“Mr. Murdoch” aka “TYRUS’

Once upon a time, the title of this posting was the nickname of this young man that I once had the pleasure of coaching at Antelope Valley College. Our paths first crossed while I was football recruiting at the local high school he attended. Of course, the first thing that caught my attention was his size. Standing 6” 7” and tipping the scales at comfortably over 300 pounds, George Murdoch did not look “fat”…he simply looked “big”.

I had attended some of his games during his senior season, but I did not see him on the game field that much. Turned out that he was mostly used in short yardage situations. Even so, due to his size I was sure he would get an opportunity to go to some university right out of high school. Well, the football gods looked down upon me and George ended up coming to AVC, where I would be his position coach on the offensive line.

To help clear things up a bit, I will now refer to this fine young man by the name he goes by as he’s become famous. After overcoming many obstacles along his way, he has achieved celebrity status as a professional wrestler, Fox News personality, best selling author, comedian, and all around good guy. He who once had the nickname “Mr. Murdoch” is now known to the world as “Tyrus”.

From the first Summer workout I could see that Tyrus’s coordination was catching up with his size. Fortunate I was to be his coach. During his first season I was able to put him on the game field at all five of the offensive line positions. His versatility became an asset to our offense and the team as a whole.

We worked hard on the offensive line, putting in literally hours of extra work outside the organized team practices and workouts. During the Summer months we had team practices Monday through Thursday. For the offensive line that also meant that there would also be a unit workout on Friday. No stone was left unturned in our work. We ran up hills, in sand dunes, and even up a local hill with sand dunes. Jump ropes were utilized every week. Abdominal work was put in practically every day. Once the football season began the only thing that changed was that we did all of the aforementioned activities in full football gear.

Our hard work paid off as the first season Tyrus was on the team we were quite successful and qualified for postseason play. The bowl game that we played in left evidence that we were lacking in one department: physical strength. That would change.

During the offseason, as a team we hit the Weight Room hard and consistently. The offensive line group was totally bought into the concept of improving, and boy did they improve. Strength gains were unimaginable! I had set the goal for the OL of 315 pounds on the bench press; 225 pounds on the seated shoulder press, 60 crunches in a minute: and hardest of all: 20 bar dips. Tyrus met each goal with gusto!

That second season we were BIG. Not only were we big…we were strong, we were aggressive, we were athletic, and we gave opposing defenses head aches…figuratively and literally. We received much media attention for that time in history. The Los Angels Times, one of the largest newspapers in the country at the time, came up to the Antelope Valley to do a special feature about our offensive line. One of the Los Angeles area television stations came up to do a feature about our offensive line. Our local newspaper sent their nationally recognized sports writer to do a feature about our offensive line.

With all of this attention one might think my guys would let all of this attention, uncommon for offensive linemen, go to their heads. It did not. We consistently worked hard through it all.

Maybe it was a sneak preview of the entertainment profession Tyrus would one day enter. I had left the OL to speak with our local sports writer after our regular post practice work. I waited in the football office for them to finish. As they entered the building I asked how things had gone. The word I got was that Tyrus had done most of the talking. Oh the memories!

Before one of our road games I was told by some of the OL that I had to see what Tyrus was going to do, right before we left the visiting locker room, in order to be ready for the game. I watched as he performed his unique pregame ritual. Not the first athlete to have a unique way of preparing for a game, but it was a fist for me to see this particular pregame activity. Days later I mentioned it to our head coach, who was not supportive of such actions. Needless to say, the pregame actions of Tyrus were curtailed a bit after that.

Just before halftime of another road game our team had the ball and were well within scoring range when one of our running backs fumbled the ball. The football ended up near Tyrus. Now I had repeatedly informed the OL that whenever found in such a situation, the procedure was to fall and cover the ball up in order to retain the possession. They were NEVER to try and pick the ball up. Well, here was Tyrus’s opportunity to do as he had been coached…but the temptation was too great. I watched as he scooped the ball up and proceeded to be hit by the opposing defense by every direction imaginable…maybe from some directions unimaginable. Not surprisingly, the ball popped out of his hands and the defense recovered the ball. No score for us. I was the last one heading into the visitors locker room, as I had been waiting for Tyrus to explain the error of his ways. Before I could say a word, he excitedly apologized and stated that he couldn’t resist the opportunity to advance the ball\and possibly score. How could I be angry? I suppressed a laugh as we headed into the locker room together. There was a happy ending as we won the game despite the imagined heroics of Tyrus trying to score a touchdown.

After one of our practices Tyrus and Will Knight, another of my big OL that season that was just as big and stood one inch taller than Tyrus, needed a ride home. At the time I was driving an old two-door Honda Civic. The Civics of that era were not the size of those found today. They were much smaller. It was a challenge for just me to regularly get behind the wheel. So, Tyrus volunteers to sit in back, while Will sat in front. Off we go. At the first turn the tires could be heard rubbing on the wheel wells. Interesting thought I. We hit a small bump in the road and it sounded as if we were too near to the ground, I took it as signs to drive extra carefully. Gingerly I drove us to our first stop where Tyrus would be dropped off. Once we arrived, we were presented with a problem…Tyrus was pretty much stuck in the back seat. Quite a predicament. It took some time and effort from all three of us to extract Tyrus. It must have been a sight to see with Will pulling from outside the small vehicle and me pushing from a reclined drivers seat. It all ended well as Tyrus was rescued and we all had a good laugh.

Fast forward to about ten years ago, well after Tyrus had started on his life as a celebrity. My family and I were heading to Florida on a family vacation for the holidays. I hadn’t seen Tyrus since he finished at AVC. Somehow we had reconnected from afar. Knowing that we would be in his then home state of Florida, Tyrus suggested that we get together. We coordinated our schedules and met up for dinner that he ended up paying for. Turns out that he had driven across the State and had to drive back after dinner because he had an early morning flight the next day. Despite his tight schedule, he had taken the time and made the effort to visit a bit with one of his old coaches and his family, It was a very enjoyable evening.

I am humbled that Tyrus stays in touch with me. In fact is touches my very soul. No more so than when he was elected to the AVC Athletic Hall of Fame. I was told that he informed the Athletic Director that he would come to the ceremonies if I would introduce him for his induction. I was honored for the opportunity and quickly agreed to do the honors. True to his word, Tyrus arrived to the January 2024 HOF awards and dinner. He was quickly noticed and there was a buzz in the dining hall. We had been in touch as he made his way the Antelope Valley, so upon his arrival I met him at the door and showed him to the table where we would be seated. No sooner had we sat down, the AD came to tell Tyrus they wanted to take photos in the adjoining room. Tyrus quickly replied: “Not now. I’m talking with my coach.” It was a great evening…and the photos were taken later.

As the ceremony began it dawned on me that deserving individuals were being honored for their contributions to AVC Athletics and I had the assignment of introducing the only professional entertainer among the group. I quietly mentioned this to Tyrus and said that maybe I should just say: “Here’s Tyrus”, then turn it over to him. Without missing a beat he jokingly responded: “Yeah…and don’t screw it up.” Just like old times, we both had a good laugh.

On this particular evening last year the attendees of the AVC Athletic Hall of Fame were entertained by a true professional with his words of reflection, gratitude, humor…and all around good entertainment. More than once my eyes possessed an abundance of tears at the words he shared that evening as he expounded a bit on the words he wrote in his dedication pages of his best-selling & self-titled book: “Coach Martinez, you save my life.” I had no idea.

I admit that the time we spent together at AVC were relatively short, in the grand scheme of things, but quite memorable. Tyrus was part of a great group of athletes and individuals. During that time I may have stated that Tyrus had a unique ability to always have something to say, but in reality I truly enjoyed being in his presence. He had a good personality and sense of humor. I don’t think that Tyrus had realized it at the time, but I did, he was a good individual with a good soul. It was an honor to have put a drop or two into his bucket during his time at AVC. What he’s achieved since then I celebrate and marvel at all that he’s accomplished despite the obstacles along his journey.

About a week ago Tyrus asked if I would be on his podcast. I was hesitant as I’m not a celebrity nor am I well known. I was convinced by him and my wife. Life’s all about experiences so I took the plunge. Tyrus and his team were nothing but professional and I truly had a good time conversing with Tyrus on the podcast. It was like old times, just two guys strolling down Memory Lane while enjoying the memories shared together.

