A high school coach was overjoyed to talk about his experience and grinned widely as he related his touching story. Unfortunately for him, the debate that erupted online as a result of this heat may have been a little too intense.
The head football coach at Coronado High School in Coronado, California, innocently tweeted about how he felt when one of the players he mentored quit the game. Kurt Hines‘ video, however, sparked debate in the comments area.
Hines revealed that one of his former football players had just informed him that he would no longer be participating in games. The high schooler’s choice, according to the coach, pleased him.
“I just had a young man come in and quit. I truly could not be happier. This young man was struggling all season with making it to practice, with committing. Never looked happy; some stuff going on. But I couldn’t be happier because he came in, things washed, shook my hand, I said, ‘Sit down for a minute.’ He started to explain how his family has always been a football family. ‘They’ve always loved it, my father, my brother.’ I stopped him, I said, ‘Do you love it? ‘”a smiling Hines recalled in the clip and went on to explain.
Just had a young man come in before practice and quit, and I couldn’t be happier! pic.twitter.com/P0zsmbUQzU
The student, who he said always appeared to lack passion, let him know that although his family loved the sport, he didn’t, and that was why he was leaving. Hines explained that he let the young man know how proud he was of him, stating:
“I just saw his whole countenance change. He just smiled from ear to ear. I said, ‘You’re doing the right thing. Football is not for everyone. I couldn’t be happier. Coaches, support your players if they want to be great. And, if they want to be great in something other than football, support them just the same.”
Coronado High School
He urged his other coaches to instill greatness in their athletes whether they wish to succeed in activities off the field or not. Despite the coach’s support for the cause, his choice was met with significant criticism.
One commenter wrote, “Sir, I am a youth football coaching legend, and when my kids quit my team, I tell them their life will be all downhill moving forward and that I hope to never see them again,”
One former football player chimed in, also disagreeing with Hines’ advice, “I quit 2 times, 1st before Sr yr of high school but a great coach talked me back, it was best move of my life. 2nd during 2 a days Jr. yr of college, I’ve regretted it ALL my life! Quitting’s easy — keeping on is hard! Bad lesson to teach. I strongly disagree with your position.”
A coach at Kirtland High School in Ohio named Ray Sullivan appeared to disagree with the coach’s video as well, “What did he do in its place? If he is doing nothing then being part of a team, learning work ethic and learning life lessons is more than just quitting. The easiest thing in the world to do is quit. I believe that being part of something even if the love is not there is better.”
While an equal number of responses praised the coach for choosing to stand by the adolescent, who was plainly not playing with his heart in the game, yet another unhappy Twitter user commented,
“When I was a sophomore in high school, I walked into my basketball coach’s office and told him I quit. He basically told me no chance. It was a long road, but I ended up playing at university of Hawaii after high school. Then played 7 years pro overseas. I grew to love the game.”
One of them wrote, emphasizing how constructive and encouraging Hines’ support of the student was, saying,“Awesome job coach! Thank you for being accepting of the young man’s decision and supporting him. I know it was hard for him to do that. “To everyone saying ‘He shouldn’t quit’ or ‘Should’ve made him finish them [sic] he could quit’ what the hell is wrong with y’all?”
Other social media users tweeted in response to Hines’ video:
“The whole ‘always finish what you started, never quit’ mentality is why we have so many people stuck in jobs and relationships that make them miserable.”
“In turn, they end up making others around them miserable as well. Know yourself. Trust your gut and do what you believe in.”
“Great Coaching! The best coaches and mentors support people in figuring out what they want & don’t want to chase with their time and energy. And I bet you’re the kind of guy who’d also help him find his next coach or mentor when he wants one. You Rock!”
“Lotta negativity in this thread but I’m supporting this 110%. It’s not ‘quitter’ mentality. It’s finding yourself. Watch this kid he’s talkin’ about do something extraordinary. Can the internet give a round of applause for anything?”
