Curci, Collinsworth, Wayne Peace & Chuck Smith- November 15, 1980

One of the best memories with my Dad was the cold November day we saw a great game between the Wildcats & Gators at Commonwealth Stadium.

I was a sophomore in HS.  Our football team had been selling something.... I think M & M's.  I sold the most M & M's and the first place prize was Coach French's tickets to the UK-Florida game.

It was freezing cold, but a great game. My Dad and I sat in the south endzone. Back then, that is where many of the coaches tickets were for KY HS football coaches. In the old days, every KY  head football coach was mailed a book of two tickets to all the UK home games. That was a great perk, and there were not many perks!

 As it turns out, one of my best friends is on the field. Chuck Smith, former Boyle HFC, is playing linebacker for Charlie Bailey's Wildcat defense. I didn't know it at the time, but Coach Bailey's defense would be the foundation for our defense when Chuck came to Mercer County in 1983. Subsequently, Bailey's defense became the blueprint for our defense at Paris, Mason County, Mercer County and so many programs across the state of Kentucky that were connected to Larry French and Chuck Smith.

UK has played a great game and winning, 15-14, late in the 4th quarter.  Wayne Peace is the Quarterback for Florida and his top WR is Cris Collinsworth. Florida is driving the ball into the endzone where I am sitting with my Dad. The UK bench is to our left.

The play I will never forget.... Peace throws a pass to Collinsworth right in front of the UK bench. It looks like he is out of bounds. Coach Fran Curci sure thought he was out of bounds. He was so mad that he did a flip on the sideline. I know.... it sounds insane. But, I have had others tell me the same thing. If he didn't do a flip, it sure looked like it enough that others have told me that yes, Fran Curci did a flip on the sideline in protest of that official's call.

The Florida drive continues. The Gators kick a field goal and win 17-15.

It wasn't the outcome we wanted, but my Dad and I had enjoyed a great football game and the time we had together that cold November Saturday.

Curci and his flip, Collinsworth, Peace & Chuck Smith... four guys I'll never forget.

* After sending this to Chuck Smith, here is his response:

“I remember that game. I broke on that throw to Collinsworth and he had to tippy toe to stay in bounds. I thought he was out as well. That was the key play as we would have won without it. “

God being God.... Snow, Palm Trees & the Triple Screen

In December of 2007, several of us were standing in the hallways between classes at Mason County HS. It was finals week, just a few days before Christmas break was suppose to start. The weather was miserable, cold & windy. While standing out there, I get a phone call from my good friend, Chuck Smith, who at that time was coaching linebackers at the University of Kentucky. We are freezing, but Chuck is in Florida, enjoying GREAT weather on recruiting.

One of the guys I am standing with in the hallways is our head basketball coach, Chris O'Hearn. He is pretty excited. Our basketball team, lead by future Mr. Basketball, UK Wildcat, & NBA player, Darius Miller, is getting ready to fly to Hawaii to play in a Nike Tournament for the best basketball teams in the country.

I casually make the comment... "Yeah, all the good coaches are going to enjoy some great weather. The bad ones, like me, are stuck in the cold."

The bell rings and I return to class.

My classroom phone immediately rings.

The voice on the other end says, "Coach Buchanan, this is Travis Davis with American Football Monthly. We would like to do a video on the Triple Screen and some other areas of football with you."

I am stunned but really excited.

He continues, "We will fly you to West Palm Beach, Florida, to do the videos."

He continues to talk. My classroom phone is right next to my door.  I am on the phone, checking caller ID, and then sticking my head out the door. This has GOT to be a joke. I am looking around, up and down the hallways for the likely culprits... Coach O'Hearn, Steve Appelman, Fred Hester, Chris Ullery, Seth Faulkner, Larry Harris, Kent Moore (probably just hung up the PA from singing Christmas Carols).

I check caller ID and ask again... "Please, now who is this?? Where are you? What is this for?"

I really can't believe it and don't believe it. But, it turned out to be legitimate!

So, one January morning, when the temperature was below 30 degrees and the wind had blown the kids basketball goal up next to the house, I jumped in the car and headed to the airport in Cincinnati.

When I arrived in West Palm Beach, the temperature was in the mid 80's and it was sunny. I was sitting in short sleeves, looking at palm trees.

I met Travis and then spent the next 24 hours working with Rex Lardner, filming the videos. This was insane... I was in West Palm Beach, Florida, doing football videos, in late January!

I enjoyed working with Travis and Rex. Really good guys who are exceptional in the work they do.

