I have many, many questions for you.

Have you been a coach for an extended period of your life?

Did you do it professionally? Were you a volunteer? Was it part of your role as a school teacher?  

What sport did you coach? Was it one you played? One your child played? Was it something you learned as an adult, or have you been involved all your life?

These questions are important to me. But not nearly as important as the next group I have for you. 

If you coached for any length of time, you will know what I am getting at. I want to know what it’s like for you. From that day you decided, hmm, I have done it long enough. Time for a new chapter.

I want to know what you missed the most. Was it practice? Games? Pre-season? Training camp?  Was it the locker room? The bus rides? The roadside coffee shops? The equipment room? The trainers table? The field house? The weight room?

What four walls do you remember the most? What was your highest high? Was it more impactful than your lowest low? Do you have more smiles than regrets? Or a balanced blend of both?

Do you remember that moment when you couldn’t believe your eyes? Or ears? Or nose? 

Is there a right way to step away from what you love? Should it be sudden? Gradual? Or, maybe just don’t do it. Did you think about stepping down and then crushed those thoughts?

People need you. The kids need you. Their families want you. The sport needs you.

Let me know if you’re that old coach who never let the flame die. Or are you that coach who walked away while you still could?

I want to hear your words, and mix your wisdom with others.

2 thoughts on “Old Coaches Never Die, They Just…..

  1. So many questions but a very thought provoking post for me, my friend. I have coached basketball, girls and boys high school teams; baseball for my boys from t ball to U17 at house and rep levels and I think practices are what I miss the most. The opportunity to keep the game fun while teaching skills are the most valuable memories. Kibitzing with my players made each practice fun for me…and, I hope, for them as well.
    Fondest memory…that’s easy…it’s having one of the weakest players on a little league team make perhaps his only catch of the year as the third out in the championship game to preserve a win. Probably the highlight of that kids sport career…certainly was mine!
    I have come back to the coaching world a few times as an assistant and I think that not having those responsibilities like dealing with parents, doing lineups, doing practice plans, coordinating rides to game allow me to just enjoy being with the kids.
    Bringing your love of whatever game it might be and instilling that love into your athletes…now that is what makes coaching a passion.

Comments are closed.