I’ve loved sports since I was able to hold a ball. I was able to play sports from an early age all the the way up to the point I’m at now. A big reason for my success, my love of the sports and my desire to coach was due to several great coaches along the way. Like many I was blessed with some great men leading me. On the flip side I also had some coaches that weren’t positive and seemed to not care for all their players.
To this day there are a couple of men who stand out that were there for me at an early age and continue to be there for me as a I approach my 40’s. The first coach I had was the toughest on me but also the one who helped shape me not only into the athlete I become but the man I’am today, that coach was my dad. The Old Man never sucked up to a coach for me to get playing time as I got older, he told me I could be that dad if you want but you will get more out of earning it and working to improve if I don’t. I can’t thank him enough for putting that mindset into me at an early age as well as being my biggest supporter. We always talked about coaching together when my playing days were over. With me living three plus hours away that dream has been a little difficult. He has came to practices and stepped in to help with drills or input. He is still the first person I call everyday on the way home. Often the conservation turns to sports, my coaching and how I can do better for my kids, in fact he may get tired of me talking about it but he’ll know how much it means to me.
The second coach who impacted me was Coach John Mustain. I’ve called Coach several times asking his input on my coaching today, he is always willing to talk, listen and help. He gave me support when others didn’t as well as helping me become move confident in being myself and a leader. My last high school football game I got hurt, took a cleat to the spine and knocked a vertebrae out of line. That play happened on second down, everything was numb from the waist down after I made the tackle. I struggled to get to my feet and tried tapping my helmet and getting the attention of a coach or the referee. Needless to say it didn’t happen, luckily the third down play went to the opposite side of the field. When I came off the field, the first person to meet me was Coach and his first words were What’s wrong? I will never forget his eyes when he raised my jersey and saw my back. He yelled for Ballengee, next thing I know, I have ice on my back and heading to the ER. He was the first person to call and check on me the next day. I have the up-most respect for this man and hold our friendship in the highest regard.
The last coach who really stood out to me was Coach Danny Wickline. Coach pushed me from day one at JMHS. Some of the best talks I had in high school came from this man. Talking about goals, life and how to work to be successful. One of my favorite classes I ever took in high school was his weight lifting class, not just for the class itself but the confidence it gave me to be better. My senior night in football I was in street clothes due to the injury to my back. I’m standing on the field watching warm-ups, to this day still one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I felt like I let people down for not playing. As I’m watching I feel an arm on my shoulder, before I could turn I hear these words: Timmy it’s been a pleasure coaching you, I’m going to miss you. As I write this, it’s been 20 years and I still get chills and a lump in my throat.
On the other side of great coaching and leaders of men/women are coaches who don’t always have their players best interest in mind. I’m not going to bash anyone or talk negatively as those coaches have helped me become who me as well. I learned you have to work hard to be your best and sometimes that still isn’t good enough. Politics play a part in your life as do Clic’s, it doesn’t always matter what you know as it does who you know.
I hope my coaching has a positive impact on the kids I’ve worked with. I’m sure some have looked at me on the later side as well. One thing I was taught at an early age and try to continue to use it myself is teaching fundamentals and the first three letters F U N. These kids are still playing the game because they love it. I had a kid who made the all-star team for his area just south of me. His dad called and asked if he could join our team, he’s a great kid and would definitely be a great player to add to the mix. However, the player decided he no longer wanted to play baseball at age 12 because his previous coach ruined the game for him.
To me its been amazing the amount of calls and texts I receive daily from other coaches, parents and players about sports. I get asked about players I’ve coached as well as the parents of those players. Players want to know if I come to your team what position will I be playing. Everyone wants the best for their player or themselves. At the end of the day that’s the samething I want as a coach.
As I look to the future I hope I’ve been able to Coach my players for them to see success later in their life and sports career. I’ve heard that I’m not a good coach because I’m not winning now. Yes, everyone wants to win, that’s why we play the game. But to me if we are teaching and the players learning now my greatest success as a coach will be years down the road. If any of my players can make their high school team and beyond and use pieces that I was able to teach them then I’ve been successful as a coach.
If you are in the position to be a leader of young men/women trust your instincts. Respect the game your coaching, respect each player and their parent(s). There are road blocks along the way, you have to slow down and navigate them. If you fly past them to soon, then you are going to face bigger problems down the road. If you are a parent of one of these players be supportive. Trust the process, trust the coach and be committed. To many times people start chasing greener grass, the grass may look better on the neighbors yard. If you look closely you may see its artificial and not built to last. If you are the player yourself know that the coach has your back. He’s going to put you in a position to be successful. It may not be where you think you should be but believe that it will better the team and yourself.
I hope you can impact someone’s life as the men above did mine. Always give your best even when your best isn’t best. Know that the finish line may always been a step out of your reach but never give up, you will always have someone in your corner cheering you on.
I hope you enjoy your day.
TCB