Scouts evaluate athletes as possible recruits. How safe is your neighborhood? They just want to move, explore and live. Make sense?" I haven't graduated college yet. He tumbles forward. The football team won the 7A State Championship in 2001, 2002, and 2005. . ", Mendez acknowledges that his presence has had a positive impact on people. Preston Gannaway for ESPN If all goes well, a receiver should be open about 15 yards downfield right in front of the Prospect sideline. He scoffs. So I follow him in the bike lane, hazards on. I pick up a fork, stab it into the roll, drag it through a puddle of soy sauce and put it in his mouth. This is the opportunity he has waited 12 years for, the one he long felt he deserved but worried would never come. Mt. After a shortened 6-game spring season, that ended on April 23, it was back on the field 108 days later. He towed his friends around the neighborhood on their skateboards. Bennett, Will Cassaidy, Matthew Dietrich, Connor Konieczka, Sean ( Sr.) Letzig, Charles ( Fr.) I don't focus on it. As much as he doesn't want this syndrome to define him, at the same time there's a part of him that loves the fact that it sort of does. When Mendez first took over the coaching job, many kids on the team were surprised to see a man with his condition coaching them. This also ensures that prospects will have time to interact with the coaches and learn from them in a small group and one-on-one setting. Steven O'Dell, a big class of 2024 prospect from Broome High School in Spartanburg, told The Clemson Insider that he's been hearing some from the Tigers via social media and communicating with Thomas Austin. Soon, it will be a nation-wide phenomenon when Rob Mendez accepts the 2019 Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the ESPYS on July 10. On this night, on the same field where this journey began, Mendez gathers his team one last time. "The Sobrato loss still bothers me," he says in February. As we head back to Gilroy, I ask Mendez if he's aware of the impact he has already had on Prospect players and coaches like assistant Todd Livingston. Unlike fighting or fantasy games where he constantly had to engage, football gave him breaks. I couldn't tell you what it felt like to catch a ball in the flat, but I knew what it was and why it worked." Mendez looks up as the quarterback's pass sails overhead. One player quit because of Mendez. How High School Football Coaches Help Their Players Get Recruited Sanjay Kirpalani July 5, 2013 Dothan (Ala.) High School head coach Kelvis White is one example of prep coaches doing. WVSN instantly reached out to the 2025 class [] WVSN instantly reached out to the 2025 class prospect to find out more about his talks with WVU offensive line coach Matt Moore and his current mindset about his future. The school sits on the western edge of Silicon Valley, just 5 miles from Apple's campus. 2. It feels as if everyone is staring. "I use my neck like my arm," Mendez says. Eventually you will come across your passion and for me it was football and working with people. I put Mendez on my shoulder, turn and then set him in the chair next to me. But after losing the season opener to Santa Clara, his Panthers won seven games in a row. We are all special. Lobue, Joseph ( Fr.) Mark Fisher 3D Design Teacher. There is nothing to break his fall. Can you lift me out of my chair?" "I've always been someone to be not afraid of failure," Mendez said. "I just wanted to coach football.". I don't sign up for being inspirational Rob.". "I couldn't follow up with more of a class act," DeBoeuf said. "This was confirmation that you know what, I'm doing OK," he says. https://ftw.usatoday.com/2019/02/rob-mendez-football-coach, Why hiring Sean Payton will require NFL teams to make an expensive trade with the Saints, Win or lose, the Bengals can prove Joe Mixon's 'big dog of the AFC' claim right against Buffalo, Trevor Lawrence revealed his Waffle House order after the Jaguars wild comeback win over Chargers, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. ( Google map, other maps) Mt. I don't want to be put on a pedestal. Mendez gains happiness and joy through helping others and that will be his message when he takes the podium for his acceptance speech. But it isn't that simple. Prospect's lone highlight came on defense when, just before halftime, the Panthers stonewalled Sobrato on four straight plays from the goal line to keep the game scoreless. Helped North Kansas City to a . 