior can get erratic at times. A black and white rule system can become grey.

At your best: Your team knows how to flip the switch at game time and in practices from fun loving to motivated and focused. Your players respect your word and take ownership of what you say they need to do. Your players and assistants truly enjoy coming into work because they know they are cared for.

Red flag: When your players are walking all over you, doing whatever they want. If at any point you notice that your team is not listening to you, halt everything you are doing. This red flag can be the most toxic of any coaching type as it can derail your program. Even if it’s uncomfortable, start giving concrete directions to not allow for wiggle room. Cut out back talk as it will show others it isn’t acceptable. Even though it goes against your nature you need to put your foot down and show your team that you are in charge and there is no confusion over who makes the decisions. You can continue to get back into your positive aspects of giving autonomy once your team is healthy again.

DELEGATOR

Example: Mike Krzyzewski, Duke Basketball Coach. Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs.

Overview: This type of coach has a strong ability of making others feel welcome and accepted. They get the most out of their assistants and managers because he/she gives them a feeling of great purpose. During games this coach often communicates with the assistant coaches on what their thoughts are. They have frequent groupthink sessions and are accepting of other ideas. They also empower their players to make decisions such as what drills to run for warmups in practice. This warmth creates a family feel in the locker room.

Strengths: Your assistants grow strongly under you. You are open to other ideas and can grow your team in new ways. You have the most options during games as your staff is prepared to provide any and all input. Your gameplan can get very creative.

Weaknesses: You can lose track of what your true duties are and become lazy. You can quickly become disengaged. The flow chart of who is in charge can become blurry. 

At your best: Your assistant coaches take ownership of tasks and check in with you for evaluation. Your players enjoy playing for you because they feel respected enough to have a say in how things are done. Leaders are created because they are empowered to make decisions and feel autonomy in their day.

Red flag: When you find others doing more and working harder than you. If your assistant coaches are working harder than you it will damage your team in 2 ways. 1)  Your staff will resent you and start looking for jobs elsewhere 2) It will give the impression to your team that you're not the one in charge. They will feed off of the resentment of the assistant coaches and not trust you to the fullest. In order to get your staff and team back to health, step up and take back control of your duties. Go above and beyond to show that you will put in more work than anyone else, and you will gain their trust back.

There is nothing wrong about being any one type of coach. We need each one of you to make our sport unique and interesting. The important part of knowing what type of coach you are is knowing what your shortcomings are. You can’t improve unless you know what those in-need areas are. It’s always important to be able to highlight your strengths and capitalize on them. You may be a healthy mix between two types. Maybe one season you are aggressive and authoritative, and the next year you feel more free to delegate. What is important is that you can pinpoint when you are at your healthiest and when you need to notice and course correct a red flag situation. It could also be helpful to take good parts of the other types of coaches in order to improve yourself as you navigate this ever changing career. Be intentional about improving yourself and you will see positive strides in your program.