New Coaches Bring Fresh Perspectives

Going through Changes 

Kansas Wesleyan University is starting a new year with a lot of changes happening within its athletic programs. Around 10 new coaches have joined programs including football, baseball, tennis, volleyball, track and field, cross country, bowling, men’s and women’s basketball, and softball.

Having that many new coaches at once may seem like a big adjustment for athletes and others in the KWU community. However, new coaches can also bring new ideas, experiences and energy that can help programs grow.

Coach Steedley, one of the new coaches at Kansas Wesleyan, believes having new coaches gives athletes the chance to learn from people with different backgrounds and experiences.

“These new additions bring a different energy to existing programs that allow for more diversity, experiences, and different ways of thinking that allow each program to grow and get better,” Steedley 

Each new coach comes to KWU with experiences from the schools and programs they were previously a part of. This can bring different training methods, coaching styles and ideas about how to build a successful team. It also gives athletes a chance to try new things instead of always doing what they are used to.

Benefits 

Recruiting 

Another way new coaches can help KWU is through recruiting. Coaches often come in with connections they have made with athletes, coaches and schools throughout their careers. These connections can help bring new athletes to Kansas Wesleyan and introduce more people to what KWU has to offer.

At the same time, recruiting can be challenging for a coach who is still getting used to a new school. Coaches have to learn how to sell their program and explain what makes Kansas Wesleyan different from other schools. Steedley said one adjustment has been learning how to recruit athletes while considering the cost of attending KWU compared to places he has previously coached. However, having support from other coaches has helped with that transition.

Culture 

New coaches can also make a difference in the overall culture of a team. Every coach communicates differently and has their own expectations for how athletes should practice, compete and represent their program.

That change is already being seen within the track and field program. Junior track athlete Aunisty McNeal has been working with Steedley and has experienced the changes that come with having a new coach firsthand.

McNeal said athletes have had to adjust to different expectations since Steedley arrived. Practices have become more organized, and athletes have been expected to communicate more and take more responsibility for their roles on the team.

“There has definitely been more structure since they arrived. Practices feel more organized, and there are higher expectations for everyone,” McNeal said.

Adjusting 

Getting used to a new coaching style does not happen immediately, but McNeal said the team has responded well. As the athletes have spent more time with Steedley, they have started to understand what he expects from them and what he is trying to build within the program.

The impact of new coaches can also go beyond sports. Steedley believes coaches have an opportunity to become more involved in Salina through volunteering, working with local schools and hosting camps. Getting involved in the community can help build stronger relationships between Kansas Wesleyan and the people of Salina.

For athletes, one of the biggest benefits of having a new coach is getting the chance to learn something different. Sometimes hearing a new perspective or learning a different way of doing something can help an athlete improve in an area they may not have focused on before.

With so many new coaches coming into KWU at the same time, the changes also give Kansas Wesleyan Athletics a chance to continue building its identity. Each coach brings something different to the university, and those different experiences can help programs find new ways to improve.

Change is not always easy, especially for athletes who were comfortable with their previous coaches and routines. Athletes have to learn new expectations and sometimes change the way they have been doing things. But that adjustment can also help them grow.

Impactful New Beginnings 

As the new coaches continue getting more comfortable at Kansas Wesleyan and within the Salina community, their impact will become clearer. Their success will not only come from wins and losses, but also from how they help their athletes improve, build stronger teams and become involved in the KWU community.

For Kansas Wesleyan, having so many new coaches represents a new chapter for its athletic programs. While it may take time for everyone to adjust, the new coaches bring different perspectives, experiences and opportunities that can help KWU Athletics continue moving forward.