Always Coaching

By Ken Dory

I never thought I would write a book, and I would never call myself a writer. I would, however, say that I'm confident about what I think coaching should be and what a good coach is.

I also like to think that I could identify what my athletes needed from me and what my students needed from me when I was coaching and teaching full time. Tha

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookTrail Publishing
• Release date: Feb 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781637679944

Book preview

Copyright © 2022 Ken Dory

Edited by Lynne Riffenburgh

Paperback: 978-1-63767-993-7

Hardback: 978-1-63767-999-9

eBook: 978-1-63767-994-4

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Ordering Information:

BookTrail Agency

8838 Sleepy Hollow Rd.

Kansas City, MO 64114

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1:   My History

Chapter 2:   The Teams

Chapter 3:   The Pandemic

Chapter 4:   Coaching Beyond Athletics

Chapter 5:   Just Keep Coaching

Chapter 6:   Appreciate Help, Give Help

Chapter 7:   The Plan, Part One

Chapter 8:   The Plan, Part Two

Chapter 9:   Mistakes

Chapter 10: Upward and Onward

Me and Jenny

Reading Suggestions

Testimonials for Coach Ken Dory

Ken was my swim coach in high school. I played other sports growing up, but competitive swimming was new to me. He recognized strengths in me and helped me reach levels I didn’t know were possible. Every milestone I hit in swimming was shared with Ken, and I always felt the pride he exuded with each of my successes. His leadership helped me push myself in and out of the pool, and I carry a sense of strength with me that I wouldn’t have had without him.

—Logan Smith,

Irvine High Class of 1992

"In my life, there have been many people who carried the title of ‘coach.’ Just in one sport like swimming, I have had many coaches, ranging from summer league swimming to club swimming, high school swimming, junior college swimming, and four-year university swimming. On those teams, most coaches did their job and taught me things in the related sport. But it stops there—just doing their job. On rare occasions, a coach would put in more effort, and depending on the effort, it could make a bigger or smaller impact. I can truly say none of the coaches had nearly the impact that Ken Dory had.

Ken doesn’t coach because it’s his job, he coaches because it’s his calling. You can feel his passion the moment you meet him. His coaching is more than just imparting information about an individual stroke or facet of swimming. His coaching and passion aren’t just for his fastest athlete or the most talented. His passion is felt on his team from top to bottom, fastest to slowest. Once you join Ken’s team, you have joined his family. He will ensure his family is taken care of, whether it’s ensuring that the proper amount of work is being put in, or that the individual’s mindset is in the right place, or that the individual athlete understands his part in the direction of the team. Ken ensures it’s all functioning and working properly.

I think Ken accomplishes this not by fitting his athletes into the mold of his coaching, or dictating things as black and white, but instead by molding his coaching around the team. He doesn’t accomplish his goals by running around yelling and demanding things. He earns the team’s and the individual’s respect and admiration. He gains compliance not out of fear of retribution of his title and what terrible punishment he can bring down, but out of the individual’s fear of letting him down. Many are given the title of ‘coach,’ but very few truly earn it like Ken Dory." 

—Drew McCracken,

Concordia University class of 2010

"Ken was my high school swim coach. I had several coaches throughout my youth, but Ken was different. He took an interest in me more than just my swimming. He would ask about where I was from, how I was doing, and how life was outside of swimming. He let me know he was paying attention and cared about me as a person, not just for what I could contribute to the team.

This was very important for my development, as I was a latchkey kid to a single mom. I was home alone a lot and did not have much supervision in my high school years. Ken made sure I didn’t stray too far into the party lifestyle. He made sure I knew someone cared about me. He made sure I learned the value of hard work and teamwork, of showing up and being responsible with my time. Ken gave me my first job, he officiated my wedding, and he has continued to be a friend throughout my adult life.

I learned a lot from Ken and owe a lot of my work ethic and understanding of how to interact with the world to him, simply from observing him and listening to his stories and counsel. Today, as a father of two, I often think of how Ken would conduct himself and speak to his athletes, how he would get us to behave and inspire us to try our best. I try to use these lessons to correct and inspire my own children, and I am grateful for his example. My life is absolutely on a better track because of my relationship with Ken, and for this I will always be thankful."

—Joshua Malpass,

Irvine High class of 1996

"Ken is a one-of-a-kind coach, a gem, exceptional and extremely devoted to his athletes and his family. He’s the most loyal, committed, and consistent coach I’ve ever had in all my years of playing sports. I’ve known Ken for thirty-four years, and not only was I blessed to be coached by him, but I was also fortunate enough to coach alongside him and learn from him. It was an honor and a memorable time for me in my life.

Ken knows his athletes inside and out. He studies them and expects greatness from them. He knows what each athlete is capable of, and he supports them to dig deep within and find what it takes to rise. He was the officiant at my wedding, and he’s truly special and dear to our family. The imprint for the love of sports he cultivates is a gift that I’m now passing onto my children. You are in for a treat with Always Coaching, and Ken is a man leaving a huge legacy behind."

—Erica Abajian,

Irvine High Class of 1997

I have been very blessed to have Ken Dory in my life, from community swim team with the Greentree Gators, to Irvine High School swim team winning the CIF-SS Division 1 championship, to having him officiate my wedding. Ken has always been about giving, teaching, and helping others in the community. I look up to him a lot and am extremely happy for all of his accomplishments. A lot of my leadership skills come from him, and for that I thank him so much.

—Billy Swanson,

Irvine High class of 2001

"I didn’t realize my college coach would become one of the most influential people in my life. Ken gave me a second chance at swimming, and in doing so, he gave me the opportunity to become who I am today. Ken was (and is) an incredible coach, but he’s so much