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Why Not, Coach?
If you answered yes, you can find out how to from this book Why Not, Coach? is an original, first time, step-by-step program of how to have a successful, fun-filled winning season playing on your favorite sports team.
92 pages, Paperback
First published October 21, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 4, 2024
In competitive sports, winning is everything, right? Not so fast, says author Greg Ryan in the eminently engaging and highly readable Why Not, Coach?
Deploying clear, crisp prose and a cohesive, cogent “game plan,” Ryan lays out the how and why of the need for a more balanced and healthy approach to coaching. He makes the case that “winning” is about more than putting points on the board. Way more.
Key questions that anchor the text of this probing and penetrating tome is, Have you ever wondered how insufficient playing time on a competitive sports team may affect some athletes? If players can and do get hurt emotionally from not getting adequate playing time? Have you ever wondered what you can do about it as a coach or a parent? Then Why Not, Coach? is for you.
Thorough, thoughtful, insightful and inspirational, Why Not, Coach? is a breath of fresh air for any athlete, parent, or coach who wants to get the most out of not only competitive sports, but also themselves. The discussion about how to achieve goals combined with hard work and the support of a coach in discovering one’s potential in not only athletics but also personal success is one example. Ditto the “recipe” for a championship team (it’s probably not what you think.)
One thing I especially appreciated about this highly readable book is how the author skillfully interweaves some of his own background and experiences into the text to emphasize and illustrate key concepts. Forming a Parent Coach Association (PCA) is one example. The shared goal of a PCA is to make sure all students feel safe, confident, and are eager to succeed. I also appreciated how Ryan explains that relying on one or two “star” players to win games is a bad idea and what to do instead. It’s compelling, absorbing, and long overdue.
Stand-out chapters include chapters 5 and 6, The Effective Coach, and The Qualities of an Ineffective Team-Sports Coach. The relationship between parents and coaches is also discussed. This is key. As any parent with a child or children in competitive sports can tell you, this relationship can be “make or break" for all concerned. Suggested activities coaches can initiate in order to establish and maintain a healthy relationship with parents are included.
Sections on Tips for Getting Along For Coaches and Players, Sportsmanship, and Playing Fair vs. Winning are simply outstanding. Ditto the section on the benefits of sports for young athletes.
As the mother of two exceptionally gifted athletes and two not-so-gifted athletes, I loved the “no player is left behind” principle laid out in this book. I just wish some of the coaches my kids had in their early years had a copy of Why Not, Coach?
You won’t have to wish that with a copy of this book. Combined with resources available via an interactive web site, this book gives you the tools you need as a coach, parent, or athlete to make sure no player is left behind.
That’s called a win-win-win. Oh yeah.
Deploying clear, crisp prose and a cohesive, cogent “game plan,” Ryan lays out the how and why of the need for a more balanced and healthy approach to coaching. He makes the case that “winning” is about more than putting points on the board. Way more.
Key questions that anchor the text of this probing and penetrating tome is, Have you ever wondered how insufficient playing time on a competitive sports team may affect some athletes? If players can and do get hurt emotionally from not getting adequate playing time? Have you ever wondered what you can do about it as a coach or a parent? Then Why Not, Coach? is for you.
Thorough, thoughtful, insightful and inspirational, Why Not, Coach? is a breath of fresh air for any athlete, parent, or coach who wants to get the most out of not only competitive sports, but also themselves. The discussion about how to achieve goals combined with hard work and the support of a coach in discovering one’s potential in not only athletics but also personal success is one example. Ditto the “recipe” for a championship team (it’s probably not what you think.)
One thing I especially appreciated about this highly readable book is how the author skillfully interweaves some of his own background and experiences into the text to emphasize and illustrate key concepts. Forming a Parent Coach Association (PCA) is one example. The shared goal of a PCA is to make sure all students feel safe, confident, and are eager to succeed. I also appreciated how Ryan explains that relying on one or two “star” players to win games is a bad idea and what to do instead. It’s compelling, absorbing, and long overdue.
Stand-out chapters include chapters 5 and 6, The Effective Coach, and The Qualities of an Ineffective Team-Sports Coach. The relationship between parents and coaches is also discussed. This is key. As any parent with a child or children in competitive sports can tell you, this relationship can be “make or break" for all concerned. Suggested activities coaches can initiate in order to establish and maintain a healthy relationship with parents are included.
Sections on Tips for Getting Along For Coaches and Players, Sportsmanship, and Playing Fair vs. Winning are simply outstanding. Ditto the section on the benefits of sports for young athletes.
As the mother of two exceptionally gifted athletes and two not-so-gifted athletes, I loved the “no player is left behind” principle laid out in this book. I just wish some of the coaches my kids had in their early years had a copy of Why Not, Coach?
You won’t have to wish that with a copy of this book. Combined with resources available via an interactive web site, this book gives you the tools you need as a coach, parent, or athlete to make sure no player is left behind.
