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Coaching Perspective: Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously
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Shawn Jones
DIRECTOR, ATHLETICS
Shawn has 30 years of head basketball coaching experience combined with 11 years as an athletic director. He has coached in Colorado and Texas, and has taken teams to three Final Four tournaments and a state championship. He has seen numerous players of his continue on to compete at the college and professional level of the sport. He is also proud to have seen many of his athletes become high school and collegiate coaches themselves. As director of athletics, Shawn is a key member of Ballogy’s team, driving the company’s athletic strategy, partnerships, coach engagement, and product vision. He has been married to his high school sweetheart for 32 years and they have raised three wonderful children together. Shawn has a passion for player development and the desire to assist coaches with effective, time-saving tools of administering and assessing skill development drills.
One of the best lessons I took away from 30 years in coaching is this: don’t take yourself too seriously. Of course, we should be serious and intense about what we do—but too often in high school athletics, we carry pressure that belongs at the NBA or NCAA level. High school coaches aren’t paid millions to win. In fact, we’re barely paid at all. Yet, parents and communities often treat coaches like they’re making professional salaries, while in reality, many coaches earn some of the lowest wages available for a four-year degree. Most of us hold advanced degrees, which only makes the imbalance sting more.
The Reality of Coaching Life
High school coaches don’t just coach. We teach full class loads, cover bus and lunch duty, sponsor clubs, and supervise before- and after-school activities. Many coach a second sport, drive buses, or handle endless “volunteer” assignments. When you add up the hours, the pay looks more like a punchline than a paycheck.
And yet, it’s one of the most rewarding jobs in America. We don’t do it for money—we do it because we love kids, we love teaching the game, and we thrive on competition. Our playing days are behind us, but our drive to compete and pass along the passion never fades. It’s long hours, low pay, and high demands—but it’s also joy, energy, and purpose. Simply put, you’ve got to be a little crazy to love it… and we do.
Misplaced Pressure
That’s why I get frustrated when communities grumble about coaches or threaten their jobs over not winning State. Coaches don’t pick their talent—communities do. Coaches don’t decide the district or league—they play who the state schedules. Coaches don’t design facilities—they inherit what taxpayers have chosen to build. Yet, too often, coaches take the blame when a team finishes third in a nine-team district.
The Better Perspective
So, don’t take yourself too seriously. Enjoy the kids. Enjoy the game. Enjoy your colleagues. High schools are full of energy you won’t find anywhere else. Winning is important, but it shouldn’t rob you of peace of mind, family time, or the joy of teaching.
Take a vacation during holiday breaks. Let an assistant run summer league for a week. Give your players time off in the summer. Yes, other teams may be in the gym grinding—but trust me, it will be OK. You’re doing a great job. Quality matters more than sheer quantity.
So, seriously—don’t take yourself too seriously.