During the middle of our 1978 football season at Cupertino, Coach had to have an emergency appendectomy. This laid him up for a few days and I remember visiting him, as a team, at his house. Being the tough guy he was, he decided to return to practice and his coaching duties before he had a chance to fully recover. During one of our drills, Tim Small came charging through a block and grabbed Coach around the waist. Practice came to an abrupt halt as we all watched Coach almost drop to his knees in agony. He thought his stitches got ripped out and we all thought his guts were going to fall out. We weren't sure if we were going to have to call an ambulance. But true to form, Coach hung in there, "rubbed some dirt on it" and learned to stay away from Tim Small the rest of the week. I do remember Tim feeling pretty bad about it though.

I very much liked and respected Coach, and spent a lot of time with him during our two seasons together. I wish I had many more specific memories of him. However, the three distinct memories I do have of him are indicative of what a good coach and good man he was.  I could not have asked for a better coach.

First, was the end of junior year (1982) and we had just lost to Lynbrook in our last game.  Our team was not good that year and I was not good that year.  As I walked off the field, Coach put his arm around my shoulder and told me I did good and he was looking forward to next year with me as his quarterback.  His encouragement had me looking forward to a great season rather than looking back at a crappy season.

Second was at practice early senior year(1983).  We were doing form tackling drills (which were horrible because you just had to jog slowly and let a teammate tackle you).  Apparently we were not doing it with the enthusiasm that Coach required because he got mad and had everyone stop.  He then got down in "correct tackling position" and made me slowly jog so he could show everyone how he wanted it done.  This was done with no helmet and his glasses on.  He proceeded to stick his face right in my chest, wrap me up, pick me up, and drive back a few yards.  Then he put me down, turned to the team, and with his glasses all cockeyed over his nose (my description does not do justice to how he looked) yelled that this was the way he wanted it.  I started to laugh at the sight, but a sideways glance from Coach put an end to that.  His fire carried over to our team.

Lastly, I had many conversations with Coach as we got ready to take possession of the ball. He would have his hand on my shoulder as he relayed a play to me from Coach Eli up in the booth.  His hand was on my shoulder, not for support, but so that he could yank me back after they decided to change the formation or the play.  As time ticked away he'd finally just shove me off and tell me I knew what they meant so just go call the play.  The one specific conversation I remember was with 1:08 left versus Saratoga.  We never discussed kicking the ball, he just asked if I wanted to run a sprint 2.  I said "no" because their defensive ends were getting in too quickly.  Coach then said, "Ok, 22 trap pass".   And that was the play that we ran.

Chuck & Carol dancing at the Eagles tribute concert at Naggiar winery. Great night!