For me, the moral to the story is God can do anything He wants to do when He wants to do it. It was a really cool way for God to show me that He loves me. It definitely got my attention.

That event has also made me pay closer attention each day as different things happen. God communicates His love to us often through the day. If we are not paying attention, we may miss that.

Because of my faith in God,  nothing seems too little or too big. When God chooses me to serve Him in the smallest,  most menial, humble ways and in a way that would be beneath others, I am good with that. I am serving Him and working for Him. When God chooses big ways, extraordinary ways, even situations that I would be in over my head in my own abilities, I trust Him with the outcome.

I don't know what the future holds. But, big or little, I will be content to serve God in whatever way He chooses.

And, if He decides to throw in some palm trees here and there, they will just be a great reminder of the incredible phone call that cold day in December of 2007.

One of the things we want to leave for our kids, all of us... when we leave this earth

Yes, the title is a little different. Thought I would get straight to the point.

I was in the bank today. On my way out the door, a gentlemen hollers at me to come back inside. I had never met the man. I am use to people yelling at me that I don't know... it 's usually on a Friday night after a play goes poorly.

This time, it was really good. He introduced himself and told me that he knew my Dad. He had bought vehicles from my Dad. He remembered my Dad as a teacher at both Boyle County and Danville. In telling me how much he thought of John Buchanan, he highlighted how much my Dad loved his students and how he looked out for them... especially his students with special needs.

His words and remembrances made my day. Whenever someone is talking to me about my Dad, I feel like he is right there next to me, even if just for a second. And, I am really proud of my Dad. Now, please understand, I am well aware that my Dad made a bunch of people mad, often, over the years. But, he really cared about other people, especially his players and students, and always tried his best to do the right thing.

It got me thinking, and also made me a little nervous... when I die, what will people say about me when they walk up to my kids?

The more I thought about it, it inspired me that each day when I get up, go to work, and interact with others, I need to do so in a way that would make my children proud. Now, I am not saying I need to get people to like me... that is a waste of time... trying to please people.

But, I most definitely need to do my best, to be the best person that I can be. I don't want them telling JCB, or Emma, or Trosper... "Boy, I remember your Dad was all about himself." Or, "I remember your Dad one night after a loss, acting like a complete idiot."

No, that is not what I want at all. I want my kids to be proud of me, just like I am proud of my Dad.

Next Monday when we start our week, it might help us to imagine a stranger talking to our kids someday in the future. What we are about to say or do.... will our kids be proud of us?

I sure hope so. In those moments, I want my kids to have the same experience I had today.  I will most definitely get to work on that.

Follower of Christ, Husband, Father, Teacher & Coach

photo by Cheri Johnson

Through 1/31/20, thirty high schools in Kentucky will have new head football coaches for the 2020 season. A common theme for many coaches getting out of the profession has been to spend more time with their family and away from the time consuming demands of being a head football coach.

All of this turnover had one of my favorite young head football coaches in the state concerned. How could he be a good husband and father to his three children, be a successful coach, and above all, serve Christ in His/his Church? 

There are no easy answers, but we do have God's promises. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." That tells me that we can do it, but not in and of ourselves. 

Matthew 6:33 tells us what our priorities should be.... HIS KINGDOM comes first. Colossians 3:23 makes it clear that we serve an audience of ONE, our Lord & Savior.  Well... there is some relief.... pleasing people is not required. It is impossible to do so and requires more time than a clock can hold, so that is a GREAT truth to remember. 

So what does this look like on a daily basis and what are some ways we have tried to balance this out as a family?  How does all of this fit and how do we keep first things first?

On a very practical level, a huge difference-maker for us was that Stephanie had the kids at football as much as possible. She would take them to McDonalds, get them a happy meal or ice cream, then come hang out at practice. Whenever we would have a water break, I would go talk to her and the kids. When my oldest was 3 months old, I was holding him  during our first blue-white scrimmage at Mason. The live of our family revolved around church, school, and football. We were together whenever we could do so. Toward the end, Stephanie would bring me lunch every Friday at school and Trosper would come with her.