1 poison," he says. I stuff a pad between him and the chair back -- paranoid he could fall. "I'm not the perfect guy. "I got it. On this day, one of his freshman quarterbacks struggles to grasp the footwork on the 37 stretch. It has given him a life otherwise inaccessible. It has given him a life otherwise inaccessible. The season has been a greater success than Mendez could have imagined. Tears begin to fall. Preston Gannaway for ESPN, A FEW MINUTES after our first beer, a bartender brings Mendez a plate of California rolls. Its classrooms are a melting pot. I think he needs them just as much." "It was just it was horrible," Bob says. Pick a play, execute for a few seconds, take a break, pick another play and repeat. I might take two steps forward and then one step back. And he calls the exact same play he did on the previous down, flipping it to the other side of the field: Rex nine left, 180 smash. The day-to-day blanks are easy for him to fill in. And how does he deal with such a challenging life? Without his wheelchair working properly, he can't raise its height to sit next to me at the bar. As the clock approaches 11 p.m., he looks at his empty glass and asks for another drink. "It gives me this sense of independence." I think he needs them just as much. Practice starts in a few days. After a few minutes of conversation, he seemed like any other football coach having a beer on a Friday night. It gives me this sense of independence., Sign up for the For The Win newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. As they head inside, Mendez looks back at me over McAvoy's shoulder. he says. Prospect Men's Cross Country and Track and Field @PHSKnightsXCTF Feb 12 Varsity winners from last night Tuchner - 8.33 55mHH Balenda, Sahakian, Holtmeier and Walsh - 1:36.42 4x200 Raitano - 54.69 400m Garland 4:37.85 1600m Diversey, Tuchner, Guagliardo, Balenda 3:47.19 4x400 Guagliardo 5'8" HJ Holtmeier 20'11 LJ, 42'3" TJ Kamp 50'8" SP Coach Reed, My name is Johnny Appleseed. They run the play again. The receiver is open. It's just me. "His mind is the greatest thing," Prospect JV Assistant Defensive Coordinator Todd Livingston said. He tumbles forward. They run the play again. You guys fought your butts off. I love that. On convenience alone, it would have been the perfect place for him to coach forever. Mendez tries to explain, but the kid doesn't get it. Most days Mendez has chronic neck, back and shoulder pain. "I wish more people were like that. Taking a bath. Neither team has moved the ball all day, with the game's only points coming on a 35-yard Sobrato field goal three minutes earlier. Coach Mendez. But on this late July night, 30-year-old high school football coach Rob Mendez has a taste for sushi. Prospect High School JV Football Coach Rob Mendez was born with a rare disorder that left him with no arms or legs. They wanted Bob to see other babies born with disabilities. Earlier in the day, Mendez flew home from Las Vegas, a 48-hour escape before the insanity of the season begins. I am currently a senior at Texas Community High School and I will be attending college in the fall semester of 2009. '", Mendez taught himself the game of football by playing Madden on a PlayStation, using his chin and collarbone to push the buttons. Mendez shakes his head. (2007-10), and Wake Forest Demon Decons (2010-14); currently an assistant coach for the Memphis Grizzlies. It is part of the Campbell Union High School District . While he knows that day will be a life-changing experience, he remains humble. This can cost you more than just money. The season begins in a month. Come play a 9-hole scramble at Sunken Gardens in Sunnyvale on July 30th! "We live and die." By Tuesday afternoon, he's back at Prospect for practice, apologizing to his players for Monday's absence. Tired. "I'm so proud of you. "It's only natural to never give up," Mendez said. "I've always been like that ever since I was young. In most cases of tetra-amelia, death occurs before birth. "Be bold and fail, be bold and fail, be bold and succeed. Dear Coach Doe; My name is Joe Blow and I am asking you to consider me as a future prospect for the University Notre Dame football team. It feels as if everyone is staring. He absorbed everything he could. His older sister, Jackie, pushed her brother to try new things and one day tucked a PlayStation controller under his chin. Manning also ranks as the No. All the honorees will . I just want to be Coach Rob. To feel comfortable. After a few minutes of conversation, Cable believed he had his man. Mendez hopes to someday have the opportunity to coach varsity. I turned around, took two to three steps and then I heard it." Rob has fractured cheek and orbital bones and has the effects of a concussion. I saw in front of me a man who loved football and kids. Mendez screams. Rob has fractured cheek and orbital bones and has the effects of a concussion. he yells. Is that you?" Mendez gets a fist-to-shoulder bump from every Sobrato player. A few minutes later, he asks if I can follow him home. Now comes the opportunity to prove the school made a mistake. Preston Gannaway for ESPN Finally, after 13 years, he was able to get a job at Prospect High School in California as their high school football coach. "There you go!" Minorities make up 73 percent of the student body. I haven't graduated college yet. When the players met their new coach, the whispers began. But on this late July night, 30-year-old high school football coach Rob Mendez has a taste for sushi. IN HIS 30 years, Mendez can't