I am truly grateful that Tyrus stays in touch with me. I take that as HUGE compliment that touches me to my very soul. Working with special individuals, such as Tyrus, has definitely helped me form my…VIEW FROM THE SIDELINE…

FIFTY YEARS?!?!?!

Fifty years. Five decades. Half a century. No matter how you look at it, fifty years is a long time to do anything. While at our local gym recently the thought hit me that I’d been at this gym stuff for a long time.

It was the Summer of 1975 when weight training and I first met. I was finally getting the opportunity to play football in pads. I had been too big for youth leagues of the day, besides the fact that we probably couldn’t have afforded them, so my chance to play the sport that had enchanted me for much of my youth would come in high school. Los Angeles area high schools only housed students for three years back then, so it was the Summer before I entered high school and the tenth grade.

My ninth grade Physical Education teacher had briefly introduced us to some basic light weight lifting that Spring, but it was nothing serious. Summer training for high school football would be much more intense. The high school I was to attend had a strong tradition of football and was considered one of the elite programs in the Los Angeles area at the time. Weight Training was not only expected, it was practically required in order to join the team.

So there I was, being introduced to serious Weight Training by the coaches and upper class-men. A humbling experience. My strength paled in comparison to the returners from the previous year’s team…but I was an eager learner. Once I got past the inevitable pain and soreness that accompanies the beginning of any type of physical exercise routine, I began to improve.

I remember being told by some of the veterans that they only weight trained because of football. I embraced that thought, but somewhere along the way I learned to enjoy training with weights.

My strength improved throughout my high school years. Nothing impressive, but improvement was definitely evident. With only three years of high school football experience, I strongly wished to continue playing football in college. The opportunity came, and with it came the need to strength train at an even higher level. I embraced the challenge and truly began to enjoy my weight training workouts even more.

After my freshman year in college, a higher calling came to me with a desire to serve a Church mission. I was assigned to serve in the Central American country of Guatemala. For the two months I spent in the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah I was able to continue my weight training as there was physical fitness time and strength training equipment available. Arriving to Guatemala, the situation would be quite different.

I was first assigned to work with John Hanson in Jalapa. Jalapa had two paved roads and was located about a five hour bus ride from Guatemala City. Well isolated, with a comfortable climate, Jalapa was not a place I expected to be able to continue any type of strength training. Besides that, for the first month or so my body was adjusting to my new surroundings. I had to muster up all the strength of my being just to barely perform the duties of a Church missionary.

Eventually my body and mind stabilized. I looked for ways to keep my strength up. I bought a large plastic woven shopping bag, along with a small piece of pvc pipe that I used as a handle. I’d put bricks, rocks, or anything of weight in that bag and do arm strengthening exercises. One day, while passing by a furniture shop, I noticed an unused dowel rod. They gladly sold that rod to me for a quarter…which included them drilling a hole in it for me. I later purchased some rope and ended up with the makings of a stick…which provided a great strength training piece of equipment for my forearms. These two rudimentary pieces accompanied me throughout my time in Guatemala and the stick even came home with me to be used by future athletes I would someday coach.

Then we came across information that there was a set of weights available for anyone to use on the other side of town. John and I arose early, jogged across town, then investigated the room where said equipment was found. A handmade wooden bench. Two separate handmade wooden standards. An Olympic bar. Some Olympic weight plates. There may have been some other hand made equipment. The years have dimmed my memory a bit. It didn’t matter to us. It was more than we ever could have imagined being available in this remote location, so we got to work.

The wooden bench wasn’t comfortable, but it was stable enough to support each of us as we separately bench pressed. The wooden standards were just tall enough to wobbly support the Olympic bar above as one of us laid on the bench. We closely spotted each other, but still the wooden standards would often fall over once the bar was lifted off in order to do the bench press. We were not deterred. We got the work in!

Some of my favorite memories of weight training are of John and I jogging over, getting in a workout, then jogging back so we could start our regularly scheduled day. Good times!

Fast forward a bit and I’m about six months from returning home to the United States. Our Mission President asks in an interview of whether I planned on returning to play college football once I returned home. My answer was noncommittal. Not long after that interview I was assigned to work in Zone 5 of Guatemala City. Our area included a dangerous residential area that we were not allowed to visit due to safety concerns. Just outside our assigned area was the location of the National Gym…and our Mission President gave permission for us to use it.

I don’t remember if there was a fee for using the National Gym of Guatemala, if there was a fee it was small, but I do remember there was plenty of equipment for weight training. Nothing fancy, but ample opportunity was provided to get in some serious workouts. My companion and I, (we always worked in pairs as missionaries), would get up early, jog to the Gym, get in a workout, then jog back to our residence to begin our scheduled day. I was humbled to have access to the best that Guatemala had to offer in strength training. It was great!

The first companion I worked with in Zone 5 fully embraced our opportunity of doing some early morning strength training. My second companion later did not appreciate the experience. No matter. I had the Mission President’s permission, so I dragged that companion to the Gym. He mostly just sat there, but I got my workout in.

Once back in the United States my weight training didn’t waver. There were times of inactivity, but not prolonged times. I ended up playing my final three years of college football and then entered the coaching ranks…weight training all along the way.

Over these five decades of weight training I have worked out with teammates, fellow coaches, athletes that I coach, my beloved children, random strangers, and by myself. I’ve worked out in the least and best that Guatemala had to offer. I’ve also worked out at the high schools and colleges where I’ve coached and taught. A few public gyms have hosted some of my workouts, as well as a couple of universities that I’ve visited.

Fifty straight years of weight training and I have no plans of stopping. As I’ve aged my strength has gone down. I hit my strength peak in my mid to late forties. Once considered strong, injuries and age have taken their toll, and now I’m just a guy who likes to weight train. I work just as hard as I did when I was younger, just with lighter weights.

I sometimes reflect on why so many of my teammates trained with weights. They did it so they would be better at their sport. Many of them have not touched weights since then stopped playing their sport. I stopped playing my sport, but I couldn’t leave weight training behind.

The question sometimes arises. Why do I still weight train? My answer is simple. I like it! The way my mind and body feel at the end of a good workout for me is euphoric. The triumph of mind over matter. The competition between the weights and I never gets old.

I am the first to admit that my body does not look like I work as hard at weight training as I do, but in actuality weight training and I are long time companions with countless cherished memories. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Just a grizzled and old weight trainer sharing his…VIEW FROM THE SIDELINE…

Paying Attention

I was coaching the offensive line on a local high school’s football team when I learned a valuable lesson about paying attention.

We had a very good season, having tied for the league championship and finishing up the regular season with only one defeat in ten games. I had a very good offensive line that did their part in helping the team achieve such success. Our overall team chemistry was excellent, along with our team’s work ethic.

Near the end of the first half or our opening round playoff game, against a very physical opponent, my starting left tackle broke his leg while playing defense. It was a devastating blow as the young man had been a lock-down blocker and was very key to our offensive line’s efficiency. Amongst tears, we regrouped at halftime and put his backup in and were able to get the win and earn the right to play another game.

A word about the young man, who had been a backup all season, that had only played in mop up duty the whole season. When we were comfortably ahead of our opponent, only then he would get playing time…up until that second half of our first round playoff game. I was not high on his abilities. He worked hard, and seemingly paid attention, but he lacked the physical capabilities needed to be successful on the game field under the lights of Friday nights. His role had been to play scout team during the week to help give our defense a look of the upcoming opponent’s offense. During this time he was coached, while asking questions, all along the way in order to help him improve. All athletes deserve the proper attention.

Back to our first round playoff game. We put this young man into the game for the second half and he didn’t do terribly. Clearly he had been paying attention throughout the season as he knew the plays and his technique wasn’t bad…at least good enough to help us get to the second round of the playoffs.

As we prepared for our second round opponent, who had also only lost one game that season, thoughts were tossed about of what we should do about our left tackle position. Should we move our tight end, an integral part of our offense, to left tackle? Should we move our right tackle to left tackle? What player movement should we make? Cooler heads prevailed and it was decided that in order to not disrupt the chemistry of our offense we would roll with the backup left tackle and provide support to help him be successful.

