The news of his death had players like me and the rest of my teammates in tragic disbelief. Hearing the words from Principal Terry Piper over the PA the next morning at school had over 75 of our guys feeling such sorrow, grief, and even confusion.
How could such a dreadful event happen to such an honorable man? Questions like these were asked by many of us who came together to mourn the loss of Deane, but to also celebrate the valuable time we had with him.
Coach Deane was more than just a great football coach, he was a great man.
I remember the first time meeting Deane back in the early summer of 2009. I was just a scrawny JV kid going into my sophomore year who had no business on the varsity level- where Deane was the offensive coordinator at the time- but Coach still went out of his way to introduce himself to me.
Even though I?m sure he did this to nearly every kid in the program, he made me feel special. He asked me what position I was, what my goals were for the season, and he told me that he couldn?t wait to see me at the varsity level at some point down the road. I felt like I belonged, and I?m sure Coach made other kids feel the same way.
I could?ve just as easily been the worst football player out there but it didn?t matter; Coach Deane gave his everlasting gratitude to every kid in the program that came along with great enthusiasm.
Just a couple of months ago, Coach again went out of his way to lend a helping hand.
It was just a few days after my dog had passed away in April and I was up at the school for a football meeting with the coaches and players. Before we got underway, Coach pulled me aside and personally gave his sympathy for what I was going through and asked if there was anything he could do. I thanked him for the support, and told him that I?ll heal with time. He then gave me a hug and said that my family and I will be in his prayers as we get through our tough times.
That was just the type of man Coach was. It was all genuine good-heartedness.
It was a given that whenever you?d see Coach Deane around, he?d have a big smile on his face. His positive attitude is something he left the program with as the season lurks just around the corner.
He had Seaholm Football heading in a new, great direction that has many of us players ecstatic for the season to begin.
But the most excited of all was definitely the head man himself.
Deane brought in a sense of stability and structure right from Day One when he took over as head coach, as he had everything laid out on a map. He had everything planned out: every week, every practice, every drill.
His offseason programs have already been showing great results. Deane singlehandedly created programs focusing on strength and skill development as well as character building exercises.
A new workout regimen was put into motion by Coach that produced a greater turnout than in years past. Five days a week players have been working to get faster, stronger, and bigger as the season approaches.
Other installments include the newly founded Quarterback University. Many Seaholm players that play quarterback attended these workouts that specifically honed in on becoming a better quarterback. These were held once a week every Sunday during the offseason.
Coach Deane was a man of great character, and he wanted to implant those same values into his players. Once a month, the team would meet up for a new program called Leadership Academy.
Each meeting would bring a new focus topic that pinpointed a different aspect of leadership.
From these meetings, we formulated our team motto: One Maple, Nothing Less. The motto was first introduced to us by Coach Deane, and we bought in on it. We felt that the motto fit our team because our team is adamant on the fact that every kid plays a role, no matter who you are.
It highlights that we are a team not made up of individuals, but that we all are one unit. No matter if we win or lose, we always know that we battle together, as one.
On the Seaholm Football team website, the front page reads: ?We are better for having known Coach Deane, and for having shared time with him.?
I especially believe this is true. Coach Deane?s impact on not just my life, but on all of my teammates? lives is immense. He graced us with his positive attitude, smile, and compassion.
I can?t put into words how powerful an effect Coach has had on my life. I?ll never truly understand why this tragedy has happened, and I don?t think anyone ever will. But that?s not what I think about when Coach Deane crosses my mind. Today I think about how my time with Coach was a true blessing, and I recognize that I am one of the lucky few to have ever crossed paths with a man like Coach Deane.
Coach, you will never be forgotten.
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