From Player to Coah
Today I had lunch with two of my high school coaches and wow what an experience. To Coach Ron Madrick, Coach Don Hettich, and Coach Mike Campbell thank you. Thank you for your contribution as my High School football coaches (1979 - 1983). These guys yelled at me; loved me; and coached me to be the best person and player. I didn't know the impact their coaching would have on my life, and today it all came into focus and full circle.
First of all shout out to all the high school coaches across America. Transitioning to coaching gave me a perspective that most can't understand without the experience. It's one thing to put your blood, sweat, and tears into your own performance. But try putting that same energy into someone else with the hopes of inspiring greatness. There's sleepless nights, football expertise, goals, game plans, rules, regs, and your job on the line. Okay that's the life of a player also. The difference? When the game clock starts, the coach watches and guides. It's all up to the player.
Do great players make great coaches? Or, do great coaches make great players?
When you have incredible talent at your fingertips, it's certainly easier to coach. But somewhere along the way, that exceptional talent still had to be coached. The skill of developing an exceptional player I firmly believe comes from a very talented coach.
I was a kid from a blue collar family who played 13 years in the NFL on defense (you know I thought I was going to be a receiver). I trusted my coaches, and their exceptional talent as coaches led the way. The game of football is so much more than what you see on tv. It's a symbiotic relationship that can only be described as special with the right combination of player and coach.
Recruiting in different states can be different depending on where your GPS takes you, but the high school coaches are the same. They want the best for their program and to get their kids to college. And so the hand-off starts a new cycle, a new player-coach relationship begins.
--Dish