The young man had a laid back personality and rather steady self comportment. He didn’t get too high or low…just steady and moving forward. Extra attention was provided him during the week and he was like a sponge, absorbing the information and taking it all in and asking questions.

We hit the road for round two to the playoffs with hopes our left tackle would at least not hurt our chances too much of pulling off the upset. My confidence in him was high, I tend to be optimistic, but at the same time I was a bit nervous for him. I cared for the young man and did not want him to do poorly. That concern went out the window as the game got underway. Not only did the young man not hurt our chances, it got to the point that we did not need to offer extra assistance to him in order for him to fulfill his assignments. To say that I was proud of him would be an understatement. More importantly I could see that he was having fun.

It was during a timeout that I could tell he was having fun. Our head coach was speaking to the offense, setting up the strategy for the next play. This young man leaned towards me and shared how many times a train had passed behind our visiting bleachers. I honestly had not noticed that there were railroad tracks not far behind the visiting bleachers of our opponent’s stadium. I gently chided the young man a bit and reminded him that his attention should be on the game. Sheepishly he returned to the field and did his job.

I considered the matter over with, although I couldn’t help but notice the sound of when a train passed behind our bleachers. I didn’t count how many times, but that young man did. Later in the game, after we had met as an offensive line unit and while the defense was on the field, my starting left tackle nonchalantly idled over to me and gave me an update of how many times a train had passed behind our bleachers. I couldn’t help but laugh as we shared a moment together that I will cherish forever.

We ended up with a comfortable win and moved on to the third round of the playoffs against another tough opponent. The next game was a close battle that could have gone either way. Thankfully for us, we went home happy after earning the right to play for a CIF Championship. We ended up with a too close for comfort win over a very talented squad, while earning only the second CIF Football Title in school history.

It was a memorable night for us all as it was the result of so much work since dropping the championship the year before on the last play of the game. Hopes seemed to drop a bit near halftime of our first round playoff game, but the team stayed the course and our backup left tackle did what a good offensive lineman does during a game…he was lost in the crowd.

During my four decades as an assistant football coach I have accumulated countless memories that will be cherished forever. This memory of my backup left tackle getting the chance to contribute, while showing us all that he had been paying attention all along, remains special to me. Not only did his determination shine through, his attention to other details along the way helped also…like how many times a train can pass behind the visiting bleachers during the course of a high school football game.

I was told by others that this young man was truly grateful to get this opportunity to play during his senior season. Well, I am truly grateful that our paths crossed. Without knowing it, he helped emphasize to me that coaching/teaching all in my charge cannot only benefit each of them, but it can also benefit the community and team.

Just sharing my…VIEW FROM THE SIDELINE…

The INTERVIEW…

I first met the legendary football coach of Antelope Valley College in the Spring of 1990. A mentor, Al Padilla, recommended that I meet with Brent Carder to see if I could possibly join his coaching staff at AVC. Coach Padilla had been my offensive line coach at East Los Angeles College and some years later hired me as his offensive line coach. Both he and Coach Carder shared a mutual respect as they had coached against each other several times over the years.

I really enjoyed coaching at ELAC, but my wife and I were buying a house in the Antelope Valley. My initial thought was to continue commuting, but that proved not to be feasible. Coach Padilla made the arrangements and a meeting was set.

At the time, my wife and I would leave the AV around 4:00 AM, for our jobs in the Los Angeles area, then return around 7:00 PM…depending upon traffic. My meeting with Coach Carder, which I thought of as an interview, was scheduled for Wednesday at 7 PM.

Traffic was kind that evening and I arrived in plenty of time for the meeting. My wife and our toddler daughter waited in our minivan as we had come directly from our commute so as not to be late.

Coach Padilla had mentioned to me that Coach Carder had prematurely gray hair. The man I met at his office door had a nice full head of hair that was…white. Very businesslike, Coach Carder offered me a seat opposite his desk and we began to talk. After about an hour and a half, or so, Coach rose and ended our meeting, asking if we could meet again at the same time next week. The next meeting was set up and I reminded Coach that I would arrive as soon as possible. He assured me that was not a problem as he always had something he could work on.

By the time the meeting was over, my wife and daughter were comfortably asleep in our vehicle. After waking up, my wife asked if the meeting had gone well. I replied that I thought so, and that there would be another meeting next week. We agreed that another meeting must be a good sign.

The next week our meeting was very similar to the one before, with the same ending of scheduling another meeting the next week. This meeting schedule of ours went on for a month or so. About an hour and a half or so in duration. Very businesslike. Very professional. Traffic sometimes affecting my arrival time. Not only did I grow to be comfortable in his presence, I felt respected.

I didn’t learn until later that Coach Carder’s work day normally ended much earlier than our meeting time. What he did was work in his office until I arrived, and then finally go home once he ended our meeting. I also learned later that he was doing research on me, asking coaches from other teams in our conference what they thought of how the offensive line at ELAC had been coached.

Meeting with Coach Carder became a regular deal that Spring, until at the end of one of our meetings he said: “I’ll take you on my staff.” Simple words that not only made me feel good, they left with me a desire to never let this man down. I spent the next seventeen years, until his retirement, working as hard as I could to fulfill that desire by becoming the best offensive line coach that I could.

Once that I got to know Coach Carder, I realized that all of those meetings we had together were interviews. During those meetings we didn’t simply talk about football strategies and techniques. We also spoke about my goals in coaching, life, and with my family…and what my plans were to achieve each of those goals. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was talking with a man that would become a mentor to me in much more than football.

I was able to coach at AVC for eight more years after Coach had retired. When I decided to step down from the football coaching staff, after I informed our current Head Coach and my family, I knew there was one more phone call I had to make. Coach Carder answered and I spent the next few minutes offering up my gratitude for the opportunity he had given me twenty-five years earlier and all that he had made possible for me and my family. In typical Brent Carder fashion, being a man of getting to the point, he shared words I will always treasure: “Mike, you were a good hire.”

Every year since 1990, when Spring rolls around, memories surface of that long interview process. They are fond memories with a man I grew to love and respect. Brent Carder is definitely and individual who has helped me form my…VIEW FROM THE SIDELINE…

MY COACHING PATH

When I got into the football coaching business it was not a slow process. I was hired by Head Coach Mike Drake, to assist Offensive LIne Coach Tim Jaureguito, at Western New Mexico University. Coach J shared so much football knowledge with me, but he did not allow me to be a casual observer. I had direct assignments. We would split the OL into smaller groups and I had responsibilities with the group he assisgned me. I had the backside of the OL on run plays and he had me focus on the left side on pass plays. It was an intense indoctrination into coaching the offensive line which gave me a great start to my coaching career.

Next up came a two-year stint as the varsity OL Coach at Huntington Park High School. There was only Head Coach Dwight Muskrath and Defensive Coordinator Albert Parkhill on staff besides me. I had both varsity offensive and defensive lines. The other two coaches shared much about football, but they left the line play to me.

After that I was the OL Coach at East Los Angeles College, which was headed by Head Coach Al Padilla. Coach Padilla had been one of my mentors in college offensive line play when I played at ELAC. His mentorship of me continued as he helped me grow in so many ways as a coach. Many a night after practice would see Coach Padilla and I in the office alone with him sharing thoughts and allowing me to come to my own conclusions on how to do things with the OL. Not once did he ever direct me on what to do, rather he would start the conversation with: “Did you ever think to…”. The rest would prove to be priceless time with a mentor who allowed me to grow.

Coach Padilla was a legend in the East Los Angeles area and he handed me off to another legend who plied his craft in the Antelope Valley of Southern California at Antelope Valley College. Head Coach Brent Carder had been in his position for two decades. It was no easy task getting on his staff. At the time my wife and I were commuting to the Los Angeles area for work. We would home well into the night. Coach and I met on Wednesday evenings as soon as we could get back into the AV. Those Wednesday meetings would last around and hour and a half. This went on for about a month. At the end of the last meeting, which turned out to be one of an extended interview process, Coach said that he would take me onto his staff.

