I guess the place to start this coaching journey is to discuss my start to coaching. At first, I was not sure if it was something I would like. I’m not one to want to spend time with children that aren’t my own. Even then, I’m a little cautious of my own kids. It all began when I volunteered to Assistant Coach for my daughters soccer team when the coach got sick. I thought, okay, this is not as bad as I made it out to be. Fast forward a few years, and there I am with extra time on my hands and soccer signup on us and my daughters asking me to come coach them. I thought well what could go wrong. I can do this. Boy, was I in for a suprise, months later sitting on a bench watching my team get destroyed in a playoff game (we won our first playoff game).

I learned a lot that season and have learned much since that season. I went in with the thought of speed kills, endurance wins, and attitude is the difference. While those ring true, the answer is not those because I’ve had the Superstar player carry my team, and I had a season with a composed team, and both won the same amount of games. The truth of the matter is that it’s not the wins and losses that make a season. It’s the team you build, the kids you impact, and the parents you meet that make a season.

I coach because I enjoy the smile of the first goal, the laugh of the I beat you in practice, the run across the field to hit the Ronaldo suuuuuuuhhhh, and mostly the confidence on my daughters voice when she brings a new player to the team with a “my dad is the coach.” My daughters are convinced that we can win every game because I am on their sideline, and that is something I never want to give up. As of now, I find myself coaching soccer and baseball. Soccer is my passion, but because of my inability to be on 2 fields at once, I coach baseball so I can give my son some of my time. Though soon, I will be coaching him in soccer, too.

If I were to advise any father on coaching their kids’ team, I would tell them that one season will not make or break their “career,” but one season WILL be a forever memory in their mind. Give it a go, you may love it. I can see myself coaching for the next twenty years and on depending on grandchildren.

I hope that through this blog, I will be able to share something that makes others want to at least try coaching. I was able to talk my wife into coaching a team last season, and though she will tell you, it was the most emotionally draining thing she has done. I am sure she will never forget that season, and my daughter, who she coached, will never forget that season with coach mom. Just like I know they will never forget the seasons with me coaching them win or lose.