WELCOME TO THE COACHES
COACHES
CORNER
STORIES FROM COACHES.
READ SCOTT EDWARDS and
JAMIN LEGER'S
STORIES
BELOW
COACHES
CORNER
STORIES FROM COACHES.
READ SCOTT EDWARDS and
JAMIN LEGER'S
STORIES
BELOW
MENTORS
In my first column I wanted to write about some of the coaches that made impressions on my life.
When I began playing youth football for the Monrovia Bobcats (a few years ago) in southern
California. I can still remember the first day of practice standing nervously with the other nine
and ten year olds in the hot august sun, sweat rolling down my brow. The coaches began to
introduce themselves one by one. There was coach Mike ( the head coach) he began to
explain what we were about to go through. Something he referred to as Hell Week, this term
alone made me aware this was going to be nothing like Little League Baseball. Coach frank
introduced himself. Then there was Coach Tom, coach Tom was a fired up type coach full of
emotions and would let you know he wanted your full attention on whatever topic he was
teaching us that minute. I spent most of the practices with coach Tom as he was in charge of
the offensive, and defensive linemen. I will always remember one game the only game we were
in contention to win against Charter oak, most games ended up with a final score of 76-0 or
somewhat closer. This one particular game stands out because it was a dark gloomy day with a
light rain, and we made it to sudden death overtime. Coach Tom was pacing up and down the
side line yelling, jumping, kneeling and every time we came off the field we would all sit down on
the bench and Tom would pry the mud from between our cleats. Chunks flying through the air
like a buzz saw cutting through a log. We lost that game too but coach Tom will never leave my
mind he made a lasting impression as my first football coach and a mentor. Tom taught me
about courage, and never quitting even when your not on top of the scoreboard.
Baseball was not my best sport. I was not a fast kid , didn't have a very keen since of hand eye
coordination (lousy hitter) spent most of my baseball games standing in right field occasionally
getting to chase down a over throw to first base. There was a coach that I had George Duscitch
he was heavy set man that played for the New York Yankees he looked something like Walter
Mathau in the Bad News Bears movie.
Coach Duscitch did not ever need to yell at you. Coach could chew you up and spit you out just
by his facial expressions, but when he turned to walk away he would look back with a grin and
smile. George Duscitch always made you feel important. These coaches were old school, this
was taking place in the early nineteen seventies. Smoking just outside the dugout was common
place, and a Budweiser or two was the norm. What a great memory though I will never forget
Mr. Dusitch he had so much patients with me.
In high school i was blessed to have Byron Greer as a coach. Coach Greer was a true Jock with
that Oaklahoma drawl for the most part was a quieter kind of coach , he was a true teacher. I
remember coach Greer as a caring individual always willing to not yell orders but instruct, and
listen. Coach Greer also taught Drivers training, back when it was a course in school. Learning
to drive with him and two girls was an experience all in it's self, dodging the parked cars, and
mountain sides.
These three coaches leave a lasting impression on me, they were true mentors, people to look
up to. The top coach of my life hands down is my life coach. A man who worked his fingers to
the bone as a plumber, He is a dedicated husband, and father of three, my dad. Dad always
told me ( and I tell my kids now) "If you are going to do something, do it right or don't do it at
all." My dad was always there at practices, and games. I could count on looking over and
seeing dad watching us, supporting us, me. I remember when I began baseball him telling me
something like" I'm not going to coach your team but I will be here to help and watch." Well a
lower level team lost their coach and he took over the baseball team only to keep coaching in
that same organization for the next twenty or so years. What an awesome Mentor!
Well that's a little about my Mentors maybe you could send us an e-mail about yours.
PEACE,
Coach Dennis
In my first column I wanted to write about some of the coaches that made impressions on my life.
