Coach Stevens' "Coach Wil" Story

Here's a story from another coach. Thanks, Coach Stevens! (And, as a side note, please pray for Coach Stevens and his wife; her cancer returned in December.)

BARRY STEVENS

   

I was Leslie's (Broadhurst) assistant at Randall for 13 years until I had to resign to take care of my wife who had been diagnosed with cancer at 51 years old.  She is still fighting successfully 12 years later, and we thank God for each day together with our grand babies!

I was told I was not to like Jim when he came to Randall to coach.  He was too inexperienced, he had bitten off more than he could handle, he wouldn't last with the likes of Lombard around CISD!  Boy, could they not have been more wrong!!  I liked him instantly!  How could you not love to be around a guy who could find something good in every situation and usually something funny, AND had a story to tell about it to boot?!  

He fit in so well with all the coaches or, for that matter, teachers on staff.  You just couldn't help but love to be around the guy!  He even went and became best friends with that Lombard rival who happens to be my neighbor.  

The kids loved him!  He had a special touch with every kid — boy or girl.  He could say a few words to a player and help to bring out the best in them.  Jim just had a "special sense" of saying or doing just the right things.

Jim used to always come into Leslie's office in the afternoons to just sit and relax and tell jokes or tell stories about some past exploits, or to occasionally talk basketball.  It didn't take long to figure out that he knew what he was talking about.  Vast amount of knowledge, and quick to share.  Some of my favorite times of 41 years of coaching were spent in the coach's office listening and talking with Coach Wil.  

    

I was almost his age.  He was, in fact, the same age as one of my older brothers.  I came to love him like my own brother.  An incredible man. I was just an assistant, but Jim treated me as an equal.  Many times he would ask my opinion about some basketball-related problem.  I was so humbled and encouraged that he would value and appreciate my opinion.  I so appreciated when he would make it a point to tell Les and anyone else who was involved that, "Coach Stevens has a great idea, and I think we should try it."

   That is why my heart hurts for you and your family tonight.  And for all of us who came to know and, yes, love Jim.  I am still coaching in Happy.  I am getting ready to take my golf team to Austin for the State Championships next week, which we could very well win.  Jim would so love to coach these guys with me!  I know he loved golf and was very good at it.  I, on the other hand, am a marginally terrible golfer, but love kids and winning!  He would have a ball with my boys.  They are his kind of people.  

I am so sorry that Jim has had to endure the pain of watching your mother's devastating illness.  They are a really great team.  You kids and grandkids are a testament to that.  

    

Tell Jim hello from Coach Barry Stevens.  Tell him Debbie and I are OK, even after three different cancers.  I will continue to lift all of you up to the Father in Heaven.  He promises to heal all of our hurts, someday somewhere. If not here on Earth, surely in our Heavenly home all will be whole!

God Bless you all.