Final Whistle
On November 14, 2025, Leroy coached his final game for Central Catholic High School. It ended in a tough playoff loss—but that’s not the story. This is about a man who gave his heart to something bigger than himself.
We thought he retired in 2019. But then Covid hit. Recruiting stopped, kids were lost, and Leroy couldn’t turn his back when they needed him most. He went back—not for the wins, but for the boys. Even then, he wasn’t back full-time. He took time off the field for trips, hunting, and quiet Sundays at home. But Leroy isn’t a halfway guy. If he can’t give it 100%, he would rather walk away.
Central Catholic Football wasn’t just a football program—it was our family. It started with Sierra cheering, then Steel playing. When Steel began high school, Leroy left youth football and joined the CC coaching staff after an invitation came from Coach Mike Glines. I stood on the sideline with a camera just to be part of the team. The “WE” philosophy wasn’t a slogan. We lived it—every game, every season, every high and low. When Steel graduated, my interest waned, but Leroy kept going because he loved it all.
What made him special was his belief in kids before they believed in themselves. He coached character first, football second. He was calm when they were shaken, louder than the crowd when they needed confidence, and tougher when he knew they could handle it. To so many, he wasn’t just a coach—he was the person in their corner when life got hard.
I’m proud of him. Every “thank you” from former players proves what he built. We gave up a lot of time for football, but it was worth it. He was shaping lives, and we all knew it.
Along the way, we also gained a family—coaches, players, parents—people who became some of our closest friends. We’ve celebrated together, cried together, dragged each other through rough seasons, and laughed more than we deserved. Those relationships are forever.
I don’t know what fall will look like without football. For twenty-five years (plus) the months of August through December have been filled with football practice and games. But no matter what comes next, our hearts will always be with the CC Raiders. We’ll always be their biggest fans.
