John Buchanan: FOUR TRUTHS my Dad on Earth Taught me about God, the Father

 

Boyle County Staff, 1973
Ron Spivey, my Dad, Ed Rall, Morris Allen Stewart

He claims me, and I  belong to Him, no matter what.  I was not much of an athlete. I said and did some stupid stuff... not just when I was little but even as an adult. My 15th birthday was spent cleaning up the locker room in the gym because of a poor choice...it was a Saturday. Once in HS, I screwed up so bad, I was grounded, indefinitely. My first varsity basketball game, he sat there and watched as I fouled out in less than a quarter. Took a sack so bad one Friday night, we had "4th & Richmond." Almost an hour before game time on a Saturday at Centre College, my Mom & Dad would be sitting in the bleachers to watch me, the scout team QB, run 2 pass plays and 2 run plays versus the first team defense. My first game at Mercer was the last game he saw me coach. Beyond ugly. So bad, it was tough for him. He just told me, "You'll be fine, but you got your work cut out for you."

But, I never once doubted that my Dad claimed me as HIS.  Nothing could change the fact that I was John Buchanan's son. There was nothing I could do to lose His love for me. When we have a relationship with Jesus Christ, we belong to God for eternity. 

There will still be TOUGH days, but He will walk with me during those times and help me get through them. The most memorable example of this was when my Mom's mental illness was so bad that she went to Our Lady of Peace in Louisville for the entire spring of 1977. I was shook, bad. I was embarrassed. I did not want anyone to know about it. That was a tough secret to keep. Now, I openly share about that time because I want others to understand, mental illness is a real issue and there is nothing to be ashamed of.  I remember walking over to the HS everyday from Mercer Elementary for track practice so I could be with my Dad.  When we would finally get home, the house was quiet and much different. The fear and uncertainty during that time was overwhelming for me, 11 years old. But, my wonderful Dad was with me every step of the way. I did not go through that awful time by myself. And, despite the unknown and the circumstances, I trusted my Dad that he would take care of me. Our Heavenly Father will walk with us through the toughest times. He will not abandon us. 

Whether I understand or not, I am better off to trust what He tells me and do what He says.  Walking to the UK-Tennessee game on a rainy day, November of 1973, I tell my Dad that I am going to pick a job that I can make alot of money. He tells me to pick a job that I love.  Once during a particularly tough stretch, my Dad told me, "David, you need a wife that will help you in life, not make it tougher." Considering my Mom's struggles, that was an intriguing comment. But, a few days later, I saw Stephanie for the first time. The Saturday morning after we beat Lafayette, 2002, he tells me that if I don't get my head out of my "tail", Stephanie is going to be done with me and I will lose everything. Ironically, Trosper was born 9 months after that conversation.   God's Word has more wisdom than John Buchanan. The more we read, listen, and put into practice what He tells us, the better off we will be. 

Remember what HE has done for you.  God repeatedly tells His people to remember what He has done for them, throughout the Old Testament. As I look back on my life, I remember what my earthly Father and my Heavenly Father have done for me. Without question, my Heavenly Father used John Buchanan to protect me, help me, mold me and ultimately draw me closer to Him. Sometimes, it is difficult to figure out / remember ..."Did my Dad do this, or was it my Heavenly Father?"  Often, the answer is "BOTH."

The last week of May, we were blessed to take all of our kids and grandkids to the beach. Trosper built our playlist for the beach. Some of it, was even the old music that I love.  He had one song that is on NONE of my playlists.

For most people, Hotel California - Eagles brings back memories of warm weather, the beach, summer on the horizon, good memories from the past, etc. 

Not for me. I remember that awful spring of 1977. For a long time, when I would hear that song, it felt like a knife in my chest. When I hear that song, now, I immediately thank God for my Dad and how he took care of me through that time. I thank God that I have had a a great life and have been blessed more than I could ever hope or deserve.  I thank God for the eternal life I have because of Jesus Christ and that in a matter of moments, I will see my Dad again. I would like to be a head football coach until I am 80. I am in no hurry to leave this life.  

But, I know without a doubt, THE VICTORY is won.  

