My husband's team is 7-1. They are #1 in our region with a 4-0 record. Saturday night, they won 42-0. But on the Georgia High School vent, there are people calling for the coaches' jobs. I am not worried about his job because he is the Head JV Coach and he works with the varsity kickers. They are calling for the heads of the offensive coaches. This goes to show how unappreciative some fans can be. But it makes me stop to think about what makes a good coach. Here is my list of coaching qualifications.

Love of the game. I hear about people quitting coaching because it takes too much time from their families and life. I always reply, "They don't love the game like Chris does". To coach football, a person has to have the love of the game. This isn't a passing interest to watch on Saturday. Football coaches don't show up on game day and everything is magically done. I know just from the high school level, my husband is home at 9 or after most nights. Thursday and Friday are game days. Saturday is watching game film and a few college games for inspiration. Sunday is meetings. The week starts over again on Monday with practice until after 9. That is just during the season. A person that doesn't love the game couldn't do it. At the University of Georgia's Football 101, they did a run down of their week. Let's just say I have no dreams of being a NFL or college coach's wife.

Love of the Players. A coach has to really love his players. A coach spends more time with the guys on his team than with his own family. If a coach doesn't care for his players, he will not care what happens to them. He will not make the best choices for them as players to insure their health. He will expect their best on and off the field. He will want them to succeed in all their future endeavors too.

A student of the game. Football is not just something a person is born knowing. Talent for running and instinct on the field is just part of the game. A coach has to be smart enough to know he doesn't know everything. He has to be a student of the game as long as he is a coach of the game. This is the off season work most of the time. He is studying film from other teams, reading books by other coaches, and visiting football clinics. My husband left a varsity position to take a head JV job so he could coach under a legend here in Georgia. If a coach can learn from a head coach that other people respect, it is a bonus on any resume.

A coach is more than just a coach. He has a passion for something that many of us can't understand. He spends all of his time learning and getting ready for the next game. Even when they win, he is trying to figure out how to do it better for not just his team, but for the fans. Coaches should be respected for that if for nothing else.