The Unseen Struggles of Coaching: Why Coaches Need Support Too

Coaching is about helping others, but who helps the coach? That’s why I’m so passionate about supporting coaches. After stepping away from the college coaching world, I realized how vital it is for coaches to have someone to lean on—someone who understands the unique challenges of the profession. Leaving a career that had been my passion for so long was a difficult decision, but it was necessary for my own well-being. Coaching had shifted from being about passion to being driven by pressure, and it became more about anxiety than joy.

Now, as a leadership coach for fellow coaches, I find fulfillment in helping those in the profession stay in the game—not just for their athletes, but for themselves. I’m deeply committed to being a resource coaches can turn to—someone who can help them grow, explore new ways of leading, and maintain balance in their professional lives. While college coaching will always be a part of who I am, I am now focused on coaching the coaches—supporting those who do the hard work of helping others, so they can continue to thrive and lead with purpose.

Coaching has always been demanding, but lately, the job seems harder than ever. When I entered the world of athletics—first as an athlete and later as a coach—it seemed simpler. The role of the coach was clear: to push you, challenge you, and help you win. Sprints as punishment were common, and discussions about mental health were rare. If you were sick or injured, you played unless you physically couldn’t.

In my early years in college athletics, coaches held most of the power. They set the rules, made decisions, and controlled the direction of the program. But in recent years, that balance has shifted. With the rise of NIL, the transfer portal, and athletes’ increasing ability to voice their concerns directly to upper administration, it feels as though athletes now hold much of the leverage. Coaches are often influenced by their athletes’ decisions, and in many cases, those athletes have the power to shape the coach’s livelihood.

Today, coaches are tasked with so much more than strategy and training. They spend countless hours caring for their athletes—helping with mental health, supporting their balance of academics, personal lives, and athletics, and fostering a sense of belonging. This work is crucial but often goes unnoticed, overshadowed by the demands of the sport. In many cases, it’s difficult to reconcile the emotional investment in an athlete’s well-being with the competitive nature of the game. When athletes measure their worth by playing time, the work of coaching becomes even more complex. It can feel as though the pursuit of individual success conflicts with the goal of team cohesion.

Great coaches navigate these contradictions, building strong, meaningful relationships with their athletes. But the truth is, coaching is draining. The care and effort coaches put in often go unappreciated, and while the lessons we teach are vital to athletes’ growth, they sometimes come at the cost of our own well-being. Coaches often neglect their mental health and personal needs in service of their athletes. It’s a hard truth, but it’s one that too many coaches face.

When I struggled as a coach, it was my colleagues—other coaches—who I turned to for support. They understood the unique pressures we faced, knew when to console me, and when to offer guidance. Unfortunately, not every coach has that kind of support system in their department or network. And even if they do, it’s often hard to ask for help when everyone is feeling overwhelmed and overworked. I was that struggling coach, and when I leaned on my support system, I found comfort in knowing my colleagues were facing similar struggles.

Now, having stepped outside the college coaching world, I am in a position to offer that same support to others. I can provide the space for coaches to vent and the capacity to offer feedback, helping them work through challenges and find more positive solutions. I want to help coaches transform their frustrations into opportunities for personal growth—both for themselves and their student-athletes.