Coaching is a difficult job, and there is no clear way to succeed in it. One cannot copy another who is a winner, for there seems to be some subtle, secret chemistry of personality that enables a person to lead successfully, and no one really knows what it is. Those who have succeeded and those who have failed represent all kinds – young and old, inexperienced and experienced, hard and soft, tough and gentle, good-natured and foul-tempered, proud and profane, articulate and inarticulate, even dedicated and casual. Most are dedicated, some more than others, but dedication alone is not enough. Some are smarter than others, but intelligence is not enough. All want to win, but some want to win more than others, and just wanting is not enough in any event. Even winning is often not enough. Losers almost always get fired, but winners get fired, too.

He is out in the open being judged publicly almost every day or night for six, seven, or eight months a year by those who may or may not be qualified to judge him. And every victory and every defeat is recorded constantly in print or on the air and periodically totaled up.

The coach has no place to hide. He cannot just let the job go for a while or do a bad job and assume no one will notice as most of us can. He cannot satisfy everyone. Seldom can he even satisfy very many. Rarely can he even satisfy himself. If he wins once, he must win the next time, too. In the end, almost certainly, he will be fired.

They plot victories, suffer defeats, endure criticism from within and without, and brook rumors that they are on their way in here and out there. They neglect their families, travel endlessly, and live alone in a spotlight surrounded by others.

Theirs may be the worst profession – unreasonably demanding and insecure and full of unrelenting pressures. Why do they put up with it? Why do they do it? A few retire, but most hang on desperately, almost unreasoningly. Why? Having seen them hired and hailed as geniuses at gaudy party-like press conferences and having seen them fired with pat phrases such as “fool” or “incompetent,” I have wondered about them. Having seen them exultant in victory and depressed by defeat, I have sympathized with them. Having seen some broken by the job and others die from it, I have been moved to write this blog.

We are just one coaching family. We care more than you will ever imagine. Some players see that instantly. Others reflect upon graduation. Some have taken 10 years to say, “wow, he's not so bad.” No matter how many haters there are in the crowd, we will always look past you. Keene's will carry on for the love of the game. No matter the record we will always be winners.

Pirates Protecting Keene Island--See Below

Conscience Effort

When I first met Coach we had nothing but fun. Couples that hung out with us, I think for the most part, would agree we knew how to kick back. Somewhere between I-Do, two children and job stability we got real serious. Serious like 97% of the time. Recently we vowed to make a conscience effort to play more. This play encompasses the classroom, the gym, my work place and most importantly neutral territory--home.

Friday I called a round table with the boys. While munching on the after school snack of choice Justice, Cameron and I plotted a way to kick off the weekend. Justice said, "lets pretend we are pirates on our own island." Sounds good. Cameron said, "guns." From this deep family meeting we decided to summon daddy to a fight on our island when he got home from practice. I wrote the note while Justice told me what to say. Around six o'clock the garage door went up and the boys were in action. While hiding in the tropical lagoon (also known as the entryway) I am pretty sure Cameron peed his pull up. Potty training is for the weak. Who cares. He was a pirate.

The hall was dark. We figured the forbidden stranger was reading our note on the door to Keene Ko Mo. All of a sudden the door downstairs and pow--pow---pow. There was more laughing and giggling at the bottom of the stairs than I had heard in months. Success--Play more, even if you must make a conscience effort!

P.S. Heard they had ice cream in practice Friday too...must have been something in the air.

Fake It

Yep, I fake it. I fake it all the time.


As leaders we often have to appear interested in our employee’s information, when in actuality we could care less. It’s my time to be a Golden Globe actress with the art of professionalism. Like Nike says, just do it. It makes everyone engage. It only takes a second to stop. Even when you don’t feel like speaking in the hallway, smile and fake it. When an employee gets a “win”, congratulate 'em. When someone is eating lunch alone, you invite then to your table. Sometimes taking the extra second to just act interested can engage an employee to pass it on. Before you know it, you might not have to fake it anymore.


I fake it with my kids. I sing good morning songs to Justice and Cameron every morning—even when I don’t feel like sunshine and rainbows. Sometime faking it can trick yourself into feeling it. I get to perform the role of strong and not tired on a nightly basis. I fake being a good cook with the tricks I pick up from the Internet. I also get to fake having things under control, when in reality I am swirling from the within.

