Coaching can be a stressful job at times, making sure the game preparation is right and executed properly. But the other parts of the job outweigh the stress that comes with it. Things like impacting the lives of the athletes outside of the sports world. Jack Gray is the head football coach of the Chandler High School Lions. He says that while he loves coaching sports, he hopes to pass along some life lessons as well.
“I love teaching concepts, and getting players to work together as a unit,” Gray said. “I love seeing their reaction when it really clicks for them and seeing that they have accomplished something big with a teammate. I also love any time we can have a player face a fear or worry, and overcome that aspect in their sport. I like it because I know it will help them in life down the road as husbands, fathers, and members of society.”
Along with coaching football, Gray also coaches the powerlifting and junior high baseball teams. As he looks back on his coaching career, he remembers a lot of moments that are important to him.
“The highlights of my career are not the things one would think,” he stated. “It’s not so much big wins, upsets, or records. A lot of highlights in my head are from the weightroom, summer Pride, and practice. I love watching a player push past his limits and reach another level within himself.
Something he had all along, but it took hard work, dedication and belief system behind him to get there.”
There have been some influences on his life that Gray attributes his coaching success to.
“Neal Bacon is the guy that I would consider my mentor,” he said. “What always appealed to me, as a player and coaching with him, was his intelligence, poise, and moral compass. He runs a tough, grit style system, expects high effort, strong mindedness. You can’t be scared of the weightroom, especially squats when you play for him. I have modeled my system after his, and still do very much of what he has always done. I’m a huge fan of the Shanahan family. Kyle Shanahan is my favorite offensive coordinator and we have the same style of offense. I try to bring the Shanahan style to high school football as much as possible.”