When I began playing youth football for the Monrovia Bobcats (a few years ago) in southern
California. I can still remember the first day of practice standing nervously with the other nine
and ten year olds in the hot august sun, sweat rolling down my brow. The coaches began to
introduce themselves one by one. There was coach Mike ( the head coach) he began to
explain what we were about to go through. Something he referred to as Hell Week, this term
alone made me aware this was going to be nothing like Little League Baseball. Coach frank
introduced himself. Then there was Coach Tom, coach Tom was a fired up type coach full of
emotions and would let you know he wanted your full attention on whatever topic he was
teaching us that minute. I spent most of the practices with coach Tom as he was in charge of
the offensive, and defensive linemen. I will always remember one game the only game we were
in contention to win against Charter oak, most games ended up with a final score of 76-0 or
somewhat closer. This one particular game stands out because it was a dark gloomy day with a
light rain, and we made it to sudden death overtime. Coach Tom was pacing up and down the
side line yelling, jumping, kneeling and every time we came off the field we would all sit down on
the bench and Tom would pry the mud from between our cleats. Chunks flying through the air
like a buzz saw cutting through a log. We lost that game too but coach Tom will never leave my
mind he made a lasting impression as my first football coach and a mentor. Tom taught me
about courage, and never quitting even when your not on top of the scoreboard.
Baseball was not my best sport. I was not a fast kid , didn't have a very keen since of hand eye
coordination (lousy hitter) spent most of my baseball games standing in right field occasionally
getting to chase down a over throw to first base. There was a coach that I had George Duscitch
he was heavy set man that played for the New York Yankees he looked something like Walter
Mathau in the Bad News Bears movie.
Coach Duscitch did not ever need to yell at you. Coach could chew you up and spit you out just
by his facial expressions, but when he turned to walk away he would look back with a grin and
smile. George Duscitch always made you feel important. These coaches were old school, this
was taking place in the early nineteen seventies. Smoking just outside the dugout was common
place, and a Budweiser or two was the norm. What a great memory though I will never forget
Mr. Dusitch he had so much patients with me.
In high school i was blessed to have Byron Greer as a coach. Coach Greer was a true Jock with
that Oaklahoma drawl for the most part was a quieter kind of coach , he was a true teacher. I
remember coach Greer as a caring individual always willing to not yell orders but instruct, and
listen. Coach Greer also taught Drivers training, back when it was a course in school. Learning
to drive with him and two girls was an experience all in it's self, dodging the parked cars, and
mountain sides.
These three coaches leave a lasting impression on me, they were true mentors, people to look
up to. The top coach of my life hands down is my life coach. A man who worked his fingers to
the bone as a plumber, He is a dedicated husband, and father of three, my dad. Dad always
told me ( and I tell my kids now) "If you are going to do something, do it right or don't do it at
all." My dad was always there at practices, and games. I could count on looking over and
seeing dad watching us, supporting us, me. I remember when I began baseball him telling me
something like" I'm not going to coach your team but I will be here to help and watch." Well a
lower level team lost their coach and he took over the baseball team only to keep coaching in
that same organization for the next twenty or so years. What an awesome Mentor!
Well that's a little about my Mentors maybe you could send us an e-mail about yours.
PEACE,
Coach Dennis
First name Scott
last name Edwards
organization name NYFL
team name Panthers
what inspired you to become a coach Be apart of helping kids learn
about sports and life.
What coach or coaches helped you become a coach? I can't name one,
there were so many. To many to list.
Tell about a mentor you had as a child My high school wood shop
teacher. He taught me how to start and finish a job.
What sport did you play,how long, what success? I played a lot of
different sports, but the one I enjoyed the most was dirt bike racing. I won
the first race I was ever in. That gave me the confidence to keep
improving, and training.
What's your favorite memories of childhood sports? The team spirit.
What are some of your goals Have fun, and teach the mechanics of
being an athlete.
Do you coach your own child? What are the challenges? I have Two
sons, and a younger daughter. I have coached my sons, and have had
challenges with both. My coaching has been more towards the baseball side.
Trying to teach your son is much more difficult them it appears, you expect
more out of your kids than you do others.
