Page 23 of Kiss the Girl
He gave me a small smile. “Being an institution is overrated. And it’s starting to be less fun. I found myself wanting to cut summer practices short because I don’t like the heat, and it’s taking longer for me to recover on Saturdays from Friday night games. I reckon the wife has a point. She usually does.”
“Bulldogs football won’t be the same without you.”
He tilted his head and fixed me with a steady gaze, one I’d seen him use on his players when he wanted something out of them. “You said you coached football at your last high school?”
“Assistant,” I said. “Defensive line.”
“I should have made space for you on my staff last year, son.”
It had stung when I’d been hired on at Lincoln and Coach Dean had politely declined my offer to help. He’d told me his coaching staff was full. But he’d made a point of staying friendly through the year, and I’d gotten over it.
“That’s all right, coach. You didn’t know me. I know how important it is to work with people you trust.”
“You got that right. That’s why I want to talk to you about coaching this year.”
“You losing an assistant?”
He shook his head slowly. “No. But I can squeeze another stipend out of the boosters to bring you on for the season.”
“Defensive coordinator?”
“No. He’s solid. How would you feel about working with the offensive coordinator?”
“It’s not my strength, coach.”
“That’s why I’d like you to consider it.” He leaned forward. “In fact, I’d like you to consider taking over as head football coach next year.”
I sat back, caught off guard.
“I’ve been watching you over the last year, Redmond. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, and you’re good with the kids. I think you’d make a fine coach. You should consider it.”
“What about Leach and Jones?” I asked, naming his two assistants.
“They don’t want it. This is a labor of love for them, and they’re content in their jobs. Dr. Boone may want to open it up to an outside candidate search, but if you’re up for it, I’ll put in a good word for you and train you all season so you can hit the ground running next year. I’m only sorry I didn’t make this decision before summer camp so you could see how we do that too, but Leach and Jones will help you out with that next year.”
“I played two years in high school. I remember it well enough to know what to expect.”
“Even better. Also, to sweeten the pot, the head coach stipend is generous. It still won’t be close to covering the time you put in, but it’s about five times the stipend you get for coaching wrestling.”
My eyes bugged out. I could feel them.
He pushed back from the desk and rose with a smile. “If you’re interested, let Dr. Boone know soon. I told her my retirement plans this morning, and the sooner you get on her radar, the better your chances.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, coach. Thank you.”
“Sure, son.” He headed to his office on the other side of the locker room.
I did some quick math in my head. Five times would be…an extra $8,000 a year. And yes, I’d be working far more hours, but that was real money, in the bank, that could help Paige and Evie.
I couldn’t say no. I’d been thinking about getting a second job anyway, but it would limit how much babysitting I could do for Paige. If I was coaching football, I could bring Evie with me. She’d love helping, and if push came to shove, I could always turn practices over to my assistants if I ever needed to take her home.
I knew it was a huge commitment. It had been a big commitment when I was a player, but if I was going to step in as an assistant, I needed to start yesterday. The season was already underway. The first game was next week.
It wasn’t a hard choice. I grabbed my Bulldogs cap and headed for Dr. Boone’s office. Might as well throw my figurative hat in the ring for the job right now, and it wouldn’t hurt to be showing some extra school spirit when I did.
“On my way to Dr. Boone’s to tell her I want the job,” I told Coach Dean on my way out.
“Go get ‘em, kid.”
