PLYMOUTH – There is a fine line walked in a relationship between a father and a son. When the player/coach dynamic is added, it can be even more tenuous. For Plymouth’s Rockies it appears that head coach John Barron and starting quarterback, son Jack, have struck that balance – and did so early on.
“He’s a dad first,” said Jack. “I remember freshman year asking him ‘What should I call you?’ and he said ‘I’m your dad aren’t I? Call me dad.’ That really took the guess work out of it. For me it’s been a great experience getting to know a different side of him – that football side. You don’t see that side at home and it’s been so great for me to get to share that side with him.”
Dad’s experience as Plymouth’s head coach – long before Jack was in uniform – enables him to put it all in perspective.
“It’s been a lot of fun. But we haven’t had a whole lot of negative to deal with,” said John. “It took some time to get over that last game last year, just because of the way it ended. That was tough.
“He’s going to be under more scrutiny than ever and he’s like ‘Dad, I already have been’ but he’s on the cover of (Indiana Football Digest), so I try to remind him what it’s like when we play somebody who’s picture is on the cover – like your dad makes a copy of it and puts it on everybody’s locker – if you didn’t already have a bullseye, there’s going to be a bigger one.”
That experience also helps make things a little more comfortable for Jack.
“He makes it easier,” said the Plymouth senior signal caller. “If something goes wrong he takes the blame for it and takes that off me. I’ve seen him do that for a lot of guys, not just me. I think he’d do that for any of his players. He’s the kind of guy that when he makes a decision, he sticks to it and takes the heat for it and that makes it easier.”
Watching his son develop into his senior season has been a reward for John.
“On senior trip, it gets pretty heartfelt when we ask kids to talk around the campfire and this year was something special, just listening to him talk and think ‘Hey, that’s my son,’” said John. “I’m going to try to enjoy it. We don’t know how the season is going to end up, I just know this is my last go with him. We’ve enjoyed it so much so far.”
As a father, he also has another big concern.
“I just hope he continues to stay healthy,” said John. “He loves his teammates. He loves this school. He loves being a Pilgrim and a Rockie and I just hope he can stay healthy.
“I know his feeling is this is as much for dad as it is for me. I know that’s in the front of his mind. I just hope he can relax and enjoy this with his buddies. That’s what I hope he gets out of it. I just want him to enjoy it.”
Jack has another set of goals.
“I think he (dad) is at 88 wins in his career and knowing he’s within 100 in my senior year – well I’d love to have a chance to get that for him,” said Jack. “Obviously another conference title would be great and getting a sectional title. I’ve been blessed with great teammates and that’s something I’d like to be able to share with them, too.”
