Should I Let My Child Become "The Kid Whose Mom Got the Coach Fired?"

Don't approach it with the idea that the coach will be fired, and don't go into this seeking revenge. Look at it more as an opportunity to have policies put in place that will prevent this from happening again. You might suggest that there is a mandatory report to be filed whenever a student receives a head injury or loses consciousness, that parents be called immediately, etc. You DEFINITELY should have been notified and not had it left up to your son to tell you.

(My son came home from school a few weeks ago with a large bump on his head and I was upset I wasn't notified about it - he didn't have a concussion, but I feel any head injury warrants further observation. I approached the teacher who had helped him after his fall, and it turns out she didn't know about the bump on the head because he only complained about wrist pain. :) )

Yes you have to say something, but you don't necessarily have to go into it with guns blazing demanding that he be fired for it. It could be that firing will be the decision that is made by the athletic director and others in charged if he did not act in accordance with their rules but leave that up to them.

I would go to the athletic director and explain exactly what happened. You do not have to blame the coach but simply explain your disappointment and anger that SOMEONE did not contact you immediately about what had happened. Also that upon losing consciousness that SOMEONE did not feel that this was enough to warrant medical attention beyond the school nurse. Go into the conversation demanding that the Athletic Director review their policies regarding injuries during sports and how they are handled.

If in the end the coach is fired it may be caused by the situation with your son but it was the AD's decision not something you wanted or were demanding of the school.

Good luck and I'm glad your son is on the road to recovery,
K.

Concussions are tricky because the person who takes the hit really tries to act normal and often says they're fine when they arent. Athletes are especially prone to this because they get trained to take a hit and to disregard the pain as much as possible. They often don't often know how badly they might be hurt.

I dont think the coach realized the full extent of the injury your son received based upon what you indicated the nurse said and what I know personally atheletes do. The nurse said, if you feel worse after getting home . . . However, the coach should know that any kind of head injury should receive special action and attention.

The coach could have done a couple of things better. 1. Called you at the time of the injury and asked if you wanted to pick him up from the match and take him to the doctor. I dont believe he should have been allowed to ride the bus home.

2. Even though his coach did drive him home from the bus, he should have escorted your son to the door and talked to you about what happened at the match, the injury etc.

I think it definitely warrants a conversation with the athletic director or the coach's boss but only in a calm and managed way. Your fear is speaking for you right now not only over what did happen but what could have happened. Allow the coach's boss to take the matter under consideration and decide what the coach's fate should be based upon the coach's complete record. You may just want his head, but he is a person and deserves an opportunity to learn from mistakes.

My teen boys are in sports and if this ever happened I would be as upset as you are. I would start with the coach and find out why he blew this off. He, as a coach, certainly must know better and not be a stranger to injuries and concussions! Very serious injuries can happen in any sport and the coaches should be aware of the condition of every athlete while in his charge. I would also be addressing this with the athletic director as well. He is responsible for his coaches and all the players. He needs to know how negligent this coach was and what could have happened had your son not been lucky enough to have you see him in his condition and get him immediate help. I don't know where I would go from there, but I certainly would be real vocal real quick. I think it is horrible what happened and can only imagine how you felt having your son in bad shape like that. Please let us know what you do and how it turns out, for all us moms out here! I hope your son is feeling much better now and is recovering fully.

The coach and other adults (nurse) in this acted irresponsible. If you son lost consciousness, he should have been checked out by a doctor. I cannot believe that this nurse was so unprofessional to not get him checked out properly. Looks like more than one person dropped the ball here.
Please speak to the sports director. It may not result in a firing, but disciplinary procedures and better education/policies for the school staff.
Make sure you let the director know that you do not wish this to become a publicized issue.

Fortunately your son is ok... but ask yourself how will you feel if this happens again to another kid with a more serious outcome down the road?

I would first talk to the coach. The nurse may not have told him the extent of the injuries and then it wouldn't be his fault - necessarily. But if you aren't satisifed with the coaches explaination, I would absolutely talk to the Sports Director.
Better safe than sorry. Your first priority is your child - not other people or what their thoughts might be.

Good luck and God Bless!
C.

You already know what you should do. As parents we must protect our children, and raise them with the understanding that no one in above the law. Everyone makes mistakes, hopfully learn from them and try not to make the same mistake in the future. First I would speak to the coach, and listen to his take on the events, and if he had in fact went by the book. Let him know your concerns, and your what if's. If you do not feel the coach acted in a manner which would be appropriate to your sons injuries, and is unconcerned by your questions, go above him, until...........you get some answers. Yes, thank god, your son is now fine, now think towards the future, will the next child be your son, or another family will be left to greave. Then what if?

I would immediately talk to whoever is over the coach. It's a matter of principle. I know you don't want to affect your kids but you can prevent this from happening again to another kid.

Absolutely call whoever his supervisor is. He put your son in danger and could do it again- to him or another student. He was the adult in charge and should have informed you. In fact, I think the nurse should also be held accountable - he lost consciouness and nobody called 911??? I would be an insane mother right now! Follow your gut on this one Mom, and if nobody wants to be accountable, go to the school board or even an attorney. I am not a litigious person - but if that happened to one of my kids someone would need to be held accountable and I would want to see a plan of action for that type of injury should it EVER occur to another athlete.

Good Luck and I hope your son is ok. Keep and eye on him.