What do you enjoy about coaching? Being around youth. I'm a kid at hart
myself.
last name Edwards
organization name NYFL
team name Panthers
what inspired you to become a coach Be apart of helping kids learn
about sports and life.
What coach or coaches helped you become a coach? I can't name one,
there were so many. To many to list.
Tell about a mentor you had as a child My high school wood shop
teacher. He taught me how to start and finish a job.
What sport did you play,how long, what success? I played a lot of
different sports, but the one I enjoyed the most was dirt bike racing. I won
the first race I was ever in. That gave me the confidence to keep
improving, and training.
What's your favorite memories of childhood sports? The team spirit.
What are some of your goals Have fun, and teach the mechanics of
being an athlete.
Do you coach your own child? What are the challenges? I have Two
sons, and a younger daughter. I have coached my sons, and have had
challenges with both. My coaching has been more towards the baseball side.
Trying to teach your son is much more difficult them it appears, you expect
more out of your kids than you do others.
What do you enjoy about coaching? Being around youth. I'm a kid at hart
myself.
First name = Jamin
last name = Leger
organization name = NYFL (Previously)
team name = Panthers (Previously)
city = Modesto
What inspired you to become a coach? I love the game of football, in
every aspect. I love the strategies behind the game. From figuring out
which play works bests on what down against which team to trying to
figure out what the opposing coaches next move is. Its a game of chess
really.
What coach or coaches helped you become a coach? = My high school
coaches were my biggest influences. Dudley Hilton at Bell County High School
in Kentucky where we won the Class 3A State Championship my freshmen
year, and Jeff Robbins at Pineville High in Kentucky for my last three
years of high school. I've tried to frame my way of coaching on a
mixture of things they used to do, and I throw in a lot from my coaching hero
Bill Parcells as well.
Tell us about a mentor you had as a child. Oddly enough, my mother was my
biggest mentor. She's a tough old lady, and she taught me things like
perserverance and determination, as well as the definition of hard
work.
What sport did you play, how long, what success? I played baseball,
basketball, and football as a child. Once I got older though, in my
teenage years and early 20's it was all football and softball.
What's your favorite memories of childhood sports? I was playing 3rd
base on my little league team. I had never played there before, and it
was my 2nd year of baseball. The other team had a runner on 2nd and
they called for him to steal 3rd on the pitch. I wasn't known very much
for a good glove at that time, so when I saw the runner break towards
me I nearly froze. As soon as our catcher stood up and fired the ball
at me, it was like I didn't even conciously decide to put my glove up to
catch the ball. It just happened automatically. I tagged the thief
out and that was that. Its one of my favorites because I learned at an
early age that I had the instincts to play sports. It really started my
passion for the sporting life.
What are some of your goals? Well right now, I'm missing coaching
youth football extremely bad, and it hasn't even been a full off season yet.
Unfortunately while going to school full time I do not have the time to
give to the kids that I feel is essential. I was at the Ceres Street
Fair last weekend and had offers from the Ceres Cowboys and Ceres Saints
who had both seen me on the sidelines with the Panthers, but I had to
turn them down. Once I'm out of school I'll begin coaching at the high
school level probably as an assistant, and probably oversee a youth
team in whatever area I am in. I wish to work my way up through the ranks
and be a head coach at the high school level, and eventually coach
somewhere in the college ranks. My dream job is and will forever be the
head coaching position at the University of Kentucky.
Do you coach your own child? If so what are the challenges? Well, my oldest
daughter Emily was on the team I coached last season with the Panthers.
I don't think the challenges were any different. I told her from the
beginning I would treat her no differently than any other child on the
team and I don't think I did.
What do you enjoy about coaching? Watching the progress of the kids.
My first year with the Panthers, Dave Vegas and I watched a team that
didn't have a whole lot of pure talent lose every single game we played.
