P365 - 2014 - Day 174 - Once a Coach, always a Coach

P365 - 2014 - Day 174 - Once a Coach, always a Coach

Our first year with Stafford Soccer Club has drawn to a close.... My Wonderful Husband just texted me this picture on his way home from his last game with the girls' team that he coached all year.  I am going to brag here a bit.. because it's my blog and I have that right. ;-) Before moving here,  My Wonderful Husband had coached all of our children from their first touch on the ball.  We knew when we moved that he might not be able to walk in to a new club and do that, so we were prepared to be sideline parents.  As it turned out this fall, they needed to create a new girls' team where The Princess would play and they needed a coach.  So of course, he volunteered.  Those girls snuck right into his heart and after a great fall season, even though The Princess was moved up to a different team, he stayed on as coach for his SuperStars.  This wasn't the first time that My Wonderful Husband had stepped up to coach a team that wasn't one of our children's teams.  He loves the game, he loves to coach, and he loves the kids.  It wasn't even a question for him.  He was going to see these girls through the spring season because that is the kind of guy and coach that he is.  Even when he was given the opportunity to coach The Bear's team this season when the other coach needed to step away to attend the police academy, he still didn't question it.  He would make time and make it work.  I struggle to find just the right words to say how proud I am of this guy.  He took The Bear's team to a First Place victory this season and The Superstars had an outstanding  season as well.  But the stats are not what make him a great coach.  His love and knowledge of the game are the driving force of his coaching.  He cares about each of the kids on his teams - as much as his own kids.  I can tell you in absolute honesty that he is always thinking about the kids and the game and how he can help them improve, what he can do better to help them, and most importantly how they felt when they walked off the field.  He is encouraging and dynamic and earns respect from his players by giving them respect.  He understands and encourages his players strengths and is aware of and helps his players improve their weaknesses.   As this season ends, it is bittersweet.... the Superstars were a mixed age team that can not stay together next year so the girls are all moving on to different teams and My Wonderful Husband will no longer be their coach.  The Bear is moving on to a different team as well and the scheduling was going to be difficult to allow him to continue to coach that team.  So for the first time in many years, My Wonderful Husband will not be coaching next year.  I know first hand how sad that makes him but I also know how many lives he touched coaching and how many players touched our lives...  I don't see this as a permanent retirement though.... Once a Coach, always a Coach. xoxoxo  Love him!!!!!