What are the biggest challenges TSSAA coaches face in 2024?

Tennessee high school coaches have a lot of weight on their shoulders while trying to win TSSAA state championships .

Many coaches teach classes, deal with off-field issues and try to arrange for their own transportation to road games — in addition to teaching fundamentals and adjusting to rule changes like Name, Image and Likeness payments.

We granted anonymity to coaches from West, Middle and East Tennessee in various sports including basketball, baseball, football, softball and soccer, and asked them a series of questions in our series called, "Coaches Confidential," which highlights different questions and topics and gives insight on what the state's coaches think. Coaches were emailed and asked to submit their answers.

Today’s question: What is the biggest challenge you, as a coach, faces in 2024?

It’s hard to have a great team every year

“(It’s difficult) repeating the success from the previous season. I worry the expectations could be overwhelming."

Supporting athletes from single-parent homes

“Being a ‘dad’ to so many kids that don't have that male role model in their life. It's so hard and frustrating a lot of the time, but also so rewarding.”

More: How do Tennessee's high school coaches spend their dead period?

Parents can be difficult to handle

“The biggest challenge by far is dealing with parents. Today’s parents think their kids are the best player to ever play and cannot accept that sometimes they are not.”

“Dealing with parents thinking it's the coaches' fault if their kid doesn't get personal recognition, because the coach didn't promote their child on social media.”

Understanding what makes kids tick

“Adapting and trying to understand kids who were born in 2008 or 2009. How they've grown up and been parented is light years different than how I was. And I'm just turning 34. I'm not old.”

“(Players have) a general feeling of apathy and entitlement. They seem more concerned with their looks (arm sleeves, eye black, shin guards, elbow protection, sliding mitts, etc.) than how they play.”

More: Tennessee high school coaches have mixed feelings about potential one-time transfer rule

It’s hard being the underdog

“Coaching at a school that doesn't recruit, doesn't have a lot of financial aid, and doesn't have much room for growth, and then playing against teams that are three to four times your size, give millions of dollars of financial aid, as well as get international transfers.”

The trickle-down effect from NCAA

“(Changes) from NIL and transfer rules.”

Money, money, money

“Lack of monetary support from the school system. Not my school, they do everything they can to help.”

“As a county school we’re getting very little help financially, while trying to fundraise and save for field upgrades. There are tons of things our facility needs to continue to improve and that's a challenge.”

“The rising cost of operating a program and the financial burden it is placing on parents and school districts.”

More: How do Tennessee high school coaches feel about a success factor in athletics?

Time management

“You have to balance out teaching, coaching and family life. You sometimes get stuck more in the coaching all while neglecting the most important part of your life — family.”

Attracting players who are already in your school system

“Keeping players in middle school to come to your high school. With trainers and private companies now being hired as coaches at private schools, it makes it hard to keep relationships with families appropriate and do it the right way per TSSAA guidelines when everyone is operating with handlers.”

Reach sports writer Tyler Palmateer at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, formerly Twitter, @tpalmateer83.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What are the biggest challenges TSSAA coaches face in 2024?