PROLOGUE I:
Mitchell gazed down at this cellphone, staring aimlessly at the screen opened to his messages to coach Craig Bohl. Taking a deep breath, he silently tapped the send button and quickly pressed the lock button and placed his phone face down on his desk in front of him.
Well I can’t go back now, the message is sent, Mitchell thought to himself. The reality hadn’t quite hit him yet, as he grabbed his phone once more and opened up the messages again to read the text he had just sent.
I wanted to let you know that I’ll be signing the contract and am excited to be your next offensive coordinator Mr. Bohl. I look forward to meeting you again soon. Go Cowboys!
Mitchell had returned from his trip to Laramie just three days ago, the last of his few stops as he searched for his next coaching job. The University of Miami-Ohio and New Mexico both offered him their Running Backs coaching position and he had visited their campus and met with the coaching staff, but no offer could match that of Wyoming. None of the locations were the prettiest or had the best football program right now, but the opportunity to become an offensive coordinator was enough for Mitchell to be excited about.
His phone buzzed, the screen lighting up in his dark office as he read the response from coach Bohl.
I’m really happy to hear that Hayes! We’re glad to have you as a member of our staff, I’ll let Tom know and we can start scheduling the next steps. We’ve got a few layovers from Virgen’s staff last year, but start thinking of and contacting some guys you’d like to work with next season. Go Cowboys!
The coach’s message drilled the reality into Mitchell’s mind a little more as he leaned back in his chair, taking another deep breath. I’m really doing it, I’m a true NCAA football coach now…but he also knew he’d have some work to do and there was no time to waste. His house had already been sold and packed up and now he knew where he’d be moving to, but he really hadn’t given much thought to who he’d want to have work under him. Craig Bohl was entering his second season as Wyoming’s head coach after leaving North Dakota State the prior year and taking his entire staff with him into the FCS, but after a poor year of performance in Fargo his offensive coordinator Brent Virgen left to become their next head coach and took with him Kenni Burns and Scott Fuchs and leaving gaps at QB coach, Wide Receivers, and Offensive Line. Part of Mitchell wished he could just coach the Running Backs himself, but Mike Bath was still around from last year and the last thing he wanted was to overhaul the entire staff as the newcomer.
Getting lost in his thoughts, Mitchell let out an extended yawn, having forgotten just how exhausted he was after the past few weeks. Knowing that tomorrow was bound to be another big day, he grabbed his phone and left the dark office bound for his bed. Lying himself down, Mitchell forced himself to close his eyes and numb himself to the anxiety growing inside him.
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The sound of ringing woke Mitchell from his sleep, groggily opening his eyes and reaching over for his phone beside his bed. The name Jared lit up his screen as Mitchell reluctantly put the phone to his ear.
“Did you seriously have to wake me up this damn early Jared?”
“Oh come on Mitchell, I had to be the first to congratulate you, you’re my brother after all! Proud of you for getting the job man, but Wyoming? Seriously?” Jared laughed a little.
“It could be worse, I could be stuck in the same place for 43 years” he retorted, “But thank you, means a lot. I’m sure I’ll be getting plenty of these calls today, luckily you’re the only one who thought to do it at sunrise.”
“My bad, I forget sometimes that we’re so far ahead of you guys over here in Dayton. I’ll let you go now because I know you’ll have a lot on your plate for these next few days. Just be sure to give me a call when you need some help.”
“Yeah, will do Jared. See you later.”
Mitchell ended the call, setting his phone down and rolling back over but knowing that sleep wouldn’t find him again. Grabbing his phone once more he checked to see his messages, and sure enough he had several texts. Some from friends, others from family or old coaches he once worked with, but the only one he opened was a message from Julia.
Heard the big news this morning, congrats I’m sure you must be really happy. Good luck up there in the cold.
Mitchell gave an awkward grimace after reading the text, laying his head back on his pillow to try and forget the painful memories. He couldn’t find the motivation to move his thumbs to respond, and even if he could it’d be unlikely he could even find the right words to say. Instead Mitchell set the phone down and got himself out of bed, preparing for the long path ahead of him.