Another came on Halloween, the day Blake Butera became the Washington Nationals' choice despite being just 33 years old. But the biggest stunner of all, according to several coaches and executives queried by ESPN, followed six days later, when former relief pitcher Craig Stammen -- barely two years into retirement and hardly even mentioned as a potential manager previously -- landed baseball's top on-field job with the San Diego Padres.
I know I'm a wiser person and smarter football coach. When you're young, you think you have it all figured out. I don't think you really get better as a person unless you go through really good things, and really bad things.