If you're not going to call him out at least tell him to remove all reference and likenesses to/of you from his website and/or marketing material. Throw my indignation a bone.

Oops, sorry. Maybe the coach is upset that you're representing another team? Maybe you're too Big and Sexy?

I'd demand a refund of the full season--coach has now left you in a bad position needing to get a new relationship up and running mid season. And, demand that he remove any reference to you in his marketing. What a jerk.

One dissatisfied client can do more damage than many, many satisfied ones.

His issue is his. Not yours. The fact that he is showing you that he is a petty person. Why be trained by someone who focuses on petty perceived slights?

Name his name. Tell everyone. His acts were his acts and if he is bothered that you tell how he handles things, then he should change how he handles things. Post on FB. Be candid.

Oh, and move on.

The coach already did that. Completely removed any reference that I was ever an athlete from their site. It appears (although I'm not certain since I didn't memorize everyone else) that I'm the only one this was done to.

Only knowing one side of the story it sounds like a punk move by the coach. Mid-season is just bad form.

On the flip side, i do think athletes dont understand that the coaching relationship is a two way street. Most people think that just because you hire a coach, s/he should bend to the athletes wishes since they are the 'client.' I think coaches should more often fire clients. It's not unusual to be hired by a client that doesn't uphold their end of the bargain (not uploading data, lack of communication). Or to have a client that demands too much of your time. Not saying this was your situation.

I could also see where a coach is full but has a potential client that wants to be more of a team player (wear gear, etc). So s/he makes the call to drop someone in order to improve the business. Of course, there are tactful ways to do this. Email isn't that way.

In this case, i recommend being the mature/professional one.

From an entertainment perspective, I hope the ST Detectives accept that challenge.

Either way, this seems like a huge misunderstanding that wasn't handled very well. Looks like 1st (debatable) strike and you're out.

---

---

Would you support the coach if the client fired him in the middle of the season. Say the client was doing an IM and the coach was planning on four more months of income to pay the bills?

Immaterial in this situation since he paid in full upfront for the whole year.

Yes. If the agreement was to pay the entire season up front for a year worth of services, and the client then wanted to cancel the deal without cause and demand a refund, yes I would support the coach. The OP paid for a season of coaching up front and is being told the deal is off because he didn't do something which was not required of him.

Referrals are a big part of my business. Funny thing about them, if you don't ask clients for referrals there's a pretty good chance you're not going to get any. I understand why he would want you to wear his gear but again without asking or giving you incentive then why expect or more to the situation demand you to.
And why would matter to his other athlete's that you are not wearing their gear?
Can't wait to see where this goes.

---

"I think I've cracked the code. double letters are cheaters except for perfect squares (a, d, i, p and y). So Leddy isn't a cheater... "

Not saying I support the canning of coaches - but, in this instance, I paid the coach up front. A full year in advance. November to November and I had every intention of reupping.

So your scenario doesn't apply here really.

That said, I think it's ok to let someone go if YOU are the one paying THEM. There's ways to go about it - but if you're not getting what you're paying for then by all means you shouldn't have to continue the service.

but if you fire one coach for a stupid reason - that makes you a douche and I wouldn't support it.

For what it's worth - in my eyes, at least - the relationship I had with them seemed great until yesterday. We weren't immensely close or anything, but I never got the impression that I was a bother or anything and felt that they were a pretty good coach.

I have never heard of the "unwritten rule" and certainly do not expect any of my clients to automatically refer athletes to me. I am always extremely grateful when they do- but that is purely an added bonus. But again we only have 1 1/2 sides of the story - the 1/2 side are the coaches emails.

---

Graham Wilson
USAT Level III Elite Coach
http://www.thewilsongroup.biz

I agree that this was handled very poorly. When ever a party is not satisfied with the performance of another in any way, F***** COMMUNICATE that to the other person. I've had bosses where i thought I was doing great with no negative feedback, then review times comes and you get slammed.

Total BS based on your side of the story.

I will say in his defense, he is somewhat correct that it's probably "good form" to thank anyone involved with you training etc. It builds good will, makes you look more professional and makes your coach look good to. But successful athletes are often driven and very focused, so it's understandable to focus on yourself a little and forget to mention ever person involved in your success. But I would never consider that an expectation unless it's been mentioned to you.

Is his coaching service advertised on your race kit?


EDIT: You not a pro, it looks like it's recreational for you. The situation still sucks, but I don;t think there's any possible legal action since this isn't your profession.

---

TrainingBible Coaching
http://www.trainingbible.com

I disagree. I hate being asked for referrals for anything. It's a sign of desperation. I sing to the heavens about attorneys, brokers, CPAs that do their job well (and even just competently if they are good people and honest). You'd think the guy that runs my training is probably on his way to being canonized if you were one of my friends.

I'm not going to put my reputation on the line by making a recommendation if I don't truly believe in the person.

Oh boy.

Now THAT is outrageous.

Why not? If it's publicity he's looking for then, by all means, you should oblige him.

I like this part. Then he goes on to tell you how it's actually you and not him.

---

How does Danny Hart sit down with balls that big?

As a few others have said, I think you are a best off out of that working relationship.

I am sure some coaches have their reasons for working in ways they do but I'm certainly no proponent of paying many months fee "up front" and certainly not 12 months..... smacks of several things, none of which IMHO I perceive as positive.

Just my 2c...

David

---

David T-D
http://www.tilburydavis.com

I'm blown away by this. My thoughts about this have been said by almost every poster already. You paid for his services, you didn't get them in exchange for X-Y-Z. This guy sounds like he's a few fries short of a happy meal.

I think the coach is a douche. Period.

That said, I find it weird that with all the crap you shill on your blog, you didn't mention him/her one time (that I could find).

What's the back story on that?

---

"Good genes are not a requirement, just the obsession to beat ones brains out daily"...the Griz

I've heard of this happening

http://pvcycling.wordpress.com/...ient-he-just-sucked/


Although I'm sure your improvement didn't have so many zeroes, as you have stated that you're doing better this year than last

He wouldn't happen to be dropping you - a client who doesn't wear his gear - for a chick who would? Y'know, hiring a better looking billboard / spokemodel; results not withstanding?

---

"What's your claim?" - Ben Gravy
"Your best work is the work you're excited about" - Rick Rubin

I did notice that also, haha.

---

---

Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

Could be the coach is embarassed that you wear that big orange POC helmet : )