Apprecation for Coach Humphreys and what coaches face

A note of appreciation for Coach David Humphreys

I was stunned but not surprised when I saw Alex Farrer’s article in Saturday’s Rome NewsTribune. The bold headline read “Humphreys steps down as Gordon Central coach.”

It was with interest I read Coach Humphreys’ recent coaching experiences in the North Georgia area. I could have titled this section as “The epitome of a football coach.” I will make a few comments I feel is true of any coach and his experience.

There is no reason to hesitate in saying coaching, and especially being a head coach, is a lonely job. Also, there is no way to explain sufficiently to the “all-knowing football fan?” the things that go into being a head football coach. Just let me say that as a rule most fans are wanderers in a dark tunnel.

In the past one of my prominent expressions was “The football fan is the most ignorant animal God put on this earth.”

That expression has been amended over the years to simply say ’Sport fans…” Without saying which group now ranks highest (I suspect they know who they are) the fact of “ignorance” is made more apparent as other seasons roll around.

Most readers of this old coach’s comments will either take exception to what is said or assign evil intent. Not so as I write about Coach Humphreys and Gordon Central. In the beginning (back in 1985 and into my last year of coaching in 1988) there were all kinds of conflicts. Those days are long gone as one views the situation at Gordon Central. The school serves the high school students on the western side of Gordon County. Their recent accomplishments in literary and music competition are matters of great admiration and appreciation on this writer’s part.

People often assert that “They think football is all there is,” or “They, meaning coaches and football fans, feel football is more important than anything else.” I know of no one who affirms such a position. But let me say this: Football at the high school and college level is a different animal. The visibility and publicity for football is greater than all other athletic activities on the local scene. The involvement of those beyond the actual performance of the game is often largely an exercise involving strong passions with less than admirable observations and comments about coaches, games and outcomes.

Pages could be written concerning Gordon Central and the situation there. Coach Humphreys has worked long and faithfully under conditions I would not wish on anyone. The school is not a community school with an identity with a given community; sadly, the school is not visible to the general public as they pass by. Possibly the only visible aspect of the school to many students is when they arrive at school each day before being bussed to “faraway” places at the ringing of the final bell.

Not a week went by without my heart reaching out to Coach Humphreys and what I (along with many others) thought was a downhill battle. I admire Coach Humphreys and his labor of love for a job he loved – and I am sure the school and kids he loved. I wish him success in further endeavors.

One more note to parents: We all have a tendency to feel our children and their teammates make up a team with talent to “win it all.” While there are some outstanding players on every team may I suggest it takes much more than a well-qualified coach and a few talented players? It takes an attitude of family made up of those beyond the visible aspect of football. It takes the support (more than financial) of parents and fans; it takes the support and enthusiasm of a whole student body. It takes the support – both physical and psychological – of a faculty.

It would be unfair if I did not say the team deserves the support of all assistant coaches; as in local government, those in lower positions than the one at the top aren’t always “on the same page.”

Choose any school — even those who are ultra-successful — and there will be a large percentage of faculty members who cares less whether there is a football team and even less involved in the idea of the team winning; some even quietly and underhanded will work against the success of the coach and the team.

Possibly many have heard me say in recent years that I hate for either coach to lose. When Clemson won their game to advance to the National Championship game, I hated for either of the coaches to lose. Sadly, that isn’t the way it works.

I close by saying good luck in the future to Coach David Humphreys. You have earned respect, admiration and support from a whole host of parents and fans. Many of us, especially former coaches, understood your battle. We wish you well.

What I heard and learned at the State Softball Tournament and the All-State Selection Meeting

All heard and learned at both the State Softball Tournament in Columbus back in November will take much more space that I have available. Also, the recent meeting in Macon of all coaches who won region championships to choose AllState players in Macon provided even more information.

I had largely abandoned the idea of writing about the issues until the Macon meeting and having moments with coaches from all over Georgia. The comments and information is too good (and universal) to pass up without comment.

Hopefully, it will be next week. The discussion of the actions and comments will not endure me to many; what it does do is provide a realization my observations and conclusions are not those a lone voice “Crying in the wilderness.” Whatever reactions that column will solicit, the fact it will be interesting and challenging.

— Jerry Smith is a lifelong resident and former teacher and coach in Calhoun and Gordon County. He writes one weekly sports column and one weekly news column for the Calhoun Times. His views and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Calhoun Times and its staff.