For the next seventeen years I was the OL Coach at AVC, until Coach Carder retired. I learned the Marauder Way and learned much from Coach about football and life. Upon Coach’s retirement, Perry Jehlicka became the Head Coach. For the next five years I was the defensive line coach. Being an OL guy, I had much to learn. Both Perry and Geoff Satterfield taught me the ways of the DL. It was a great five years in which I grew significantly. The following three years saw me return to the other side of the ball and coach the OL.

That was a total of thirty years in coaching that made for a decent career…or so I thought at the time. After a year away I returned to the High School ranks.

James Vondra, the Head Coach at Quartz Hill High School, responded to my inquiries of whether he knew of anyone in need of someone to help on their OL. I explained to him in our 2-3 hour meeting that I wanted to get back into things slowly to see if I still had the desire to put in the necessary work. What quickly happened was that I became James’s OL Coach for the next six years. QHHS experienced historical success during that time and James just let me do my thing.

With James leaving QHHS, I felt it was time to leave also. Perry took me back as his OL Coach. That lasted for three years in a less than desirable atmosphere. Perry then stepped down and his staff went with him.

That then made for a total of 39 years in the coaching business. I had gone from often being the youngest on the staff to now being the senior citizen. Who would want an OL guy with a white beard and a desire to still coach?

The answer came from a familiar voice…James Vondra, who is now the Head Coach at Antelope Valley High School. After a couple of meetings, James offered me the OL Coach position and I accepted.

Entering year #40, I am as excited as ever. Each year I have coached I didn’t take it for granted that I would be welcomed back the following year. That has kept me on my toes, to say the least, and inspired me to always do my best. Along with that I have strived to keep learning. Coaching has definitely changed a bit since 1985, as has the game of football. I have done my best to adapt and keep up with the times.

As in any profession, there are some who think I’ve done a good job and there are others who think I haven’t. Knowing that it’s best to ignore the noise, both good and bad, I will continue to do my best.

That’s the coaching trail that I have travelled. So many memories. So many good people. So much growth and development of my…VIEW FROM THE SIDELINE…

SUPER SUNDAY…

A long time ago, in a place not so far away, I was assigned to regularly teach a class at Church. Being an assistant football coach, who had to work on Sundays during the football season, I was often assigned to teach during the offseason. At this particular time I was teaching the adult males every Sunday.

It was Super Bowl Sunday, quite an important day for us football fans. Our Church meetings that day would have us miss the beginning of the big game. No problem. There existed the means of which the game could be recorded, so I would be able to catch up on what I missed once Church meetings were over. Thus, as usual I had prepared the lesson during the week and was prepared to teach/lead the discussion.

I walked into the classroom and was greeted by the person who had assigned me to be the teacher. He expressed his surprise that I was there. Of course I was there. It was my assignment. ”But, it’s Super Bowl Sunday!” I laughed him off and the lesson/discussion went on as planned and we enjoyed the game as a family once Church meetings were over.

That little interchange, resulting in mere seconds, caused me to reflect on things later.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved the sport of football. It caught my attention at a young age and has held it ever since. Due to my large stature, I was not able to actively participate in full contact football until high school. It proved to be a painful introduction when I felt what real football contact was all about. Yet, I would not be deterred from the pursuit of becoming the best player I was capable of becoming. Besides, I was having fun…despite the physical pain that came along with the sport.

After high school I was blessed to be able to play football for four more years, two years at a local community college and two more at a small Division 2 university. It was a sad ending for me to leave football as a player, I was not good enough to rise to higher levels, but my journey in football would not end there.

I was hired the following year as an assistant coach and have been honored to remain as such for four decades now. Thirty of those years were spent at two community colleges, nine of those years were at three high schools, and one year at the small Division 2 university I had graduated from.

Proud I have been to be a coach and honored for the experiences and people I have worked with. “Coach Martinez” is a title that I am privileged to have…but that’s not the only title that I embrace.

I am a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, friend, and once upon a time I was a high school teacher. I enjoy reading. I enjoy history. I enjoy movies. I enjoy listening to music. I enjoy weight training. Most of all I enjoy spending time with my beloved family.

My priorities do not begin with football. I strive to be better than that…although being a coach is a role I take very seriously. I sadly admit that when I first entered the coaching world my priorities rested heavily on becoming the best offensive line coach that I could be. Thankfully, life and good mentors along the way, helped me learn that my priorities needed to change.

I needed to be me…not just “Coach Martinez”.

Due to my coaching position, which often put me out in our community fulfilling my coaching responsibilities, I was often seen as simply being a football coach. I would joke with my family that I was just “Coach Martinez”…yet in reality I strove to be so much more.

I am far from being perfect in anything, but I chose to be the best husband and father that I could be. Along with that came the desire to not let football dominate our family’s life. It was definitely an important part of our family, but I strove for other priorities to rise above.

I definitely was taken aback with the gentleman’s expression of surprise that I would fulfill a Church responsibility so many years ago…even on Super Bowl Sunday. In retrospect I am grateful for the lesson the experience taught me.

At the time I had reserved my sports viewing on Sundays to very important games at the time…including Super Bowls. I chose to devote that day to my family and Church assignments. Because I had to work on Sundays during the football season, I felt it important for our family to have the Sundays I didn’t have to work to ourselves. Yet, I could do more.

With a strong resolve I chose to not watch the next Super Bowl…live. I would record the game and we’d watch it as a family the next day. We’d have our own Super Bowl party the day after the game. It was a resolve to myself that I could show discretion and control my love of football, while proving to myself that I was more than “Coach Martinez”.

More than a couple of decades later and I have still not watched a Super Bowl live since my original resolve. A small thing, but I do it for me. Our children are long grown and flown the nest. My sweetheart doesn’t mind not watching the game live…in fact she has heartily endorsed the practice every year.

This is not to say that I have shirked in my duties as a football coach. Many a phone call to a recruit was made from various spots across the country while our family was on vacation. All of our children have memories of individual dates with Daddy as, part of my coaching responsibilities, we attended a local high school game together on Friday night. Each child understood that there were nights they would be at home in the adjoining room to where I was making recruiting calls to potential football players. They would even offer a tip or two trying to be helpful. Even so, I strove for more than being just a coach…all the while working to be the best coach that I could be.

I like to think that I have been the best coach I can be. More importantly I hope that I’ve been the best husband, father, grandfather, and family member that I can be. There’s always room for improvement and I continue the quest.

In my eyes, priorities are personal, No one can say what a person’s priorities should be. That’s what life is all about. We chose our own path to fulfillment and happiness. Others can offer opinions, but the ultimate choice is our own.

Unintentionally, long ago that gentleman at Church offered an opinion without even knowing it. I’m thankful he did. I took the comment and ran with it. I’m glad I did.

I’m simply sharing thoughts that have definitely impacted my…VIEW FROM THE SIDELINE…

Reflections…

It was in my first year of high school that I learned some very valuable life information. It was in a class called “Guidance”. This class was meant to help us develop habits that would benefit us during our high school years. Our instructor, Mr. Seals, one day told us to find something that we really like to do…then find a way to get paid to do it. He stated that if we could do that, we would be content in our professional lives. I took Mr. Seals’ words to heart. I loved football, so I would find a way to get paid to do football.

In my young mind my thoughts took me to a future career as a football player in the National Football League. While football did take me through high school and college, my playing skills would take me no further. As reality set in, that my playing days were over, my thoughts moved towards coaching. Opportunities came quickly.

As I now enter my thirty-eighth year as an assistant football coach, I find myself recollecting a bit on the journey I have travelled the individuals I have worked with during my coaching career. It all began in the southwestern town of Silver City, New Mexico.

Head Coach Mike Drake hired me to be the assistant offensive line coach for Tim Jaureguito at Western New Mexico University. I had just graduated from the university and Coach J had been my offensive line coach during my senior season. I had liked Coach Drake since the first time I met him, so I considered it a great honor to work for him. He had been the one who recruited me from East Los Angeles College.

From Coach Drake I learned to truly care about the players…not only as athletes, but as individuals. His sense of humor was contagious and he was always willing to share it. We were only around each other for a few years, but I cherish the memories I have of our interactions. His wisdom and knowledge have continued to affect my caching all of these years later.

