Sunday, February 5, 2012

Father-Son-Coach-Player

You don't have to walk very far before you run up on a coach who has as one of his players is own son or daughter.  Like any other year you can look throughout the Big East and find sons and daughter playing for their dads.  This year there is even a new twist to the Father Son combo.  How about father coaching one team and son playing for another.

That exist with Nash Central's head coach Renny Taylor as his son Marques is a junior who plays for Southern Nash.  Having a senior laden team Marques playing time is limited.  During his JV days father Renny used to get an assistant coach to drive the team bus to where ever the Bulldogs played in order that he could go watch Southern Nash's JVs play and then go to his game.
Lets see what it is like being a coach or a player when you father is either your coach or on the other bench.

Q  How do you feel knowing you just beat his team?
A  Renny Taylor: " I feel bad for him when he loses, I guess that is my parent that is coming out of me".
Q What is it like playing against your Dad?
A Marques Taylor : " The day before is the most awkward.  He will ask me if I am ready to play or whats
    the game plan for tonight"?
Q How do you feel knowing you coach a team playing your sons?
A Renny Taylor:  " I hope he does well when he is in the game but I don't want his team to do good"
Q I know your dad has coached you in AAU.  How is he as a coach?.
A Marques Taylor:  "  He is not the easiest coach to play for.  Sometimes I think he goes over the top when he coached my brother and me".
Q Do You think he likes you being his coach?
A Renny Taylor: " I think he likes it  for me not coaching him".
Q How is it when he can't be there to see all your games?
A Marques Taylor:  "He calls to find out how I did just as soon as his games are over.  He is  there when ever we play when they don't have a game".

Opposite from that is Mike Gainey and MJ.  MJ is sidelined with a knee injury but this is his second year playing varsity under his father at Rocky Mount High.

Q  Is there a fine line between being a father/coach?
A  Mike Gainey:  " It is tough at times, because I have to remember as well as he does that he is a player and I am his coach between the lines.  He gets frustrated sometimes when I get on him because I am dad and he thinks I treat him differently than the other players".
Q  Do you like having your dad as your coach? 
A  M J Gainey:  "It really doesn't matter whether he my coach or in the stands, he's always the loudest".
Q  Do you find it harder to discipline him in games or practice over others?
A  Mike Gainey: "He thinks I am at times.  The problem comes when we leave school by the time we get to Hammond Street we are in deep discussion.  I find that the critics are the ones that have the problems because they are unfair to the child.  I have to constantly talk to him about staying focused on the court and shut out the crowd, now that is tough for both of us".
Q  Do you think your dad expect more from you?
A  M J Gainey:  "He knows what my capabilities are and rest of the team.  He wants all of us to play as best as we possibly can every time we step on the court".
Q  Everywhere in coaching, coaches are coaching their sons.  Would you recommend it to others as their children come along?
A Mike Gainey:  "Yes the Time spent with him  on and off the court and watching him grow from a boy to a young man is the proudest time of my life.
Q  Do you like having your dad as coach?
A  M J Gainey:  "It is a plus that he is my coach because we know how each other acts and that makes our relationship stronger".

This Friday night Nash Central and Southern Nash face off in the final regular season basketball game in the Big East.  Every game night at Rocky Mount is a family affair. 








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