What's up Coach?

I coached varsity basketball for just under four years (1 year as an Assistant, 2 plus years as a Head Coach) and my life will never be the same. I had come upon the decision to coach because I thought it would be fun. After all, I enjoyed discussing tactics with friends and I had definitely studied enough basketball in years past. As for the rest, I could just fake it until I could learn it. I fancied myself a quick learner so I knew I could learn on the job.

My first season, I enjoyed it immensely. The Head Coach became my mentor and he assured me that I could be a head guy some day. He felt that I was a natural. I had no idea what he was talking about and I still don't, but he had me believing. I believed so much so that after one year as an Assistant, when the girls' head coaching position opened up, I took over the position based on my mentor's recommendation.

I learned a lot about those players and that team formed a bond that still exists to this day. A majority of the players are now off to college but they still keep in contact with me. I stayed at that school for two more seasons before I had to leave to pursue a position at the YMCA. This is the first fall season in 4 years where I will not be coaching basketball. I feel it in my bones and in my blood. It has become more than a hobby, and I realize now that it could never just be a hobby because it is much more than that. I now understand what it means to be a coach.

Munachiso Osisioma
KIN 577