“Now introducing the new head coach…” This week I had the privilege to help introduce the Evansville community and the basketball world at large to our new head women’s basketball coach. To say the moments I experienced filled me with all the chills would be an understatement. It was a fantastic feeling to document the next chapter in UE women’s basketball. So in this blog, I wanted to talk about how our department went about planning and executing the announcement of a Division I head coach. To give context this was a massive coaching hire for our program. The goal was to hire someone that would give new life and start a new chapter for the team. For our external team we knew from the beginning whoever we hired it was important to show them off and introduce them to the community because that was an important bridge to rebuild to accomplish the overall goals of the hire. So, we started where all good meetings start with someone walking into someone else’s office and asking about the plan when the day came to announce the new coach. We started with what we wanted to see. XYZ would be awesome, but if we only got X and Y we would be happy. Then we talked with higher-ups including the AD and found out expectations and possible dates. With that information, we laid out what we wanted on social, the press conference and how we would handle the first 24-48 hours of having a new women’s basketball coach. For me moments like these are where I thrive as a person. Those long days figuring out what is going on and thinking through all the possible outcomes. Along with the UE external team I think we knocked it out of the park. Below are some of the things during this coaching hire announcement:
Traditional hire release (Link). This is the basic level one thing you need to do, but something important to keep in mind is that your release time needs to be coordinated with enough lead time for your media to make plans to attend the press conference. Put your program in the best position possible when it comes to the media.
Welcome video (Link). We made a quick video with the coach introducing herself to the fans pre-press conference. Less formal, but also introduces herself.
Stream the press conference (Link). If you have the option, it is always a good idea to stream the press conference. You have an opportunity to reach your fans straight away with your new coach.
Mic-up coach: If possible, put a mic on your new coach and follow them around for anything and everything you can. It shows some special moments and gets your fans hyped for the future. (Link)
Find a message: For us, Coach Robyn Scherr-Wells is the definition of a program builder, so every caption was geared towards highlighting that fact to our fans.
Above all it is so important to just have a plan. If something doesn’t work out that is totally fine, but you were ready. Know what you can do and set your team, department and yourself up for success. I’m so proud of our UE External team for the prep and work we put in last Tuesday. I think we did everything to the best of our ability and showed the world the next chapter in UE Athletics. I’m doubly proud because also that same day our women’s golf team won the Missouri Valley Conference Championship for the first time in program history! Our team was able to balance both historic events because of our ability to work as a group and plan the plan.
- Emily McMillan (@emily_mcm16)
Comentarios