Coach of the Month November 2019: Dwayne Hartsoe

Congratulations to Dwayne Hartsoe, the BSN SPORTS Coach of the Month for October 2019!

Athletic Director, Head Coach: Fort Mill High School, South Carolina
Oversees approximately 900 student athletes across 22 varsity sports

Coaches Corner: 5 Questions

1. What inspired you to get into coaching?

I had been around sports all my life. Growing up, I had a coach that was an influence on me in Little League baseball…he was a high school football coach, and I just liked the way he dealt with me and players, and it was something I knew I wanted to do. I knew from a very early age that I wanted to coach.

2. What’s the biggest challenge you face today?

The biggest challenge is getting control of some of those outside influences that kids have, and just the pressure they have. Kids feel like they have to earn a college scholarship, that’s what it’s all about now. I try to convince them to be a part of something bigger than themselves at the high school level, and it’s something they’ll cherish for the rest of their lives. It’s all about the friendships and enjoying time in high school and not feeling so much pressure.

3. What are your thoughts on social media?

We talk a lot about how college coaches are out there looking, so be careful what you post, because kids have lost scholarships for what they put on social media. We try to teach them what’s appropriate and inappropriate. It’s something I have to deal with now that I didn’t have to deal with years ago. It’s an ongoing process figuring out how to really coach them up on it.

4. What’s some advice you have for future coaches?

Try to be yourself as a coach, don’t try to imitate someone else. You have to figure out how to still be yourself and learn from different people. To be successful, you have to remain the person that you are. Also, to me, relationships are the key to being successful. You have to be able to develop relationships with the kids. Same with the parents, administrators and everybody else.

5. What do you want others to know about BSN SPORTS?

It goes back to relationships. We have a great relationship with BSN SPORTS, not only with the reps but the company overall. Our new rep Luke, and our previous rep Ben have done a really good job, and not only do we have a working relationship, but we’ve really become friends. It’s also a one-stop shop, so I don’t have to call around to a bunch of different people. I feel like they’re committed to me and trying to make sure I have what I need to be successful. It’s been a great relationship and I wouldn’t do it with anyone else.