Coach Randie Baldwin received the Coach of the Week award from the Los Angeles Chargers last week for her superior leadership towards the Aliso Niguel flag football team.
The award winner was determined by a poll of recognized coaches nominated within a certain area. The Chargers Coach of the Week Selection Committee, made up of California Interscholastic Federation members and former football coaches, nominates three coaches per county which the public can then vote on.
As of Sept. 26, 2024, the varsity flag football team is ranked fourth in California and fifth nationally. Much of their success can be attributed to the coaching staff in developing their athletes into a top flag football team.
Baldwin is always quick to give credit to her players who constantly work hard in practices and games to achieve the results they strive for. However, none of these records could be set or the goals accomplished without the leadership of a strong coach who inspires her athletes to continuously improve and dedicate themselves to their sport.
When asked about her impact on the success of the program Baldwin said, “I just try to create a positive environment where my players feel comfortable being themselves.”
One of the most important aspects of building a strong team rather than a disorganized group of talented athletes, is how they interact with each other and their coaching staff. This culture includes mindsets before games, how players respond to challenges and failure and how people rely on or help their teammates.
Coach Baldwin said, “It’s been really … cool to start flag [football] from the ground up, so it has been my culture from day one.”
Last year, Coach Baldwin was named the 2023 Chargers Flag Football Orange County Coach of the Year for her dedication to the ANHS flag football program in its inaugural season.
Coach Baldwin did not expect to win either of her two awards, and she greatly appreciates everyone in Aliso. Thanking families, her current and former players and other students on campus who helped her win the awards.
Baldwin has a seemingly impossible task of finding a balance between pushing her athletes hard to consistently improve while maintaining a good relationship with her players. Her unique coaching style allows them to play loose and confide in each other, yet always give their highest efforts.
Baldwin stated, “I try to, truthfully, be a players’ coach. I want to set high expectations, but I want them to know that I care about them; I’m going to be there for them.”
Baldwin is also the head softball coach at Aliso Niguel, another sport that has flourished under her recent leadership. This upcoming spring season will be Coach Baldwin’s fourth season as the softball coach on campus.
Differing from her experience with the flag football team, there was a preexisting softball program with its own set of coaches and difficulties. Baldwin had to adapt to the conditions of her new environment by building a new, healthier culture, rather than having the luxury of simply setting expectations at the beginning of her coaching career in a sport.
