What's It Like To Coach a Sport In Lamorinda?

The coaches around these parts, Randy Bennett at Saint Mary's or Mike Ivankovich at Acalanes, for example, are beloved figures with long, exemplary track records in the community.

They and others in Lamorinda approach a difficult job — charged with high expectations from parents and student athletes alike — with patience and and skill, steering their squads through illness and injuries, scholastic pressure and budget constraints to make sure everyone is ready for game day.

Things don't always go as planned, as a recent incident demonstrated, with a coach's actions called into a question when his counsel of a student-player was deemed too harsh.

With kids of our own heavily involved in the local sports scene, we've heard of many of the successes, and woes, of those who coach area kids and we'd like to hear more. We know it's a tough line to walk and that many people expect — maybe demand —perfection on the field and off.

If you coach or have coached, perhaps you'll share a great experience - or one that was not as fun - with us. And if you have a favorite local coach, be sure to let us hear about him or her, too.