When Coaching Goes Wrong
In the When Coaching Goes Wrong podcast, I am joined by coaches from all sports ranging from current professionals to the grassroots level. All these coaches share something in common- they have experienced failure. This ranges from not managing individuals within a group correctly, applying the wrong type of training methods to the detriment of results, having a winning-at-all-costs mentality, or the many other unpredictable factors that are present in a dynamic and ever-changing coaching environment.
The guests show vulnerability, and self-awareness when sharing how they came through these struggles and importantly lessons they learned. These lessons can be used to normalize failure as part of the coaching journey, illuminate any blind spots coaches might have, and overall provide hints, tips, and ideas on how coaches can reflect on their current coaching practices to ensure they are creating an excellent sporting environment for their athletes.
When Coaching Goes Wrong
#17: Sir Ian McGeechan,: British & Irish Lions, Scotland and Wasps
Sir Ian McGeechan won thirty-two caps, playing at fly-half and centre, and captained the team nine times. Sir Ian, as a player, toured with the British and Irish Lions in both 1974 and 1977.
Sir Ian was the British and Irish Lions Head Coach in 1989, 1993, 1997 and 2009. In 2005 he coached the midweek side on the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand on the invitation of Sir Clive Woodward. On the international stage, Sir Ian also won the 1990 Grand Slam with Scotland.
Domestically, Sir Ian became the Director of Rugby at London Wasps in 2005, and led his team to the Powergen Anglo-Welsh Cup title, beating Llanelli Scarlets in the final at Twickenham. In his second season, London Wasps claimed the Heineken Cup and in his third season, they lifted the Premiership cup.
In 2010 Sir Ian joined the coaching staff at Gloucester as an advisor to Head Coach Bryan Redpath and his coaching team, and in 2010 he moved to local rivals Bath Rugby as performance director.
Taking over as the director of rugby at Bath in 2011, the following year Ian was appointed executive chairman of Leeds Carnegie.
Ian was knighted in the 2010 New Years’ Honours List for his services to rugby, and received an OBE in 1990.