For a first year head coach, there's always learning curves as athletes adjust to new methodologies and a new culture's foundation. There's a natural excitement with a fresh start, but there's also an unknown as training, practice, recovery and instruction all are ingrained for the very first time.
But the coaches often experience a reverse of that same learning curve. They often have to adjust their methods to the brand of athlete they've chosen to lead. It creates a unique challenge, one that can lead to incredible satisfaction when achieving the first stages of success.
It's something that became a central point for Boston College swimming head coach Mike Stephens.