Quarterback Dad

Sports have been a way of life for me for many years. Although I followed, played, and coached other sports, football always king. The game is way more intricate than people realize. Getting eleven people to function together with a common purpose is no easy task. In addition to the eleven on the field, you also have to take into account the entire team and the other coaches. The best players work together and put their own egos on the back burner. The same can be said for the coaching staff. Ditto for the best families.

I grew up outside of Tampa and my family had season tickets for the Buccaneers since day one. I remember the world's ugliest uniforms. I was very happy when they changed colors and Coach Dungy came in to change the fortunes of the franchise. I have a BA is Science Ed from UCF and have a masters in Physics from Virginia.

I have been a high school Physics teacher and assistant football coach for twenty years. My coaching career started at Jones High School in Orlando; a small inner-city high school that probably taught me more than anywhere I have ever been. I was fortunate to be mentored by great people. We were successful on and off the field. After six years, I transferred to Oak Ridge High School in Orlando for a new challenge. A multi-cultural school that had its own personality. The students were a joy to teach and they also taught me many things.  In 1998, I moved to Asheville, NC, for a change of scenery. The mountains are a welcome sight for a native Floridian. The Asheville Cougar football team has been very successful on the field and off. I get the pleasure of being an assistant coach on a great staff. During the years, I also coached baseball, soccer, track, wrestling, and weightlifting. But football is king.

In 2005, I was blessed with a phenomenal year. In January, my wife gave birth to Nicole. A bundle of joy who continues to amaze and amuse us. Watching her grow is wonderful. In the fall of '05, Asheville High School went 15-0 on the way to a NC state championship. I coached the defensive line. Winning was great, but it was made better when Nicole and Michele met me on the field afterwards. I love coaching and teaching. But hearing the words "Daddy, I love you" brings a  joy to my heart that is unrivalled.

A few years ago, I started writing and will never stop. I wrote several middle grade science activity books. Quarterback Dad was an outgrowth of my two favorite things, fatherhood and football. A fun look at fatherhood using football terms. A book written for guys by a guy. Light-hearted and informative, the book is written with a language most guys understand ----- football talk. When you buy a toaster, you get a twelve page instruction manual, but with a baby you get nothing. This book could be a dad's instruction manual.

After three years as a stay at home dad, I'm going back into the classroom this year. I am a science teacher and an assistant football coach at Polk County High School (NC). I live in Western North Carolina with the rest of the team. I am the QB Dad, but my wife is the head coach. Of course, like all coaches and players, we are at the mercy of the team owner. The team owner is Nicole. You can think of her as a little version of Jerry Jones.

I am busy working on my next project (a humor book for Adams Media). I am also just having fun being a dad, teacher, coach, and husband.

                                                                                                                2005 NC state championship photo by Steve Dixon, Asheville Citizen-Times