Joe Ehrmann, the coach profiled in the national bestseller Season of Life, explains how coaches at every level, from Little League to high school to NCAA Division I and even the professional leagues, can use sports to transform lives.

Coaches have a tremendous platform, says Joe Ehrmann, a former Syracuse University All-American and NFL star. Perhaps second only to parents, coaches can impact young people as no one else can. But most coaches fail to do the teaching, mentoring, even life-saving intervention that their platform provides. Too many are transactional coaches; they focus solely on winning and meeting their personal needs. They see sports as a simple exchange: the athlete performs to a coach's demands and in return gets something, usually praise or a position in the starting lineup. Some coaches, however, use their platform. They teach the Xs and Os, but also teach the Ys of life. They help young people grow into responsible adults; they leave a lasting legacy. These are the transformational coaches. These coaches change lives, and they also change society by helping to develop healthy men and women.

Sports have become a secular religion, according to Ehrmann. Tens of millions of children play sports, and millions of coaches have the potential to influence the lives of these children-and through them to touch their parents' lives as well. Children can be diminished and discouraged by their sports experiences, or they can be strengthened, uplifted, even in some cases redeemed. Sports can be a life-changing experience if coaches understand why they are coaching and redefine their measurement of success.

InSideOut Coaching explains how to become a trans-formational coach. Coaches first have to "go inside" and articulate their reasons for coaching. Only those who have taken the InSideOut journey can become transformational. Joe Ehrmann provides examples of coaches in his life who took this journey and taught him how to find something bigger than himself in sports.He describes his own InSideOut experience, starting with the death of his beloved brother, which helped him understand how sports could transcend the play-ing field. He gives coaches the information and the tools they need to become transformational.

Joe Ehrmann has taken his message about the extraordinary power of sports all over the country. It has been warmly endorsed by NFL head coaches, athletic directors at major universities, high school head coaches, even business groups and community organizations. Now any parent-coach or school or community coach can read Ehrmann's message and learn how to make sports a life-changing experience.

262 pages. 2011.

Do you feel overwhelmed by fundraising or demands from your booster club?

Have you reached your breaking point with issues about playing time?

The Politics of Coaching: A Survival Guide to Keep Coaches from Getting Burned is a groundbreaking new book that provides real world examples and proven techniques˙to put coaches in control of eternally explosive issues like picking teams, playing time, and parent confrontations.

With chapters devoted to other important issues like fundraising, booster clubs, relationships with youth sports organizations, and how to get a head coaching job,˙"The Politics of Coaching" is a comprehensive guide that will˙equip you with the knowledge˙you need to survive and thrive in this combustible coaching climate.

"Having this book on the shelf is a must if you want to know the ins and outs of dealing with off the field issues that arise on a daily basis. The Politics of Coaching will make you more prepared and a better coach."
Steve Warren, Head Football Coach/Athletic Coordinator Abilene High School, Texas

and Todd Whitaker,
professor of educational leadership at Indiana State University and a leading motivational speaker in the field of education

Why do some coaches succeed every season while others suffer loss after loss? This book describes the characteristics of great coaches. Where do the focus their attention? How do they spend their time and energy? and how can others gain the same advantages?

This book frames the landscape of successful athletic teams from the perspective of great coaches.

128 pages. 2010.

Coaching involves so much more than teaching skills, calling plays and winning games. There is the job of being a leader of your team. And to do that, you need to know about more than the sport you coach.

Blueprint for Better Coaching includes concrete tips to help coaches in the following areas:

• Short-range and long-range planning
• Communication with athletes, parents, administrators and media
• Risk management responsibilities and administrative tasks

If your goal is to improve as a coach and offer your student athletes the best possible experience, this book will push you to continue to grow as a professional.

136 pages. 2011.