A former player’s letter

 Editors note: Last week, Pat Callaghan stepped down as boys’ soccer coach at Corona del Mar High, where he had been a walk-on coach for nine years. He resigned because there was no opening for a physical education teacher at the school.

In response, Conner Ferguson, a former CdM soccer player, wrote a letter.

When Pat Callaghan first inherited the CdM boys’ soccer program, there was minimal interest in the program.

Players showed up to practice with their sunglasses and board shorts on. They barely were able to field two teams.

The players didn’t know what to expect because they lacked loyalty throughout their time as coaches changed year after year. Coach Pat changed that. He was so passionate about the game that he would scrimmage with the players and was never afraid to show emotion.

Pat knew the game, he knew how to make the most out of his players and he knew what it took to reach the ultimate goal. He taught us that hard work was necessary to be successful in the game, let alone life.

Pat took a program from worst to first. The program reached a whole new level, winning back-to-back league championships and an annual invitation to the CIF playoffs.

Students became very interested in soccer. In fact, Pat built the program up to the point where he was able to field three teams consistently. No longer was CdM soccer desperate for players.

The fan support increased dramatically as well. CdM became a tough environment for opponents to play at. These are just a few of the accomplishments that Pat was able to achieve during his time at CdM.

Pat showed up everyday. He brought intensity that inspired his players to work harder. He made the most out of the talent he had.

Corona del Mar became a contender.

As a former player, I couldn’t thank Coach Pat enough for giving the program all he had day in and day out.

As Pat would say, “It’s as simple as that”.

— Conner Ferguson, CdM Class of 2006