But to this day I still have kids that we coached that season come up
to me at the store or wherever and they'll tell me that they had so much
fun that season, the wins and losses didn't really matter. The
important thing for Dave and I was that those kids became a real team. They
put their faith in each other, win or lose, and they learned to play the
game the right way, with respect, honor, loyalty, and discipline. And
most importantly we ALL had a blast doing it, win or lose.
Any other info. You would like to add to the interview? To all you Panthers
out there that I have coached or even helped out with some advice at
one time or another, give it all you've got. The game isn't fun if you
only give half the effort. When it stops being fun, its time to hang it
up. But until then, have a blast, and bust some helmets for a coach
that will remember every single one of you till the day he dies.
last name = Leger
organization name = NYFL (Previously)
team name = Panthers (Previously)
city = Modesto
What inspired you to become a coach? I love the game of football, in
every aspect. I love the strategies behind the game. From figuring out
which play works bests on what down against which team to trying to
figure out what the opposing coaches next move is. Its a game of chess
really.
What coach or coaches helped you become a coach? = My high school
coaches were my biggest influences. Dudley Hilton at Bell County High School
in Kentucky where we won the Class 3A State Championship my freshmen
year, and Jeff Robbins at Pineville High in Kentucky for my last three
years of high school. I've tried to frame my way of coaching on a
mixture of things they used to do, and I throw in a lot from my coaching hero
Bill Parcells as well.
Tell us about a mentor you had as a child. Oddly enough, my mother was my
biggest mentor. She's a tough old lady, and she taught me things like
perserverance and determination, as well as the definition of hard
work.
What sport did you play, how long, what success? I played baseball,
basketball, and football as a child. Once I got older though, in my
teenage years and early 20's it was all football and softball.
What's your favorite memories of childhood sports? I was playing 3rd
base on my little league team. I had never played there before, and it
was my 2nd year of baseball. The other team had a runner on 2nd and
they called for him to steal 3rd on the pitch. I wasn't known very much
for a good glove at that time, so when I saw the runner break towards
me I nearly froze. As soon as our catcher stood up and fired the ball
at me, it was like I didn't even conciously decide to put my glove up to
catch the ball. It just happened automatically. I tagged the thief
out and that was that. Its one of my favorites because I learned at an
early age that I had the instincts to play sports. It really started my
passion for the sporting life.
What are some of your goals? Well right now, I'm missing coaching
youth football extremely bad, and it hasn't even been a full off season yet.
Unfortunately while going to school full time I do not have the time to
give to the kids that I feel is essential. I was at the Ceres Street
Fair last weekend and had offers from the Ceres Cowboys and Ceres Saints
who had both seen me on the sidelines with the Panthers, but I had to
turn them down. Once I'm out of school I'll begin coaching at the high
school level probably as an assistant, and probably oversee a youth
team in whatever area I am in. I wish to work my way up through the ranks
and be a head coach at the high school level, and eventually coach
somewhere in the college ranks. My dream job is and will forever be the
head coaching position at the University of Kentucky.
Do you coach your own child? If so what are the challenges? Well, my oldest
daughter Emily was on the team I coached last season with the Panthers.
I don't think the challenges were any different. I told her from the
beginning I would treat her no differently than any other child on the
team and I don't think I did.
What do you enjoy about coaching? Watching the progress of the kids.
My first year with the Panthers, Dave Vegas and I watched a team that
didn't have a whole lot of pure talent lose every single game we played.
But to this day I still have kids that we coached that season come up
to me at the store or wherever and they'll tell me that they had so much
fun that season, the wins and losses didn't really matter. The
important thing for Dave and I was that those kids became a real team. They
put their faith in each other, win or lose, and they learned to play the
game the right way, with respect, honor, loyalty, and discipline. And
most importantly we ALL had a blast doing it, win or lose.
Any other info. You would like to add to the interview? To all you Panthers
out there that I have coached or even helped out with some advice at
one time or another, give it all you've got. The game isn't fun if you
only give half the effort. When it stops being fun, its time to hang it
up. But until then, have a blast, and bust some helmets for a coach
that will remember every single one of you till the day he dies.