10 Post-Season Must Do’s For Every Coach

The season just ended. You’re probably exhausted, emotionally drained, and already thinking about what’s next. But before you jump into off-season mode, there are some key things you need to take care of to set yourself, your staff, and your players up for success next year. Here’s a refreshed postseason checklist—because being intentional now makes all the difference when next season rolls around.

1. Celebrate the Season

Basketball is a grind. From those early practices in October or November to the final buzzer, it’s a long journey filled with ups and downs. Regardless of your record, your players grew, battled, and made memories. And you were a huge part of that. So celebrate! Maybe it’s a pizza night in the gym where the players just play and hang out. Maybe it’s a formal banquet with awards and speeches. However you do it, make sure the players know how much you appreciate them. Focus on them—not just wins and losses.

2. Thank The People Who Had Your Back

This one might feel small, but it’s huge. Take the time to write handwritten thank-you notes to your assistants, volunteers, stat keepers, and anyone else who supported your program.

Yes, an email is easier. But a handwritten note? That sticks with people. And honestly, how many do we get anymore? A small gesture like this goes a long way in making sure people feel valued and want to continue investing in your program.

3. Meet With Your Athletic Director

Your AD is a key partner in making your program successful. If you don’t already have a postseason meeting scheduled, get one on the books.

Use this time to:

• Thank them for their support.
• Discuss scheduling needs for next season.
• Bring up any program improvements (facilities, budget, staffing).
• Talk about long-term program goals.

This is your chance to advocate for your program and make sure you’re aligned for the future.

4. Give Players Honest Feedback (with an improvement plan)

Every player deserves clear, constructive feedback after the season. Schedule short 1-on-1 meetings and have each player fill out a self-evaluation first. Then, compare their thoughts with yours.

Most importantly, don’t just point out weaknesses—help them create a plan for improvement. Instead of saying, “You need to get stronger,” give them a specific workout plan. Instead of “You need to improve your shot,” outline drills they should do.

Actionable feedback > generic advice.

5. Reflect on Your Coaching: What Can You Do Better?

Coaching is all about growth—not just for players, but for you too. Take some time to honestly evaluate your performance this season.

• Did you communicate well with players and parents?
• Were there moments you could’ve handled differently?
• How can you improve practices, game management, or player development?

Pick 1-2 key areas to focus on next season and write them down. Having a clear plan for your own improvement is just as important as your team’s growth.

6. Reassess Coaching Responsibilities

Are you doing too much? Are your assistants being fully utilized?

Look at your staff and see where you can delegate more. Maybe you have a young coach eager for more responsibility—give them a role, like managing baseline inbounds plays or leading warm-ups. Empowering your staff makes them better coaches and takes pressure off you.

7. Break Down the X’s and O’s

This is where the real adjustments happen. Sit down with your coaching staff (or just your notebook and film) and dive into what worked and what didn’t.

🔹 Defense: Was your man-to-man effective? Did you need more defensive versatility? Were you getting stops when it mattered?
🔹 Offense: Did your team’s style fit your personnel? Were you efficient in transition? Did you get to the free-throw line enough?
🔹 Special Situations: Were your ATOs (after-timeout plays) effective? Did you execute well in late-game situations? Don’t just identify what worked or didn’t—ask why. The answers will guide your game plan for next season.

8. Plan Your Off-Season Development

The offseason is where players make their biggest jumps. But repetition without purpose is just wasted time.

So, think about:

• How can you tweak summer workouts to keep them fresh?
• Do you need to add skill-specific training (shooting camps, strength training)?
• How can you help returning players step into bigger roles?

A well-structured offseason leads to a better team in November.

9. Take Inventory

✔ Physically: Check your uniforms, warm-ups, and practice gear. You don’t want to realize you’re missing jerseys a week before the season.
✔ Mentally: Look at your program as a whole—what’s working? What needs fixing? Set small, specific goals for next season now, so you’re ready to hit the ground running.

10. Build on the Positives and Stay Energized

It’s easy to focus on the negatives—the frustrating losses, the tough conversations, the things that didn’t go as planned. But don’t let that cloud your big-picture progress.

Look at:

✅ The players who improved.
✅ The relationships you built.
✅ The culture you’re creating.

And most importantly, take some time for yourself. Recharge. Step away from the game for a bit before diving back in. You can’t give 100% to your team if you’re burned out.

Final Thoughts

The best coaches don’t just move on to the next season—they build on the last one. Take time to celebrate, reflect, and plan ahead. That’s how great programs grow.

So take this list, knock things out one by one, and set yourself (and your players) up for an even better season next year.