Coach Jaureguito taught me to think outside the box. I had learned that from him as a player as well. We didn’t have a “chute” at WNMU. This is a lightweight adjustable big metal frame-like device that linemen would run under which promotes low pad levels. No problem. Coach J had us run under two heavy low metal beams which supported the bleachers. Just one hit on either of those metal beams provided adequate incentive to stay low. We always wore helmets, but the metal beam did not give an inch…and the dirt and rocks underfoot made footing a bit unsure at times. Ingenuity at its finest. On another occasion Coach J had gotten frustrated with us offensive linemen using our heads too much while pass blocking. That day we were scheduled to have a one-on-one pass blocking drill with the defensive line. This was not out of the ordinary, but the instructions he gave as we began the drill were. He had us remove our helmets for the drill…and the drill was to be done at full-speed, while the defensive linemen wore their helmets. Talk about incentive to keep our heads out of our blocks! Us offensive linemen could easily be spotted at dinner that night. We were the ones with the facial abrasions, cuts, nicks, and swelling. Turned out to be a memorable pass blocking drill that day, but we learned the value in not using your head while pass blocking.

I’ll always be grateful for those gentlemen. Coach Drake & Coach J gave me my first opportunity in coaching and I learned so much under their tutelage. We’d be together just one season, but another opportunity arose for me back in Souther California.

While attending East Los Angeles College I worked at Huntington Park High School doing odds and ends in the offices. Marjorie O’Hanlon, the principal, had always treated me well and I really liked her. While I was in Silver City one day she called the football office to speak with me. She wanted to hire me as a teacher and assistant football coach. What an offer! She gave me a week to think things over. A week later I called her and accepted the great opportunity she had offered.

At Huntington Park High School I was the line coach…both offense and defense. Under the tutelage of Dwight Muskrath (head coach) and Al Parkhill (defensive coordinator) I learned so much. There were just the three of us coaching the varsity football team and I needed to expand my overall knowledge of football, not just line play. Patiently each coach guided me towards newfound knowledge. After two seasons another opportunity was presented to return home.

Al Padilla had been my offensive line coach at ELAC. He was a legendary coach in East Los Angeles who had success at both the high school and community college levels. Coach Padilla was hired as Head Coach as the program was to begin anew after being dropped for some years. Coach offered me the position of offensive line coach. What an opportunity!

For two years I was the offensive line coach for Coach Padilla…the man who had introduced me to college foot\ball. It was a humbling experience. I leaned so much from him. He patiently taught me so much in the quiet time after practice when we were the only ones in the office. Coach Padilla never told me what to do. Instead he opened my eyes and helped me expand. Coach’s father-like advice and instruction I will always treasure. He taught me to have proper priorities. Football was nice, but there’s also a life outside of football that should be lived and enjoyed…not neglected. Coach Padilla is definitely a mentor that not only positively impacted my coaching…he positively impacted my life.

Coach Padilla helped open the door to my next opportunity in coaching when he mentioned my name to a legendary coach in the Antelope Valley. Coach had known Brent Carder for years. He let Coach Carder knew that I had moved to the Antelope Valley and would be worth an interview. Several interviews later Coach Carder hired me as his offensive line coach at Antelope Valley College. I would hold that position until he retired seventeen years later. During that time my coaching expanded exponentially.

The coaching fraternity in the Antelope Valley at the time was a close knit group that all had ties to the area. I did not. I was an outsider and some coaches weren’t pleased that an outsider had been hired at AVC instead of one of them. Coach Carder didn’t care about any of that. What he wanted was someone who could coach and be a good person while doing so. He felt the I fit the bill and I am very grateful that he did. Under Coach’s tutelage I learned that keeping a level head, in a game often filled with emotions, could prove to be a most valuable asset. His professional way of handling things left one feeling confident that all was under control and things would work out. Coach’s work ethic was second to none. So many times he could be found in the office after hours working. There was no time clock for him when it came to bettering his football team. I saw him lose his cool at practice, but rarely in a game. Coach would end things on a positive note, no matter how things were going. His emotions were always kept in check around the program. Only a few times did I see emotions come to the surface with Coach. Each time caught my attention and helped me learn a better perspective of Brent Carder, the man, and the man I wanted to be. After being the head coach at AVC for 36 years Coach Carder retired and another opportunity came up for me.

Perry Jehlicka had been hired to replace a legend. In his first head coaching position, Perry got to work and turned around a program that had come upon hard times. He chose to keep all of us that had been on Coach Carder’s coaching staff. I was moved to coach defensive line. Thanks to Perry I learned the game from a different perspective. For five years I was the defensive line coach at AVC. During that time we had a lot of success as a team. Then, I was moved back to coach offensive line.

All told, I spent 25 years coaching at Antelope Valley College. With the five years coaching experience I brought with me, I felt that thirty years was enough and I decided to retire from coaching. A season later my mind was changed and another opportunity arose.

James Vondra was the head coach at Quartz Hill High School and he offered me the offensive line coaching position on his staff. After much thought I accepted and I’m sure grateful for the opportunity. During the next six years we experienced historical success. James had a great coaching staff and it was my honor to be part of it. Someone I consider to be a good friend, James Vondra is as knowledgeable and caring as they come. I felt so comfortable on his staff that I figured that QHHS would be the last placed I would coach…then James chose to step down as head coach. That changed everything for me, but another opportunity arose.

Perry Jehlicka offered me an opportunity to return to AVC. What a great opportunity! I jumped at it and now am entering my second years back on Perry’s staff.

I now pause just a few days before we open fall camp and begin practicing in earnest for the upcoming season. Season #38 for me. I’ve worked for six head coaches. I’ve worked at six schools. I’ve been a Mustang, Spartan, Husky, Marauder, Rebel, Royal, and once again a Marauder. I haven’t been fired from a coaching position. I haven’t been the oldest on any staff I’ve been on and only once I’ve been the youngest. Two of the head coaches I’ve worked for are younger than me. It’s been a great ride that will go on for another season.

Number 38?!?! Who would have ever believed it? Not me, but I am so grateful I’ve had the opportunity to be part of such a fine profession. There is no doubt it has influenced my…VIEW FROM THE SIDELINE…

Coach Drake

It was the Spring of 1983 when I first met the man who would prove to be a strong influence in my life for the next few years. Coach Mike Drake was the defensive coordinator for Western New Mexico University at the time. He was recruiting football players on the community college campus that I attended. A relatively short interchange of pleasantries proved to be only the beginning of a relationship which made me better.

The following months saw me receiving many phone calls from Coach Drake, which eventually led to an offer to play for the Mustangs. Only being able to hear his voice while we conversed, still I was left with the strong impression that he really cared about me as an individual…not just another football player. I would learn that he left the same impression with countless football coaches and players over his coaching career. My experiences with him over time would show that his caring was not simply an act.

After seriously considering my options, I chose to accept the offer to play football for the next two seasons at Western New Mexico University, which is located in the small southwestern town of Silver City, New Mexico. Unlike some recruits, I did not make a prior visit to the campus. I simply showed up on the day we were supposed to report for preseason camp. I was operating on faith that the conditions in this small-town university could be no worse than those I had lived through while serving a Church mission in Guatemala a couple of years previous. I had also became to really trust in Coach Drake.

Coach Drake was in charge of recruiting players from the community colleges in the Los Angeles, California area. He brought many of us to campus and made us feel welcome. I didn’t play on defense, I was an offensive lineman, but that didn’t matter to Coach Drake as he always treated us players very well…no matter what position we played. Once the season was over he continued to show us that he cared. During the Thanksgiving break he and his wife Pat hosted those of us who had not gone home for the holiday. They provided a nice Thanksgiving meal at their home and we watched college football on ESPN afterwards. Both Coach and Pat definitely showed that they cared for us. It was much appreciated.

At the end of my first season at WNMU the head coach of the team was fired amongst some rules violation allegations. A search committee was formed and the hunt for the next head coach began. Many of us on the team thought the search should be a quick one as we felt that Coach Drake should be the next head coach. I mentioned that to one of my professors when he asked my thoughts on the search for a head coach. He advised me to form a letter stating the team’s position and have team members sign the letter. After that he would make sure the letter got to where it would be useful. Turns out that the professor was on the search committee.

