Rookie Show

Good Evening, Hump day is the best. I realized after I started writing this blog, how important it is that we all reflect back on the past. When you’re in the moment you don’t have time to appreciate, what just happened, good or bad. As a coach, when you get that amazing victory, it’s on to the next game. No time to really enjoy that moment in time. That’s why after every game, I required the coaches to come to my house, with their loved ones, to either celebrate or commiserate what had just transpired. To get it either out of our system or build upon that euphoria. Boy we had some incredible wins (and some heart wrenching losses). And just reflecting on so many of those games, I appreciate what my coaches and players did every week. I remember walking up the hill at halftime vs a great Bishop Amat team…we were down 48-0. I turned to Miguel (my Def Co-od) as we slugged up that hill at the UofR….”What’s 48 x 2?” I questioned….. But in the 2^nd half we battled. Yes we lost 48-6. They were the better team, but we didn’t give up the ghost. We fought like vicious Terriers….=) After that game I was disappointed with the outcome, no doubt. But we needed to celebrate how we hung together. I believe football, like life, teaches us lessons. And I believe that group of young men learned, that you never give up. Finish the fight. We as a staff learned that same lesson……. as well as this lesson….”Don’t schedule a cheating catholic powerhouse!”  =)

Coaching is a funny profession. You bust your butt year round and I can tell you from experience, it’s not for the money. (If you don’t believe me ask my wife or any coaches wife!)  So why coach? Well first off, I feel it’s a calling. You really must want it knowing that it’s not about the earning power of a HS coach. I really don’t think you can be a “part time” varsity coach either. You can get away with it, possibly on the lower levels but it’s definitely not ideal. To do the job right, it’s about preparation (much like a teacher)….You must know your subject….you must be able to communicate that knowledge to your student….you must grade and evaluate that student….and based on that grade….that athlete is on the 1^st team, 2^nd team or JV team. Here’s the key….that athlete must know where they stand and what they need to do to improve, just like the classroom (report cards and progress reports). Every year we would have Spring FB interviews. We would interview every player that participated in Spring FB. We would give them a written evaluation from their position coach. On there, were recommendations on how they could improve their position on the team. We as a staff would address any issues that we weren’t comfortable with, from leadership, attendance, social activities to academic grades. This would take a week and a half (7-8 days after school) for 4 to 6 hours at a sitting. The whole staff would be present. No one on the staff was getting extra pay for this duty, I expected it. I felt it was part of the job description and stipend. I also thought it was important that this young athlete, could handle the pressure of an interview in front of 6-10 grown men. That he could be held accountable for his actions. He could learn to handle and respond to the pressure of this interview.

During camp week or what others call….”Hell Week”….those first 7 or 8 practices after summer break. We had a tradition that many teams have…..We’d have dinner as a team around 4:30pm prior to the night practice. We practiced at night quite a bit, esp. in August because of the heat. After dinner, we had “Entertainment”. The Rookie Show, right after dinner was usually a highlight. Anyone new to the Varsity team for that season (that included coaches) had to perform for the team. They could sing, perform magic acts, poetry, skits and so much more….that at times… I wouldn’t classify as entertainment. =) One year I had a dad, who was definitely an enabler. He covered for his son on every front. So when it was time for his son to perform, the dad showed up and stated his son was sick at home. But that he would gladly perform for his son, in his absence. We let him…..and he was terrible. I believe he danced and tried to lip sing an Elvis song. Needless to say, he got a thumbs down from the staff. Now….when you received a “Thumbs Down”….there was a punishment….You had to wear a dress for dinner until the next bad entertainment occurred and then you would pass it on. Well you got it….that dad put on the dress (in fact it fit really well)….and he wore it to every dinner (serving dinner) until he lost that right. I can honestly say…..That whole episode was the first and only time anything like that ever happened. Funny but bizarre, to say the least. So please, to all those helicopter parents, let your son grow up…..Bad entertainment won’t kill them…..=)

I’m sure more Rookie Show stories will pop up….so stay tuned….Talk soon….Jim