Following Through With A Promise

We won our game tonight 37-0.  The offense played much better, and I thought the defense played well too.  We are still pretty young in a few positions, and we still  have a long way to go before being satisfied with our performance.  I have come to realize that at Vero Beach High School (VBHS) the statement "being young" has a completely different meaning than it did at Sebastian River High School (SRHS)   At Vero Beach, being young often means that we have seniors playing now who may not necessarily have a lot of on-field playing time at the varsity level...most of these dudes may have backed up last year's seniors.  So, the learning curve may take a while to kick in...but the learning curve is much faster than it is with a younger player.  At SRHS, we just did not have much depth, so we often were forced to play 9th and 10th graders at the Varsity level; naturally, the learning curve was much slower.  Our team is very talented....and when we start clicking on all cylinders....we will be very dangerous.

YES, I was on the field tonight as I had planned.  My knee is very sore and very unstable...but my knee brace did its job and kept my leg from collapsing.  The kids were very gentle with ole Coach George during pre-game, but I am so glad I decided to be with them on the field despite being hurt.  I think I may have impressed them enough to gain a little respect...and that makes me feel proud.  I am the new guy on this staff..even though I have the most experience.  It was important to me that the kids accepted me coming on board so late.  I think I accomplished that tonight.

Press Box Where I Work. 

It was a long walk up to the stadium press box....one step at a time, one leg at a time...but I made it.  Of course, I got no sympathy from the other coaches working the box ( Coach Deluke and Coach Kris) in fact, Deluke made me carry the head phones back down after the game.  Coach Bethel warned me to be careful climbing the steps with a bad leg, but if I did fall, the coaches would probably laugh....then help me up from there.  In the coaching world, this ragging and teasing means they have accepted you into the fold...and this is great for me.  Keep ragging on me guys...I have thick skin, and I hope you do too.

Tonight was Senior Night at VBHS.  Every Senior Football Player (and their family) was introduced to the crowd, and it is always a special time.  Even though I have not worked at VBHS very long, there are two very big reasons it is important that I be here this year.  I am keeping a promise that a group of us (at SRHS) made to each other many years ago.  We promised that we would take care of each other, and take care of our own kids coming through the program.  Well, that did not work out for all of us at SRHS, but that does not mean that a promise cannot be kept.  Randy Bethel  helped raise my kids (Kristin and Michael) coming through school, and I intend to do the same thing for his boy Patrick.  I remember when Patrick was born....so seeing Patrick play now is very surreal.  I made a promise to Charles Washington that I would see his twin boys through school too...we just did not plan for Charles to die.  Nevertheless, these people are like family to me, and I am very happy I can finish the year with my boys, and coach once again with by brother Randy. My kids Kristin and Michael consider Randy to be an uncle to them.

Randy and Patrick Bethel 

Randy-Patrick- Robin- Wendell.  

Patrick is The Real Deal.  Watch For Him Next Year  

Randy played for the Miami Hurricanes during hteir heyday back in the late 80's and Early 90's.  He played for Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson, and was recruited by Howard Snellenberger (then at Louisville) Many of his teammates turned out to be NFL greats, and I love hearing the stories about those days.  In fact, if you watch the ESPN 30 on 30 special about "The U" you will see Bethel quite often.  He has groomed Patrick for the success he is having now...and I am enjoying watching the recruiting process of a 5-Star player.  Patrick can go to school anywhere is wants to go...its just a matter of what school.  To their credit, Randy and Robin are staying out of Pat's decision and letting him decide on what is best for himself.   I am looking forward to his decision.  

                                       Kendrick Washington- Terrell- Mom Michell - Tyler

                                                                   Terrell Washington

This is Charles Washington's family.  Terrell and Tyler are actually twins...but not identical twins.  Both these boys are about 6'4" a piece, and both are great athletes.  Terrell is the football player and Tyler is the basketball player.  I used to coach both these boys in the youth leagues as well.  Kendrick Washington (Charle's nephew)  used to play ball for us at SRHS as well, and he went on to play at Florida A&M and still plays ball in the Arena Leagues.  All the boys have great size and they no doubt get that from Charles (and his brother)  Charles played D-1 Football at West Virginia, so you know the athletic lineage is deep in the Washington family.

