Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
October 30, 2002
Father and son coach Holy Family Tigers to No. 1 ranking
Coach-player relationship becomes a sidelines partnership
By Frank Evans
Many high school football players' performance is scrutinized daily by their head coach dads on the playing field, in the car and at home — but not many have joined dad later on the sidelines as assistant coaches.
Holy Family quarterback coach Mike Gabriel, 26, said, "Playing for my dad, (Coach Mike Gabriel) was probably one of the greatest experiences of my life — next to meeting my wife and getting married of course."
"In those days, my dad and I were able to develop a closeness that carried on after football season was over," Mike said. "The other perk was that every kid wants to impress his dad and I was given the opportunity to do that every day of the week."
While playing quarterback and defensive end for the Tigers, Mike was selected All-Conference quarterback and named to the All-State Honorable Mention team in 1994.
Mike joined his dad's staff after he graduated from Regis University in 1998 with bachelor's degrees in business administration and mathematics and a minor in secondary education. At Holy Family he teaches geometry, is dean of students and Lettermen moderator — and assistant coach.
"Coaching with my dad has been great," he said. " I think as a coach I have learned more than I ever could have as a player and I owe that to my father." The 26-year-old coach added, " It also gives us another thing to have in common, which in turn gives us the opportunity for more meaningful conversation."
His hardest transition from player to coach was realizing he would never play football again, he said. The 6-3, 220-pound athlete had a chance to transfer from Regis during his freshman year and play football at the college level.
"I had the chance six years ago but I decided to stay and learn to coach instead," he said. "There are times when I wonder if I could have made it in college."
Mike has had some opportunities to move to another school and coach but can't imagine being anywhere else.
"I have been here, part of HF, for 16 years, counting elementary and high school and including teaching and coaching at HF," he said. It would have to be an irresistible situation in order to leave to become a head coach."
When he started coaching, he was coaching ends. Mike did find it hard at first, since he was 20 and many players were 17 or 18.
"I did run into a few conflicts because of my age. Now I feel that I have used it as a way to gain some sort of rapport with the team," said Mike. "They know I have been in their shoes but they also know I expect more of them than was expected of me."
With football a year-round job, and married two years in July, Mike said the game does have an effect on a young couple.
"Crystal, who is the Tiger cheerleaders coach, and I were married in July 2000," he said. "We went on our honeymoon and the day after we got back I started football camp. If that does not have a negative effect on a marriage than I don't know what will.
"My wife is incredible. She is the most understanding person on the face of the planet. Our team went to the final four in state last year. That was in late November. By January, we had kids in the weight room and by April we were outside running routes, lifting and getting ready for summer. We had weightlifting four days a week throughout the summer."
Since then it has become a seven-day-a-week job for Gabriel and the other coaches.
" I kiss my wife goodbye in August and then say hello again in November." he said.
He added, " I have had to prioritize in my life. Where it used to be football, wife, God, and family, I am now at the point where it is God, wife, family and football."
Mike Senior, Metro League Coach of the Year in 2001, said coaching young Mike in high school was a memorable experience.
"I know at times I was harder on him than on other players. As a coach and father, I put higher expectations on him," he said.
"Mike worked hard and was a good football player and leader. We had four wonderful years together. Now that he has been on our Holy Family staff for five years, both as a teacher, administrator and assistant coach, the bond we have formed and the every day crossing each other's paths daily in the main office and on the field has been important to me."
On game day, Mike is in the stadium box and calls the offensive plays. During the week, he helps with the total game plan and offensive strategy for each opponent.
"We spend a lot of time together, and I'm grateful for that."
Mike senior's wife Pat, whom he met when both were students at Holy Family, said, "Sports and especially football, has been part of our lives since we've been married.
"Our three sons, Mike, Mark, Mathew, and daughter Gwen attended Holy Family elementary school and HF High School. All were involved in various activities as students."
She recalled the years when young Mike played for his dad and the conversations between dad and son about performance.
" Since both are at Holy Family I sometimes got envious of their being together," she said. " To see them together on a different level as coaches and adults, I am watching love at its highest level between a father and his son. "
She added, "The years have gone by fast. I'm happy for them to have the opportunity to work together as coaches, but most of all — to become good friends."
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