60+ Funny & Heartfelt “Thank You” Notes for Your Coach

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Everything you need to include to show your coach they’re appreciated
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Do you want to write your coach a thank you note, but you’re not sure what to say? Whether your coach is retiring or leaving the team, or you just want them to know how great they are, we can help you craft the perfect message. In a thank you note to your coach, acknowledge their work, express gratitude for the lessons they taught you, and share fond memories of them. Read on for a complete guide to writing your coach a thank you note, complete with many example messages for you to use!

Section 1 of 9:

Appreciative "Thank You, Coach" Messages

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  1. Instead of just saying thank you, show your coach that you understand how much they contributed to your sports team (and your development as a player). Name a few things you appreciate most about your experience with them! [1]
    • Dear coach: I want you to know how much I appreciate your mentorship. You’ve always known how to bring out the best in all of us!
    • Coach, I’m very proud to be an athlete on your team, and I appreciate everything you’ve done for us. With you, we’ve made incredible progress!
    • I hope you know how much your leadership has shaped us and helped us develop as a team, because we definitely do—and we’re sincerely grateful for all your work.
    • Coach, I’ve always admired and been inspired by your ability to bring out the best in everyone on this team. Thank you for your many contributions and hard work!
    • Coach, nobody can build up a winning mentality quite like you. We’re better athletes and people because of the lessons we learned from you, and we all appreciate you so much.
    • Every speech you’ve given before a game has lit a fire under us and pushed us to do our best. Thank you for working with us and dedicating so much energy to making this team great!
    • You’ve had such a positive impact on my life and progress as an athlete. Thank you for working with me and helping me become the best version of myself!
    • Even though we’ve had hard days as a team, I appreciate the way you push us to our limits and show us there’s always room to grow. Thank you for everything!
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Section 2 of 9:

Funny "Thank You, Coach" Messages

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  1. If your coach is the type to crack jokes and get a little silly sometimes, they’ll probably appreciate a thank you note with a sense of humor! Remember to keep your words positive and respectful, even though you’re joking around.
    • Thank you, coach, for supporting us and cheering us on—even when we’re all acting like a bunch of hyper honey badgers!
    • Coach, thank you for guiding this team to victory—and for always miraculously pausing practice right before we’re about to fall over from exhaustion. It’s a true gift!
    • Thank you for making us feel like we could win any game, coach…even when it was super clear we were going to lose. We love you!
    • Thank you, coach, for turning a team of gangly goofballs into a team of slightly less gangly goofballs. You’re the best!
    • Coach, thank you for showing us what really wins games: a pinch of luck and a healthy dash of superstition. Here’s to the next winning streak!
    • Thank you for coaching and teaching us all the most important lessons—including how to pretend to be disappointed when the referee rules in our favor.
    • Thanks to you, I know what a real leader does: show us how to be better while pretending you’ve never made the same mistakes. You’re a real one!
    • My parents and I both want to thank you for showing me how to throw a ball properly, coach. Our windows are really grateful, too!
Section 3 of 9:

Heartfelt "Thank You, Coach" Messages

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  1. A heartfelt message might be the way to go for a coach who made an especially huge, positive difference in your sports career and life. Let them know how important their mentorship is to you, and speak from the heart so they know you mean every word you say. [2]
    • Coach, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the guidance you’ve given me. Your support and belief in me have helped me grow stronger, both mentally and physically, and I’ve gained a stronger passion for this sport because of you.
    • Thank you for everything you do—for me and the team as a whole. Your enthusiasm and support made us eager to get out on the field, and I’ll never forget your impact on our athletic journey. You’re the best!
    • Coach, thank you for being an incredible mentor to me. You’ve been the role model, guide, and friend I truly needed, and I would never have grown into such a capable athlete without you.
    • Thank you for always having faith and confidence in me, coach. Whether we won or lost, I always knew you were on our side, backing us 100%, and that meant the world to me.
    • Thank you, coach, for teaching me about the game—and even more about life. Your wisdom and advice have shaped my journey and taught me important lessons that I’ll always carry with me.
    • Coach, there were times that I doubted my abilities and potential, but you never did. Your constant guidance and motivation pushed me to do more than I ever thought possible, and I am truly grateful for it.
    • Thank you for being our coach and all the sacrifices you’ve made for our team. You’re the most thoughtful and selfless coach I’ve ever had, and I’ll be forever grateful to you for investing in our success and happiness the way you did.
    • Coach, I want to thank you for creating such a positive and inspiring environment for our team. It always felt like anything was possible with you showing us the way!
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Section 4 of 9:

Nostalgic "Thank You, Coach" Messages

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  1. Show appreciation for your coach by bringing up specific memories and using them to highlight the guidance and leadership you’re so grateful for. You might bring up a special game or something memorable your coach said to you, for example. [3]
    • Thank you for all the amazing memories, coach. I’ll never forget your pep talks, support, and after-game pizza parties. It’s been real!
    • You taught me to play the game, but you also taught me perseverance, courage, and how to be confident in my abilities. I’ll always remember your lessons!
    • Coach, thank you for taking the time to practice with me one-on-one and show me how to master the techniques I struggled with. I appreciate you!
    • Thank you for keeping our spirits up and buying us ice cream when they were low. Your support means everything!
    • The best practices were the ones that ended with a silly game—usually started by you. Thanks for all the good times, coach!
    • Coach, I still remember the day you sat with me and talked me through a moment of really low confidence. Thank you for believing in me!
    • Thank you for keeping our spirits up when we lost and cheering louder than any of us when we won. I’ll always remember you as the most supportive coach in the world!
Section 5 of 9:

