More than a coach

Coaches Neal Gordon, Doyle Hutton and Robin Ayers have the experience of coaching their own children.

Shelbyville Central has its fair share of coach-daughter relationships. Pictured with their parent are (from left) softball coach Robin Ayers with Haylie Spence, tennis coach Doyle Hutton with Mallory Hutton and soccer coach Neal Gordon with Whitney Gordon.
(T-G Photo by Mary Beth Gunn)

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All acknowledged that it's difficult to separate being a parent and coach when on the playing field or court. Gordon, the girls soccer coach, noted that he and his daughter, Whitney, try to keep it separate, but sometimes struggle.

"It is difficult and sometimes we don't even try to walk the line. It's OK when coach is there. It's not OK when daddy shows up. We try to keep that very separate in our head."

Ayers, the softball coach and mother of Haylie Spence, commented that although keeping the parent from showing up in practice is difficult, it is a necessary step.

"I realize that at practice I have to see her as a player," Ayers said. "I try to treat her same as everyone else, but you tend to be harder on your own because you can. But at the same time, you do have to learn to expect from her what you expect from others."

All of the coaches agreed that it is often difficult trying to not be tougher on their own children. Hutton, who coaches tennis, noted that he just tries to know when to lay off.

"I like to think I am tough on everyone to make them successful, but you are a little more invested in your own child, so it is hard not to be harder on them. You know what you should do but sometimes it's hard to do the right thing for your benefit or for her benefit. But either way you got to do it."

One of the benefits the coaches noted was that coaching their own children allows them to spend extra time with them. Gordon has coached Whitney at the high school level for four years.

"I have really enjoyed the last four years," Neal Gordon said. "I like to think that Whitney plays because she likes being around me. She has a world of talent outside of soccer and she actively participates in other school activities."

The coaches also experience a double-satisfaction in seeing their daughters improve. Hutton noted that he wanted his daughter Mallory to be successful at something; it didn't have to be tennis, but tennis was something he could help her with as a coach and a father.

"As a coach and a parent, I think you have a little bit better of an insight of what it takes for them to be successful so you realize when they are successful and what it took to get that."

Sports are a family tradition that can be passed down from parent to child. Parent coaches possess the knowledge to help their children excel in sports.

For Ayers, softball started as a family tradition with her mother Brenda Ayers, who still teaches at Cascade.

"My mom taught softball to me, and now I have the opportunity to teach it to my daughter. I played at Motlow Community College and I hope that my daughter will one day play for a college if she is still interested in the sport."

Whitney, Mallory and Haylie all agreed that having a parent as a coach means your coach might be tougher on you than other players, but overall they enjoy getting to share this experience with their coach and with their parent.