Randy and I both promised Charles that we would take care of his boys, and make sure they got off to school.  Now, I can at least keep and eye on both the boys as they navigate the recruiting process.  I intend to keep my promise to Charles and his family.

I am happy here at VBHS.

Later.   

Staring Down Death

  

Face to Face With Death  

In a previous blog entry, I wrote about how coaches and athletes are not immortal.  Truly, I never really believed anything could actually happen to me.  I had my blood pressure checked yesterday, and it was 113/68  Very good for me.  My weight is down almost 50 lbs...my blood work is normal, my heart is good, and I still have all my hair.  Maybe I am not as ugly as I think I am.  Things were looking pretty decent (for a change) until I decided to take a short ride on my motorcycle last night.  I had a quick review of my life flash before my eyes.

Map of Area...Not to scale obviously  

Its was getting late into the evening, but I had left my phone charger cord in my office...so I decided to get on my bike and take a little ride and retrieve it.  I had on a pair of coaching shorts, a tee shirt, and a pair of Nike's without socks.  I did strap on my helmet however....mostly because it looks cool when I ride....it had nothing to do with my idea of safety at all.  Afterall, I am invincible....

I hit the starter button on my hand-built bike and the engine immediately came to life.  I loved the way my engine sounded as I headed up the road to meet my destiny.  My bike sits very low...I feel like Jesse James with the high handlebars and low seating height.   I stopped at the corner of Riviera and Roseland Road then made a right hand turn heading South.  I cracked the throttle and the engine came to life...I accelerated through first gear, popped second gear and continued to accelerate toward the light on the corner of Roseland Road and 512.   Everything was clear, and nothing unusual about it....or so I thought.

I remember staring down the car heading in the opposite direction from me....why I don't know.  Suddenly, this car decides to turn directly in front of me into his driveway. I was about 10 yards away going about 35-40 MPH I would estimate.   I was staring down the side of his SUV ...I remember seeing his woman screaming (illuminated by my headlight) as I bore down on them.  I tromped down on my rear brake pedal hard.  I pulled my front brake lever just as hard, and the bike started to throw me over the handlebars.  The rear end started to skid as if she was wanting to lay down on me... I released the front brake lever and put down my leg in an attempt to push off the asphalt and try to right the bike.  I felt my knee bend backwards and inward as I tried to support the weight of the bike going 35 mph. Why, I don't know...I just did it.  it was nothing I planned.  I do remember thinking: "There goes my ACL" ...Stupid right?

I am sure the whole episode took mere seconds...but to me it seemed like it lasted forever and everything was moving in slow motion.  People say before you die, your life will pass before your eyes...I can tell you it is true...everything slows to a crawl.

For some reason, the bike righted itself before the collision, and it suddenly took off across traffic..Somehow, someway, I threaded two cars coming in the opposite direction...if one of the cars hit me I would have been dead instantly.  They would have hit me broadside and crushed me.  My bike hit the ditch in front of the trees...and I went over the handlebars.  Now, here is where it gets weird.  I clearly remember thinking: "So, this is how I am going to die!"...as i was flying through the air.  I could see the ground rapidly approaching....I dipped my shoulder and tucked my head.  My right shoulder took the brunt of the fall and I landed in the ditch against the treeline.  I sort of rolled onto my back and ended up against a tree.  That was it I thought....death wasn't so bad.  I opened my eyes and realized that I was still alive.  My first thoughts were: "GET UP NOW"

I attempted to stand up...but my foot was pointing in a weird direction opposite of my leg.  I knew the knee was dislocated...I have seen this many times on the football field.  I braced myself against the tree and twisted my body toward the direction my foot was facing.  I felt the knee go back into gear...it actually felt better...but I knew the injury was significant.  I thought one of the people who stopped to help me was going to throw up...it was pretty gross.  But, at least I was alive.

