The Coach Is Gone

Yesterday one of the greatest influences in my life passed away.

C. Michael Sorrell had a quite unique style of coaching and mentoring. Those who know him know that he was controversial. He did things his way. He had a lot of friends and a lot of enemies for it. He taught me about adversity. He also taught me about success. But his main lesson to me that it is more important to do what's right, what's true.

The coach was full of stories. That's what I'll remember most about him. He'd tell us all kinds of stories that seemed unrelated to what we were doing. But after my seven years under him, I knew that each story was a puzzle piece. Alone they never made much sense, never really served a critical purpose, but as a body of work, they showed a perspective, a set of values, a way to live your life. He mentored us bit by bit until we were each better for it.

That kind of dedication takes patience and planning. What other coach in any sport would hack off the first 40 minutes of practice every day to sit everyone down on the court and talk? About baseball? About being a good person? About not walking on the grass? He talked how basketball wasn't everything, but it showed something.

Last year I wrote him a letter. It was the first time in six years we'd talked. Since then, we've steadily corresponded in letters. I am so glad I didn't miss the opportunity to thank him and to tell him the effect he had on me. I very easily could have let it slide. I do that. But not here. Not with Coach Sorrell. So I'd like to take another chance here to thank him.

Coach, you are missed.