So many people think that they know what coachin’ young men is all about but few really understand the magnitude of the job. If you asked 100 people what the job of a head coach is they would tell you to coach the team. To teach them how to win. To make them winners. However, they couldn’t begin to explain to folks what that process actually looks like.
Well playas…I grew up in Gary, Indiana in a place where the head coach was more than just the coach. He had to be dad to most of the team, counselor, guardian, provider and disciplinarian. When a boy signs up for the job it’s far more than just X’s and O’s bruh.
I had the privilege of hangin’ out with the nation’s No.22 ranked Ben Davis Giants on Saturday before their first scrimmage. Several hours before that scrimmage they had a team picnic with all of the parents etc. It was a great bondin’ opportunity for the program.
Head coach Mike Kirschner then sat his team down in front of all of the parents and cheerleaders and he suddenly became one of the coaches that I grew up lovin’ in The G. He talked to his team about life, not football. He talked to them about Rondell Allen his star defensive back that was shot a week ago bein’ in a hospital bed fightin’ for his life. He told them that their teammate has had five surgeries in six days. He begged his team to listen to their parents, be obedient and work hard on bein’ good people because life isn’t promised. Now I’m paraphrasin’ but you understand what I’m sayin’.
Then he did something that made me respect him even more. He prayed for and over his team with his team!! A man of God coachin’ and winnin’ in America and not bein’ ashamed of bein’ a Christian. Powerful moment!!
Coach Kerschner speaking to his team about life @BenDavisFB Great atmosphere! #salute pic.twitter.com/IUGacRWhQ5
— TheJayGravesReport (@jaygravesreport) August 5, 2017
Let’s keep it real or all the way 100, whichever comes 1st! Coach Mike Kirshner is the epitome of what a high school, college or professional coach is supposed to be. He cares about his players. Now I know that coaches all over the city care about their players and will do anything for them. However, I wanted to simply highlight what I saw with my own two eyes on Saturday.
I can remember when former Ben Davis superstar and Rondell’s older brother, Antonio, got into some trouble down in Bloomington and Coach Kirshner went public sayin’ that he supports his players no matter what and duns in the media tried to come at him sideways. Y’all know who I’m talkin’ about too. Coach K was merely doin’ what he’s supposed to do with players that he’s coached and nurtured along the way. HE’S SUPPOSED TO SUPPORT HIS KIDS!!!
It’s no different than when your own kid gets into trouble or messes up. As a parent you don’t turn your back on them. You come along side of them and give them your unconditional love. Well playas…that’s Mike Kirschner!!! He loves his kids and it’s genuine. That’s why there isn’t a kid on that roster that wouldn’t run through a wall for him. That’s why he’s in charge of one of the best high school programs in America.
He’s the type of cat I would want to leave my kid with to be coached because I know that he cares. This isn’t about football bruh. It’s about life. He’s teachin’ kids how to be men everyday. Salute my brother and keep doin’ your thing. Let the haters hate and you just keep on winnin’!! Stop me when I start lyin’!
Playas Thesaurus:
1) Dun: noun – the person in question, dude, guy, etc. It’s whoever I’m talkin’ about and its non-gender specific.
The G is excluded from the endings of all words because the G is near and dear to my heart because I’m from “The G” which is Gary, Indiana. So I only use the G when I’m talkin’ about “The G!”
The caption under the photo is real talk today!
Definitely the best head coach I ever had.