Last night, a friend of mine told me to check out the Marion Star newspaper's sports page. Actually bought one this morning. I am sure he wanted me to read the article about the coaching legends from Crestline, Ohio. The article centered around the big weekend that the Harbaugh's and the Gottfried's had last weekend.
For those who know me, know that I am 64 years old and a small town guy from Upper Sandusky. I have tremendous respect for people who have that "extra drive" to do things that an "ordinary person" would not do.
Jack Harbaugh is a retired college football who worked at the University of Michigan as an assistant football coach and later was the head football coach at Western Kentucky. He coached back in my younger days. Just as important is the fact that he and his wife Jackie are the parents of John, Baltimore Ravens head football coach and Jim, San Francisco 49er's head football coach. Their daughter is married to Tom Crean, head basketball coach at Indiana. The family reunions must be unique.
Joe Gottfried is a retired athletic director from South Alabama. Before that he was a very successful basketball coach at Ashland University. His son Mark is rebuilding the basketball program at North Carolina State. By the way, NC State upset Duke last weekend.
I do not know for sure what Joe's brother Mike is doing now, but he had a successful football college coaching career at University of Cincinnati. Mike also did color comentating for college football.
A good friend of mine John Dipetro stayed home and had a very successful coaching career at Crestline High School. Now retired, he and his wife spend spend alot of time relaxing in Texas. John went to high school with Jack Harbaugh and the Gottfrieds. Whenever we chat, the Harbaugh's are always mentioned. John says that neither coach has forgotten his "roots."
As I wrote earlier, I really respect a person who has the "drive" to be the very best that they can be. Of course, being in the right place at the right time is important. God given talent is essential.
The message is simple. Do not let where you are from, dictate what you can do in life. Crestline is a small town. The inner city of Cleveland, or any other city for that matter can be tough. Actually, growing up in a fluent suburb can present problems. Whatever the case, do not let the neighborhood where you grew up or are growing up stop your drive to be successful in whatever profession you chose. Jon Diebler has not.
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