Short "Thank You, Coach" Messages

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  1. There’s nothing wrong with a brief thank-you note, especially if you’re not super close with your coach or don’t have much to say. Offer a warm thank you, and tell your coach that their mentorship has been invaluable to you. A short sentence or two is all you need.
    • Thank you for pushing all of us to be at our best, coach!
    • Your passion, selflessness, and guidance are truly appreciated, coach. Thank you!
    • The team and I are all so grateful for you, coach. Thanks for everything!
    • Thank you for changing the game with your incredible mentorship, coach!
    • Thank you for investing so much time and energy in this team, coach. You rock!
    • I appreciate your belief in me and the entire team. Thank you, coach!
    • Thanks for making me a better player, coach. You’re the best!
    • You changed this team for the better, coach. Thank you!
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Section 6 of 9:

"Thank You, Coach" Messages From a Parent

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  1. If you’re a parent wanting to thank your child’s coach in a thoughtful message, think about the positive effect that coach has had. For example, if they’ve improved your child’s skills, boosted their confidence, or helped them persevere through a rough patch, ensure the coach knows it!
    • Thank you for being such a great role model for my child. They’ve grown so much from your guidance and support!
    • Your encouragement and support are a huge part of the reason my child has flourished as an athlete. Thank you for everything!
    • I’ve noticed how well my child responds to your coaching style and how much fun they have on the team. Thank you for cultivating their passion and joy for sports!
    • Thank you for showing my child the true meaning of teamwork, camaraderie, and sportsmanship. You’re an outstanding coach!
    • I appreciate your willingness to work with my child and help them grow into a stronger athlete. Your support is a huge help to them!
    • I’m grateful to you for investing your time and energy into coaching my child. They love sports, and they love having you as a coach!
    • Your coaching skills have really brought out the best in my child, on and off the field. Thank you for being their mentor!
    • Thank you for boosting my child’s confidence and showing them how talented they really are. I appreciate all of your work and dedication!
Section 7 of 9:

Quotes to Use in a "Thank You, Coach" Message

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  1. It’s perfectly okay to use someone else’s words when you’re struggling to find the right ones yourself! So, try including a quote in your thank you note that emphasizes the qualities of a great coach or something important your coach taught you during your time with them.
    • “You can’t win unless you learn how to lose.” —Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
    • “The most rewarding things you do in life are often the ones that look like they cannot be done.” —Arnold Palmer
    • “You are never really playing an opponent. You are playing yourself, your own highest standards, and when you reach your limits, that is real joy.” —Arthur Ashe
    • "A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be." —Rosalynn Carter
    • “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” —Vince Lombardi
    • "A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are." —Ara Parseghian
    • "It's hard to beat a person who never gives up." —Babe Ruth
    • “It isn’t hard to be good from time to time in sports. What’s tough is being good every day.” —Willie Mays
    • “Make sure your worst enemy doesn’t live between your own two ears.” —Laird Hamilton
    • “You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.” —Michael Phelps
    • "The best coaches never tell their athletes that they are wrong. They rather focus on creating awareness." —Abhishek Ratna
    • “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” —Wayne Gretzky
    • “Make each day your masterpiece.” —John Wooden
    • “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” —Pelé
    • “I am building a fire, and every day I train, I add more fuel. At just the right moment, I light the match.” —Mia Hamm
    • "Coaching is taking a player where they can't take themselves." —Jose Mourinho
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Section 8 of 9:

How to Write a Thank You Message for Your Coach

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  1. Etiquette coach Tami Claytor explains that, when writing a thank you letter, "the first rule of thumb is always say thank you first." Explain why you're thanking your coach and let them know you understand the work they put into coaching—and you appreciate how much they’ve helped you. [4]
  2. Do you remember something specific your coach did to improve your game—or even a time they helped you with a personal achievement? Write about a memory that’s important to you and show the coach exactly how much of a difference they’ve made in your life. [5]
  3. Claytor also recommends compliments or praise in a thank you note. Is your coach particularly supportive, good-humored, or passionate about the sport? Highlight the qualities that you value or admire most to make your coach feel appreciated. [6]
  4. What has your coach taught you? Has their guidance made you improve as an athlete or even changed who you are personally? In your thank you note, tell your coach about the life lessons they taught you that you value most, whether they’ve inspired you to chase your dreams or shown you how to persevere through obstacles. [7]
  5. Finally, if you and your coach won’t be working together anymore (either because you’re moving on or they are), let them know you wish them well. Close your note by expressing your confidence that they’ll do fantastic in future endeavors and assuring them that you’ll remember everything they taught you.
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Section 9 of 9:

When to Write Your Coach a Thank You Note

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  1. You might write your coach a thank you note to celebrate a great season or because you—or the team—are being honored for your athletic achievements. If your coach is retiring or moving on to a different job, you could write them a farewell thank you note; similarly, if you’re leaving the team, you could thank your coach for the time spent on the team.
    • National Coaches Day is celebrated on October 6th. To recognize the day, you could write your coach a thank-you note for their efforts and contributions.
    • There’s also nothing wrong with writing your coach a thank you message, even if there’s no special occasion. If you feel grateful for their guidance, share that gratitude!

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      References

      1. ↑ https://hbr.org/2021/11/how-to-write-a-meaningful-thank-you-note
      2. ↑ https://hbr.org/2021/11/how-to-write-a-meaningful-thank-you-note
      3. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/wellbeing/gratitude
      4. ↑ https://hbr.org/2021/11/how-to-write-a-meaningful-thank-you-note
      5. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/wellbeing/gratitude
      6. ↑ https://hbr.org/2021/11/how-to-write-a-meaningful-thank-you-note
      7. ↑ https://hbr.org/2021/11/how-to-write-a-meaningful-thank-you-note

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