Why I Coach… An Open Letter from Sid Edwards

    “It’s more than just 10 Friday nights,” is a mantra I have lived by in the coaching profession for many years. 
    I love to coach, mainly to mentor young men and women. We live in a world where there are not enough positive, pure things going on.  Now, I am competitive and want to win every game we play, but… I will not cheapen my calling by being defined by wins and losses! We live in a hurting world and God put me on earth to heal.  Healing is what I have been chosen to do for the young men and women of the Central Community.  
    Ronnie Devall and Wes Watts hired me in the winter of 2007 to breathe life into a program that was stagnant.  They believed in me and we trusted each other.  Belief and trust in one another is a powerful combo in action.  With that at the base of our relationships with one another, we were off and running.  
    Over the years, the names and faces have changed, but we continue to forge ahead with the goal of building “Men for Others”.  My thoughts in 2007 were to bring to Central an all-encompassing program. The education/academic side of Central was already stellar.  Now I needed to get the football program to that level.  I wanted to provide a private school experience, athletically, but at a public school price of ¬NO TUITION! Why pay $8,000 a year when you can stay in Central and get it all for no cost?  In this program, I strive to provide solid teaching and coaching, in a Christ-centered program that teaches service to others.  Those values and teachings are far more important than any victory.  
    I believe in the development of young men and women with compassionate hearts.  I believe in building strong character with solid Christian morals.  Those things are what are important.  We have won our share of championships and games.  We have been blessed many times over, but I still try to teach the boys that you can’t lay trophies at the feet of Jesus.  Although we are developing strong and competitive football players, we feel our focus should be on strong men, men of faith, to prepare them to be outstanding husbands, fathers, and community minded individuals who are here to serve.  These things are everlasting.  
    In football, as in academics, or anything else for that matter, there is a difference between being number one and being the best.  My goal is to be the BEST! Through Jesus Christ, our mentoring coaches and our players can strive never to be beaten in the game of life if we are properly prepared.  That is what we do. That is what we work for. 
    I love the people of Central and I believe these young people are our best chance for a pure, real, authentic way of life in this community.  They are our Central diamonds that must be polished! Please keep us in your prayers that God puts His hands on us to give us strength to continue to mold young men and women in the way He intended them to be.
Yours in Christ,
Coach Sid Edwards