Coaching a youth football team can hold many challenges - sometimes dealing with the parents is the biggest challenge!

The first thing to understand is every parent thinks their child is the best most capable player - and rightfully so. I would never argue with a parent about the capabilities of their sons, instead I speak to them in how their son can best serve the team. I speak a lot through out the year to the kids and parents about how there may be many kids who can fit in different positions, but I have 22 positions to fill and have to put the best fit into the best position.

Communicate with the parents often. Send a letter at the beginning of the year home to the parents with your expectations of them, the team rules, etc. Communication is key.

One time, we had a team rule that if a player was late game day, we would make them sit four downs. The child didn't understand the rule and told his dad he had to sit the entire half once he arrived! The father was quite upset with me and confronted me at which time I explained it was four downs, not the entire half.

Should I have parents as assistant coaches?

At the youth level, I don't have a problem with parents as assistant coaches - as long as they follow the team rules and respect my decisions as the head coach. I typically do not have a father coach their own son as I do not see much value in it. I have seen too many fathers short with their children while coaching them which limits the benefits of the coaching.