Sharing the Sideline: From Veteran to Rookie
It’s the end of the season, the gym is buzzing, and I can feel the pressure mounting around me—just like it has for the past 36 years. But this time, there’s something new, something extra special about the way everything was unfolding that night. In the crowd, surrounded by a sea of faces, one stands out in particular. My son, Michael, is here for his very first game as a basketball coach. And it just so happens I’m hanging up my clipboard right after this one.
I’ve blown my last whistle, given my last pep talk, and, now, after decades of guiding young athletes as a coach, it’s time to pass the torch. What’s crazy about this moment—what’s truly poetic—is that this final game where I’m stepping down marks his first game leading a varsity team. Talk about a symbolic passing of the guard!
From Last ‘T’ to First ‘T’
As most basketball fans know, the “T” for technical foul is a coach’s constant reminder that passion sometimes boils over. Through countless games, I’ve had my share of technical fouls. But on this very night—my last night—I was taking in something far bigger than basketball. Michael, now stepping into his own shoes as a varsity coach, officially picked up his “T” for the first time.
And there it was—my “last T” and his first “T” coming on the same historic night for both of us. It was a surreal, bittersweet moment that perfectly encapsulated the reality of my transition out of coaching and his entrance into it. In a way, it was a full-circle moment for our family.
In the Family Bloodline
The story of our connection in sports dates back to when Michael was young. Not only was he practically raised on basketball courts, but he was also immersed in the thinking, the plays, and the strategies of the game long before he even realized he’d be coaching at all. So, to be completely honest, it wasn’t entirely surprising when he showed an interest in following my footsteps. But there’s something more incredible about it—something far deeper than just a family tradition. It’s about continuing a legacy.
Sure, I hoped I laid some decent groundwork for him. I’ve seen hundreds of athletes come and go. I’ve watched games develop from the bench, I’ve analyzed plays, made bad calls, celebrated buzzer-beaters, and maybe shed a tear after a few heartbreaking losses. It’s just what happens when you’re in the game for that long. But passing that torch directly to your son? That’s something not many people could share in.
The Moment Everything Changed
The whistle blew, of course, as it always does. But this time, there was a shift. Near the end of the game, when I took a step off the sideline and handed over my clipboard, the reality set in. Michael was about to take his first steps onto the court not just as a player, not under my wing, but as a coach—leading his own team. That whistle, that technical foul which looks like any other on paper, might just have been the beginning of his legacy.
Then he did it. My son, standing tall by the bench, received his first technical foul—right there in his first game as head coach. It was like watching my young self reprise my past. And oh, how it brought memories flooding back. After all these years, countless games, stitches, bruises, and buzzer-beaters, there it was. I always said my “T”s were lessons learned the hard way—so why shouldn’t he get the same experience?
Coaching Under Pressure
Being a coach for this long has taught me one thing: Games are won and lost on heart as much as on plays. It’s not just about stats, scoreboards, or even the “W.” It’s about the relationships. The coaches’ journeys are intertwined with their players, season after season.
Michael, however, is taking on a different kind of pressure. He’s diving into this role in an era of technology, fast-paced games, intense media coverage, and elevated expectations. And believe me, there’s no way he’s coasting. He’s got his work cut out for him, but I know he’s ready.
What It Means To Be A Coach
Anyone can learn basketball stats, master a playbook, and blow a whistle. But coaching? That’s a different battle altogether. It’s about inspiring kids and understanding the psychology of young athletes, the highs that come with winning, and the lows that take weeks to recover from when the defeats sting a little too deeply.
If there’s anything I could pass onto Michael, it’s not just the “X’s and O’s” but the love for the game. The intensity that every coach needs and that ability to truly connect with the players, motivating them to believe they can achieve incredible things—even when the scoreboard might suggest otherwise.
It’s about those locker room chats where raw emotions exist, where players pour their hearts out because nothing else in the world matters in that moment. You’re not just a coach out there; you turn into a mentor, guide, and even, sometimes, a surrogate parent.
A Lifetime of Lessons
Michael has been soaking up these lessons for years without even knowing it. From watching me strategize games to hearing the post-game breakdowns, he’s been learning the realities of coaching long before he stepped into these shoes. Seeing your son grasp all those lessons, embrace the challenge, and then go on to have the same fierce love as you—the very one that lands you your first technical foul—is almost a rite of passage.
We all grow up playing whatever roles we’re given in sports. For some, it’s playing, and for others, the passion pulls you toward coaching. I didn’t see my career unfolding this way initially, but it’s been a dream—a long-standing dream. Watching Michael follow gives me hope. Not for just him but for all the kids he’ll coach in his career. If just one young player walks out of that gym better, stronger, and more confident, then it’s been a win.
The Future on the Sidelines
I can’t lie—there’s part of me that will miss pacing the sidelines, wearing down another pair of shoes from pacing back and forth during timeouts. Those tense moments when everything hangs in the balance. But I’m content knowing Michael will be stepping up to experience all of that.
As I sat there reflecting during the final moments of that game, I smiled. I knew my time was here. I had shared a season with hundreds of athletes—plenty of highs, tons of lows, but all unforgettable. As the gym lights dimmed and the crowd filed out, one voice lingered in my head.
It was Michael—his determination echoing in the silent gym. His new journey was about to get going as I stepped aside. It’s his time now.
Looking Ahead to Next Season
The grind is about to start again. Michael has a tough road ahead, and the competition isn’t getting any easier. But that’s the beauty of all this. Nothing good comes to anyone who expects a smooth ride. The challenges, the long nights watching game tape, the hours doing drills—that’s where the growth happens. I know Michael sees that, and just like I used to remind myself every game, he’ll be telling himself the same thing: keep pushing.
- Coaches don’t just shape the players—we grow along with them.
- Technical fouls aren’t just about penalties; they’re passionate lessons learned.
- There’s always a next generation ready to carry the torch.
What We’ll Remember the Most
As we both move into the next chapters of our lives, it’s the memories that will really matter. The nights of preparation, moments of celebration, and even the tears after tough losses. And for Michael, soon enough, he’ll create his own memories, stories that will shape the next generation of kids who will look to him just like those who looked up to me over the decades.
I have no doubt he’ll do great things on that sideline—both for the program and for the kids themselves. It’s not goodbye to the game at all—it’s just passing on the next play to someone new. Someone that I’ve spent a lifetime getting ready to take the court.
Originally Written by: Jim Kresge