The guy (and his woman) came running across the street to see If I was OK.  He said: "I am so sorry, I just did not see you"  "Why were you riding without lights?"  I attempted to make a move toward him, but my leg was having none of that...I let out a barrage of F-Bombs and "Stupid SOB" and so forth.  By then, a group of bikers had stopped to help me...then a group of then started yelling at the guy. I started walking on my leg and made it to my bike.

After we cleaned up the mess, I eventually rode the bike home and parked it.  It was a long night of pain and swelling.  Today I went to the surgeon and found out I probably have a torn ACL and MCL. The swelling was too bad to do the MRI today...so they treated me, and put me in a immobilizing knee brace.  MRI on Friday afternoon at 1 PM.  At least I am alive...I wont be riding anymore.

PS.  Special thanks to my friends for rallying around me today.  Jeff Kagan (A former player's father) bought me over an awesome knee brace used by college linemen.  Jeff  has always been a great supporter.  Thanks JEFF.  Also, I started out with no crutches...but now I have a two pairs.  I also have an additional knee brace.  The football community is pretty tight.

No much to say about football today.  However, It was very important to me that the kids actually see me make my way to the football field while injured.  I wanted them to see the brace, and see me in pain.  Afterall, how can we (as coaches) ask the kids to fight off injuries and return to the field  if we are not willing to do it our self? I take this very seriously.  I would never ask a player to do something I could not do, would not do, or haven't done myself.  

Home Game on Friday.  I WILL BE at practice tomorrow.  

Making Adjustments

Much to my dismay, it seems that athletes and coaches are indeed human.  We are subject to the same health issues that plague normal people...even though we believe it could never happen to us.  As most of you know, a great friend and coaching colleague (Charles Washington) died last month from hyper tension.  Another friend (and football camp roommate) David Shimfessel died a couple of weeks ago from heart and kidney failure.  Now I find out that another friend is in a real struggle with a cancerous tumor located between his lungs.  He has never smoked a day in his life.  This guy is a mountain of a man...the very picture of what a great athlete (in his former days) is supposed to look like in his 50's.  Thick hands, powerful and strong.  He will need this strength as he faces some long weeks of radiation and chemo therapy.  If anyone can beat the "Big C" this guy will do it.  Life can be so unfair sometimes.  

 I have been looking at the game video of last weeks game with Palm Bay Heritage.  There is no doubt that Heritage is a good football team and deserving of the state ranking they opened the season with.  However, we did not do ourselves any favors  either.  We turned the ball over several times, and we also had nine dropped balls...four of those in the end zone for touchdowns.  Today we started working on correcting these issues before our first regular season game this Friday night.  

Today, I was anxious to see how the kids would react to a rare loss by this program.  I thought Coach Lenny did a good job with addressing the issues which probably cost us the game in my opinion.  We cut the in-field practice a little short so the kids could view the entire game together in the film room. I always liked to do this because it allows a player to see his mistakes under the scrutiny of his own teammates.  Peer pressure is very strong.  Coach Bethel used to say: "The Eye In The Sky Don't Lie"  so the kids usually do not have a lot to say about their mistakes.  

Tomorrow we start back into the normal routine for game week preparation.  I will check back in tomorrow evening.  I am getting tired.  Need some sleep I think.   

Post Game

Kelsey - Grice - Kirby.... My babies  

Kelsey is a Powerful Cheerleader  

I May Love This Baby A Little Bit  

 Joey's Team 12-Under  Panthers  

On Friday night after our game, I decided to wake up in the morning and drive to St. Augustine to watch the grandbabies cheer in their jamboree game that day.  This was going to be a complete surprise for them...they did not know I was coming.   I arrived at about noon, and I spent the next seven hours at the field sitting in 95 degree sweltering temperatures  to be with the kids.  And you know what?  I loved every minute of it.  Kristin had been after me to come watch Kelsey cheer at one of her games, but I always had a reason not to go.  This day was going to be different.  The grass could wait.  Fishing could wait.  Watching game film could wait.  No more excuses...I had an opportunity to go watch these kids before we (VBHS) got into the meat of our season, so it was now or never for me.  

