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Letter From A Player Part 4 of 0-8 How A Losing Season Made Me A Better Coach

By
Darrin Sheffer

As a coach/teacher/educator of young people, have you ever had one defining moment: something a student/player said, a comment from a parent, something of that nature that completely changed your feelings about what you do as a coach?  I want to share my moment with you.  If you have read my previous posts about my first season as a HC you will know that we did not have a lot of success.  The season was filled with so much frustration that I had difficulty seeing any good coming out of it.  I felt depressed and powerless, which lead me to feeling that maybe coaching football was just not for me.  But then, probably at the perfect moment my views changed dramatically.  What changed?  I received a hand written letter from one of my players.

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Now before I tell you what the note said I want to give you some background about the kid who wrote it.  I coached all freshmen, and as freshmen go we had a small team size wise.  Pretty much every team we faced had more average poundage than we did which hurt us because we just couldn't keep up.  This kid in particular was tiny.  He barely stood 5 feet (he may have been 4'11") and weighed about 90 pounds, with equipment.  By far the smallest kid I have ever played with or coached at this level.  I feared for his safety at times playing him against the bigger opponents we played.  

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All this being said, I am going to miss this kid the most.  He had the biggest heart of all of those players.  Always had a positive attitude, Yes Sir No Sir, always tried to get as many reps as possible etc.  If I had a team full of guys with average body size and ability, but with this kids heart I don't think I would have lost one game.  He is that kind of kid.  

Here is his letter:

"Dear Coach Sheffer,

As you may know, this season was my first.  I still remember the first game like it was yesterday.  It took me a while to realize that I was of No Relevance to the team.  I was no (Best Player Name).  Even when (another player) switched to receiver I felt like he made more of a difference than I did all season.  I spent a lot of time thinking this offseason, I asked is this the end?  I love football too much to quit, it is like my get away from the real world.  Next year will not be the same.  I made a promise to my self, my team mates and to you coach and I intend to keep it.  I want to commit and be a part of something bigger than myself.  Thank you Coach.

Signed (Player)"

I'm going to be totally honest with you guys, I was in a place emotionally that when I read this I nearly cried.  This one letter from one player completely validated what we had done all season, even though we never won a game.  Even though I am currently not coaching (circumstances) I have not given up on coaching football.  I love this game too much and I feel that it is the perfect tool to teach young men the values of team work, commitment and sacrifice.  

If you have a similar story please share.  

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