Reporter’s note: Tim Simmons is a 1989 Vintage High graduate who also served stints as an assistant football coach for both Vintage and Napa High.
Vince D’Adamo: Whether as a student-athlete at Vintage or as a coach at Vintage, Napa or Pittsburg High, what keeps you coming back to football every season?
Tim Simmons: What keeps me coming back every year is the kids. Watching them grow into young men from the time they walk on campus to the time they graduate is a very rewarding part of both teaching and coaching.
D’Adamo: Though assistant coaches are not the first ones people think of, what do you believe their role is in terms of player development on and off the field?
Simmons: When I was teaching and coaching at Napa High School, we had a very special situation where almost all of the varsity coaches were on campus teachers. This allowed all of us assistant coaches to help coach (Troy) Mott to monitor our player's grades, behavior and tutoring for those who needed it.
D’Adamo: Even if high school is the pinnacle of a youngster's sports career, how much do you believe they grow as adults as a result of competing in athletics?
Simmons: There are so many life lessons that are being taught through athletics. Coach Mott, Coach (Jerry) Dunlap and coach (Les) Franco at Vintage High School always emphasized these lessons through the game of football. Being on time, the concept of team first, sacrifice, commaraderie were always apparent in all of these coaches philosophies. Seeing these kids later on in life graduating from college, getting married and having children of their own is the ultimate reward.
D’Adamo: Besides the Xs and Os of coaching, how important is it to relate to youngsters as people?
Simmons: Sometimes coaches are unfortunately the only contact kids have with adults throughout the day. It's very important to always consider the student/athlete's situation, whether it's personal, or with family, and really show them how much you care about them as people, not just as another student or player on campus. When you create a bond with a youngster, it stays with them forever.
D’Adamo: Since you are also involved as a teacher, how much of teaching and coaching goes hand-in-hand?
Simmons: Being a teacher and a coach - I think being good at one allows me to be good at the other.
D’Adamo: Within your family, who have been the most influential people?
Simmons: I think the one member of my family that has been the most influential in my life is my dad. He was a man of a few words, but he never missed a practice, a game from the time I was 8 years old all the way to playing baseball at San Francisco State. He also taught me to never quit anything you start.
D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports you would most like to meet.
Simmons: I have a long list, but If I had to choose one person, it would have to be Barack Obama. He was a true inspiration to me.
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