John Buchanan's son...scars & all

Jimmy Sharpe: The Wise Old Coach on the Mountain

photo from 1974 Virginia Tech Media Guide

A few years ago I was looking through old UK football programs and found a picture of then-Virginia Tech head coach Jimmy Sharpe.

Coach Sharpe was in Bear Bryant’s first freshman class at Alabama. He later was an assistant for Coach Bryant before becoming the head coach of the Virginia Tech Hokies. I only heard Coach Sharpe speak one time, but it changed by life.

In the summer of 1986 I was a Huddle leader at the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) summer camp in Black Mountain, N.C. In the spring of 1986, I had completed an internship in the investment department at First Security in Lexington. As an Economics & Management major, I was looking at graduate school or possibly finding a job in finance or investments after getting my degree in the spring of 1987.

The fall of 1986 was going to be my last fall of football helping Coach French at Mercer County. And, I figured my last chance to go to FCA camp was also that summer, not knowing how things would play out after graduation.

My dad had been very active in FCA since becoming the head coach at Boyle County. Through FCA and our church, Steele Harmon and his family had become very good friends. Steele was the head football coach at Centre when we got to Danville in 1969 and would later be the head football coach at Danville. If you see an old coach walking out to see me before a game on Friday night, that’s Steele!

At FCA Camp, we had "buzz sessions." Those were a series of talks you could choose to go to, sit in and listen. There were a lot of choices. Coach Sharpe’s topic was something along the lines of building a championship team. That sounded like a good topic. I wanted to make the most of my last fall of football.

Coach Sharpe spoke as a man and a coach who had become wise through experience. As he shared with us where he had been and the things he had gone through, he really got my attention because of his sincerity and honesty. And, hearing him talk about Coach Bear Bryant kept all of us tuned in. The room was packed.

And, then, he got to the part of his talk describing the characteristics of a championship team. He told us, this is what all of the championship teams that he had been a part of had in common: the coaches loved the coaches, the coaches loved the players, the players loved the coaches, and the players loved the players.

I had been part of several teams that didn’t love each other. I knew what it was like to be part of a team that didn’t have the chemistry and togetherness that you would want. I raised my hand: "Coach Sharpe, how do you get that to happen on your team?"

His response was, "You love them first!"

I am not sure how to describe it, but at that moment I really felt like God was calling me to teach and coach. The calling was very clear and very intense.

As I look back on it, it seemed like every time I got away from football or tried to, I would get pulled back in. When I got back home, I immediately went to see my dad to tell him what had happened and that now I planned to coach and teach. He was not happy, but I don’t think he was surprised. I understood he wanted me to have a life he thought would be better and/or easier than teaching and coaching.

I was excited about the future and somewhat relieved because I finally felt like I was going in the direction God wanted me. Until I was going that way, I had this sensation that something was not right or was out of place.

Coach Sharpe has no idea how his talk changed my life. I think about that a lot: the words that come out of my mouth, will they be positive or negative in how they impact others?

But, even more than that, Coach Sharpe gave me the most practical guideline for being a football coach and working with people: "You love them first."

Someday it will be time for me to finally walk away from teaching and/or coaching. But I am thankful for Coach Sharpe and I am confident that God has had me where he wanted me since that night on the mountain.

The Coaches Office: Behind the Scenes of HS Football w/ Chuck Smith & David Buchanan: Season 3 Episode Menu

Inseason

1: Dale Mueller - Championship Culture - Highlands - Homer Rice - Best Approach to Conditioning

2 : Sean Thompson - Paducah Tilghman - Mayfield - Under Center v. Shotgun - Should QB play defense?

3 : Mike Jackson - Wing T - Public & Private School Coaching - Male - Pikeville - Corbin

4 : Tyquan Rice - Orange Turf - Tempo - Coaching in your Hometown - QB Mechanics

5 : Sam Harp - Danville - Anderson Co. - Elite Organization - Building a Program

6 : Luke Salmons - Corbin - KY & WV HS Football - 30 Tite - 4-2-5 - HFC Compensation

7 : Chad Pennington - Under Center - Starting a Program - Oklahoma Drill - Bull in the Ring - NFHS

8 : Randy Borchers - Cooper - Northern KY HS Football - Youth Football (Win vs. Develop)

9 : Listeners Episode - Jesse Bacon - Chris Jones - Dan Brown - Abbey Road, Side 2

10: Mike Kirschner - Warren Central - Blueprint to become a HFC - Tough Topic (Administrator)

11: Doug Charles - Mike Salmons - LCA v. Raceland - When does a HFC know it is time to leave?