Watching Kelsey cheer was so much fun for me, for I never really had the opportunity to watch her mother cheer back in the day.  I was always on the field when she was cheering.  Kelsey is a powerful cheerleader....she is not one of those skinny minny little flying girls...Kelsey is a base and she is proud of it....just like her mother.  besides.....I think she is so cute in her little cheerleader clothes. (I heard their real game uniforms are coming in time for their first real game.)  I feel bad that I missed Kirby's game, but I spent a lot of quality time with her during the day.  Kirby used to dislike me all the time.....now she just dislikes me some of the time...so I am making progress with her. LOL. Truthfully, Kirby dislikes most people (except her Daddy) some of the time anyway...so I do feel special.  Little Grice and me are growing tighter every time I see him.  

Joey (Kristin's husband) is coaching for the first time this year.  I encouraged him to take an assistants position until he gets a full season under his belt, and surprisingly, that is just what he did. Joey is the offensive coordinator (OC) and he is running much of the same stuff we ran at SRHS back in the day. This team is not as talented as other teams I saw yesterday, but they are well-coached by a bunch of young guys with a little piss and vinegar in their drawers.  The kids are responding, and they will surprise a lot of more-talented teams this year.  Coaching alone will be the difference for them.  During Joey's game, I inched my way to the sideline to watch what was going on.  As I feared most, I started running my big mouth as I looked at the defense and how they were lining up.  After I loudly let fly "GET IN THAT HOLE" a couple of times, I forced myself back to the endzone to stand with my daughter.  Joe doe not need my help...this is his team.  He is doing a fine job with the offense, and he does not need the help of an overbearing father-in-law with a big mouth.  

Friday night was awesome.  I arrived at the school with a huge box of cookies, brownies, and homemade candy that Marty made for the new coaches.  Marty wanted to start the guys off right.  I hung out in the coach's office trying to calm my nerves, so I went out back and hurled in the bushes.  Then I felt much better.  I was ready to go.  Randy got me a new coaching shirt...and it felt so strange slipping on the white and red shirt with VB Football embroidered on the left shoulder. I thought I looked good wearing red..but it sure felt strange.  

 I think I was dreaming the whole night.  Had I been here before?  Yes....but it had been twenty plus  years ago.  The stands were filling up.  The could hear the band as they marched onto the field and into the stands.  The smell of game food penetrated my nostrils.  I could see the other team warming up on their side of the field.  I was walking the field as our own team went through their pregame stretch ritual.  I looked up and saw Robin Bethel sitting in her usual corner of the visiting grandstand.   Right behind her was my brother Donnie and his wife Alisha.  I started getting goosebumps on my arms....I knew it was game time.  FINALLY, my life was going to be normal again.  Maybe, just maybe I can be happy again someday.  

I worked the press box with my buddy Pete DeLuke on Friday night.  My job was to spot for Lenny...basically what I have been doing for the past 16 seasons.  I looked over the field and I immediately found Randy Bethel doing his usual thing.  I searched for #93 Patrick Bethel and found him with his group.  I then looked for #22 Terril Washington (Charles' boy) and found him.  All the family had been accounted for....now it was time to go to work.  Game time was near.  

We lost the game 20-17.  Truthfully, we dropped 4  TD passes in the end zone.  We have got a few things to work on, but this is what a kickoff classic is all about...fixing these little problems.  Luckily, this game does not count against our record.  This team is going to be just fine.  

Time for Bed....

GZ

Game Day Prep.

Game Day Prep. Watching film right now.  Will check in after the game tonight.

I think I am going to throw Up.

