NOTE: One in a series of pieces written by Oklahoma Christian's head coaches, explaining in their own voice why they do what they do. Lonny Cobble is entering his ninth season as OC's baseball coach after a long tenure as the baseball coach at Edmond Santa Fe High School. 

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 14, 2020) – I never wanted to be famous or have a lot of money and coaching has helped me accomplish both of those things.

All kidding aside, the reason I coach is because I always wanted to make a difference in the lives of young people. My dad was a coach and I think the world of him.

Classes in college can never prepare you for coaching. You're not just a coach, you're a counselor, disciplinarian, mechanic, psychologist and sometimes you're a parent. My wife Terri and I have four biological kids, but in reality we have had more than 1,000 boys and young men we call ours.

My players are my heroes. These guys have walked in and around our locker rooms and in and out of our lives. They know they are always welcome at our house. Some of these guys have gone on to be professional baseball players, but most have become fine young men, caring fathers and productive citizens and of this I am most proud.

Someone asked me one time, "Will you miss the game when you retire?" I won't miss the game, because I can always go to the ballpark and watch baseball. The thing I will miss the most are the bus rides with my players and coaches. These are some of the best times in baseball.

You ask me why I coach? Where else can you watch boys grow into fine young men?