PART 1: Origins of The Word "Coach".

1830 Slang Term Etched Into My Soul.

Where did the word “coach” come from? This question came up during a conversation with my best friend Michael Richardson as we were getting practice repetitions on recording podcasts. As he googled it, I paused for a moment and could not believe that I haven’t thought to wonder that previously. Something so ingrained in my soul. Coaching fuels my soul; love, embrace, ponder, so many deep relationships I have and personally have dedicated so much time in my life toward the art of coaching. Asking the question left me speechless and then inspired me to better understand.

In 1830 an Oxford University student needed a tutor for an exam. From that moment the slang term “coach” was created to describe the process of the tutor “carrying” the student through the exam.

I can only imagine the Oxford University student’s friends “Bro you got coached through that exam”. The tutor carried this student through the exam like a carriage or stagecoach getting pulled by horses. Later this term was applied to getting tutored in athletic events.

Take a moment to think about this, “Getting Coached” figuratively getting into a carriage so you can go from one place to another. This made me ask two more questions.

What do I love about coaching? What fulfillment comes from coaching?

This question had me break down coaching into two components. One component is that coaching is an active process of helping someone get from where they are to where they want to be. The second is that coaching is collaborating on the journey to figure out the “be”. Unpacking where they want to be through awareness, understanding, feedback, learning by doing, and deep honest conversations. Especially in moments where the coach may see more in the coachee than they can currently see in themselves. The coach becomes an artist painting a picture of the process and future.

How many 18 to 22-year-old student-athletes know where they want to be? Deeply understand what are they capable of in their life? On the flip side, how many coaches know where they want to be? It is fascinating how many times it is easier to see what others could be or what they are capable of. While in that same moment it is difficult to go internal and find that in ourselves.

That is where the magic happens, uncovering what is possible and seeing things more in someone than they even see in themselves. If willing to go internal and reflect, coaches end up discovering that in themselves.

To my student-athletes: Thank you for every day I have the opportunity to coach you. You have taught me and always will teach me way more than I could ever teach you.

Coach (Carriage)

1. Get Someone From Where They Are To Where They Want To Be

2. Help Them Figure Out What That “Be” Truly Is (Could Be)

3. Improve Awareness Of What You See In Them That They May Not See In Themselves.

Best Day of The Year, Until Tomorrow.

Ferate