On a more humorous note, we lived in a neighborhood near the practice field and I had a loud voice. Every now and then, Stephanie would take the kids on the back porch and say, "Just listen and you can hear your Dad!"

photo by Arpan Dixit & The Harrodsburg Herald

Since both boys played football, it was naturally built in that we would spend time together. They both have been big helps to me in the offseason. Going to camps in the summer with John Combs and Trosper has been a good time for us. Trosper also helps me with my Quarterback Camps and does a really good job with those. I think it is safe to say that John Combs enjoys his job at Edward Jones more than painting weight equipment or installing bermuda sod on the practice field.

photo by Cheri Johnson

With Emma it has been tougher. She did help me mark the practice field one hot July morning. Once was enough for her! When we went to Mercer her junior year, I would try to find her through the day to see her and check on her.  For the first couple weeks in our new school, she would come to my office during lunch and we would have a piece of cheesecake together and visit. I was getting my tail kicked every Friday night and she was adjusting to leaving her hometown.  We helped each other get through that time. 

The Making of a Titan: Emma Buchanan

Taking each of those roles, one day at a time, is absolutely necessary.  That perspective makes all that needs to be done, manageable. I never had the discipline to be a "one day at a time" guy until the fall of 2015. My Dad was dying of cancer.  My Mom had more than her share of health problems.  We had just moved to Harrodsburg. Our oldest son had started college. Our two younger children had just changed schools.  Becoming the head coach in my hometown, my first season we started out at 0-5. I was overwhelmed beyond words. "One day at a time" became my means of survival & coping in an incredibly difficult situation. 

Something that gets lost in this thought process often ..... never underestimate a coach and his family's ministry with his football players and community. I love being with my family, but I also know that a big part of me serving Christ is coaching football.... being with my kids, coaches and part of the community. As an old coach that loves Jesus, I am really thankful for young coaches that serve Christ! Their wife and family are a huge part of that ministry. Players see everyday what a Christian husband, wife, father & mom look like. 

I've made more mistakes than I can count. But, one thing that has been a priority, going back to the summer of 1988, is purposely and deliberately seeking God's wisdom and guidance in regards to WHERE he wants me to be and WHAT he wants me to do. I am confident that HE has had me where he wants me since that summer. I have peace going forward because I know He will have me where He wants me to be, doing what He wants me to do. Matthew 6:33... if I can keep my focus on "Seeking Him", HE will guide me. 

At age 54, going into year 29 as a head coach, there are definitely some questions .... How much longer will God use me as a football coach? When do I give this up so that Stephanie & I have time to do some fun things while we still have the health to do so?  Will I have more time to coach with adult kids, or will I be missing out on family events because I am at the football office?  

Those are tough questions for me. But, Matthew 6:33 and a "one day at a time" approach will give me the answers and I will be where God wants me to be. 

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!

Year 28 is done: What is next and trying to do better

CAL vs. Mercer County, 1st round of playoffs, 2019

Our season ended this past Friday night in a loss to a very good CAL team. It was the first round of the playoffs. We defeated CAL in the regular season but were unable to do so in November.  This finishes year 28 as a head coach... 4 at Paris HS, 19 at Mason County HS and now 5 at Mercer County HS. 

I am very proud of the 2019 Titans. We played some very good football this season and improved substantially from where we have been the past 4 years. Our final record was 8-3. Our 3 losses were to Boyle County (4A #1), DeSales (3A #1 earlier in the season) & CAL (3A #1 at the beginning of the season). We were in a district with CAL & DeSales.  Our district was called the "group of death." We were also a 3A Top Ten team this season.

I have never been a good loser and it is only getting worse. The next few weeks will be tough. A good friend who is the same way called today to check on me. He is a good guy, and about as crazy as I am.  I really did appreciate the phone call. 

So, to cope with no football while the season continues in Kentucky for the next four weeks, this is my plan:

1- Count my blessings.

2- Serve Others.

3- Work to become a better coach. 

I am embarrassed at how bad my attitude is when the season is over. God blessed me with outstanding young men to coach this season. They worked their tails off and did a really good job. I've got a wonderful wife and family. My boys and I are looking forward to our annual Notre Dame trip. In December, John Combs is marrying Caroline who is an incredible young lady. The blessings are overwhelming. But, I will still feel like vomiting each afternoon when it is time to practice. On Friday nights with no game, it is especially tough. We will go out to eat as a family and pretend there is no football being played.

When my mind starts to go to dark places over the next few days, I will quickly try to refocus on the three things listed above.  

In one of Tony Dungy's books, he said that he knew that at some point, God would allow him to be satisfied with the job he had done as a coach. I am still waiting for that day. I trust God and believe that day will come. 

Why share this?  Because I know there are coaches like me that feel the same way right now. If this can help them navigate the next few days, that would be great. 

And, yes, Stephanie is a saint for putting up with me. :)