Double Closure

by Ryan Krzykowski

Two seasons came to an end a few weeks ago.  The high school football season I helped coach ended with an upset loss in the state quarterfinal.  That ending came with the usual sting that accompanies a playoff loss, particularly when the opportunity to win it all was so realistic and close.  Throughout the season, I had the chance to meet weekly with our team’s leadership group, and as the wins piled up and it became clear this squad was putting together something special, I encouraged them to stay hungry, to “be greedy”.  At our postseason banquet I referenced that idea, and talked about how the time has come to turn that greed into gratitude.  To celebrate not only the incredible things the team accomplished (the school’s first ever conference title, a #1 playoff seed, 17 school records, etc.), but also the bonds that were formed and strengthened along the way.  In August these kids were told they had done the work in the weight room, and were now a strong, fast team that would have a chance to compete with anyone on their schedule.  What was going to make the difference was, as a team, how much and how well they loved each other.  This group did that as well as anyone could have hoped.

I’ll always remember and be thankful for the 2025 Owls.  Not only because of how well they played and the great times we had together, but also because of the second season that came to its conclusion when our playoff run ended.  This fall I got to coach my youngest son in his senior year.  I’d been his position coach for the past three seasons, which was an incredible opportunity that few Dads ever experience.  This son is the youngest of four brothers, and I’d first coached my oldest in the spring of 2005, when he was not quite five years old.  So for over twenty years I’ve coached my boys, and I don’t think a year went by in those twenty when I didn’t coach at least one of them in something.  A few seasons of t-ball, various formats of flag football, little kid basketball, and then middle/high school football, with some random baseball seasons thrown in there as well. I’ve been a coach my entire adult life, and getting to do what I’ve done with my sons has been a glorious ride, and one of the greatest joys I’ve ever known.

In the talk I shared at the football banquet, I decided to acknowledge my family, making note of the end of this 20-year era.  I then turned that recognition into a charge to our players to be the best coach/Dads they can be when the time comes.  The reality is my life will never be the same and one of the things I’ve enjoyed most is over, just a collection of memories now.  But what incredible memories they are. 

I’ve shared before in this space that I coach to help young people compete joyfully, guiding them on a journey toward becoming resilient, selfless, encouragers who are known by their love for each other.  And while there’s no doubt I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way, my prayer is that the young men I’ve coached, my four sons included, will live their lives as men who embody those qualities — competitive, joyful, resilient, selfless, encouraging and loving.  If you’ve got 12 minutes and want to check out the banquet speech, it’s available here.

Let’s Coach With Purpose…