By Collin Fehr and Mike Fehr
(May 18, 2022)

For the Love of the Game

Mike Fehr got his start in coaching with the Utah Public Parks commission in 1972.  A recent high school graduate, he headed the Riverside Park tennis program in Salt Lake City with as many as 137 kids participating each week.  “Those kids didn’t have expensive rackets or the best equipment around,” said Fehr, “but they won quite a few matches and they really liked to play.”  Now, 50 years later, “Coach Mike” is guiding tennis players at Corvallis High School in Corvallis, MT.  Since his involvement with the program, the girls’ and boys’ teams have collectively won 15 Divisional Titles, 7 State Titles, and placed in the top three at State 6 other times.  As good as the winning has been for “Coach Mike,” that’s not what keeps him coming back.  According to Fehr, “Tennis is so fun it should be illegal.”  That passion for the game is contagious.  In fact, this genuine love for the game may well be his greatest coaching legacy.

Like Father – Like Sons

Out of the nearly 1,000 players “Coach Mike” has mentored during his tenure at Corvallis High School, six went on to become tennis coaches themselves.  Out of those six, three were his own children.  Spencer Fehr is currently serving his seventh season as the head tennis coach at Anaconda High School in Anaconda, MT.  “Coach Mike would always make time to get his players out on the court,” says Spencer.  “There would be times he (my Dad) would spend up to four hours on court to make sure the athletes got their fill of tennis and would want to come back for more.”  In his most recent roles, Brock Fehr served as head coach for the Vermillion High School tennis teams and director of tennis for the parks and recreation program in Vermillion, SD.  Reflecting on how his father, “Coach Mike” influenced his coaching, Brock said: “He’s always been a real stickler for hard work and preparation, whether it be coaching, playing, or anything for that matter.  To be a motivating example for players requires love for what you do.”  Collin Fehr is a Certified Tennis Professional (PTR) who has taught at nationally recognized resorts, coached NCAA Division-1 tennis players, led parks and recreation programs, coached high school tennis, and spearheaded player development initiatives.  “I find myself using the same phrases that my dad uses on the court,” says Collin.  “He frequently says ‘there is no such thing as a bad day on the tennis court.’  I don’t know how many times I have said that to my own players, especially when they have a bad attitude.”

These simple, yet effective, coaching tenets represent key components of “Coach Mike’s” philosophy.  Aside from the admiration of his own children, “Coach Mike” is well-loved by all his players.  This is reflected in year-to-year player retention, parental feedback, and players staying in touch after graduation.  He could be described as a ‘model coach,’ one to be emulated.  To magnify his influence, I (Collin) recently sat down with “Coach Mike” to formally capture his thoughts and beliefs about coaching.  What follows is the culmination of this interview, meant to help other coaches develop, revise, or expand their own approach to coaching.

A Father’s Wisdom – in Coach Mike’s Own Words

General Philosophy

One of the most important components of my philosophy is to use a positive coaching style.  In my experience, the “old school” method of yelling and criticizing athletes is detrimental to their confidence.  Instead, I endeavor to bring a positive and constructive approach when working with my players.  Simply by showing an athlete you believe in them is indispensable for promoting optimal performance.  Constant positive communication gets results.

The Mental Game

The importance of a positive “mental game” cannot be overstated.  One way I cultivate these mental attributes in my players is by making them tangible.  For example, I print inspirational quotes on index cards that I distribute to my players twice a week.  They are required to post these cards at home in a place where they will see them daily.  Even better is to enlist the help of the players’ parents to support this effort.  Based on the feedback I receive, both players and parents love these index cards.  In fact, many players take the cards to college and post them in their dorm rooms.

Continuing Education

I am a big proponent of professional development.  Sharpening old skills and learning new ones is essential for success in competitive sports.  Continually learning also ensures that I keep a fresh perspective so I can adapt to each new generation of players.  I maintain two professional tennis certifications that require continuing education to remain current.  I read articles, attend clinics, take online courses, and talk to other coaches, anything that will help me get a little bit better at coaching.  All these efforts go a long way in not only enhancing my skill set, but by increasing my credibility with players, parents, and administrators.

Gratitude

Another essential practice, that is often overlooked, is saying “Thank You” to those who support the program.  I make a concerted effort to send handwritten, thank you cards to parents, trainers, volunteers, and even the news media for their positive contributions to my team.  Although it is time-consuming, these gestures are a great way to genuinely express gratitude in a way that will generate continued program support in the future.  It is a simple, yet highly effective way to strengthen advocate relationships.

Create the Environment

Perhaps the most foundational component to tennis success is for players to develop a love for the game.  Fortunately, my parents played tennis and instilled in me this love for the game at a young age.  Over the years, I have strived to kindle this same passion in my own children as well as in the players I coach.  I believe that positive, sincere enthusiasm for improvement, hard work, and participation on the court creates the environment where an athlete loves to be.  Genuinely having fun and appreciating coaching sows the seeds for this to occur.

Final Thoughts

Although these anecdotes only represent a small picture of “Coach Mike’s” actual coaching practice, they capture key elements of a career spanning 50 years.  Like many great practitioners in the field, “Coach Mike” has experienced incredible success despite not mentioning any emphasis on winning in his coaching tenets.  Indeed, the results are a byproduct of his purposeful attention to his player’s intrinsic needs.  To summarize in a phrase: “Teach them to love the game.  The more they love it, the more they will play it.  The more they play it, the better they will become.  The better they become, the more they will win.”  Maybe that’s why every tennis game starts with ‘love.’