Athletes need to be coached, not told they didn’t perform

Our coach is a great fit for Tecumseh. Everyday in practice he prepares us every week for battle. We work hard and we believe in what he is teaching us. The rest of coaching staff are great coaches. Mr. Linde is an excellent strength caoch. Mensing knows what he is doing and Mr. Mills made a good choice in his choice for the job. We believe in him and he believes in us!!!! Dont bash our coaches anymore!!!!!!

 Zach Benschoter #86

P.S.  Caleb is #78

Caleb Hughes is listed as No. 78 on the Indians' 2009 roster.

When you attack my coaches, you attack me. We have smart, hardworking and honest coaches. All the coaches that Mr. Mills hires have all of these qualities. When Mr. Mensing makes a decision, he does what he thinks is best for the team, every decision that he makes isn't right, but everyone makes bad decisions. We go and work harder then you could imagine every single day, and you are attacking our philosophy, and what we work hard for daily. You (Steve Bechler and Michael Nightingale) are weak people. You hide behind a letter that you send to the newspaper, and attack my coaches, and in turn attack me, and what I believe in.

CALEB HUGHES #89

Alum,  How did I know your were a former Football player?  I'll put away my Crayola jokes for a serious topic. Mr. Bechler's point was he is upset with the current coach and feels he should be let go.  He has a right to his opinion as do you. Although I do not necessarily echo his sentiments, your argument for Mr. Mensing leaves much to be desired as well.  A good on-field leader, in a losing environment, does not automatically translate to a good Head Coach. He may, or may not be one.  I DO feel Coach Mensing now deserves the time, patience and support of this community to prove himself now that he has been hired.  He also must man-up and take criticism right along with his players. This is football, not a coloring contest, and criticism can be used for inspiration.

My problem is your colorful, yet pointless attack of the individual for speaking his mind. He had the guts to put his name to it and should be given respect for that at the very least.  Not everyone is as eloquent in their communication skills as you obviously believe you are. 

Being a former FB player myself, I would have loved to have a better record than 5-4 in both my jr and sr years. But, I don’t take a winning or losing record with me as I move on in life…I take the great memories, lessons and friendships with me.  Some of my best friends graduated in 1996 and played along side Mensing from flag football at Cal Zorn all the way through Senior year, Mensing played with passion and enthusiasm.  He was practically an on the field coach.  I couldn't think of a better man to coach those kids.  Keep up the good work Jason! 

I can't get involved in an educated debate if he has no solid point.  Sal, can you honestly tell me that you understand his point?  Does he want Mensing fired because he starts 2 QB's, because he feels ok about the front seven, or because we were trailing 14 points and needed to catch up?  In fact, does he even want him fired? 

And other than the fact that you can color your point is Alum?    (you no doubt learned that talent back in good ol' 1998).  Typical Tecumseh response though, attack the person instead of an educated debate of the subject.

Dear Steve "Shoot from the Hip" Bechler.  This letter to the editor could have had a little more impact.  Please see below for suggestions and critiques. 

