For the second edition of Coach’s Confessions, Press Pass Sports spoke with a volleyball coach from the Texas Panhandle.
The anonymous coach has been involved in coaching for 10 years, seeing several successful seasons. Between the trials and triumphs, she has seen it all.
At a point of all-time lows, this coach debated leaving the profession. However, her faith and working with youth has kept her reeled in.
What’s the biggest thing you love about your job?
“I love the teaching aspect. I love being able to teach girls the sport that I fell in love with. I also love the relationships. It’s all about the kids. It’s great to have that relationship even down the road. I love being able to help them when they have a bad day—it’s a mission field for me.”
What’s the absolute worst thing about your job?
“Working with a lot of different personalities is extremely hard. However, I think the toughest part is the parents. I believe there’s a lot of communication that has to happen.”
Is there a favorite moment in your coaching career that sticks out to you?
“I suspended a few athletes some years ago. There was a lot of backfire and people didn’t think we could pull it off because the girls were mainly starters. The best part was being able to rise above the obstacles in our way and being able to rise above the noise.”
Parents can either make or break a coaching job, what’s your best parent story?
“I had a meeting with a parent and he was mad that his kid was going to have to make up lost time for missing after a school suspension. He went off and threatened me with a finger in my face. I really wanted to grab his finger and break it, but that’s not so professional.”
What’s the most memorable moment you have had with an athlete?
“My first playoff game as a coach. We played as the No. 4-ranked team against the No. 1-ranked team. We were down 2-0, and I told my girls to play their absolute best, and you walk out of here knowing that we will hold our heads high. We ended up coming back and winning.”
Do you have a game day habit/phobia?
“I personally think it discredits my job if I was superstitious. I’m deathly afraid of bugs though. Junebugs, grasshoppers, crickets.”
Any guilty pleasures you’d like to confess?
“I absolutely love candy. I get it from my grandad. It’s genetic, I would rather have sweets than real food.”
If you weren’t a coach what would be your profession?
“I’ve actually thought about this a lot because I had thought about getting out of coaching. I love science so I think it would be something medical.”
What do you look forward to each and every day?
“Being able to coach our girls. Whether they dance in the locker room, watching a freshman mature into a phenomenal senior athlete. It’s great to see the ‘lightbulb moment’ where everything clicks for them. The kids are the best parts of the job. They are why I do my job.”
In the rare moment you’re not in the office, what do you do?
“I’m getting my Master’s so as of right now I’m doing a lot of homework. I watch film, go to church, and try to meet up with my friends when they’re in town.”
Why do you coach?
“My third year in I decided I was going to get out of this profession. I was bound and determined but the Lord got ahold of me and humbled me. Parents can make you look at yourself in the mirror and make you wonder why you’re doing it. I believe it’s my mission field and the Lord hasn’t released me from it yet. I think through volleyball I will be able to reach more athletes.”
