The Trade Off

Every summer when we get a family beach picture, my initial reaction is "great looking family, but who is the old, bald fat guy?"  Sadly the answer is me. 

I am not a fan of getting old. Gaining weight is balanced out by losing hair. Aches & pains replace energy. But, there is a silver lining. One of the overwhelming positives of getting older is gaining experience. Another huge positive is the building of relationships over a long period of time.  

Yesterday, we had our BEST Quarterback Camp ever. The camp began in 2002. Why was it the best?  One reason is that through trial & error, the drills, process, fundamentals, etc have been refined and improved over a 17 year period. When we have camp again on June 14th, that will be our best camp. We always use what we learn to improve.  As a head football coach, the 2019 season should be the best job I've ever done as a head coach. I've never gone into a season with 27 years of head coaching experience a long with 6 years experience as an assistant coach. There is no replacement for experience and what you learn as each day passes.

Another reason we had our best camp ever is the staff we had. The Quarterback Camp staff has expanded from one (me) to six of us yesterday.  All six of those guys are the son's of football coaches. One of them, my son, Trosper, is the GRANDSON of a football coach.  Four of the six staff members had been through the camp.  We were incredibly efficient yesterday and the kids got a boatload of reps. We transitioned through drills very quickly and there was no wasted time. You have to do camp for several years to have alumni coaching it. The guys on our camp staff yesterday love kids and football. The campers responded extremely well to our guys coaching them. I was exceptionally proud and pleased with the overall efficiency, productivity, and improvement the kids made through out the day.

By now, I've been fortunate to coach several hundred football players at Mercer County, Mason County, Paris, the Kentucky All Stars and Quarterback Camp. I really enjoy the relationships I have with many of those players today. It is fun to follow their success and see them become husbands & fathers. 

QB Camp yesterday physically kicked my tail. We worked very hard to do a good job for the kids.

As much as I hate the negatives of getting older, I would not give up the benefit of experience and what goes with it.  The relationships built with players and coaches over all of these years ... no, I would not trade them to be younger. 

This summer, maybe I can be the one BEHIND the camera for the family beach picture.  Or, I will wear a hat and stand in the back. 😀