Welcome to Rocket-ville.
It has been nearly a year and a half since I began this blog to chronicle my experience as a coach of American Football in Austria. Upon return, I didn't have a lot to write about, but now I have some information to share.When listing my reasons for considering going to Austria in the first place, the phrase "once of a lifetime opportunity" always came up. As it happens, it WILL be a just that. Once in a lifetime. So what are reasons why the amazing experience of coaching on another continent, will end at one season?
When I returned to the states, I knew that I could not return to Europe without my best friend and she wasn't ready to retire from her teaching position at Altus Intermediate School. I figured that she would finally retire after this year and we would return to Europe to a team that might want my meager services. During this year, I worked for F.A.T.E. (Fighting Addiction Through Education), taught a night class at Western Okla. State College, and drove a bus route. I missed coaching football in the fall, but occupied myself by looking to see what coaching positions were open in Europe by following Europlayers.com. I contacted a few teams about the upcoming season but never solidified anything. I guess there was a reason for that, but the reason will become clearer in another paragraph.
I also began to explore the possibility of coaching for a private school here in Oklahoma. Doing so would allow me to draw my retirement AND earn a full salary. I was aware of a handful of private schools that offered football, so I did an internet search of the respective websites. Upon discovering that the Head Football Coach of the Mount St. Mary's Catholic school was Chris Stiles, I knew I had to apply. I knew Coach Stiles from coaching against him when he was at Lawton Eisenhower High School. His teams were always highly competitive and his reputation in coaching circles is impeccable. He knows a vast amount of football and above all, is an honorable and upright person. I shot him an email and didn't hear from him for a while. After a few months, I got a call that there may be an opening at the "Mount". Although there was not a Social Studies teaching position open, there WAS a coaching job with the possibility of supervising In School Suspension.
In the meantime, I was elated to learn that I was to become a Grandpa for the first time. This news made the possibility of moving closer to our grandchild AND coaching football a very desirable situation. This was a complete surprise. I thought I had a season or more in Europe to coach before it happened. I don't plan to be halfway around the world for 6 months and miss!
When Coach Stiles called with the good news that I would be officially offered the job, I remember him making the statement, "welcome to Rocket-ville". It didn't take long for me to happily accept. So as soon as I can get there, I will be making the transition from a Bulldog wearing Navy Blue, a year wearing Black and Gold of the Kornmesser Rangers AFC, to a Rocket in Royal Blue.
I loved my time at Altus. 33 year-old roots are hard to pull up. I loved my time in Austria. The people I met and times I had there will always be remembered with the greatest of fondness. But it is time for a new chapter in my life. So although I get to renew my opportunity to coach the same game, I will never be the same. So I suppose the name of this blog should change.
Same Game; New Chapter.
I can't wait.