recall a single dream in which he has had arms or legs. There's a lot on his mind. He sees me, and he stands up straight and pulls himself together so he can open the door for me. "Thank you," he says to me after his first sip. When he's away from home, he's careful about what he eats and drinks, often keeping it to no more than an iced coffee. "There was one word my dad never liked -- special," Mendez says. You don't have a realistic view of your ability and playing level. The World Series is on television. He says thank you. "In a text message." His father has long wished that Rob would wear an upper belt as well as the one that wraps around his waist. For the last few minutes of our ride, we both keep quiet. But other than the tetra-amelia disorder, his son Rob was born a healthy baby boy. Prepped at Blackman High School under head coach Chandler Tygard . They are teachers who coach on the side. He runs Eight Laces Consulting where he specializes in helping coaches nationwide in their job search process. Next year you'll be back in it, believe me. And ended each practice with the same message: I love you guys. So I try not to complain. In a little more than 12 hours, Prospect will play for the league JV championship. Preston Gannaway for ESPN. "Oh whatever," Mendez answers. They sit in front of us, untouched, for nearly 10 minutes. He has spent his life fighting statistics, proving doctors and doubters wrong. There's a lot on his mind. He doesn't eat right. Rob leans forward in his chair to reach his cell phone. But on this late July night, 30-year-old high school football coach Rob Mendez has a taste for sushi. For now, I start with a topic far simpler: football. But I'm 30 years old and a JV high school football coach. But Mendez doesn't care about that. He can be reached at wayne.drehs@espn.com. College Football Prospect ID events are the first premier event following the 2022 high school and college football seasons. Email Mark Fisher. The season begins in a month. Mendez gives me directions. He demanded respect, eye contact and accountability. Email Ditas Faraon Buhler. It's a move he makes countless times a day. At the end of every day, I'm sore.". I was a little nervous about it," Cable says. Complaining is my No. We're the ones who feel sorry for them and say, 'Oh you poor thing.' LESS THAN TWO weeks before his son's first game as a head coach, Bob Mendez prepares to drive Rob home after Sunday family dinner. 31 years later, he's changing the football community with his coaching ability as the JV coach of Prospect High School in Saratoga, Calif. and inspiring the world with his story. Rob is no different.". I pick up a fork, stab it into the roll, drag it through a puddle of soy sauce and put it in his mouth. Where do I put my hands? But he's always there for the kids. Buddin is from Belleville, Michigan and was regarded as the 11th best player from the state during his senior year. The 6-foot-4, 185-pounder completed 60.1% of his passes last season for 5,275 . Prospect High School, or Prospect, is a public four-year high school in Mount Prospect, Illinois, . Mendez doesn't buy it. I love it. "We are two very different people. "But I don't think about this the same way everybody else does," he says. He is mobile thanks to the chair he controls with his head and neck. He briefly leaves Rob in the garage to run inside. I mention that one of the themes I'm thinking about for his story is this idea of a beautiful mind. Chicago, IL. On convenience alone, it would have been the perfect place for him to coach forever. "I guess you saw a little bit of the other side tonight. "I like the way I am, really," he says. "Like a pancake hitting the ground. "Bugs the s--- out of me," he says. The left side of his face slams into the concrete floor of the garage. I mention that one of the themes I'm thinking about for his story is this idea of a beautiful mind. 9 overall prospect in the country. Initially, Josie struggled. They have to buy the fake. The positiveness of your mind can get you to do unbelievable things and feats and that's what he does.". I said, 'oh yeah? Embrace it. "I was drinking to forget. On this day, one of his freshman quarterbacks struggles to grasp the footwork on the 37 stretch. Like us on Facebook to see similar stories Please give an overall site rating . Instead, Mendez repeats two words over and over and over: thank you. It is hard for college coaches to obtain rosters from high school coaches, and even harder to get them to hand over contact . He can barely open his mouth. Otherwise there's the potential he'll need to use the bathroom without McAvoy there to help him. That's not me," Mendez says. DeBoeuf named new football coach February 23, 2018 By Jack Ankony, Executive Sports Editor A new, energetic face will be leading the Prospect Football program into George Gattas Memorial Stadium on Friday nights next fall. Preston Gannaway for ESPN. Randy Clark (class of 1975) . 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