text: can coaches be conniving? specific example please. of course coaches are conniving, they will tell you that you are not up to the task just so to make you angry enough to show him that you are up to the task.   coaches are psychologists, manipulators, connivers, and a few other things that can't be mentioned in polite company, but that is there job. if they are good at all these things and they don't bully you will find yourself getting better all the time.