Later

Good Day For Me

Coach Bill Wilson "The Dank"  

I had a good day today.  Marty made Coach Wilson a Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter frosting, so I stopped by his house today on my way to practice.  Marty loves cooking for him, and I love taking it to the family.  Coach always had a sweet tooth for Marty's baking and such..  I walked in his house all dressed in my Vero Beach Football coaching gear, and Dank told me I looked funny wearing red as he chuckled and shook his head.  I said: "Coach, how many years did YOU and your family wear red?"  Dank said: "Man, you are making it hard on me!"  He said: "Now I have Jefferson coaching at SRHS, and YOU coaching at VBHS...I won't know what game to go to!"  It makes me very happy that he thinks of me in this conversation at all.  To me, The Wilsons are like my family....but most people do not see the family resemblance.  

Long before Sebastian River High School (SRHS) even existed, The Wilson family were legends in the Indian River County school system....particularly Vero Beach High School.  There is no way I could ever list all the accomplishments the Wilson's have achieved over the years, but lets just say that the Track and Field and Football programs were forever changed.  Billy Wilson Jr (Asst. Principal at SRHS) dominated the VBHS football field during his day; naturally, he was coached by his daddy.  Eventually, the entire family moved to SRHS, so the family legend continued Northward to Sebastian.  This is when I hooked up with Coach Wilson.  The old man mentored me, and took me under his coaching wing.  Coach Wilson taught me valuable lessons in life.  I credit him for showing me (by example) how to be a great coach to every kid...regardless of race or economic levels.  Coach helped me over the hump when my own daddy passed away, and for this alone I will be forever grateful.  I love Coach Wilson...It was great seeing him today.  

Had a good day at practice.  This was our last full practice before we play on Friday night.  Tomorrow is pre-game practice, so the guys are telling me it is more of a rehearsal of everything we practiced this week.  I am starting to pick this new offense up pretty well, but I still have so much to learn.  For me, relearning the verbal part is a challenge.  Every pass pattern is called something different than what I am used to, and every run play is the same way.  Plus, the entire playbook is called at the line of scrimmage through hand signals....  So, I am cramming on learning everything I need to know.  I will say this: Head Coach Lenny Jankowski knows what the hell he is doing.  This offense can be so deadly if you have the athletes to run it.  I am honored he is trusting me to learn his system. 

MJ McGriff will be playing on Saturdays. 

Offensive Line working on Pass Protection  

My buddy and coaching colleague Pete DeLuke is doing a great job I think.  Pete came to SRHS the same year I came in, so we both go back a long way together.  He coaches the offensive line.  Offensive linemen are a strange bunch...it is a thankless job, but they are the heart of any successful offensive system.  Offensive linemen must be very intelligent as well.  The days of a big dumb lineman are over, for these big guys must be great athletes as well.   I make it a point to greet each one of his big boys with a pat on the helmet,  and telling each one how much I appreciate what they do for the team.  This is really a good group of kids...and this can be traced to their coaches.  

Coach Randy Bethel and Son Patrick Bethel. #93

I am not going to say much about the defense....except that they are ready to play.  What a great group of superior athletes at every position.  The whole defensive staff is very intense, and that intensity shows through the players.  Look at Patrick.  I remember when he was born.  Randy and Robin (his Mom) have done a fantastic job raising both their kids.  Now, Patrick is a five star D-1 college recruit with too many offers to count. I am very happy I can be with him as he navigates his senior season.   Folks....this is also a great kid.  Very polite and very respectful.  

later:  

GZ

Making My Way

George Michael Zaleuke Jr. 

#3 Has Always Been A Huge Part Of Our Life  

Military Man.  A Warrior.  My Hero  

My son Mike messaged me this morning early.  Mike stated that he was really enjoying reading my current blog, and he could feel my emotions as I was writing about them yesterday.  These few words meant the world to me, for I really write all my blogs for my children and my grandchildren.  I want each of them to have a written journal about my life as I experience it, and my memories as I remember them.  I would give anything if my dad took the time to put his thoughts in a written form. People say that I am a decent story teller, so I try and put in a little emotion and write a descriptive essay each time I hit the keyboard.  My original blog (www.coach-george.blogspot.com) was written while Mike was deployed in Afghanistan.  I wanted him to feel life at home while he was away.  It makes me feel good knowing my efforts are not going to waste.  I am thrilled Mike likes reading my stuff.  

