Mike,
Your problem is not unique. In fact, more coaches quit because of problem parents than any other reason. If you do not have a written parents code of conduct that each parent must agree to and sign, then you are asking for trouble. Have a committee of coaches, supportive parents, and administrators develop the code and include a process for dealing with violators. Remember, most parents care only for decisions that positively affect the advancement of their own children.
Be strong and do not give up!

WHAT KIND OF PROBLEM

I am a little confused? You post that the org. is run by vol. and parents, then you say the director thinks you should shut down the progam for a year. Ultimately you are complainting about the very people that run the program. Doubt ultimately the Director has the power to shut down the progam unless the parents agree?

I believe you must make parents accountable for themselves . The apple does not fall far from the tree. You need to have a parent meeting and have a few of the parents watch over the parents of players . Let everyone know this is happening so they will not get mad when they are called out for being an outcast ... If they keep up there
behavior bench there kid!!!!!!!! until the parent backs down ..

Two thumbs up to coaches that have an open door policy. Communication is key.

must understand that coach's have too deal wit alot of attitude's & personalities as a volunteer.
Some father's want to live there career's thru their kid's,some mom's dont understand
that football is a physical&mental sport that take's toughness with a willingness to learn.Just cause you want them too play does not mean their ready to learn.parent's should'nt
just drop their kids off because someone will watch them for a few hours!Get involve'd,that way you will know whats going on wit [him-her]and what it really take's too be a volunteer!

i believe the fault with parents.is that they either didnt play a sport,or forgot what it takes.i have took over a program.that is in the heart of a basketball town and soccer town.and it is hard to get people to understand football is a diffrent sport.it is not played by the weak minded.they also dont understand the jump in ages makes a diffrence.some kids are not mature enough to play or understand the system we are tryin to run.just keep your doing your best until it interfers with your personal life.

There are many reasons why parents run interference for their kids, and they do so thinking that what they are doing will help the playing situation of their young athlete, when in reality their meddling can seriously mentally scar the kid and damage the coach-athlete relationship. Unless the parent senses some kind of inappropriate behavior between the coach and their child, they should work on perfecting their own cheerleading skills from the bleachers.

Parents are tough to please no matter what you do some will think your too hard and some soft. Beginning season, parents complained how hard and dicsipline we were but while getting our buts kicked in our opening game for obvious lack of discipline, the same parents were in the stands complaining how we were too soft on them and how bad the kids lacked discipline and how the other team was so disciplined. You can win games but you can't win all the parents.

i created a site here on weplay with intent of reaching out to parents and keeping them updated and giving them another outlet to vent to us rather than them verbally attacking us and making comments in front of the kids. our league has a zero tolerance policy vs. parents violence and they are informed at the beginning of the season. presenting them with that document helps as long as it is enforced. Unfortunetely out leauge has yet to enforce on some parents on other teams i have heard of.

I started giving updates and practice agendas available on the blog for parents to read and comment on. Have you tried that?

i say if the parents come on the because they dont like how your treating there kid then say " im trying the best i can ,can you please get off the field the field with a warning. if they get back on the field say" if you dont like it take your kid to some other team

Dana,
Parents must not be allowed onto the field during practices and/or games unless there is a medical emergency. However, you shouldn't simply blow off their concerns; some may be legitimate. Make time to consult with parents on an individual basis, otherwise you'll display a weakness that may be misinterpreted and/or exploited.

I have been ayouth football coach for the twerp level for 8 years and I love my job and we have won the superbowl 7 of the 8 years however the parents can be a challenge I requireparents at the beginning of the season to sign a contract giving them my philosophies that I maintain on and off the field and giving them there expectations during practice and the games they must sign this before the first practice starts or there child cannot play for me also I would tell you that if you do not have a team mom in place you should do so my team moms job is to deal with the parents from the sidelines and to set-up meetings with any parents who have problems with my coaching staff or me at a time that is best for both parties

Everyone thanks for the great answers. Its like the parents do not appreciate or even volunteer to help out . Granted we as the coaches control the philosophy of the program and the funding as well. However, we have set this up for the kids to succeed at this sport through out there junior high and high school years. The high school program has missed playoffs once in 15 years with several state title games. As as general rule, a really perfect season is winning 50 percent of the time and we as coaches try to draft the talent and games accordingly. Granted we all want to destroy other teams etc. but that does not help the sport in other towns.
The times are changing I really feel that sport in general could help these kids feel and know that it is ok to be mad but at the same time learn to channel it. which many sports do. Through that they will and can succeed. again thank you

I will say dont close shop and punish the kids because the parents cant control themselves.... if they think you are too hard on a child address that parents concerns individually with them and let them know where you are comming from and why....perhaps they know a better way to motivate thier child...obosy says you have to use thier idea but 9 out of ten times parents just want to be heard and feel like they have a small measure on control over thier kid and inout on the team...even when they really dont...LOL....best of luck bud!

moo

You have to talk with the coach!!