We followed my professor’s instructions and submitted the letter. Eventually Coach Drake was named the next head football coach. The team was pleased, but the work had just begun.

The early morning workouts on campus were taking place previously as Coach Drake told us no matter who the head coach would be, we needed to prepare for the upcoming season. Once Coach was named the head man, these morning routines evolved into more strenuous workouts in the afternoon. Intense running workouts had some of us wondering if we had made a wise choice in endorsing Coach Drake as the head coach. I, for one, had never run so much in my life. I had always worked hard, but Coach Drake had me pushing myself beyond where I had ever imagined going. I went home for the Summer in the best shape of my life!

Right before the semester ended, each player had a one-on-one meeting with Coach Drake. As head coach he was going to also now be the offensive coordinator. In our meeting I expressed my desire to play right offensive tackle since that is where we tended to run the ball during games. Patiently he listened and said that he understood, but he needed his best one-on-one blocking offensive tackle to be on the left side and that is where he wanted me to be. Not appreciating being relegated to the left side, I believed in Coach Drake. I vowed to come back to preseason camp and be the best left tackle I could be.

That second season would see Coach Drake as the youngest head coach in college football. He was only three years older than me. That season did not get off to a good start. We were put on probation mere days before our first game, by the powers that be, due to the actions of the previous head coach. We players felt it unfair as none of us had broken any rules and were not part of any of the violations. There was nothing we could do. Coach Drake’s first year as head coach would be under challenging circumstances.

We got off to a rocky start by losing our first two non-conference games. Games we probably should have not lost, but our minds weren’t right. Once conference play began, we had righted the ship and proceeded not to lose another game the rest of the season. As part of our probation, we were not allowed to participated in postseason play, but nonetheless the season was a success.

Coach Drake and his coaching staff held us together. They kept us focused. We worked hard in practices. We ran hard in practices. We were in good shape. We had a good team. We had a good head coach that we believed in. We had a head coach who made each of us feel cared for.

After the Spring semester of 1985 I graduated. My family had made the drive from the LA area to be there. Coach Drake made the short drive from his home to be there. It was a good day. I was ready to return home and begin my teaching and coaching career. Little did I know that my path would change a bit…due to Coach Drake.

I got a Summer job and was taking the necessary steps in order to begin my teaching and coaching career in the Los Angeles Unified School District, when I received a phone call with an offer I would find hard to refuse. On the other end of the line was Coach Tim Jauregiuto. Coach J was the offensive line coach during my senior season. He was a very hard worker, and a great coach, with whom us on the offensive line had a love/hate relationship. We hated the work he had us do, but we loved the outcome on game days. I had shared with him plans on getting into coaching once I graduated. This phone call would alter my plans a bit.

Coach J informed me that my name came up when he was mentioning to Coach Drake that he would like to have an assistant offensive line coach. After much consideration, the offer was being extended to me. I was floored and speechless. Coach Drake then got on the line and confirmed the offer and that I’d have a week to think things over.

To begin my coaching career at the university level was more than I had ever imagined. And to have that opportunity offered by two men that I had come to revere and respect greatly. A week later, trusting in these two fine coaches, I accepted the offer. Then, a week before preseason camp I arrived back to Silver City to begin my coaching career.

I had always thought that football coaches put in much work. I had never, in my wildest dreams, imagined how long days of work could be. I had a week of crash-course learning which provided me with more knowledge of football than I had previously possessed. Then preseason camp opened and our days got longer as we coaches were up long before the team and we went to bed long after the team did. My hours of sleep were not long and I seemed to be operating in a stupor at times. The funny thing is…I was having a ball!

I learned early that year that coaching football was really what I wanted to do. Despite the long hours and fatigue, I was enjoying the experience. I learned so much from Coach Drake and Coach J. Our whole staff got along together well and we worked hard. Some working nights didn’t end until early mornings, but no complaints were heard. Coach Drake definitely provided me a different idea of WORK than I had before.

We didn’t have much success on the game field that season of 1985, but that season set the basis of my coaching career that is entering its thirty-eighth year. I continue to work hard, but 1985 showed me how hard I was capable of working. And I was not done with Coach Drake yet.

For the third straight year I spent Thanksgiving in Silver City and at the Drake home for dinner. Afterwards Coach told me he was driving to El Paso, Texas to do some Christmas shopping. He wasn’t taking his wife with him because he wanted to surprise her with what he purchased. He invited me along. What a good time I had! We visited the whole time he drove us to El Paso and back. We had a great time shopping and filled both of our holiday shopping lists. To top the day off, we went to the movie theater and watched the latest “Rocky” movie. This day was definitely one of my favorites with Coach Drake.

Another favorite time came earlier the next year. Coach’s wife had been pregnant and gave birth to a baby girl. Word was out that was why he wasn’t seen around campus as much. I talked a couple of friends into going to the hospital for a visit. We arrived and that beautiful baby of theirs seemed to light up the room. My friends, who had at first been skeptical, were glad we had made the visit. It’s the way I was raised. When someone you care for has something important take place in their life, you’re there for them. Some time earlier we had attended Coach J’s graduation with a Masters Degree. It’s the way I was raised.

During the Spring of 1986 I was offered a teaching and coaching position back in the Los Angeles area. I accepted and was set to return to LA once the school year finished at WNMU. Coach J was not able to be in town for Spring football. Coach Drake asked me to coach the offensive line during that period and before my return to LA. How could I turn down the offer from a man I had grown to love?

Having the opportunity to begin my coaching career at a university was humbling. I was grateful for the opportunity. Coaching on my own during Spring football was daunting, but I had been well-prepared by both Coach Drake and Coach J. Spring football went well as I continued my steep learning curve in offensive line play. At the end of the school year I returned to LA and began my career in teaching. Coach Drake then surprised me with another phone call.

Coach J was not going to be able to return for the upcoming season. He knew that it was late, but Coach Drake said that only one name came to his mind for a replacement. His offer was for me to become the offensive line coach at WNMU! My second year in coaching and I was being offered the chance to be in charge of the offensive line at the university level! WOW! My mind was reeling. The fact that Coach Drake trusted me that much meant so much to me. I just had one question for him. How long would he stay at WNMU? He answered honestly that he did not know. If a better opportunity came up, he would take it.

Respectfully I explained to him that I was moved around a lot as a child and that was not the life I wanted to be part of my future. He understood and wished me well. We would have to stay in touch were his words as we hung up our phones.

I was coaching at a southeastern LA high school, thus our games were on Fridays. I made plans to leave right after one of our games and drive to Silver City in order to catch a game on Saturday afternoon. I invited the girl I had been dating to share in the driving duties.

We arrived in time for the game. Coach Drake and his wife insisted that my date, who had become my fiancée earlier in the day, spend the night at their place. I had made other arrangements for myself. After my accommodations proved less than desirable, sheepishly I knocked on the Drake’s door and asked if I could sleep on their couch. Of course was their response. Coach Drake set me up and warned me that he didn’t want to hear me creeping to my fiancée’s room during the night. Always the man with a good sense of humor! He knew my old-fashioned ways and knew I would spend the night on the couch.

That was in 1986. My sweetheart and I were married in 1987. The following year we went on vacation to the east coast. We visited many historical sites and worked our way north after flying into Baltimore. Our destination was Providence, Rhode Island. Coach Drake was then the head coach at the US Naval Academy Prep School. He and his family now lived in Providence. We had a nice visit with he and his wife. Again they insisted that we stay the night at their house. Ever gracious, they both made us feel right at home. Sadly enough, that was the last time I was in contact with Coach Drake.

Life marches on and so do coaches. I ended up in the Antelope Valley of Los Angeles County. Coach Drake would go on to coach at the US Naval Academy, the University of Kentucky, and then at Kent State University. We lost touch with each other. Some years later we momentarily bumped into each other at a National Coaching Convention, but that was it.

It was the Spring of 2006. I was skimming over my WNMU Alumni News Letter when I spotted a headline that shook me to my core. While reading the article my mind found it hard to process that the previous August Coach Drake had passed away at the age of 48. Memories flooded my mind as my heart hurt. Even though we had not stayed in touch, Coach Drake had positively impacted my life and coaching career.

