“I don’t like her personality.” Translate that.
We did JAGMAN investigations in the Navy, that followed a script - Findings of Fact (what happened and when, with references, Opinions (based on findings), and Recommendations derived from facts and opinions.
In a postfactual world, opinions vary wildly. The team finished with a 25-1 record, best in school history (facts). Susie and Mary, both freshmen, led the team in scoring and rebounding (facts).
Joan and Sandra, both seniors, played fewer minutes than they had in the previous seasons (facts). Both had played basketball since third grade (fact) but both missed three games while on a Senior Class trip (fact).
When they returned from the trip, they played even fewer minutes (fact) as Coach Smith thought their conditioning and timing were impaired (opinion). Joan and Sandra’s families were upset at how the season went for their children and complained to the Superintendent (facts).
Coach Smith was competent/incompetent.
Coach Smith was goal-directed/insensitive.
Coach Smith established roles/disenfranchised established players.
Coach Smith gave young players a chance/devalued kids who ‘paid their dues’.
Coach Smith did a great job/has got to go.
This narrative encapsulates the coaching dilemma in 2018. Economics studies the allocation of limited resources. In basketball, minutes, shots, roles, and the consequences like notoriety, publicity, and satisfaction confuse goals of teamwork and excellence.
We choose how we interpret facts. Did it matter that Coach Smith met with players and families preseason and reiterated the opportunities and need for commitment? Did it matter that both freshmen ran the Mile Test in under 5:30 while the seniors came in at over a minute slower? Coach Smith’s husband had coached Susie and Mary in middle school, where they played 60 games each year. Did that count as Dues Paid? Attendance tripled this season as the community supported the team. Should that matter?
Coach Smith worked a miracle at Flagstaff High. The @#&$ is gone.
**All characters are fictional...but the problem is real.
