Vista Football Coach Dan Williams Keeps the Tradition Alive
“I never wanted to be a head coach. After I saw what it took for all those head coaches to win CIF, I didn’t want to do it. But when the time came, I felt a responsibility to carry on the tradition.”
Not doing what you want to do in life?
After I saw what it took for all those head coaches to win CIF, I didn’t want to do it. But when the time came, I felt a responsibility to carry on the tradition.” Williams, who made his mark as a fiery defensive coordinator, has definitely grown comfortable in his position at Vista, where on Friday nights you are more recognized and criticized than any politician or school board member. The intensity that drove Williams for most of his coaching career still burns, but not as hot. “I am definitely not as intense as I was in my youth,” Williams said. “But the kids know when I raise my voice, that it is a tell-tale sign that coach is getting a little irritated. I have been fortunate to surround myself with good coaches because it can be bothersome to be the hammer all the time.”
There is a better way!
The Real Reward While coaching one of the top programs in the state may be rewarding, Williams believes his time spent as a varsity softball coach at Vista and Carlsbad in the mid-to late-nineties may have made him a better coach. “I believe coaching softball has helped me in many ways,” he said. “It may be easier to coach girls because they listen and there isn’t as much media and they aren’t looking for the cameras and trying to showboat. The intensity level isn’t the same, but in some cases it can be as rewarding as football.” In either sport, the most rewarding part, according to Williams, is his relationship with his players. When he receives a wedding invitation or birth announcement from a former player, Williams knows all the trials and tribulations are worth it. “When you inherit 200 to 300 kids and you have to be their father and throw in the expectations of the community, the fundraising, and booster club meetings, the magnitude of the job can be unbearable,” Williams said. “But in the end, it is not about wins and losses, you want to build good citizens and you want them to be successful. That becomes the reward.” Still, on Friday nights, the burden of being a Vista High football coach brings a swarm of butterflies to Williams’ stomach because he knows how much it meant to him as a player and what it means to the community. So, Williams finds a place to himself and dials up some Tim McGraw on his IPod to get himself ready. “I still do get nervous and it doesn’t matter who or where we are playing,” Williams said. “I have a set routine and I follow it every week.” And somewhere Dick Haines must be smiling at his former player who has kept the tradition alive on Friday nights.
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