Folks, I am the Medford High School Tennis Coach. Yup. I got the job! The interview process was not as grueling as you might have thought. Before I found my seat in the Athletic Director’s office, he asked me, “So, you wanna coach the girls or the boys?” “Boys?” I responded. And that, along with a considerable amount of paperwork, was basically that.
It’s been fun working with our players. High schoolers are much different than the middle schoolers and younger kids I am used to. More swearing, more sexual innuendo (I’ve learned it’s best not to use the word “coming.” “Arriving” or “On their way” are safer), and more “I know this already” attitudes. I think I see just as much (or more) insecurity though, and a real desire to be taken seriously. So I appreciate that.
I do take them and the team seriously. We practice hard – trying not to waste any time. We work on the skills that will help us win (70% of all tennis points are only 4 shots long). And certain kinds of swearing or joking around aren’t tolerated. There is a line, and when it’s crossed, we stop. We stop everything and begin again.
The first year of any new thing is a learning experience, as this has been. But just because it’s the first year, doesn’t mean we aren’t holding high expectations. First timers are often the ones who make history so look out Greater Boston League!
COACH DREW TENNIS 