Forrest Ward

I have a Particular set of skills Early in my career at one of my coaching stops when I was a poor assistant, the head coach resigned. A new head coach was named, and he interviewed the leftover staff members. I was one of the leftovers. The first coach went in and came out fired or wacked as we called it back then. The second coach went in and was wacked. The new head coach came out said, “Does anyone know how to do a two-sided Xerox? I need 10 copies!” Copy machines back in that time period were called Xerox machines after the name of the company. Departments were charged for each copy from their budget. One had to put a department copy counter card in the machine to make it work and the number of copies were billed to your department. Department money was tight, so you did not want to waste any copies. Also, unlike today’s copy machines that at a touch of a button it would make a two-side copy, so you need to copy the first side then put it back in the paper loading tray. You had to make sure the blank side was loaded correctly so you did not copy over the first side. I told the new head coach that I knew how to do it. He said don’t screw up and waste money. I made the 10 copies in a minute and knocked on his door. He yelled, “What!” I told him I had his copies. He questioned if I wasted any copies and I said no. Then he said come in and asked me what else do I know how to do. My answer was that I know everyone on campus to get things done. I know the history of the campus, give a great tour, was a damn good recruiter and a hell of an offensive line coach. He hired me on the spot! I was the bridge that he was looking for between the old staff and his new staff. Who knew that being able to do a two-side copy would save my job! It all goes back to having skills that others do not! Reminds me of the Liam Neese movie, Taken! His line in the movie when he said to his daughter’s kidnapper, “I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career!” If you have skills, then you can be the bridge for the new boss!