His influence set the foundation of what I have been able to accomplish in coaching football. I’m not a well-known coach, but I like to think that I have had a positive impact on the young men I have been privileged to coach. Thanks to Coach Drake, and others, I learned that working hard is the only way to work. It’s also okay to have a sense of humor while working. Enthusiasm will go a long way into making the work bearable and doable.

Somehow I tracked Mrs. Mike Drake down and spoke with her on the phone. I didn’t know what to say. She had months of adjustment behind her and she comforted me. Her sweetheart was gone and here she was comforting me. I was humbled.

I never shared with Coach Drake what he meant to me. The example he set and the caring he showed me as a player and as one of his assistant coaches. I know that I am just one of the countless athletes and coaches who were lucky enough to cross paths with Coach. I didn’t stand out. I was a decent player and just a young coach at the beginning of what would be a long career. Yet, I will be forever grateful that I am one of those countless numbers who were positively affected by Coach Mike Drake.

So many individuals have immeasurable impacts on our lives no matter the amount of time we are allowed to spend with them. Sometimes the time we spend with them is long. Sometimes the times we spend with them is short. Still, their impact is long-lasting no matter what. Mike Drake is one of those individuals for me. The time we spent together is so comparatively short, but it is definitely long-lasting. To this day I am grateful that our paths crossed.

I didn’t share these thoughts of gratitude with him. For that I am truly sorry. My belief is that someday I will have that opportunity. In the meantime, maybe he’ll be allowed to read this. No matter what, I will always be grateful for Mike Drake. He is definitely one who has helped me shape my…VIEW FROM THE SIDELINE…

Photo from 1983 when Coach Drake (far right) was Defensive Coordinator.

Where’d he go?

With his wedding day quickly approaching, I am left with a mind deep in reflection. That happens often with me at momentous periods in my life. This is one of those momentous periods. Our little “Man-Cub” is leaving the life of singularity and entering the married ranks along with his sweetheart. They definitely make a great couple. They will be good for each other and they will be happy. Of this I pray. The years have passed quickly since Jacob Andrew Martinez entered our family. I am left with the question in my mind: Where’d he go?!?!

I had resolved myself to being the father of three wonderful and beautiful daughters when my beloved wife expressed that she thought “there’s one more”. Being a big guy, and often thinking of food, my mind leaned in that direction. If I think the food is good, I’m always open to the thought of another serving, The look in my sweetheart’s eyes let me know that she was not referring to food. It was our little family she referred to.

When it comes to serious matters in life I have learned to always trust the thoughts of my eternal companion. I asked if she was sure. With confidence she reaffirmed the thought. I was not one to question. Our daughters were aged seven, four, and three years old at the time. The thought of another girl being added to our tribe was exciting for us all. Personally I had become comfortable being the father of daughters, so I figured that would continue with the upcoming arrival.

The date for the caesarian delivery was scheduled for July 9, 1997. As the doctor exclaimed “You have a boy!”, my sweetheart shed tears of joy and I think my jaw practically hit the floor. A boy? That changes the game thought I. Being the father of a son had to be something I would have to learn. My sweetheart and our daughters helped me learn how to be a father of girls. They, along with Jacob, would help me learn more in the areas of parenthood.

Kara, Jacob’s sweetheart, will be in good hands. Jacob was raised in a household of a loving mother and three loving older sisters. They taught him the basics of how to treat others with love and respect. I’m a football coach and I did my best to pitch in, but I know my place on the team. The little guy would sometimes naturally gravitate towards me, yet we enjoyed countless great times together as a family. He had four women in his life that really took care of him and love him tremendously.

As a family we once walked across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. The little guy’s legs were much shorter than us all and he got tired. Up on my shoulders I lifted him and he enjoyed the view from a higher standpoint as we finished our little hike. Seemingly not much time passed before he was assisting me on challenging parts of family hikes. Where’d the little guy go?

On another occasion we took a family trip to an outlet mall in a nearby city. The girls were more interested in the shopping aspect of our visit, yet we all still had fun. The little guy and I would park ourselves outside the store temporarily occupied by the girls as the contents of the store held no interest of ours. Jacob would take an imaginary basketball and play an imaginary basketball game involving our favorite team, the Los Angeles Lakers. He’d keep score aloud and provide a play-by-play of the action. The play-by-play included a well balanced scoring effort by the various players on the Lakers roster at the time. It would always be a close game, but the purple & gold always came out on top in the end. I was one proud papa! Where’d the little guy go?

Jacob has always loved the game of basketball. The first time he was on a team was in our local city league for little ones. Score was not kept as the emphasis was on learning the fundamentals of the game and sportsmanship. Despite these factors, the little guy kept the score in his head of the game. After being congratulated by his family, he would take me aside and inform me of whether his team had won or not. Where’d the little guy go?

Jacob’s preschool? All girls. It was organized by a group of mothers in our neighborhood. Jacob happened to be the only boy in the appropriate age group. His mother and sisters had prepared him well, so he had no problem being around girls. Where’d the little guy go?

Despite being a football guy, I’ve always enjoyed basketball. As a family we have fond memories of shooting hoops in our driveway with the portable basketball standard a moving neighbor left us. The inevitable one-on-one contests would take place between various family members. Fond memories I have of father-son matchups which were always competitive. I’d win, but by just enough points necessary. I had a heart and didn’t want to blow the little guy out. When asked by my sweetheart afterwards why I didn’t let Jacob win, I’d respond that his competitive nature deserved better than that. Where’d the little guy go?

Time flew by and the next thing I knew Jacob was volunteering his time on game day for the local community college where I was an assistant football coach. He was a diligent worker performing various tasks along our game day sideline. Man-Cub took his job seriously and many a football player got to know him over the years he volunteered. His work was appreciated and valuable. Many precious memories I have of him riding next to me on the team bus for away games. He’d patiently walk around with me before games as I got my mind straight for the action which awaited. We’d enjoy the postgame team meal provided together, always commenting on Justin’s (our director of football operations and Jacob’s boss for the day) fine choice of food. Where’d the not so little guy go?

Before too long Jacob had his own football games to focus on as he joined his high school football team. The team was not very successful in winning games during his four years, but he worked hard and learned many life lessons. When a loved one mentioned that maybe he should transfer to a more successful high school program in the area, his response made me proud: “I’m not a traitor.” His commitment made us all proud. Where’d the not so little guy anymore go?

After graduating from high school Man-Cub made the selfless decision to serve a two-year Church mission. We were all proud of his choice, yet we would greatly miss him. As the time neared for his departure to the designated area where he would serve in Colorado, my heart grew a bit weary. I knew he had made the right decision to serve, but I would miss him dearly. When we dropped him off at the training center in Utah my vision grew blurry with tears. A friend comforted me with the text message saying that Jacob would return a better man. I knew he was right, yet the separation would not be easy on my heart. Jacob moved forward with confidence heading in the right direction. Where’d he go?

Upon his return Man-Cub was a new man. The two years had not only blessed the lives of the people he came in contact with, they had also blessed Jacob with two years of experiences and growth which would prove to be priceless throughout his life. We were so glad to have him home once again. We knew it would not last forever, but we were grateful for the time we would spend together and the memories we would create.

What came next for Jacob was a college degree, two years coaching experience, and opportunities which awaited him in other States. I say “came”, but in reality Jacob worked hard and earned all of his accomplishments. His commitment and work ethic were admirable and inspiring. Long hours were put into his college work, while his coaching and a part-time job along the way made things even more challenging. Where’d he go?

Man-Cub’s path inevitably led him away from the home nest. My sweetheart and I knew the day would come, but it was not any easier on our hearts. The three of us had shared much together since his return. Many journeys were taken together. Countless memories were created with just the three of us. Where would he go?

So here we are with Man-Cub’s nuptials quickly approaching. A father could not be more proud. I am humbled by our son and ever so proud. No longer does he require my shoulders in order to finish a journey. That time has long passed. What lies ahead for Jacob will be with Kara, his beloved sweetheart. Their path will not always be easy, but it will be better because they will be together.

Debbie, my sweetheart, and I have been married since May 2, 1987. With that in mind I offer some fatherly advice

You are marrying your best friend…as it should be. Always keep it that way.

You’re going to be a team and you should be each other’s MVP.

Always listen to each other and always express your opinion. Make decisions together.

