"Work hard let's focus we need more intensity," I heard the coaches scream these words from across the field. During my four years of playing football for Scotts Valley High School, I heard these kinds of quotes all the time. While I knew the coaches were trying to motivate us, I would not pay too much attention to most of what they would say. Their words would just roll off me like water off a ducks back. It did not seem to matter how well you played, the coaches only saw what you were doing wrong. I know the coaches paid attention to how well we participated and played the game, but win, or lose; their focus seemed to be on the negative. .
As my high school football career came to a close, I planned to play on the football team at Cabrillo. I talked with coaches, players at Cabrillo, Coach Cox and my friends and family before making the decision not to play this year. I love football. I love all sports. Yet I came to this decision because I felt I was taking on a lot of new responsibilities at one time. I knew it would be important to adjust and focus on college. I also moved into a condominium with friends and started a new job. While I love playing football, these new responsibilities needed to take priority.
When my high school coach, Louie Walters heard this, he asked me to coach the freshman team at Scotts Valley High School. This seemed like a good way to still enjoy football without the long hours needed if I had played myself. I decided to take him up on his offer and I became one of the assistant coaches. After the first two weeks I became the defensive coordinator responsible for the whole freshman defense. This was a great opportunity to learn more about the game and share what I know with the players.
As I began to coach, I noticed myself doing many of the same things my coaches did and said. I recited the same speeches and had many of the same expectations of the players.