Baseball Player Magazine

It is the effort and dedication of the coaches, both on and off the field, that unite a team and provide tremendous insight and inspiration for their players.  In each issue of BPM we will honor one chosen coach who truly has a love of the game and his team. 

BPM was able to sit down with Chris Celano and get his take on the awards he received and what he feels it takes to be a successful coach. 

BPM: In both 2008 and 2009 you received a few prestigious coaching awards. How does it make you feel?  

Receiving any individual award is always an honor. I think it’s a reflection of not only me, but of my assistants and the student-athletes in our program. Success in any team sport is always a group effort and our success is a great example of that.   

BPM: Who would you mark as the most influential throughout your coaching career thus far? 

There have been a number of people who have influenced me over my coaching career. My father was my first coach in little league and taught me about the commitment and hard work that is required to succeed both in baseball and life in general. I take something from everyone that I come in contact with to continually try to improve myself as a head coach. Other coaches at my institution have also been a great influence on me as well. I have only been a head coach for five years and we have a good group of experienced and successful coaches that I have learned a lot from since my arrival at Dowling. (I moved at Dowling) 

BPM: Can you give coaches out there a few tips, things that you have learned that are incredibly valuable to your success so far, that will help them with theirs? 

Constantly try to improve yourself as a coach. ?You need to be open to change in order to get the most out of your athletes, and this requires some self-criticism and evaluation. If your ego doesn’t allow you to take suggestions from assistant coaches, or in some cases even your players, you can hinder the potential of the team.

Communicate. I like to have the best relationship possible outside of baseball with all my players. This gives them the comfort to approach me with any issues they encounter either on or off the field.

The ability to handle a loss. How you respond to adver?sity usually will define the season and as coaches we need to be able to lead during those times, so putting each loss in perspective is crucial.