First year as HC

My first year as a Head Coach is complete and it was a success. We lost in the playoffs to the Dallas Diamonds but the determining factor in the game was the weather. That comes down to me and the resulting loss is my fault for not having my team ready for all that the game entailed. In my defense, the game was originally scheduled for 7 PM and changed to 3 PM, due to a "scheduling conflict." I came up with a grueling conditioning program for the three weeks leading up to the game but it wasn't enough as we couldn't replicate the heat. My team played with their hearts' out and though the score doesn't represent it, they did a great job. An example of how well they played exists in the drives in which we were actually fresh on defense. The first two drives of each half. Dallas was only able to score one TD on those four possessions and that scoring one took 10 plays. Our offense did fine but our inability to throw cost us. We could have switched to our Spread offense sooner but I didn't want to kill Wheels too quickly. That didn't work too well either because as soon as we went to Spread, we moved the ball but she was taken out by Springer at the 5-yard line. It wasn't intentional, Springer jumped onto the pile from behind as Wheels was hitting the ground, but by landing on her head Springer put her out of the game.

More importantly, this team had a great season. We went 8-0 during the regular season, learned to win close games and had fun. This team learned how to play football and learned a ton about football. Not everyone who comes out knows football and even those who know football, do not know as much as they think. Everyone learned something new about football this year. We worked as a team and won as a team. We did not lose a game until the playoffs and because of this, the loss hurt that much more. It is a feeling I don't want any of them to forget. Something like this loss should drive you to become better, work harder and give you the mental toughness to overcome any obstacle in life, not just football.

The coaching staff busted our butts all year with the hope of making the playoffs. We did it. We had a championship caliber team! Because of the ups and downs of leagues and teams, this may have been their only chance. This saddens me and is the main reason why I contemplate not coming back every year. I love coaching but the politics of women's football is overwhelming.

I hear people say that the only way women's football is ever going to further itself is to have all of the leagues combine. This is true, but guess what; not all of the leagues (reference to a specific league) are in this to further women's football. They are in it to make money, which is the wrong motive. Now if these people in charge said, I am in this to make money, that would be something, but they don't. They say it is about giving women the opportunity to play football. It is all lies! If it was about the women playing, they money paid by each owner would be seen in the form of marketing, advertising and playoff funds. The fact that teams are unable to bring their entire squad or have to forfeit, in the playoffs no less, is a joke and makes a mockery of every player in all leagues.

In time, I believe women's football will do great things but now I will settle with the 2008 California Quake having had a great season.