I actually had to look back 15 years for one of the main points of inspiration for The Interim. Bob McCormack is now the head coach at his alma mater, CBC High School in St. Louis. Back at Ladue High in 1991-92, "Coach Mack" was our coach. He was a fiery 28-year-old in his first head coaching gig. I was an aloof 17-year-old know-it-all, short on talent but long on verbiage. I'm 32 now, he's 44 now and, I swear, he looks younger than I do.
And we all learned about the McCormack intensity. The result wasn't too bad: 4-20 the year before he came. 21-7 in his first year, my senior year. Ladue bagged its first District Title (that's a big deal in St. Louis basketball circles). He was named Coach of the Year in Missouri.
On that team, I was no star. I wasn't even a starter but I learned so much from his organization and his passion -- elements that I like to think I have transferred into The Interim.
Last week's Griswold-style odyssey through St. Louis brought me face-to-face with Coach Mack for the first time since 1996. Since our last meeting, we've both become fathers of two children and have enjoyed success in our relative careers. He won a state title after leaving Ladue for CBC in 1996 and coached an NBA lottery pick in Larry Hughes that year. I had the pleasure of covering Kevin Garnett for years with the Timberwolves. He is entrenched in basketball in St. Louis, where his playing reputation from 30 years ago is still talked about around town.
I only had the pleasure of catching up with Coach Mack for about ten minutes last week but I recommend looking up any teacher/coach from your past who really left an imprint and thanking that person.
This is a friendship that I hope only grows.
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