12: Jay Fallin - Owensboro - Jeff Reese - Joe Prince - Increasing Football Participation Numbers

13: Phillip Hawkins - Bryan Station - Postseason Adjustments - HFC Shelf Life

14: Braxton Kelley - Georgia HS Football - Video Exchange - Steve Pardue - UK Football

15: Larry Vaught - KY Advocate - Mental Toughness - KHSAA Semifinals

16: Mike Holcomb - Tim Couch - Hal Mumme - State Champion picks

17: State Champions - Jay Volker - Sean Thompson - Hunter Cantwell - Mr. Football - Firing a HFC

18: Legends - Ed Rall - Raymond Webb - Randy Reese - COY - 3 back offenses

Offseason

1: Neal Brown - Mike Leach - Tony Franklin - Mark Stoops - Larry Blakeney - New Age Option

2: Jason Dunn Super Bowl Episode - NFL Officiating - Taylor Swift - Hog:Dog:Titan

3: Chris Fisher - Texas HS Football Chat - Zone v. Gap - Coaching Offensive Line - RPOs & Rules

4: Kenny Simpson - Gun T - "Trickle Up" - Advice for new OC/DC

5: Rick Bowie - 21st Century College Football - Evaluating HS QBs - Install - KHSAA Bylaw 23

Choices, Mindset, Freshmen, Money, Jeff Lynne, Leadership, the Fire Hose & the little guy at Homecoming, 1970: Year 32 as a HFC

 

Be careful what you wish for. 

This time, two years ago, I was really missing football, being a head coach, having a team, and wanted to coach again. As God will do, not only will He answer prayer, He may even have a sense of humor about it. I can almost hear Him.. "You want to coach football? How about drinking it out of a fire hose on full blast?" 

Well, it has worked out great. I love being a football coach. And, I have plenty to do. Not necessarily easy, but certainly a WIN-WIN.

My second year at Anderson County HS concluded my 32nd year as a head football coach. Already excited and working toward year 33, I really don't see an end in sight. I have joked, sort of, that the plan is to be a head coach until I am 80, then may be a position coach until I hit 85. We got to see Jeff Lynne in Nashville not long ago. At 76, he is still rocking and rolling. Most certainly a inspiration. When I am 80, if I can smile as big as he did after each song, I will be doing well. 

Jeff Lynne, he's still got it!

So... what are the takeaways from year 32?

1- You can have a great job, love your job, work with wonderful people, and still HATE losing. The results were better in 2024, than 2023. The improvement was significant. But, it will never be ok when the clock hits 0:00 and the other team has one more point than your team. The difference in old me and young me is that I have more discipline in regards to my post game thoughts. In the old days, I just stayed mad and thought about the loss for way too long. Now, I can force myself to get in the mindset of, "Losing is not ok, so how do we get better? What can we take from Friday night and how can we use it to make sure our team is better going forward?" 

2- Focused on playing one play at a time, LOOKS LIKE, we know we are gonna win. In both wins and losses,  for the most part, we played very hard. Some times, we got back in games, even when our fans had left.  When a team "quits", often it is because they have given up on winning the game. Our guys have done an exceptional job of focusing on playing each play and not letting the scoreboard influence their effort and execution. Ironically, we had the most struggle staying focused when we were experiencing success. In four of those games, we won two and lost two. But, we have become a fun team to watch because of our effort and never quitting, regardless of the circumstances and the score. To continue to grow in this regard, we will have to make a deliberate effort to continue to think the right things. And, we can work on that thinking through out the offseason. 

3- "People" continues to grow as the most important part as opposed to "football" and "stuff".  Each year, our postseason inventory / clean up process becomes more streamlined and more is delegated. Usually, I will do a December scouting report for every defense we will face in the next season. For 2025, that assignment has been delegated. More of my time will be spent on building relationships and player development ( Strength, Conditioning & Skill Development). 

