What drives an athlete to keep going? Coaches. Many of them are dependent by their athletes and community to strive for success therefore there is only so many things to obtain when doing their job.

Various athletes from Moorpark College were asked “What makes a coach?” With many different answers, there is so much to describe a “great coach.” The responses from the athletes varied based on sport.

“A coach has to be understanding,” said Cindy Norris, women’s volleyball.

Stephanie Williamson, Track and Field, has been running since she was 8-years-old. Throughout that time period, she has gone through many different styles of coaching from her own coaches.

“They have to be hands on and show they really care about their athletes successes,” said Williamson.

Davis Keairns, men’s volleyball, shares his opinion.

“A coach should be someone who makes you want to play for them,” said Keairns.

In a different approach, a few other athletes agreed on similar answers.

“A coach who personally gives confidence to their athletes,” said Owen Yoshimoto, men’s volleyball. “He must also maintain the same composure whether you win or lose.”

For these athletes, experiences are shared from their own coaches.

“They have to be the same coach throughout the practice and the game,” said Jake Sosa, men’s volleyball.

“Someone who not only tells their players what to do, but physically shows them,” said Tiffany Nguyen, women’s basketball. “A better coach puts the time and effort into developing not only their players’ skills but their characters as well.”

On the other side, coaches were asked “What can make you better?”

Jhad Jones, Sprint and Hurdles Coach for Track and Field simply had one answer, “Experience.”

“You have to make mistakes in your decisions, mistakes in handling your athletes, and mistakes in team management,” said Jones. “Learning through the mistakes and adapting your approach in all those aspects make you a better coach”

Remy McCarthy, Assistant coach for Women’s Basketball had a more precise answer.

“Because coaching is different, it depends on the level,” said McCarthy. “In the NBA, players listen to their coaches where in college level, athletes tend to disagree.”

Although players progress through the stages of their game, the type of coach also changes.

“[A coach] must simply break the game down to the basics,” said McCarthy.

Like players, coaches need to show themselves at the games, maybe even more than what their players can give.

“A coach is only as good as his players,” said McCarthy.