It's best when no one see's it coming: The end of being the Head Football Coach at a program

 

1/14/22 Trosper talking to the incoming freshmen

Wednesday (1/10/24), at 9:14 pm, my good friend and former DC, William Harris, sent me this tweet and the following message: "Reminds me of you, work as the HC until the moment he isn't! Just like you. That day is still etched in my brain."

So, why is that the best way to leave?  Why are you going a million miles an hour until the moment you are no longer the head coach?

January 20, 2022 (Thursday) was my last day as the head football coach in my hometown.  There are certainly obstacles when you coach where you grew up, but never equate easy with good. It was an absolutely great experience.  

A decision like this.... it can take weeks, or even months, to work through the details in regards to... is it best for the program that there be a change, and if so... when?

This is how those last few days went....

By January 13th, I had become fairly certain my time had come to an end as the HFC at MCSHS. On January 14th, we had the absolute BEST Recruit Night we ever had at either Mason or Mercer. It was a packed house of incoming freshmen with both talent and excitement in regards to Titan Football. Both the kids and their families were fired up. Without a doubt, it was one of the very best nights I ever experienced as a football coach.  I knew my clock was probably about to run out. And, that made me enjoy it even more. Maybe the term "bittersweet" is on target. 

1/14/22 Packed House @ Recruit Night

As a professional courtesy, I told both my Superintendent and AD on the 18th that I was going to resign, after brief meetings with them individually. And, I sure do appreciate both of them keeping that to themselves until the moment I told the coaches and team. That was best for the program and selfishly, I really was able to enjoy my last two days as the  HFC at Mercer County HS. I was going to resign on the 19th(after a workout), but my AD asked me to wait until our team meal that we had scheduled for the 20th so I honored his request. 

On January 19th, our Perfection Workout was excellent. Our coaches and kids worked their tails off. It was a great day. By this time, I knew 100% this was my last day to coach our kids and be with our coaches. Once again, bittersweet is the best word to describe it.  Man, I had a great day. WE (much more important) had a great day. The kids had a blast. The coaches were in their element and doing what they loved to do. Everyone was excited about what we were doing and the 2022 season.  That was EXACTLY the way it should have been. 

The evening of January 20, we had schedule a team meal and leadership meeting at the Olde Bus Station. Ironically, our leadership talk that evening was to come from WILLIAM HARRIS. William was super.  After William was done, I talked to the team. In summary, my message was that, "The Team Always Comes First. And, right now, what is best for the team, is a new head football coach." 

1/20/2022, William Harris speaking to the team

So, what are the advantages of working like a mad man up until the second you are no longer the head football coach? Why keep it quiet when you realize what is about to happen?

1) It is the right thing to do. If you are in a role, you give it your all... for the team, community, coaches, etc.  There is never an acceptable length of time to coast. There is never an acceptable time to make it about yourself and not the team. 

2) No one, including the head coach, is bigger than the team or the program. The Titans needed to have a great recruit night. We did. The program needed to have a great workout on 1/19. We did. The team comes first. Nobody needs to be walking around, thinking about if the head coach is going to leave, etc. That is a distraction that is never ok. 

3) I was selfish! I wanted to ENJOY my last days coaching those kids and being with those coaches. That last recruit night and that last Perfection Workout were two of the best days, EVER, in a lifetime of HS football. I will never forget those days and I will always be thankful for them.  If I had let my intentions leak out, it would have been miserable. But, I got to watch, up close and personal, a group of players and coaches, go about their business, at a pretty high level. They were excited and full of energy. What that meant to me in those moments....no words can do it justice. 

A bunch of us, for decades, have watched Nick Saban to learn from him.  Coaches are the biggest group of thieves you will ever meet... we steal and copy everything! And, even when it comes to walking away from a program that you have poured your heart, soul & guts into, once again, Coach Saban is on target.  Best wishes Coach, and THANK YOU!

1/23/22 Anna Weaber & Laci McGinnis made our facility PERFECT for the next coach