I raised my son mostly alone since he was about nine years old.  I know I made some bad decisions, but now we can laugh about it.  (Just today he reminded me about our trips to Mexico with maybe not-so-pure reasons for being down there.  I mean, what father does that?  I just shake my head now.) I figured I had ruined Mike for any type of life-lesson I may have tried to teach him.  Sometimes he resented me for for pushing him I am sure... probably promising himself he would NEVER be like his dad.  On the contrary, we are both asking if we are indeed the same person now days.  When Mike was in basic training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, he wrote me a letter which remains the highlight of my life.  I won't quote the personal letter, but basically it said that all the life lessons I taught him on and off the football field were things he was using everyday in the Army.   I had been paid in full for the rest of my life.  I am very proud of my son.  He is my HERO.  Takes some GUTS to do what he does.  

Teddy Floyd Working D Line  

This morning, I was laying in bed wide awake at 5am.  My mind and my heart were going a hundred miles per hour worried about anything and everything.  "Am I ready for practice today?"  "What am I wearing for practice, are my clothes clean?"  "Where did I put my whistle?"  "Did I leave my coaching bag in my truck again?"  "Did it rain last night?"  I will glad when I get settled in and I am comfortable in my surroundings .  My Mom used to call me a worry wart...whatever that means.  

I had a pretty good practice today.  I am starting to pick up Coach Lenny's offense, but it is a challenge for me.  This offense is completely different than what we ran at Sebastian River High School (SRHS) ..and we practice differently too.  Everything is fast-paced...and everything has a purpose.  I am really enjoying it so far.  I am thankful that the guys are giving me plenty of lead way to learn, and they allow me to coach when I can add something.  I really like our group.  I love to bark at Coach Bethel every now and then.....it makes me feel at home.  This barking is part of what we have always done ... just insult the crap out of each other really. I really love this dude.  He is so good to me, and I remain loyal to his cause.  

Coach Kris missed some of yesterday's practice. Brian is a long-time coaching associate who serves as the defensive coordinator on our staff.  I thought: "how in the hell can Kris miss practice during game week?"  Then I found out why.  KIDNEY STONES.... a bad one hit him yesterday.  Then, I COMPLETELY understood how he could miss a practice.  Most of you know I suffer from stones myself...and the pain is excruciating to say the least.  I am surprised he even made it to the field at all.  Eventually, he made it to the hospital to be diagnosed.   Today Kris shows up at practice and we exchanged war stories.  Brian is sore (which is normal) but he is feeling much better.  I shared my lemon juice and olive oil concoction for the next time it happens.  I really felt bad for doubting him....for a minute.  LOL.  

More Tomorrow.  

Born Again: First Day Jitters.

I can't believe I am wearing red again.  For the past 16 seasons, I have wore nothing but blue, black, white or silver....which just happens to be the colors of my Kentucky Wildcats basketball team.  My wardrobe was pretty simple.  My daughter Kristin says that if I ever came up missing, she could tell the detectives exactly what I was wearing.  Blue Jean Shorts...Blue Sharks Coaching Shirt...Dad Shoes (Nike or Reebok) and a Blue Hat.  

Kristin - My Baby 

Still WILDCAT Crazy  

Well darlin, you better come up with another vision of your old man, because I am going to have a new wardrobe...red, black and white. I regularly wore these colors in my early coaching days, so I will get used to wearing these colors again.  I literally have to get new clothes. 

My first day was fantastic.  I started to get some nerves as I was driving to the field today.  I wanted to throw up before I entered the locker room and coaches offices.  My self-confidence is shot as you can probably tell.  I stood at the door and stared at the handle which (when opened) could possibly dictate my future coaching endeavors.  I pulled on the handle and entered.  Suddenly, all my doubts disappeared.  I was home again.  I literally had a tear in my eye as the kids greeted me with: "WELCOME COACH"    

The smell of a locker room is intoxicating to me.  The aroma of sweaty clothes...slightly soured from sitting in a locker for too long brings back so many memories.  I wish someone would make a cologne called "Locker Room"...I would certainly buy it.  My daughter says that my truck used to small like this....  To me, my truck smelled just fine.  The sounds of kids getting dressed for practice....the music, the chatter, the teasing, the sounds of shoulder pads being buckled, and the crisp sound of a chin strap being snapped is like music to me ears.  I personally introduced myself to all the players I could.  I looked each one in the eyes and firmly shook their hand.  Most of them already knew who I was, so the handshake just made it official.  I took a deep breath and headed to the coaches office.  

