My very first year of being a coach-but-not-a-dad did involve the two or three dads of the boys I coached in youth football my first year of graduation from college which was my first year of teaching high school in a small delta town in Mississippi. Memories fall short when one tries to gather all the memories of getting the head job.....having the key fathers volunteer to assist.....day to day practices.....and remembering names which have long flown away.

What this coach will not forget are the pleasantries that very first year as the dads so eagerly and thoughtfully showed me as they gave me free reign....trust....cooperation.....and....amazing support during my first coaching season as we celebrated a seemingly brief, yet undefeated season...!! My mind reflects on the few pictures of the boys at the celebratory party which I have no idea where those snap shots are now.

This coach has to admit that this delta town was a small country town where recreational sports played a major role in the lives of those around me, and being a teacher-coach must have made great impact as a "visiting" coach from out of state..!! I, as a first year coach that was trusted with such marvelous responsibility, cannot but be humbled to have had such a blessed and special experience for my first year of coaching.