That’s called a win-win-win. Oh yeah.
November 30, 2023
To read this book you would think that Greg Ryan was a full-time professional coach, but he’s rather more than that – a sports lover passionate about sharing his learnings about being the perfect coach, sportsperson or supportive parent. This experience is gleaned from his young life as a football player, a coach in sports and from his transferable skills in the workplace, and to be honest I think rather benefits from not being clinical and tactical, like many sports coaches tend to be preoccupied with being. It is also not aimed at being a winning coach or a winning team. Rather, Greg’s approach to coaching is a totally human one, with a significant emphasis on person-to-person management, and the wellbeing of the player and the team, not just in sports, but in life generally. Winning games isn’t of paramount importance to Greg, but giving everyone a fair shot and boosting the self-esteem of young people absolutely is, which is fantastic – for that is the very reason why many adults get into sports coaching in the first place. Greg primarily applies his observations to sports, specifically American football, but indeed his teachings can help in any coaching environment, including teaching and the workplace, for his lessons are based on universal truths of fairness and common decency.
What this book is, then, is a holistic yet concise pocket guide, which can be kept handy and dipped into from time to time, for general guidance. It is a perfect accompaniment for coaches at every level, though I think it is particularly suited to those training kids in sports (or indeed any other discipline) at the grassroots level. Each lesson, or chapter, is brief and to the point, written in perfectly relatable language; indeed, the book itself is very short, I would estimate at around 10-15k words, but Greg uses those words to tremendous effect; they are not wasted, but rather tell you exactly what you need to know: those human lessons in universal truth. It is not the only coaching book you will need, by any means, but it is, I think, an essential accompaniment. If you are expecting a stat-heavy, results-orientated encyclopaedia in sports coaching, you should perhaps keep looking. But I would absolutely recommend that you add this coffee table guide to your collection of training resources; indeed, if you are the right sort of person, who values relationships and the importance of breeding confidence, and perhaps got into or fell into coaching without a great deal of preparation, it is a great place to start learning about coaching.
What this book is, then, is a holistic yet concise pocket guide, which can be kept handy and dipped into from time to time, for general guidance. It is a perfect accompaniment for coaches at every level, though I think it is particularly suited to those training kids in sports (or indeed any other discipline) at the grassroots level. Each lesson, or chapter, is brief and to the point, written in perfectly relatable language; indeed, the book itself is very short, I would estimate at around 10-15k words, but Greg uses those words to tremendous effect; they are not wasted, but rather tell you exactly what you need to know: those human lessons in universal truth. It is not the only coaching book you will need, by any means, but it is, I think, an essential accompaniment. If you are expecting a stat-heavy, results-orientated encyclopaedia in sports coaching, you should perhaps keep looking. But I would absolutely recommend that you add this coffee table guide to your collection of training resources; indeed, if you are the right sort of person, who values relationships and the importance of breeding confidence, and perhaps got into or fell into coaching without a great deal of preparation, it is a great place to start learning about coaching.
March 7, 2026
Why Not, Coach? by Gregory Ryan is an encouraging and practical guide designed to help young athletes and coaches create a successful and enjoyable sports season. With a clear and straightforward approach, Ryan introduces readers to a step-by-step program focused on teamwork, motivation, and building a winning mindset.
One of the most valuable aspects of the book is its focus on making sports both productive and fun. Rather than concentrating solely on competition, Ryan emphasizes the importance of positive team culture, strong communication, and personal growth among players. This balanced perspective helps athletes develop both confidence and a deeper appreciation for teamwork.
Another strength of Why Not, Coach? is its accessible structure. The step by step format provides practical guidance that coaches, players, and even parents can easily follow. By breaking down the elements of a successful season, Ryan offers readers clear strategies that can help teams stay motivated, organized, and focused on improvement.
Overall, Why Not, Coach? is an inspiring and useful guide that highlights the value of teamwork, leadership, and enjoyment in sports. Gregory Ryan’s message encourages athletes to believe in their potential and approach each season with energy, discipline, and enthusiasm.
One of the most valuable aspects of the book is its focus on making sports both productive and fun. Rather than concentrating solely on competition, Ryan emphasizes the importance of positive team culture, strong communication, and personal growth among players. This balanced perspective helps athletes develop both confidence and a deeper appreciation for teamwork.
Another strength of Why Not, Coach? is its accessible structure. The step by step format provides practical guidance that coaches, players, and even parents can easily follow. By breaking down the elements of a successful season, Ryan offers readers clear strategies that can help teams stay motivated, organized, and focused on improvement.
Overall, Why Not, Coach? is an inspiring and useful guide that highlights the value of teamwork, leadership, and enjoyment in sports. Gregory Ryan’s message encourages athletes to believe in their potential and approach each season with energy, discipline, and enthusiasm.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews