National Coaches Day

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Fast Facts

WHAT: Honors the men and women who inspire us to work harder and do our best
WHEN: Celebrated each year on October 6
ORIGIN: Proclaimed by President Richard Nixon in 1972 by Proclamation 4157
VIBE: Grateful, Appreciative, Encouraging

NATIONAL COACHES DAY

National Coaches Day on October 6th honors the men and women who inspire us to work harder and do our best.

#NationalCoachesDay

Across the country in every community, a coach organizes teams, plans practices and training, and motivates players to strive to be the best they can be. At the same time, coaches pinpoint areas for improvement and supply guidance. Every sport or competition requires a leader who knows the game and drives athletes to work together as a team.

Many coaches maintain a schedule for training, conditioning, and preparing athletes. They create schedules for competition while keeping the health of their athletes in mind. Injuries sideline athletes and upset team dynamics. Although a coach's final goal is winning, they do so through a wealth of knowledge. Coaches work to build teams that bond well, develop work ethics, and set standards for their athletes that many carry with them throughout their lifetime.

The best coach is the one who sets you up for life, not the game. ~ Coach Snoop Doug

For many athletes, coaches teach them to focus and how to reach a goal - which sometimes is not about winning. It's about striving for improvement, playing by the rules, and learning respect for others, themselves, and the game.

Coaches are leaders and mentors who provide inspiration whose words echo through an athlete's mind for years to come. During difficult times, the words motivate them forward. Rarely do coaches know the impact they've had on an athlete until many decades have passed. And athletes aren't the only people who benefit from coaches. In an academic setting, coaches lead individuals and teams in speech, chess, drama, and many other types of competition.

5 Inspirational Coaches

Cheryl Miller - The one-time basketball coach for Cal State LA, she led her team to two NCAA tournaments. She now reports to TNT as a sports broadcaster.
Tony La Russa - With three World Series titles and a long list of wins, the Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals manager dominated the AL and NL during his career.
Herb Brooks - The NHL hockey coach led the United States to a win against the dominating Soviet Union in what became known as the Miracle on Ice.
Kathryn Smith - As the first full-time female coach for the NFL, she inspires by sheer achievement. However, her background offers a unique perspective from which both coaches and players benefit.
John Madden - Coach of the Oakland Raiders, he led his team for 10 seasons and a Super Bowl victory in 1977.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL COACHES DAY

Celebrate a coach who inspired you by sharing a transformational memory. No matter how many years have passed, telling your coach how they impacted your life is the best way to show gratitude for what they have taught you.

Organize a celebration for your coach. Bring the team together and let your coach know how much you appreciate all they do. Invite former coaches to be honored at schools and organizations.

Use #NationalCoachesDay to share stories, memories, and events about your favorite coaches.

NATIONAL COACHES DAY HISTORY

In 1972, President Richard Nixon issued Proclamation 4157, naming October 6th as National Coaches Day. He encouraged activities and ceremonies honoring coaches for the friends and counselors they become.

Coach FAQs

Besides sports, what other types of coaches are there?

Coaching goes beyond athletics. Coaches benefit many facets of our lives. For example, individuals and businesses of all kinds often hire business coaches to advance their careers and expand their businesses. Other kinds of coaches include:

Financial coach
Life coach
Health coach
Educational coach

Do coaches work virtually?

Athletics require a lot of face-to-face time with the team members. However, other coaches, like a health coach, may only require virtual contact. Basically, it depends on the type of coach and whether they are able to work in a virtual environment.