Across the four major American sports leagues, the average age for a head coach is just about 52. Amongst the best and most experienced coaches and managers in the NBA, NHL, MLB and NFL — like Bill Belichick (68), Gregg Popovich (71), John Tortorella (61) and Joe Maddon (66) — the average age is even higher.
That means some of the best coaches in professional American sports also have the highest risk of contracting COVID-19 if and when leagues return to the court, ice and field. In addition to pro head coaches, 24 of whom are older than 60, leagues also have to worry about the health of assistant coaches, trainers, executives and referees who are part of that older demographic. Older college coaches like 68-year-old Nick Saban are also at risk.
The reality of the situation has league executives pondering ways to keep coaches and staffers safe while they interact with players, many of whom are 30 to 40 years younger than their bosses.
“The NBA and MLB have considered plans to isolate players to reduce the risk of infection, but the players themselves wouldn’t be the only people in these protective bubbles,” according to The Wall Street Journal. “Even if the leagues attempt to return with skeleton crews and limited staffs, the future of their sports might be tied to this ethical dilemma: Is it worth exposing the coaches whose jobs don’t let them work from home?”
A good question that individual coaches and organizations will have to answer for themselves.
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