From decorated pros to college benchwarmers, many young men and
women who played sports often refer back to a coach who had a
tremendous impact on his or her life and eventual career. This is
true even when people don't pursue athletic opportunities
beyond the amateur level or if their skills and abilities
didn't allow them to play in college or beyond (we all know
that less than 1 percent of college athletes play professionally).
The impact a coach can have on one's work ethic, collaborative
spirit, or humility can serve the athlete in whatever life work he
or she chooses to pursue.
However, with such an impact, coaches are often elevated on to a
pedestal on college campuses. In addition, in high-revenue sports
like football or basketball, coaches become the face of the
university, and not only does their compensation eclipse everyone
else on campus, but their status and power often does as well. So
when a few years back we heard the clever retort of former