4- If you love coaching, building a program is for you! As a staff, we constantly worked to make our schemes and practice processes the best possible to help our guys win. We could take some sound/conventional concepts, apply a new formation or approach, and significantly improve the likelihood our players would experience success.  Although I believe football is more cyclical than evolutionary, there is an infinite number of combinations you can use in regard to schemes, concepts, fundamentals and teaching that can be applied to give your team their best chance to win. That challenge can certainly help make you a much better coach as well. This theme continues... we do the same things over and over, but in a little different way and they can look different than they ever have before. That trend will continue in to 2025 & beyond. 

5- The year away from football continues to pay dividends. Spending a season with a great coach like Kevin Wallace at St. X, scouting their excellent opponents, and being around the Tigers as a whole, it has become much easier to recognize what our opponents do well and not so well. It is also easier to know what information is important, and what is not as critical. And, that same lens can be applied in evaluating our own team and making improvements.  The other benefit, as much as I hate losing, there is always a focus on moving forward and getting better. Not coaching, not having a team, is much worse than losing a ballgame. 

6- After one of our games, the back judge told me that our guys did a good job of self-policing.  He said they held each other accountable. That really gets me fired up because that type of leadership will raise our ceiling significantly. Like our mindset, we will have to be deliberate in developing that type of leadership and what it will look like. But, when players lead players and hold each other accountable, there is an opportunity to build something special. 

7- Choices are critical. In particular... what we allow in our mind, who we allow in our circle, and how we spend our time. Circumstances matter, but they can't touch those 3 choices on a daily basis. For most of us, our circumstances have a mix of good and bad. Don't be a yo-yo. 

8- I shared with our guys one day after practice about Abbey Road, side 2. As great as the Beatles were, their very last work, was incredible... potentially their best ever. Each day we go to work, we should be the best version of ourselves that we have ever been. Experience & lessons learned help to give us that opportunity. That gets me fired up... each day I go to work, I go with the expectation that I have never done my work better, than I will today!

2024 Freshmen- Conference Champs!

9- Don't underestimate the choices and decisions you make in regards to your freshman program. It takes extra effort to get it right. I am not sure there is a coach in the entire program more important than the head coach of the freshman/JV program. Unconventional approaches may be necessary to get kids out and keep them on the team. But, if you can continue to stack years of a successful freshman program and freshman teams, your chances of future success will increase dramatically. 

10- Don't waste money, but don't be afraid to spend it. Be too tight/too cheap... you may be fired before the rainy day hits. Spending money for meals to facilitate team building...important. Spending money for gear that appeals to kids...essential. New technology that can facilitate teaching, performance and winning, crucial. 

I am beyond thankful that I have another football season to prepare for. Walking into ACHS, or the lockerroom, office, on to the field...I still feel very much connected to my Dad, his teams, and my teams, going back these 55 years. I don't want to give up that connection and that feeling when I am in those places. Believe it or not, 2024 at Anderson County, feels alot like Boyle County 1970, or Mercer County 1982, or Paris... Mason County, etc. 

How this will all end, I really have no idea.  But, if you could go back to 1970, find me at the Boyle County homecoming at 5 years old, and tell me how my life was going to play out, that little boy would have told you, "that is too good to be true." 

Big Jack, 1986 & the Football Team That Loved An Old Coach

1986 Mercer Staff: Chuck Smith, Dick Straten, Jack Robertson, David Buchanan
Front: Head Coach, Larry French

You had to be TOUGH to be on the Mercer Staff in 1986. That is, if your name was David Buchanan. As soon as I would walk through the door for practice, Big Jack was on me. He would have that sweatshirt tied around his neck, and want to know if I had played tennis with Muffy & Buffy at Centre College that day. That was a GOOD day.  The tough days... I can't put in print what he was saying. I can't even describe the birthday cake he got me one year. But, the crazy part, 1986 might have been the most fun, ever, any of us had coaching football.  That season was the first District & Region Championship at old Mercer County HS.  We were a close-knit staff, worked like dogs, and were coaching kids that we had to scrape off the field every Friday night because of the effort they would give when the lights came on.  Chuck, Coach French and I are still coaching almost 40 years later. 1986 is a big reason we have struggled to give up this game and way of life.  Big Jack is a substantial reason that was a great time and he still looms larger than life when I look back on that staff.  

