Week 6
School: Worthing High School
Years Coaching: 20
How long have you been coaching? Where did your career begin? College\university you attended?
- I have been coaching for 20 years total at Worthing High School, with 15 years in the role of head coach. I attended the University of Colorado at Boulder where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ethnic Studies.
Why do you coach?
- From an early age, I was on a trajectory to play professional football. After finishing college and facing the realization that professional football was not in my future, I returned home to Houston and began an internship with the Texans football team. I love football so much that the opportunity to continue to be a part of the sport I am so passionate about was a tremendous blessing. I initially worked as an intern during Fall camp but was later hired to work in video operations during the season, printing and labeling still shots in the press box for the coaching staff. After three years of taking still shots of every play and formation during home games, my love for the X's and O's grew exponentially because I was able to gain a different perspective of the sport. My experience with the Texans led me down a path to my career at Worthing High School, where I was able to combine my passion, knowledge, and preparation and channel it to a commitment to teach high school student athletes about the game of football. I have dedicated my coaching career to Worthing because early on I understood that my impact would be greater if I was a consistent presence in the lives of my high school students who often contend with frequent change and unreliability.
What is the most rewarding\fulfilling part of your job?
- The most rewarding/fulfilling part of my job is when I get a sense that I have made a positive impression on a student athlete, and that's not necessarily specific to football. I have a sense of accomplishment knowing that a student has learned, changed, grown, or improved because of something I did, said, or modeled for them as their coach.
In your opinion, what is the most misunderstood thing about the coaching profession?
- The most misunderstood thing about the coaching profession is that football coaches are doing it just for the glory of winning. Having a winning football season is great and I'd be lying if I said otherwise, but quite honestly, coaching is ultimately about making a difference, loving the game, learning from the game, and soaking up the energy of the stadium lights win, lose, or draw. Many people don't know the extent to which coaching transcends the football field.
Please share the importance of what your staff/ players are doing for your community?
Worthing Colts football program is important because it has helped to bring pride back to the Sunnyside Community. The program has helped to foster a collective identity and generate pride for students and community members. At a time when people and society are so divided, our team has supported