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.