I was coaching football at my parish in the zero’s into the early teens. I did it at first to hang out with my buddies and get to know people at my new church.
I quickly realized that it was a commitment to the development of young Christian soldiers. It wasn’t just a reason to have meetings with the coaches at the tavern across the street.
It was at Saint Cletus that I began pushing the Straight F’s in life theory.
FOUNDATION: FAITH, FAMILY, FRIENDS and FOOTBALL.
I had to talk with the parents at the beginning of the season to tell them about myself and the Cardinal football program. I told them that our goal was to teach their children how to play football. More importantly, we were going to teach them how to be better sons, students and young men.
Oh and women as well. Sorry Caroline and Riley.
I told them that the practice field was the third important thing on the block. Second was the school and first of all the church. As I pointed to the church I told the parents that we attend eight o’clock mass as a team on gameday.
The parents loved it. Each kid received a football sticker for their helmet. In my book, receiving communion was just as important as a touchdown or sack.
I would also tell the parents that my two biggest coaching idols were Coach Woody Hayes out of Ohio State and Coach Robert Montgomery Knight out of Indiana University.
Two men that I couldn’t hold a candle to, but I loved their passion and mentorship for their players.
Neither one of them ended their careers on a solid note. Both were fired because their passion overloaded their reasons.
Like my idols, I too was forced to leave on a bad note. I didn’t punch a kid from Clemson or grab a point guard by the neck.
I mouthed off on this new thing called social media and Father Assthumb didn’t appreciate my passion for the program.
I had forgotten that the church was the main reason we were all on that football field.
Today’s chalkboard has a Bobby Knight quote. Hopefully the two parents that didn’t like Bobby and Woody attend my funeral.
......and in Coach Knight style.
Mr. Krecheck and Mrs. Frankstone can kiss my ass. (That was very therapeutic this morning and took years to finally get off my chest)
God Speed Coach Knight.
Try not to swear in front of Jesus and his mom.