The biggest mistake I ever made in coaching

Last night I had a "flash back to when I coached."  I think my coaching philosophy was a lot like my favorite coach of Coach Seplocha he said run, and we ran.  I ran because my best friend ran, and I ran his event, the mile.  Never forget day one... I made it half the way around the route, covered bridge, Claggs and back to school.  At the county meet meet, I got second place with a 4:58 mile.  Decent time at the time.  Track was so refreshing, just run!  I had been through football, where  I quit once a week, coach and me did not jive.  Quit basketball first game night, same coach, no way was I gonna waster another season with someone who was always on me. 

Quitting for me, doesn't mean loser.  Quitting for me is me saying " I am tired of your crap... I worked, I sweated I sacrificed.  Give the next guy a chance, see how he does!

I could go to the playground and play basketball til my knees throbbed with older kids, adults sometime, and never could get in a high school game.

So, I always coached with the guy on the bench in mind.  The guy who could take it or leave, that was me.  As a basketball coach, no one shot twice until everyone shot once.  Playing time is earned.... how long would you work if you got to Friday and their was no payday?  Trophies ruin kids... what is wrong with a little happiness?

The best athletes I have ever known have passed through their window of opportunity.  I feel I wasted a ton of time with sports.  I love kids, and I like to see them perform at a high level, but at the end of the day it's not gonna matter.

But Jesus will matter.