Before we coached together, I knew Jack as a great player at Harrodsburg HS. He played against my Dad's Boyle County teams and I remembered him.  If you were around Jack and started talking about how good the Yeasts were carrying the ball, he would be quick to remind you that he was the guy blocking for them!

In 1987, Jack & I were still at Mercer with Coach French. Chuck was the head coach at Allen County Scottsville. Coach French would call Chuck every week to get help with the defense. It would make Jack mad. He would say, "I don't know how Chuck does it. He is the head coach at ACS & the DC at Mercer County!" So, 20 years later, we are all eating together, including the families. I decide to have a little fun.  I make the comment, "I don't know how Chuck did it when he was the DC at Mercer and the head coach at ACS." Jack shoots me a look like he is going to kill me. Silence. Finally, Coach French speaks up, "I HAD to call Chuck, David doesn't know anything." Jack gets fired up.. "That's right! David doesn't know anything!" Lol 

Just a few years ago, Jack was in the hospital in pretty rough shape. It did not look like he was going to make it. I went to see him. I was emotional. He was as well. I thought it was the last time I would ever see him. A few days later, my phone is buzzing and it says, "Jack Robertson." I answer and say, "Jack?"  He says, "David, I got a problem! These nurses won't keep their hands off me!" 

We all love Jack, but we also know he could be a handful at times. As he got older and as his health continued to deteriorate, he thought more about others than himself. I would call to check on him. He did not want to talk about that. What he did want to know...Was I having any luck finding a job?  How was my team doing?  He wanted to make sure that I was ok!

We would talk often on the phone. One of our last conversations, I got to tell him that the 1986 staff really helped me learn how to coach. If you really want to coach, if you really want to learn how to coach, BUILD a football program. I learned alot about the nuts and bolts of coaching football from Jack, Chuck & Coach French back in 1986. The winning was great. But, it was the perfect setup for a young guy to learn how to coach from 3 guys that knew their stuff. 

In another conversation over the last few weeks, I got to tell Jack how proud I was of him. As his health issues got tougher, he responded by thinking of others. It was awkward. He didn't really know what to say. But, I could tell he appreciated me saying so. And, I wanted to make sure that he knew that his old friend admired him as he fought some very difficult battles that would have defeated many of us. 

At the very end, he really enjoyed being a Bearcat. He would come to practices and games. Our guys were crazy about him.  He really clicked with our kids. He would check in often to see how we were doing. One practice, he was right on the sideline with us. For games, he liked to sit near the locker room door so he could talk to the kids when they would come off and on the field. He would tell our guys to make sure the guy across from them on Friday night will be sore on Saturday morning. My bosses took great care of Jack on a Friday night and their efforts sure did mean alot to me.  There have been an awful lot of good things come out of becoming the head football coach at Anderson County HS. One of the biggest ways that I have seen God's Work was when He put Jack with the kids that play football for the Bearcats. That was not a coincidence. That was God telling Big Jack, "I love you."

The last time we talked in person was after the Henry County game, a tough loss. He said, "David, you didn't lose that game." I looked at him like he was crazy.  Take out a couple plays, you win the game." Now, he and I BOTH knew that was absolutely wrong and we lost. But, in that moment, he was trying to make me feel better. He was trying to encourage me. He was less than a month away from a surgery that was critical to his health and even being able to continue living. But, he was thinking about his old friend, the one that use to play tennis with Muffy & Buffy (not really). 

When his back was to the wall, when he had less than a month to live, he was thinking of me. And, that is EXACTLY how I will remember Big Jack Robertson. 

Top 40: November 8, 1986

 

Leadership Lesson: Side Two of Abbey Road

What about it... could you be the 5th Beatle? Whatever it is that you do... what will your last day look like?

Like alot of people my age. I've got an emotional connection to the Beatles and their music, especially their work from the late 60's. Whenever I hear that music, I see those gold Boyle County helmets and think of the time with my Dad. When I worked for Roger Gruneisen at Paris, it was like having Paul McCartney as a Boss and Head Coach. He loves the Beatles and knew their work, inside and out. 

