Being the wife of a head football coach may not sound like more than a fun fact at first, but in reality, a lot can go into holding the position. Behind the scenes, they are involved in all sorts of activities that aim towards supporting our sports teams, in more ways than one.
This past weekend, Willis’s very own Lindsay Miller was rewarded with the Greater Houston Football Coaches Association’s Wife of the Year award, for all that she contributes to the community and more specifically the football program.
“There was a banquet for the Greater Houston Football Coaches Association and Coach Miller and I attended,” Lindsay said. “There were a few coaches I knew, and some I didn’t, that came up to congratulate me. After the fourth coach congratulated me, I asked Coach Miller if HE was getting an award. He smiled and turned to the program that had a page that said ‘Coach’s Wife of the Year’ with my picture and a paragraph about me that Coach Miller had written. Coach Miller wanted to surprise me, but when I started asking questions, he had to tell me.”
This award is presented only to the most outstandingly devoted wives, that of which Lindsay has truly established herself to be. Not only does she support these football players within their sport, but also academically as she is an i-Coach on campus.
“This is an extremely special award for a coach’s wife to receive from the most distinguished organization in the state of Texas with high school coaches,” Coach James Miller said. “She won this award because of all the roles and the many hats she wears for our student athletes. She is not only a mother of two boys at home, but a lifeline and point of reference for so many other students in our community. The work she puts in to make sure our players are in the right classes, given the right amount of support, provides tutorials, gives up her own lunch for those that are hungry, communicates with parents are all examples of what she does and why she was deserving of this award.”
It may not seem like it at first glance, but being the wife of a football coach can be an occupation in itself, and it comes with lots of responsibility.
“I can tell you that it’s a 24/7 job,” Lindsay said. “Working on the same campus with Coach Miller is a blessing because I truly get to know the program, students and athletes on a daily basis rather than just Friday nights. I am able to help kids educationally if needed, and I think that is where I may differ from other wives- I am another source of support for students when they need it. I am at practices, events and on campus each day with them, and this role that I have is so important to me– I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
Despite all that she contributes, Miller was still pleasantly surprised to have been presented with this award.
“I have been a coach’s wife for almost 16 years, and a head coach’s’ wife for seven of those,” Lindsay said. “This is the first award I’ve been presented with, and although I never in a million years thought I would get an award for being married to a coach, it does mean more than people know. It means that although I think my efforts and sacrifices may go unnoticed, others do value my role and want to validate that with this award.”
Without the hours of extra time Lindsay has devoted to helping our football team and our students, many of them would not be in the same position they are now, and many thank her for that.
“She is special,” Coach Miller said. “Not only am I lucky to have her in my life, Willis ISD is lucky to have her. She is the most selfless person you will ever encounter and deserves everything good that this world has to offer.”
