Week 5 – Leader/Follower Relationships

After quite some time in and around the office, I have a very good understanding of the leader and follower dynamics in my organization. Yes Coach Chemotti is the head coach and ultimately has the final say in any decisions however, this is not blatantly visible. After sitting in on several staff meetings, and often being part of them, Coach Chemotti values the opinions of each staff member, regardless of how big or small the situation or task at hand may be. These meetings take time and effort to ensure that Coach Chemotti and the staff make the best decision for the program moving forward, whether that be which player the staff should offer or what is best for players to put into their bodies while traveling to games.

Covid completely turned college athletics upside down. For over a year and a half, the coaching staff was unable to not just travel but also engage in any contact with recruits due to the NCAA mandated dead period. For a year and a half, the coaching staff had to recruit by simply watching hours upon hours of game film from tournaments all around the country. The pandemic truly forced the coaching staff to band together even more than usual to try and recruit not just the best players but the right players to the University of Richmond in the summer of 2021. The work is never done as recruiting does not stop but the relationships between the staff have ultimately led to two of the best incoming classes for years to come. These decisions were not just Coach Chemotti’s. Each staff member was involved in deciding which players to and to not offer a scholarship and or spot on the team. While each coach has a respective specialty, they constantly help one another.

Just because Coach Richards is the defensive coordinator does not mean he can’t bring up a talented offensive player to Coach Chemotti or Coach Hogan and vice versa. Unlike other division one programs, every coach is involved in the recruiting process. While each coach has a designated role they all work together to accomplish the same needs and goals.

Each leadership style of each staff member is different, which makes the staff unique. Coach Chemotti has the most difficulty being personable. He is extremely traditional in everything he does. You can tell by his appearance alone that he is all business. I believe this is his biggest weakness, especially in regards to the relationships he has with his players. Coach Hogan is the exact opposite of Coach Chemotti. He has an unbelievable IQ for the sport but he is much younger and much more inexperienced. He can relate to players much more easily, making him much more personable. This is evident both on and off the field. Coach Richards has what I believe to be the best leadership style of the staff. He is the perfect balance between your friend and your coach. No matter the situation he can flip his switch immediately depending on the context. The best part about Coach Richards’s leadership style is that he works extremely hard and is extremely good at this job be he knows how to let loose and be extremely personable. All in all, the leader/follower relationships are both healthy and strong.