Always think the best of each other. Never think the worst. Communicate always and openly.

You’re on a journey together now…no longer “me”, but “we”. Keep that in mind at all times. You can still be yourself, but be respectful of each other’s differences.

Love each other unconditionally and at all times.

Respect is a two-way street. Always use it both directions.

Keep the Lord in your life and you will always be happy where you are found.

You will be challenged at times. Stick together and conquer the challenges together.

Life is a journey that will be more ordinary than one might think. The key is to enjoy the ride together and everyday will be special.

Our family will be expanding soon and we are so happy to be adding a daughter-in-law to the fold. We are so happy for Jacob & Kara! So many memories to make.

I’m just an old football coach brimming with gratitude for the life I’ve been blessed with which has helped me develop my perspective and my…VIEW FROM THE SIDELINE…

37 YEARS?!?!?!

As another football season comes to a close I can’t help but notice that I’ve now coached football for a total of 37 years. That calendar sure has a way of swiftly marking the passage of time. It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was the young guy on the coaching staff, always asking questions and rarely asked for my opinion. I started off as an assistant to an assistant. Now I’m the old guy who’s coached football longer than other coaches on the staff have been breathing air. 37 years makes for a long career! Along the way I’ve been able to work with countless athletes and coaches who I’ve come to think of as family. I’ve been ignored, listened to, taken for granted, praised, corrected, asked my opinion, and valued. Above all I feel that I’ve been blessed to have had the experiences I’ve had with the people that I had them with. So many memories! So many blessings!

As many young athletes, my dream was to one day play my sport professionally. My sport of choice was football and I was willing to work as hard as possible to make that dream become a reality. As the real world would have it, I was able to play at the high school, community college, and small university levels. It was a blessing I still cherish for me to play at each of these levels. In my senior season at the university I realized that if I wanted my association with football to continue, it would be on the other side of the whistle since I had reached the ceiling of my football playing potential. It was then that I started preparing myself to coach.

I was the starting left tackle at Western New Mexico University. My senior season saw us with a new head coach, Mike Drake. Coach Drake had recruited me to WNMU while he was the defensive coordinator. I really liked him and I was glad he had been named as head coach. Coach Drake brought in Tim Jaureguito as our offensive line coach. Coach J was a tireless worker who helped each of us on the offensive line to improve beyond our expectations. Up until that point I had only focused on my particular position, not worrying about what others had to do. My senior year would be different as I wanted to learn more about other positions so I would someday be able to coach. I became the bothersome player always asking Coach J questions about the whole offensive line. He patiently answered my questions and helped me learn more my senior season than I had ever learned before.

After I graduated from WNMU in 1985, Coach Drake offered me the opportunity to be Coach J’s assistant. I gratefully accepted and it became baptism by fire as I was immersed in the world of coaching college football. Very long days on and off the field gave me the opportunity to not only work hard, but also to learn much more about football than I ever did as a player. I also learned early that there were no days off during football season for a college coach. Under Coach J’s tutelage I learned so much about offensive line play that I felt prepared to progress in the field of coaching.

The following two seasons saw me coaching linemen at Huntington Park High School in the southeastern section of Los Angeles. There were only three of us on the varsity coaching staff. Head Coach Dwight Muskrath and defensive coordinator Al Parkhill both had patience with the young guy. Coach Muskrath had been asking for another coach for some time. The principal, Marjorie O’Hanlon, said she trusted me and had offered me the position while I was still at WNMU. Coach Muskrath didn’t get to interview me. I was simply put on his staff. I worked the way I had been taught to work at WNMU, and that is HARD! We had good success those two years and went deep into the playoffs each season. At the end of the second season another door of opportunity was opened.

East Los Angeles College was the community college where I had played football. Sometime while I was at WNMU the school had dropped the football program. After the 1987 season at HPHS I heard that ELAC was bringing their football program back and had named Al Padilla as head coach. Coach Padilla was an East LA coaching icon who had much success over the years at the high school and community college levels. He was my offensive line coach during my freshman season in 1978, Once I heard that football was returning to ELAC I swung by campus to congratulate him. We ended up talking for some time during which he offered me the position of offensive line coach despite me only having three years coaching experience. I was ecstatic and a bit overwhelmed. He gave me the holidays to think it over. After much prayer and thought, my wife and I agreed that this would be an opportunity not to pass up. I was named the offensive line coach even though there were two other coaches on staff who had much more experience in coaching the position. Coach Padilla proved to be the perfect mentor for me as he patiently helped me grow and improve in coaching the offensive line. Often he and I would be found in the football offices, long after all others had left, with him helping me learn with his father-like manner. I learned so much and the love I have for that kind man is eternal. After our second season my wife and I had got into a home in the Antelope Valley. Coach Padilla would help open another door of opportunity.

Brent Carder was a well-respected and accomplished community college football coach in California. He ran a respected program which had experienced much success under his tutelage. At an all-conference meeting Coach Padilla had mentioned to Coach Carder that one of his assistants was purchasing a house in the Antelope Valley. Coach Padilla thought that assistant coach was worth talking to. Appointments were made and I found myself in the office of Antelope Valley College’s head coach being interviewed for a possible position on his staff. Coach Carder’s longtime offensive line coach was moving over to coach defense, so Coach was willing to consider this outsider from East LA. After several nighttime interviews, despite having only five years coaching experience, Coach hired me as his offensive line coach. I would remain in that position for seventeen years until he retired and another door opened.

Replacing a legend is no easy task, but that is what awaited Perry Jehlicka as he was named the new head football coach at AVC. The college had not had to name a head coach for more than three and a half decades, so this was uncharted territory to all involved. Perry navigated the situation well and chose to keep the staff that had been in place during Coach Carder’s final year in coaching. For eight years I was kept on Perry’s staff until I felt it was time for me to step away from the sport that I had coached for thirty years. My retirement caught many by surprise, but I knew I was doing the right thing. Little did I know at the time, but a year later another door of opportunity would open.

I didn’t coach football during the 2015 season. I was retired and looking to move on to what awaited. After the season ended both my wife and son told me they thought I still had some coaching left in me. I hadn’t thought of it until then, but I thought since loved ones had that thought I should consider it. I reached out and some opportunities quickly presented themselves. The most intriguing came from James Vondra at Quartz Hill High School. After a long meeting with him, he offered me a position on his varsity staff. I was only looking to be an assistant to an assistant to make sure I still had the passion to coach, but James soon named me the varsity offensive line coach. QHHS had a great six-year run and I was lucky enough to be along for the ride. Five playoff opportunities (one season lost by all to COVID) with four playoff appearances. Three CIF championship games with two CIF titles. One Southern California Regional title and one State Championship game appearance. It was a great time to be part of a great coaching staff. Some of the most enjoyable years of my coaching career. I will forever be grateful to James Vondra for the opportunity he gave me. All good things must come to an end as James decided it was time to move on. With that move of his, another door of opportunity opened for me.

It was a difficult thing to see the breakup of the coaching staff at QHHS. We worked very well together and we had fun doing so. Some members of the staff went here and others went there. I had choices to make as opportunities were offered. Down deep the one place I wished to coach was at the place I had began coaching in the Antelope Valley…AVC. The opportunity seemed slim at times, but eventually things were worked out and I began coaching for the Marauders once again. It was July and not much time remained before the season began. Before I knew it the season was underway, then it was over with us finishing with a 5-5 record. The season was unique and at times undesirable. So much instability and uncertainty at every junction. I had hopes of having a “normal” season, but it was not to be. Nonetheless, I knew I was where I should be and I did my best. My hope is that I did some good. I sure tried!

A long career indeed! I started in 1985. I was blessed with great opportunities by trusting individuals. I did my best and more importantly I was able to be a family man along the way. Without my family I am nothing. With my family I am one blessed individual with a greater perspective than just that of a football coach. I have done my best to uphold the most-worth profession of coaching. I am not famous, yet I have no regrets. It’s been a great ride!

With all of the uncertainty surrounding my current position, I do not know what the future holds for me in coaching. I wish to continue and I know there is some good work to be a part of. Only time will tell what my course will be. In the meantime I remain grateful for the ride that has helped me develop my…VIEW FROM THE SIDELINE.