After graduating from college with a history major I was willing to take pretty much the 1st job I was offered. After moving home with the parents for a few months I was definitely ready to take what ever came my way. I ended up moving back to Knoxville to work for a mortgage and finance company. While it wasn't something that I was planning on making a career it was a job. I also wanted to prove that I could live on my own, pay bills, and make ends meet. I was, and continue to be, very fortunate. Growing up I never had to worry about food or clothing. I attended a private high school, had my choice of colleges upon graduation, and had my own car. I never really thought about the expense of in state or out of state tuition. Looking back that was incredibly foolish of me but my parents wanted me to attend a school that I wanted to and to this day I thank them for that.
Anyways, living on my own, paying the bills, and making ends meet was something that I had to prove to myself that I was capable of doing. The opportunity to live in Knoxville where I still had a lot of friends was also something that was very appealing to me. I bought Tennessee football tickets for the two years which was something that I always wanted to do. While I didn't love the job I had I met a ton of great people who I worked with. I also learned a lot of skills that I believe translate to a wide spectrum of jobs.
When I started approaching my 1year anniversary of being with the company I started looking at different jobs that I could do with in the company I was working for at the time. There was one position that I found very appealing and applied for it. I went through a few rounds of interviews and it came down to myself in another person. Unfortunately, or so I thought at the time, I didn't get the position. I was pretty bummed about it to be honest but I took it in stride. A few days later while sitting at my desk at work my cell phone started ringing from an unknown number. While it was frowned upon to have your cellphone at your desk I decided to step outside and answer it. It turned out that it was my high school assistant principal and basketball coach asking if I'd be interested in coming back to Georgia to be his assistant coach for the varsity basketball team. Being a basketball coach is something that I had always wanted to do but in my mind I just couldn't see myself quitting my job and moving home. The stipend for being a high school coach isn't something you make a living off of and what assistants get paid is even less. Despite this I asked him if I could have the weekend to think it over. It just so happened that my dad was coming up that weekend to visit and take me out for a steak dinner at Baker Peter's Jazz Club (awesome place for those ever in Knoxville). Looking back now I don't think it was some coincidence that the events of not getting the promotion, the basketball coaching offer, and my dad coming up happened in such close succession.
I recall sitting upstairs at the steak house talking with my dad about the opportunity that I was presented. I listed out everything that I could think of why I should or shouldn't take the job. I remember my dad telling me if the only thing holding you back is worrying about bills and a place to stay then you can move back home and if you get into financial trouble we'll help you out. I thought to myself that if I ever was going to make a move like this it was best to do it while I was young. Certainly an opportunity to coach at your high school doesn't come around all to often. I decided then and there that I was going to take a leap of faith, quit my job, move back in with my parents, and take the coaching position.
I want to say that I made the decision in late September or early October and moved back to Atlanta on Sunday November 1st. I remember the day because it was right after the Tennessee v South Carolina game on Halloween when the Vols wore the black jerseys (Vols beat the Cocks 31-13). The plan was to move home, coach basketball, and attend grad school to get my masters in education and become a high school history teacher. History has always been a passion of mine so I figured that the opportunity to teach, coach, and work with students would be amazing. I soon found out though that because I was 24 and had established residency in Tennessee that I'd have to pay out of state tuition for grad school or wait a full calender year to establish residency again. The price difference between instate and out of state is something like $10k a semester so I decided to wait. While I felt like it was a set back to my plans I wasn't defeated.
My first season coaching was really incredible. I enjoyed the practices and games and it felt great to be back in the gym. Any doubts about the decision to leave my job and friends in Knoxville were validated almost immediately. The season went extremely well as far as record and results go. The team had two solid senior starters, a junior defensive bulldog, and three talented sophomores. We finished 2nd during the region regular season and 4th in the region play offs qualifying for the state tournament. In the 1st round we had a great upset road win against #5 ranked Rockmart before falling in the Sweet 16 on the road to Spencer.
After the basketball season had ended was when I first really started feeling like my life lacked some sort of direction. I was working for a basketball company doing skills trainings and camps but in the spring it wasn't something that was every day. While I enjoyed the trainings I felt like I was spinning my wheels and that my life had little traction. I was a 24year old part time basketball coach and trainer living at home in my parent's basement. It wasn't what I had in mind after getting a college degree. Fortunately over the summer I traveled a lot around the southeast directing Nike Elite Hoops basketball camps. I spent six weeks in South Florida and actually spent 49 out of 51 days in a hotel room. Not necessarily ideal but it got me out of the house, allowed me to meet a lot of great people, and see some cool places.
That basically ended the summer for me and I poured myself into studying for the GRE and applying to grad schools. I was still working basketball training events during the evenings and weekends. Unfortunately the way my schedule fell I was off when most people were working and working when most people were off. I was bummed that I missed out on things my college friends were doing but I had to make money. Towards the end of the summer I started getting involved at my high school as a member of the Alumni Association board. I had an awesome high school experience and really felt that I owed at least part of my success due to the solid foundation I got at BT. I took a course and became certified to substitute teaching at the Archdiocese of Atlanta Catholic schools.
The next thing I know its October and basketball training and conditioning for my high school team was starting up. This was certainly welcome news to me to take my mind off of the grad school decision and it would get me out of the house and give me something to do on a regular basis. While running a conditioning training I heard that a position at BT was opening up. The individual was the Alumni Director was moving on and they were looking to fill the position with an alum. Again I thought to myself that certainly it was no coincidence that all of this was happening. I decided that this was something that would be perfect for me. I remember hearing about it and being energized by the opportunity. I'd be able to work at a school and work with quote un quote young people as well as continue to coach basketball. Working with others, something that would benefit a greater good, is something that I've always wanted to do. This job would allow me to work with current students as well as alumni and it combines a lot of my passions. I'd be doing some event planning, networking, social media, database management, fund raising, and several other things.
I interviewed for the position in late October, about a year after I moved back to Georgia. I remember leaving the interview and thinking that I did really well. Despite thinking that I did well I was very nervous, this was something that I wanted a lot. It took a few weeks before I got the decision but when I was told that the position was mine I nearly jumped for joy. Now here I am almost six months later and loving it.
The one thing that I miss a good bit though are my friends up in Tennessee. I suppose the old adage is true that distance does make the heart grown fonder and it's the reason why I look forward to events like the Orange and White game two weekends ago, my good friends Chandler and David's wedding shower this weekend, and football Saturdays in the fall.
Sorry for the infrequency in posts but hope y'all are well.
Tennessee, Tennessee, there ain't no place I'd rather be.
JPat
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