To the Editor,
Coach Mensing needs to go. [good, solid topic sentence.  Not quite sure *where* Mensing needs to go, but it's clear he needs to go somewhere.  Either way, this is the best sentence of Steve Bechler's entire email]  How can a coach say “I feel okay about the front seven,” [should have ended his sentence right here.  with the appropriate punctuation, of course -- which would've been a question mark, just in case Mr. Bechler reads this] said Tecumseh coach Jason Mensing of his defense.  [Looks like 'ol Bechler copied and pasted the quote but forgot to remove the trailer.]
“Secondary-wise, we had some issues” when one play later after the kickoff have the other team catch up in points [is there another way to catch up? and how can you catch up "one play after the kickoff"?  wouldn't one play after the kickoff just be the second play?  The score would've been 0-0 and therefore no catching up necessary, Steve.] and by the end of the first half be 14 points down!?  And then try to use two quarterbacks and basically blame one or the other if they don’t score by changing them out.  [I.  I just... I don't even know.]
That doesn’t “generate some enthusiasm” [is Stevie quoting himself here?  Did he hear this on the sideline when he was snacking on his third Snickers?  I don't understand the random quotation marks] it generates animosity [big word, Steve.  Be careful] between the two. It sounds [sounds?  or seems.  Yeah, probably seems, Steve.] to me that he [who's he?  the coach or the QBs.  You lost your subject noun, pal] needs to get back to basics instead doing little goofy plays at kick off [Steve, your readers -- even me -- would really like to know about the goofy plays.  Sounds interesting.  Could've been the best part of your little letter here].  These kids need to be COACHED [thanks for the caps.  I may have skipped over this word otherwise], not told well you didn’t perform and out you go [I think tossed all the words of the second half of this sentence into the jumble-tron and this is what we got].  If that’s the case [if what's the case?], well then coach your’re [I am in complete shock that he used the correct contraction. Shock and awe] not performing “OUT YOU GO”! [again with the random quotation marks.  I wish I knew what they were for.]
Steve Bechler
Tecumseh

Last I knew we had freedom of speech right? The only thing I want to point out is that I did not BASH any coach in my last post above. I just pointed out that the Teachers they have hired have not worked.

Sore loser? Sorry but I am not sore about anything. I have my opinion as you have yours. 

My response to the article was what has happened and continues to happen, sorry if my post hit a nerve with you, but there is a right way to manage athletics and a not so good way. The history speaks for it's self I think.

Maybe what makes me different than others is that I can take criticism, and feel that if your in a leadership position you should listen to that criticism and take what is said under-consideration because perhaps their is some truth in it.

Shake the kids confidence? The players have nothing to hang their head's about! they do work their buts off in every sport they play, they do what is asked of them by the coach. Tecumseh's players are very good players, in fact I have said MANY times, that they are some of the BEST I have ever seen.

Let me remind you boys that this team is VERY young QB 10th grader, RB 10th grader, O-line 11th graders, etc...   You both put this crap out which does nothing but shake the kids confidence and make them question why they work so hard all week !  Maybe you 2 could consider waiting until after the season before you start running at the mouth !  Nightingale you want to talk about  "psychological aspects " when it comes to coaching ? Do you consider bashing coaches on a public site that the kids also read to be smart and do you think it promotes the correct mind set for the players while the season is going on ? Yes, the kids do deserve better and you could show your support by taking a college class on how to be a better person and then maybe you would stop your sore loser postings on this site !

Why don’t you add to that list of people that need to go:
Griff Mills, Michael McAran and many coach’s they have hired. I am sorry, but
their formula of hiring does not work.

I can see some very valid reasons to hire a Teacher, and in
some cases it works but when you have Teachers only wanting to coach to make
some more money this in my mind is just wrong! Not to mention that many of
these coaches have limited experience, little professional training in coaching
such as the psychological aspects, motivation aspects, legal issues, and more.

Anyone reading this will say “why does this man keep saying
these things” It’s because I care! Believe it or not I really do. Perhaps it’s
not “professional” of me to say these things but I feel to be good at anything
you must have communication, be honest and express your thoughts. It is also
vital that people listen to each other even if they do not agree with one another.
The men above want you to listen to them but do not want to hear what you have
to say. (Yea they may hear you, but they don’t listen)

Tecumseh, has some good coaches that do very well such as
softball and Baseball, Why is that? Little League!!!!! And solid instruction
early on! Where is that for Football, Basketball and some other sports?

I have no magic wand, but I do know a formula to help make things
better and I know one day after I graduate from Siena Heights
someone will give me an opportunity to prove myself. It’s just too bad Tecumseh’s
leadership is they way it is.

It’s a shame for all of the GREAT Student Athletes that
Tecumseh has; I know how bad you want to do better on the playing field. My
complaining was always with you in mind, was it about me? Sure it was, but only
because I have dedicated my life to working with students in the area of sports
and believe I could help. Students of Tecumseh you deserve better.

Michael Nightingale