He shook his head. “That’s tough.”
“Although an inch in the other direction, and I might not have walked again at all, so there’s that.”
“I remember it. I was watching that game. You could hear the entire crowd gasp when you went down. I don’t know how much you were aware of as things were unfolding, but I’ll never forget the silence. Tens of thousands of people holding their breath, waiting to see if you’d get up.”
I did remember it. Part of me wished it wasn’t so clear. “Yeah, it was quiet. That was eerie. I think that was part of how I knew it was bad.”
“It’s remarkable how you’ve bounced back. A lot of guys in your position wouldn’t have picked themselves up and moved forward.”
“It didn’t happen overnight. Recovery took a while. But that was what motivated me to go back to school. After months of not doing much other than physical therapy, I was itching to do something. Find a way to stay in the game, you know?”
“Absolutely.” He took a drink. “What interests you the most about this opportunity?”
“It would allow me to up my game as a coach. Get into stuff that’s more advanced and complex. There’s a ceiling on how far you can take your players, and in college, that ceiling is higher.”
The conversation turned to my coaching style and ideas for Carolina’s offensive strategy, as well as the team’s strengths, challenges, and opportunities. Kevin nodded along as I spoke, and the longer we talked, the more my excitement grew.
He took another drink and set down his glass. “As a coach, I’m sure you’re used to trusting your instincts.”
I nodded.
“My instinct has always been that you’re our guy. Watching you coach and talking with you today has really confirmed that. Honestly, you’re great with those kids. I feel a little bit guilty trying to steal you away.”
I smiled through the sudden knot of nerves in my gut. Was this really going to happen? “Thanks.”
“Having said that, I am going to try to steal you away. No pressure to accept right this minute. You’ll get an official offer letter and you can take your time. I know it’s a big move, and a big decision. But we’d love to have you on board as our offensive coordinator starting next season.”
“Wow.” I took a deep breath. “Thank you. I’ll definitely consider it.”
He reached across the table and shook my hand.
“I hate to cut this short, but I’m catching a red-eye home. I need to get going.”
After he paid the tab, we both stood and I thanked him again for flying all the way out to Washington to meet with me. He assured me the offer letter would be in my inbox in a day or two.
Once he left, I slid back onto the stool and signaled the server to order another beer. I had a lot to think about.
When Carolina had reached out to me to see if I was interested in the position, I hadn’t really thought things would get this far. I’d figured I would fly out to South Carolina, chat with the coaching staff, go home, and never hear from them again. But this was actually happening. I had an offer.
An offer that would take me to the other side of the country.
The server brought my second beer, and I sipped it. I was glad Kevin hadn’t pushed me to answer immediately. He was right. It was a big move and a big decision. I didn’t have a wifeand kids to think about, but I did have a family—a family who meant a lot to me.
This opportunity meant a lot to me, too.
In the back of my mind, I’d thought if I actually got an offer, I’d know if it was the right call. As if somehow the reality of the job would immediately sink in, and my gut would tell me which way to go.
My gut was strangely silent.
Or maybe not silent, but uncertain. I could see it both ways—staying in Tilikum or taking the job. Both had some big pros and cons. And in that moment, neither stood out as being the obvious choice.
Oddly, I thought of Penelope. I kind of wanted to talk to her about it. See what she’d think.
Of course, if the tables were turned, and she was the one contemplating a job offer on the opposite side of the country, I’d probably hate it. The thought of Tilikum High School without her was weirdly depressing.
This was just something I’d have to figure out for myself—sooner rather than later.
CHAPTER 7
