This question threw me at first. I had to really think about it. The question was, Who are the best coaches you ever saw or coached against? Who is the best coach of all time? Wow, those are real loaded questions for sure.
Let me illustrate with a story. When I was head coach of Team USA my assistant coach’s son was playing some kid in the early rounds of national juniors. This poor boy we were coaching was getting smoked by some unknown from the hinterlands of rural USA. So we had the best coaching minds going up against a coach who did not even play. Our kid lost. Rookie coach won.
Point is, the best coaching is never done during a match but preparing for a match. Months before the big stage was set, the work should be done out of the public eye on back court 9 somewhere in a lonely world with a coach pointing out weaknesses. Our kid was not that guy!
There are a few old school coaches out there who are not in our game too much any more that are excellent game coaches with strategy and preparation. The best at preparing coaches I am familiar with would be a very short list. The late Dr. Bud, and the late Charlie Brumfield were two great coaching minds. Dave Peck is my mentor. Those old school coaches were mentors of sorts to me. Modern tour players Thomas Carter and Kane Waselenchuk are two modern pro coaches I learn from and highly recommend. The thing that I like to think sets the great ones apart from the newbies would have to patience, preparation, attention to detail and motivation.
Sadly, I hate to beat a dead horse, but many coaches do not understand the preparation part. They become physical trainers more than racquetball coaches.
The great ones understand it is the player’s show, not theirs. If the coach has done their job the athlete plays to best of their ability. If the athlete has done their part, the results will be improved performance, and ultimately wins!!
Best Coach I ever coached against? All of them! Two that I send players to when I get stumped are Thomas and Kane. I have to treat all coaches like a player has to treat their opponents; with respect and a desire to win!