Discovering Unlimited Potential

What does it take to be a great coach? Passion, compassion, an in-depth knowledge of the sport? The answer is all these — and more.

Coach David Marsh is the CEO and Director of Coaching for SwimMAC, a company based in Charlotte, N.C., that is is part of the USOC and USA Swimming program for a Center of Excellence. Right after college, with a business degree in hand, Marsh had planned to "take on the financial world" — but a brush with coaching quickly changed all that.

"Richard Quick, my college coach, asked me if I'd like to coach the little age-group team in Auburn," says Marsh. "In a very short time, I was hooked! The interaction with children, encouraging them to strive for [their] full potential, became an immediate passion."

Asked about his coaching philosophy, Marsh says it is "to assist young people to boldly strive for their fullest God-given potential in swimming. Through the process, [I help] these young leaders of tomorrow discover the unlimited potential they possess and learn that their honest best effort in the pursuit of their goals can be used in all facets of their life in helping them achieve their dreams."

Marsh's mentoring advice for young aspiring coaches:

• Have a caring heart for young people.
• Have a passion for the for clean, fair sport of swimming.
• Pursue professional knowledge through all means possible.
• Live a balanced life: faith, family, sport. ("Too much sports will put you out of sorts," Marsh says wryly.)
• Embrace technology.
• Cultivate your "art of coaching."
• Prepare your swimmers for a career — not just a season.

That advice mirrors advice from other top coaches. Other coaching "words of wisdom":

• Take all the blame for your team's failures, but give them all the credit for their successes.
• Know your athletes and what methods of persuasion motivate them best.
• Be disciplined and lead by example.
• Know your sport — a good athlete doesn't always make a coach, but most of the best coaches have been athletes themselves and know the sport inside and out.
• Be positive and enthusiastic about your sport (and life in general)!
• Listen to team members' comments, input and questions — and act on their suggestions as much as possible.

Coaching, like any leadership role, can be difficult to do correctly — but can be very rewarding. The best coaches know that helping their team members develop their potential is the real goal of their job.