Successful coaches are intense, competitive

I do not know Coach Tony Lombardi nor any of his players. However, I do know a former Washington High student who is doing extremely well in college and benefited greatly from support and counseling from the coach and his wife.

Most successful coaches are intense, high energy, competitive people who want to win. To achieve that, they need to get the very best from each player. Many times that best is hidden where even the player and family may not see it but the coach does.

Ask a veteran about boot camp. After graduation, my chief asked if he had been tough on us, that he hoped he had not been too soft as he had just a bit over three months to take young boys from the streets of Detroit, small towns and farms in the Midwest and other areas and make strong men ready to go to that terrible place called war. He then said he prayed for each of us as we went out the door.

I gained respect for him then and it has helped me endure the potholes of life. Sometimes life yells and screams at us and we need to be prepared to listen, learn and grow stronger from that.

I wish blessings and Godspeed to whatever direction coach Lombardi travels.

Nick Yost

Marion