Upon entering the office, I was warmly greeted by all the coaches.  Pete Deluke (an old coaching colleague) said: "hey man"  Randy Bethel was sitting right in front of me and said: "Hey Coachie"  I swear to you, it seems like I had never left the profession.  I got a weird feeling like I had lived moment before.  I grabbed a pack of the Gatorade Energy chews which were sitting on the table and made myself at home.  Just sort of blended in and listened to the idle chatter.  I again introduced myself to the coaches I did not know really well, and walked out onto the practice field.  My feet were bouncing as I walked out onto the neatly cut lawn of the practice field for the first time as a coach.  Wow, I thought....so this is what coaching at a big school is like.    

In this blog, I will not go into details of what we are doing here.  I won't discuss much X's and 0's, and I probably wont discuss the offense and defense too much in detail.  I will just say that I was struck by how deep VBHS is with athletes.  We do not have any two way players, and it is very nice to work with all varsity athletes at all positions.  I was also impressed with the coaching staff.  Each one of these guys know their craft very well, and I have some catching up to do.  However, I was still able to work in where I could, and I even ran some scout offense for our varsity defense.   I had so much fun today.  The best two hours I have had in two years.  Just as my friend Dahna said: "you can go back to your happy place"   I think I have arrived.  

GZ

New Year- New Life

8-16-2015

The freshly cut grass slightly burned at my nostrils as I drew in a deep breath.  My heart started to beat slightly faster as I heard a familiar voice barking instructions at a group of huge young men as they went through some basic position drills.  I could smell the slightly soiled clothes that each sweaty player probably left in their locker the day before. I looked down at the goose bumps that arose on each of my arms...then I knew.  I am home.  This is what I was born to do.  

My name is George Zaleuke, and I have been coaching football (at one level or another) since 1985. I am very excited to be joining the football coaching staff at Vero Beach High School this coming season.    This change is huge for me, because I spent the previous 16 season at Sebastian River High School (SRHS)  just up the road.  I was one of the group of coaches who left SRHS when a great friend and colleague (Randy Bethel) was wrongly terminated.  I stayed out of coaching for two seasons before I was I was invited back into the fold...at Vero Beach High School...our former arch enemy.  I won't go into the details of our dismissal because I have hashed this out many times on my former blogs:

 www.thedistantreplay.blogspot.com     www.Coach-George.Blogspot.com

 I will just say that I am absolutely thrilled to be on the staff at Vero Beach High School, for this is a dream come true for me.  I am so excited.

This blog will be a diary of my first season back at Vero Beach High School.  I will try to enter something into the blog each about what I am experiencing  joining a new elite program. I still have a lot of questions about my abilities.  Sitting idle the past two seasons did nothing for my self confidence.   Am I worthy?  Can I do this?  Coach Bethel has always raved about my talent on the field...so I hope he is right.  I know this much, what I don't know I will learn.  No one will carry my weight on their backs.  I will study hard, and I will be a loyal soldier.

Let me tell you something about myself:

.Grice (age 3) - Kirby (age 4) -Kelsey (age 9) 

These are my babies.  Well actually they are my GRANDBABIES...the offspring of my daughter Kristin and her husband Joey.  I am crazy about these kids.  Sometimes I may write about them alone in this blog.  These kids are probably the sole reason I am alive today.  

Grice:  Look at his feet and hands!  

Please check back with this blog daily.  It has been awhile since I did any serious writing, so it may take a little while until I get into the full swing of things again.

See you tomorrow.  Big Day.  I may throw up.  

GZ

"It's Great To Be A Fighting Indian"