The coronavirus pandemic has taken many things from NFL coaches, but in a way it has also given something back to many of them.
With the Airline Drive facility temporarily shuttered, the New Orleans Saints coaching staff can’t follow the hands-on coaching approach it typically would with players at this time of year. Interactions with players are limited to video teleconferences, which has certainly made their jobs harder.
But while they have been robbed of time with the players in their charge, they are suddenly rich in time to spend with their families — something often in short supply for a high-pressure profession that requires grueling hours.
Here are some members of the Saints coaching staff, in their own words, about what it has meant for them to be afforded more time as fathers.
Above all else, they’ve appreciated the chance for a family dinner.
Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael
"It's really been great family time. It's funny because at some point when the offseason had started, when we were still in the offices, I'd gone in to talk to Dan Roushar one day and I was just like, ‘You know Dan, it hit me last night. I have two kids off in college. My other son is involved in baseball and by the time he gets home, he showers, eats and all of a sudden he's up in his room saying he's doing homework, maybe playing video games.’ But, I was talking to Dan and he's got his third going off to college this year and just talking about man, it felt like an empty house for a while and all of a sudden now everybody's home. So it's been great having them home.
“My oldest son's home from college, he goes to college up at the University of Illinois. It's been nice for my younger son because now the two of them, they're buddies, they hang out, they're out in the driveway playing basketball, they can go out in the batting cage, they do everything together, they fish together. So that's been nice. It's probably been a little bit harder on my daughter because, unlike me, she's very social and she likes to get out and about. It's been a little bit probably harder for her being home, but her and my wife have found things to do and they give me the two dogs. So those are my partners at the house, but it's been great having family time at nighttime. It's been a while since we've had these family meals and it seems like we're having those every night."
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen
“As tough as this has been to go through this pandemic as a country, I do feel like there are some positives that have been able to come out of that. And I do feel like, and I can only express to you my scenario, but I feel like this is something that has brought us closer together. Us as coaches spend a lot of time away from our families, and so bringing it back home and really having an opportunity to sit back and reflect on what's really, really important, I think it's been refreshing for me as an individual and I think it's been a positive for our family. So certainly, I think there's that aspect of if we could carry that into some of our future business opportunities, I think that could potentially be a benefit."
Running backs coach Joel Thomas
"I've never been at home this long (laughter). We all look at the situation that's going on and you try and find the bright lights that you can draw on. I've got an 8-year-old and a 7-year-old. And it's been great. I've been able to cook dinner every night. I've been able to tuck them into bed every night. (Little league) baseball's been going again now, so I'm way more involved with that. Just the little things that you might miss.”
The old bowling alley in Cahokia, Illinois, didn’t have much promise the first time Terron Armstead and his sister, Kimiante Brown, walked inside.
Defensive secondary coach Aaron Glenn
"Man, it's been outstanding. I have a 25-year-old son and he's on his own. He has his own place, but it's been good to have family dinners with everybody. That's something that my wife's big on. I have two daughters; one that goes to LSU, and one that is going to be a senior in high school. And it's been outstanding.
“The thing is you see how you take for granted those little small things of being in the house. Family dinners with everybody. Being able to sit outside and conversate just about some of the things that's happening in the world today. Those have been huge pluses for me and my family.
“Even though there have been some horrific things that have been happening during this pandemic, I always think there's something good that comes out of it. And I think that's been one thing. It's been more family time for everybody. Even having a chance to sit back and talk about the racial injustice that's been going on. Being able to have those conversations with my kids. Sometimes they get confused about what's going on and why these things happen. So again, I get a chance to communicate and educate. And then we get a chance to plan and then also have action behind that, too. But it's been good, man, I've enjoyed it. I do miss working. I do miss being on the field. But I do love my family. I do love being around (them)."
Offensive line coach Dan Roushar
“Really it’s been a unique blessing as difficult as these times have been and fortunately our family has stayed healthy and I’m hoping all the other families have as well. My two oldest, who are in college, both have graduated, but they had to come back and isolate with us. So we’ve had some really good quality time. Family dinners that I’ve missed out on for years and just enjoying the quality time that we’ve been able to spend with each other. As negative as this situation has been, therein has been a real bright spot for our family and myself.”
Quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi
“Yeah, I think I’ve seen enough of them. I’ve got seven kids (age range 3-18), so it’s a crowded household. It’s been good, I mean really. It’s been fun to be home with them. Obviously we all get a little stir crazy sometimes. But we’ve got a park within walking distance and if worst comes to worst we can throw them in one of the outside fields out here to work out their energy. We’re blessed to have a pool, which has been huge.”
Defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen
“I have a son here that is going to be a year (old) this month, and he’s an early riser. It’s been very good. My morning is spent, the first half hour with him, kind of getting him going with breakfast, and then I get into the office.
“... I’m having lunch with the family, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, whatever that is. And then at the end of the day, we’re here, so if we get done and I’m ahead (on my work), I’m with my family and with my kids, so it’s been really cool in that aspect. What I have missed is the interaction with the players, being at the office, being with the guys on the field — so there’s some give and take with it. I’ve definitely seen this as a positive, at least with my family, in terms of a lot of family time together. I’m not going to tell you every day was a Utopia … but I feel closer and I appreciate the time coach (Sean) Payton has given us with our families. It’s been pretty awesome.
“And talking to some of the players that have kids, they’re around their kids all the time every day, and you don’t always get to do that in what we do. So we’re just trying to take advantage of those times because I’m sure next year we’ll be back to the same schedule, we’ll be back to the office.”
Even though it's June, the New Orleans Saints have a pretty solid grasp as to who will likely be their starters on the offensive line for the …
"hear" - Google News
June 21, 2020 at 10:30AM
https://ift.tt/3fIq0Lx
On Father's Day, hear from Saints coaches on joys of being at home with family amid coronavirus - NOLA.com
"hear" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2KTiH6k
https://ift.tt/2Wh3f9n
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "On Father's Day, hear from Saints coaches on joys of being at home with family amid coronavirus - NOLA.com"
Post a Comment