Faking it also plays a role in behind the bench. I get to pretend I don’t hear downbeat comments. I get to close my eyes to dagger looks across the gym. I also get to fake I am not effected by rumors. I get to fake when I know people are purposely ignoring me. But your right, the program is probably that interesting or you needed to stare at your watch when I walked by to make eye contact. I would say--coward. And that's not faking. I get to fake being excited about hate mail. I get to make excuses why Justice cant get the mail anymore, just in case. I also get to fake not knowing exactly who sent it. I am smiling in the gym, and faking it right now.

After graduating top of the class from faking 101; I heard a sermon while driving Justice to Lincoln Elementary. The preacher was challenging Christians to pray for your enemies. What? Pray for people who cause pain and adversity? At first I was faking to be listening, but then I tuned in deeper. Pray for my enemies.... I got quiet on Jackson Street. Tears went down my cheeks. Justice asked, "Mom, are you praying again? Did Jesus just spank you?" It was like a weight being lifted off my shoulders. Two people I never have to be fake with, Coach and God. It was like he whispered to me in that very moment, "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." That's exactly what I am going to do. Set an example to my children to love our enemies. I asked Justice who the meanest kid at school was...and we prayed for him before we got out of the car. Yep, eyes closed, head bowed and neither of us were faking....

2012, its finally here. Isn't this supposed to be the year to end all years? Only if your Mayan, wait a second--aren't they all gone anyway?

Keene's rang in the new year at Fun City. We had a great time. Watersides, pizza, games and together time only 45 short minutes away from home. The boys were, brace yourself, abnormally perfect the entire time. After the hustle and bustle of the holidays-not to metion the tournament- its always nice to let your guard down and just be.

First stop was the water park. Justice was like an dolphin. Cameron;alittle more shy. He wanted to hold my hand everywhere. The only hand Justice wanted to hold was these six little girls celebrating a 6th birthday. He was in rare show-off form. He braved it up and went down the yellow enclosed water slide. I could not believe he wanted to take this tunnel of darkness. Off he went. Yes, waiting at the bottom like a freaked out expected mother--SLASH--he came out of the midnight with a huge grin. Probably Justice's proudest moment to date. Grandpa Dana WOULD have had a heart attack. On a side bar he is afraid of water--let alone a water slide. Sorry Dad--outed ya. Anyhoo. When my brave JC came out of the water I asked him if he was scared in the darkness? "Nope mom. Jesus held my hand all the way down." Now THIS was my proudest moment.

Speaking of Praise God--my Fun City experience finallied with a surprise appointment at the spa. Yes, Coach Keene always has something up his sleeve. The quiet smell of rosemary and mint entered my senses as soon as my body entered the door. One word, amazing. I had 90 minutes of experience from aromatherapy to scrubs to hot stones to massage. Just thinking of it makes me want to go back. If you ever get to Fun City--make a stop at the spa. It could be my "fun city ritual" now...

A 2011 ritual that I am taking into the new year starts when my garage door goes up. Every morning on my way to work I spend 8 minuetes of time with God. This is my time to pray for peace, pray for my family, ask for guidance, and submit him to set me free from areas that consume me. I can't tell you all the answered testimonies I have encoutered during this eight minuetes of highway.

Lastly, speaking of testimones--NBA players, Artist, and Olympian Christians have been finding ways in their game to honor God forever. I have to wonder if Tim Tebow was Muslim or Jewish would his religion be so controversial? I witnessed tonight's ESPN commentator's mocking his post touchdown prayer with a huge smirk on all five of their faces. Why are Christian's not allowed to publically surrender to God, but we as a country allow so many other religions the freedom to practice? Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I have often wondered in the quiet of the Star Spangled Banner right before tip off what conversation is going on with Coach and God. His head is always bowed. He eyes closed tight. Even Justice follows this lead. I have to think he is praying for the saftey of his players, peace to lead his troops, and heart to motivate them in the right way. This is his quiet highway. Maybe God is holding his hand like Justice in the tunnel.

Justice Ringing In The New Year With a Splash...

Cameron Was Daddy's Co-Pilot Saying, "Faster..." The Entire Time!!

Life In The Fast Lane With Justice At Fun CIty!!

CHEESE!!!!!

Cameron Lovin The Frog Slide