What would I have done differently?
Unquestionably, Carter was an amazing leader, but he was often questioned about his methods of coaching, he got lots of negativity from the players, school, and community, about locking the gym, cancelling the games, kicking players out, and a contract. Although, in the end he was able to achieve his goal to inspire his players to be the best they could possibly be. Richmond High lost in the state championships, they came out short in the first round, but Carter reminded his players about what they had accomplished throughout the season, he told his team how proud he was to say that he coached Richmond High. He made his players feel like what they had put in to the team, they got so much more out of it. Even though his team did not win the state championship, they won the hearts of the Richmond community and set out great futures for the themselves.
There is not much I would have done differently to receive such a positive and priceless result, although there are some things I would have done differently than Ken Carter to lead the team. To begin with, I would have approached the principal in a nicer manner to ask her to tell all the teachers of his athletes to provide me their progress reports. Unlike, Coach Carter, I wouldn't have waited so long for the progress reports to come in. If the principal was not cooperating or if the teachers were not cooperating, I would have instead went to each of the class of each athlete myself, to get an update on how each on of my athletes are performing within the classroom. Furthermore, I would have made a checklist and created an action plan on how I am going to deal with my athletes who are not performing within the classroom or violating the contract in any other manner. Another thing I would have done differently would be to talk to the players individually, get to know them, know about any problems they are having or if they are struggling in any way. This would have raised the commitment level, trust and a feeling of importance on the team of each player. Although, the way he handled the poor academic performance in the ending by locking the gym doors and forcing his team to work hard academically, I would not change. I would approach it in the same manner if it were that late in the season. Also, i believe the way he handled kicking out the players and then giving them a second chance when he feels they are truly sorry and want to make up for their mistakes was a very effective method and I would do the same thing.
There is not much I would have done differently to receive such a positive and priceless result, although there are some things I would have done differently than Ken Carter to lead the team. To begin with, I would have approached the principal in a nicer manner to ask her to tell all the teachers of his athletes to provide me their progress reports. Unlike, Coach Carter, I wouldn't have waited so long for the progress reports to come in. If the principal was not cooperating or if the teachers were not cooperating, I would have instead went to each of the class of each athlete myself, to get an update on how each on of my athletes are performing within the classroom. Furthermore, I would have made a checklist and created an action plan on how I am going to deal with my athletes who are not performing within the classroom or violating the contract in any other manner. Another thing I would have done differently would be to talk to the players individually, get to know them, know about any problems they are having or if they are struggling in any way. This would have raised the commitment level, trust and a feeling of importance on the team of each player. Although, the way he handled the poor academic performance in the ending by locking the gym doors and forcing his team to work hard academically, I would not change. I would approach it in the same manner if it were that late in the season. Also, i believe the way he handled kicking out the players and then giving them a second chance when he feels they are truly sorry and want to make up for their mistakes was a very effective method and I would do the same thing.