Then, my sons loved the Beatles. John Combs had a class on the Beatles at Centre College. Trosper's last highlight tape from his HS football days has "Get Back" for the soundtrack. Emma did not inherit a love for my music. But, she did not ride in car with me for 19 years going to football practices, workouts and games. Maybe that explains it. My sons like their stuff, but they definitely love and appreciate their Dad's old music, and the Beatles, late 60's,  are near the top of that list. 

Over time, side two of the last album produced by the Beatles, Abbey Road*, has really made an impression on me. Some of the lyrics really hit me hard after my Dad died. 

'Once there was a way to get back home." - Golden Slumbers 

We moved back to Mercer County for me to be the head coach, July 7 of 2015. My Dad died on October 1, 2015. I had moved back to my hometown and was coaching on the same field he had coached, 40 years earlier, I could sure relate to those words. Yes, I was back in Mercer County. But, my Dad was no longer here. He is by far the biggest influence on my life.  Geographically, I might have been home, but emotionally, mentally, in my heart, right after his death, I felt like I had landed on a planet, galaxies away. And, there was no way to get back home. 

"Boy, you're gonna carry that weight, Carry that weight a long time." - Carry That Weight

When we got started at Mercer County in 2015, it was rough. We started out 0-5. We got better, but man, we were at rock bottom. We bounced back and won our district. I remember that December, someone asking me, "I guess you can relax a little now." As politely as I could say it, my response was, "Relax? Absolutely not. This is my hometown. This where my Dad built a program. This is where Alvis Johnson poured his heart/soul and guts into building a great program and helping young people. Failure is not an option here. We HAVE to get the job done." That was my mindset, every single day. We didn't win a state title, but WE did a great job building Titan Football and left it in great shape and primed to be even better going forward. 

The other "weight" was and is a burden no one put on me but myself. My Dad was heart broken when Robert Allen died. He never recovered. I worked like a dog to please him, make him happy and to make him proud. If I could make him smile, that was a huge reward. If I could make my Dad happy, and maybe forget for just a second the large burdens that he carried each day, that was as good as it gets.  I could never be Robert Allen, or as great as he was. But, that was my mission and in many ways, still is today. This self-imposed burden has been enormous, overwhelming at times. It still is today. Somedays I would really like for that burden NOT to be there. But, God has used it over and over. Every now and then, I can even have a little peace about that burden. Not often, but when it happens, I am thankful. And, there is no doubt in my mind, that burden has made me a much better person, husband, father, and football coach. 

The two nicest things anyone has ever said about me:

“During Covid, you were like FONZIE! The coolest guy in the room. You always kept your head and you never got rattled." - That was Rob Reader in December of 2020 when we were celebrating the completion of the fall HS football season in KY. I had served as the KFCA President and we all, coaches and players, and just pulled off an accomplishment most people thought was impossible. Rob was a wonderful man and football coach. I am so thankful we became friends and I sure do miss him. 

Rob on my left, Kaelin Drakeford on my right, December 2018

The other though, means even more.
Lee Glasscock played for my Dad and was one of Robert Allen's best friends.  He told me, over 50 years after he played for my Dad, " Sometimes I think that your dad viewed Robert Allen as someone he would like to see his son grow up to be like. He knows his wish came true."

Monty Wilkerson, Trosper, Lee Glasscock- July 2021

So.... what is this Side Two of Abbey Road Challenge & Commitment?  

The Beatles had a phenomenal career with unrivaled success. But, as incredible as they were, they were their absolute best at THE END (the last song on side two of Abbey Road). Music is a combination of your personal preference along with the memories and people we attach to the music. Still, if you have never done so, I would give side two a listen:

You Never Give Me Your Money

Sun King

Mean Mister Mustard

Polythene Pam

She Came In Through The Bathroom Window

Golden Slumbers

Carry the Weight

The End

Abbey Road - Side Two

Wow. Crazy good. These old guys, on their last day, were ELITE. They were the best they have ever been.  

What does that mean for me? It means that tomorrow when I walk through that coaches office, or hit the field, or walk into that HS... it needs to be my best day ever, my best work ever.  I don't know when the end will come. The Beatles did. But, I am 1000 % committed to making sure my last day, my last moment, will be my absolute best. That, in that moment and work, God will be glorified. I will be serving others, better than ever. 

