Started From The Bottom, Now We're Here
Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2019 2:41 pmMAY 20TH, 2018: "Jones! Let's go, your ride is here to pick you up."
The guard had come to my cell, barking at me to get out of bed. Today was the last day of my four-month prison sentence, and I was ready to get the hell out of here. Long story short, I landed here because I had one too many (okay, well, a few too many) glasses of wine after a dinner party. I hit a bicyclist in an intersection after nearly running a red light, and picked up a DUI conviction in the process.
It was all over the local news. "Esteemed basketball coach gets DUI, Goes to Prison". I was also going through a divorce at the time, and that pretty much sealed the deal for my ex getting most of my stuff. The bicycle rider was okay, but I lost nearly all of my retirement and savings paying his medical bills. Originally, I was supposed to serve six months, but got out in just over four thanks to 'good behavior'.
Jeremy, my brother, picked me up at the entrance. "Where to, little bro? You hungry?"
He was three years older than me, and like me, was a basketball coach. He was an assistant at Wayne State, a Division II university in Detroit.
"I feel like getting a big, juicy cheeseburger," I said. "It's been a while since I've had anything other than prison kitchen fare."
-----
"It's time to talk about what you're going to do next," said Jeremy on the drive down I-75. "Look, I just got offered a job at VCU, and I can talk to coach..." I cut him off.
"I don't want to be a charity case." *pause* "What would I even be doing? Isn't your staff already full?"
"You're a talented coach, Jason. You just need a fresh start, to get away from the area," he said. "There wouldn't be any strings attached. I've already talked to the head coach, and while you'd be starting at the ground floor doing video work, it's the only way to get you back on your feet."
*long pause*
"Besides, you helped me out all those years ago, pulling me out of our house when it was burning down. I owe you, big time."
"And if I don't take it? I don't get a choice in the matter?"
"It's too late. I've already told him you're taking the job."
Well, I guess that settles it...
"Fair enough. I guess that means I have to get my affairs in order back in Detroit."
COACH JASON JONES
Experience: 0-0 (.000)
Contract: $22,000 / 2 years
Reputation: Poor
Ambition: Very High
Academics: High
Discipline: Average
Temper: Average
Integrity: Average
Job Security: 100%
Offense: 40%
Defense: 30%
Scouting: 25%
Development: 40%
Recruiting: 15%
The guard had come to my cell, barking at me to get out of bed. Today was the last day of my four-month prison sentence, and I was ready to get the hell out of here. Long story short, I landed here because I had one too many (okay, well, a few too many) glasses of wine after a dinner party. I hit a bicyclist in an intersection after nearly running a red light, and picked up a DUI conviction in the process.
It was all over the local news. "Esteemed basketball coach gets DUI, Goes to Prison". I was also going through a divorce at the time, and that pretty much sealed the deal for my ex getting most of my stuff. The bicycle rider was okay, but I lost nearly all of my retirement and savings paying his medical bills. Originally, I was supposed to serve six months, but got out in just over four thanks to 'good behavior'.
Jeremy, my brother, picked me up at the entrance. "Where to, little bro? You hungry?"
He was three years older than me, and like me, was a basketball coach. He was an assistant at Wayne State, a Division II university in Detroit.
"I feel like getting a big, juicy cheeseburger," I said. "It's been a while since I've had anything other than prison kitchen fare."
-----
"It's time to talk about what you're going to do next," said Jeremy on the drive down I-75. "Look, I just got offered a job at VCU, and I can talk to coach..." I cut him off.
"I don't want to be a charity case." *pause* "What would I even be doing? Isn't your staff already full?"
"You're a talented coach, Jason. You just need a fresh start, to get away from the area," he said. "There wouldn't be any strings attached. I've already talked to the head coach, and while you'd be starting at the ground floor doing video work, it's the only way to get you back on your feet."
*long pause*
"Besides, you helped me out all those years ago, pulling me out of our house when it was burning down. I owe you, big time."
"And if I don't take it? I don't get a choice in the matter?"
"It's too late. I've already told him you're taking the job."
Well, I guess that settles it...
"Fair enough. I guess that means I have to get my affairs in order back in Detroit."
COACH JASON JONES
Experience: 0-0 (.000)
Contract: $22,000 / 2 years
Reputation: Poor
Ambition: Very High
Academics: High
Discipline: Average
Temper: Average
Integrity: Average
Job Security: 100%
Offense: 40%
Defense: 30%
Scouting: 25%
Development: 40%
Recruiting: 15%
