Exit Interviews... Making an adjustment... Christmas Cookies instead

Every year we have exit interviews with our guys. Some times those can get a little intense. This year we are taking a different approach and here is why.

We practice on Wednesdays at 6 am. Our last Wednesday morning practice, we all had frost on the tops of our shoes or cleats. It was pretty cold. It was one of those days I could tell our guys were getting tired of hearing my voice. In holding our guys accountable, we did quite a few grass(frost) drills that morning. When it was all said and done, we had a productive practice.  It just took a little extra frost in their face, chest & hands to get their attention.

To our guys credit, even though they were hitting the wall with me, not one young man was disrespectful or said anything out of line. I could tell that although they were frustrated, they were going to try to continue to do what needed to be done, the best they could. That meant alot to me. Even though it was a tough day they still showed respect and tried. I was frustrated because I need to find a better way to lead and get our guys to prepare and perform at a high level.  I even called some old, successful coaches that day, to get ideas on how I can be a better coach to get my guys through a time like that in our season.  But, it confirmed what I have thought all along, I am coaching really good young men.

So, this year instead of exit interviews, we are having Christmas cookies during finals week. The guys can come to my office through the day to get a Christmas cookie. There will be no exit interviews this year. When I told my oldest son, John Combs, "I am keeping it light this year." His sarcastic response was "You're really good at 'keeping it light'! " He knows me well, but I am going to try!!

After Christmas, we will have informal conversations. We will start back in the weightroom no later than January 6th. Our Perfection workouts will start up on January 8th. We will meet as a staff. I've got a lengthy list of things that need addressing &  improvement. But, for now, we'll eat a cookie and say, "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

Missing your Loved Ones over the Holidays... this is how I handle it

Opening Presents with my Dad one Christmas

I am still like a little kid... I love Christmas. I enjoy most of what goes with it, and especially being with my family.  Christmas has meaning and has significance because it is a celebration of Jesus Christ's birth. 

This will be my 5th Christmas without my Dad and gosh I still miss him. It seems like this time of year I think about him even more.  But, I still want to keep my focus on the birth of Christ and also making sure that I don't drag down my family when it is their turn and their time to enjoy Christmas. 

Here is an approach that has really helped me to cope with missing my Dad during Christmas.... I remember specific times and details about my Dad, and thank God for each of them.  As I go through those one by one, my mind and attitude begin to change for the better.  I could list hundreds of those details, but to provide some examples....

1- walking from Nicholasville Road to Commonwealth Stadium to the UK-TN game,  in the rain, in 1973. Having a conversation with my Dad. He was telling me that I need to choose a job based on what I love doing, not based on how much money I would make. 

2- Christmas Eves, often, Dad coming home early from work ( he worked part time selling cars in the offseason) and playing the old Monday Night Football game. The one with the red box. You would put the mini-record in the red box. It would play and tell you the outcome of the play. On one side of the record was the offensive play. On the backside of the play, the other player could select the defense to be used on that play. My Dad had the patience to sit there for a couple hours or more to play that game with me. He always told me that he couldn't and wouldn't buy me a bunch of stuff. But, he WOULD spend as much time with me as he could.

Those are just a couple examples. I could give a bunch more. But, you get the idea. 

When I am thanking God in DETAIL for my Dad, my attitude changes. I become less sad and become thankful. I become thankful I had a great Dad. Gratitude fills my heart, as opposed to sadness.

The best part, the same God that gave me a great Dad and all those details, memories, events, etc..... is the SAME God who's birth we are celebrating! My future, the future of my family, is in His hands as well. As I reflect back on how wonderful God has been, I know that whatever I will face down the road, there will be blessings... and HE will be with me through the tough times. And, because God sent us HIS Son, the event we are celebrating... I WILL see my Dad again!

Philippians 4:8....in my mind, I must stay connected to God. 

Besides, when I have a bad attitude, I can hear my Dad's voice between my ears,  chewing me out and telling me to get my head out of my rear end and to make sure his grandkids are having a great Christmas because this is their time. When I was growing up and he would chew me out, I wanted those conversations to end as quick as possible. It's a little different now. Merry Christmas!