It also means this...if I realize that I am no longer capable of being my absolute best as a head football coach, it will be time for me to move on. I am not going to die a slow death of mediocrity. I am going to go 1000 mph until the day I can't. When that day comes, I will thank God for what has been an incredible experience coaching young men and KY HS Football, and all that goes with it. 

Now, one part the Beatles got wrong... 

"The love you take, is equal to the love you make." - The End

No, because of Jesus Christ, the love and eternal life we receive if we choose to follow Him...well, no lyrics can do that justice. Not even Paul McCartney or John Lennon can write those words. 

*Let It Be was the last Beatles album released, but was produced before Abbey Road. 

That Can Change Tomorrow

Our first picture, summer of 1990

Anderson County HS will have their graduation ceremony on May 23rd. May 23rd, 1990 we had our graduation at Paris HS at Blanton Collier Stadium. That one changed my life!

In the winter of 1990, I was eating at Hardee's between a football workout and an FCA meeting that evening at Paris HS. I was our sponsor.  This tall, grey headed guy and his short, pretty, dark haired wife, approach my table.  He introduces himself, "My name is Ernie Trosper and this is my wife, Jan." He continues to talk and eventually gets out his wallet and says "this is my daughter, Stephanie." He continues to talk about Stephanie. Me, being full of myself, thinking.... "He wants me to ask her out & be his son in law. She is pretty. She doesn't need any help!"

Fast forward to May 23rd. I am sitting in the Superintendent's office, waiting to meet with Mr. Chumbley to get my summer painting assignment. They would pay the coaches to paint to help us make a little extra money. Next to me are a bunch of old yearbooks. After all of these weeks, I think, "I wonder if Stephanie Trosper is in any of these?" So, I start looking, and of course, there she was! Beautiful. 

After my meeting,  I remember the rest of the day very well. Even though I was an assistant, I was building my playbook to be a head coach. At Paris HS, we had ONE computer and it was in the football office! I spent all day working on my future playbook. Late afternoon, I went for a run. Then, came back to shower and dress for graduation. 

We had a killer sound system in the weightroom/lockerroom. I can remember looking out the doors of the weightroom, fixing my tie, and seeing the sky get darker...looked like we might get rain. I can still remember this classic from HEART blasting over those speakers as the clouds rolled in. 

Coach Gruneisen was w/ me the first time I saw Stephanie

Coach Gruneisen & I went up to the top of the press box and took our umbrellas to watch graduation. And, there she was .... Stephanie Trosper! She was more beautiful in person than any picture could do justice. 

After the ceremony, we were putting stuff in the weightroom. I knew one of my, now former, students, was friends with her. I asked her, "What is Stephanie Trosper like?" Her response, "She has a boyfriend!" My response was, 'THAT CAN CHANGE TOMORROW, is she a good person?" The answer was obviously yes!

The next day I asked a mutual friend to find out if I could call her. She said after Memorial Day, she would do so. 

That Memorial Day weekend was spent painting the football facility at Paris HS. I was working 12 hours a day. WKQQ's Rock & Roll 500 kept me company all weekend. That was it. Paint, sleep, paint... other than go to church on Sunday. I had to make some money and my window was small because I was going to take 9 hours of graduate courses at UK that summer. Plus, I had to make money to pay for the courses. In those days, 3-4 nights a week, I was eating Ramen noodles or cereal. A good night was a 99 cent pizza. A great night was a Chuck Wagon sandwich & Heath bar Freeze(the original "blizzard") at Homer's, just a walk up the street from Blanton Collier Stadium. Good grief those were great days. 

Finally, I got a chance to call her and ask her out. She said, Yes!  Her Mom asked her... "What are you doing?" She told her Mom, "I had to say yes. This might be the guy I am suppose to marry."

When I went to the house for our date, her Mom answered the door. I could read her face, "Oh no, this one is a MAN!" I am 5 years older than Stephanie. She is still more mature than I am, by a long shot. But, I did not look like anyone she had been out with before. Later, when I asked my Mother in Law if I read her face correctly, she told me, "That is EXACTLY what I was thinking!"

That night was May 31, 1990. On May 30, 1992, we were married. 

Any single guys at graduation... pay attention.  You may see your wife!

Christmas Eve, 2023