More Than a Coach - Dave Halliday, Flagler Palm Coast - Great Coaches
What makes a coach noteworthy? I, like many others, used to think that a coach was great if he had a lot of success. I found that statement to be true. However, there’re a few different types of successes that coaches possess that make them great. With great athletes, you only see the performance. You see the pictures, you watch the videos; everything seems to go according to plan. Flawless. But you never see the work that’s put in: the mental and physical strain everyday.
But if the athletes are putting in all of this work, who’s with them guiding them to reach that flawless moment? Coaches don’t always get the proper recognition that they deserve. They do just as much work, and in some cases more work than the athletes whom they coach. They go out of their way and sacrifice virtually their life to help their athletes in any way they can.
Flagler Palm Coast’s Dave Halliday is a prime example of this kind of coach. He doesn't see his success by the number of State Championship rings he has on his fingers, or how many meets he wins, or even the amount of kids he has. He has a different definition of success.
Dave is definitely dedicated to the young people on his team in more ways than just making sure they’re top notch athletes.
Motivation, Success, And A Positive Attitude
Kids want to run for him because he inspires them to push harder then they think they can. He instills a belief in his athletes that they can and will achieve greatness – if they want it. His athletes believe him and work hard to bring what HE sees in them out in their performance. And he doesn't believe in what he sees in them as just athletes, but as young adults. Students. Actual people. The same motivational speech he’ll give you to run your fastest time is the same one he’ll give you to get your highest grades in school.
With all that motivation given, it’s always made manifest, and comes back to him. He has acquired the most Championships, District Titles, Regional Titles and State Titles of any coach in FPC history. His athletes believe in his ability to bring them to the top because they have seen the evidence that what he does works! I don’t know if there is a record at FPC for how many young people have taken the sports they play in high school and gone on to participate in college, but I’d bet he’d have one of the highest numbers.
If an athlete truly wants to run in college, Dave finds a way to get them there. He has athletes from each sport sign to run/throw/jump in college every year. He’s helped tons of athletes go off to small colleges and Division 1 colleges. Even kids that have run for him that are now playing in the NFL come back to Flagler to tell him that he made a difference in their lives.
He has high standards for his athletes, but doesn't demean or disrespect his athletes to get them to perform. He takes time to recognize all kinds of individual accomplishments. A young person breaking a school
record gets the same uplifting credit as a new runner making it through a 5K for the first time. Dave makes it a point to be sure all his athletes are recognized and celebrated.
Outside Of Coaching
All these things make Dave a great noteworthy coach, but some of the behind-the-scenes efforts he does contributes to the overall success of his athletes. Dave doesn't look for the accolades for the things he does
above and beyond the coaching hours. He knows that the little things can make or break a person, not just an athlete. Not only does he want to bring the best out in his athletes regarding their sports, but also help them to become the best men and ladies they can be.
His wife, Kim Halliday, who is just as devoted to the team as her husband, gave a strong testimony and further insight of who Dave is.
She recalls “He and I have helped young people to be sure they have food in the house, clothes on their backs, rides to events and in some cases, making sure that an entire family has a nice Christmas. He counsels young people when they have tough situations in and out of school. He takes into consideration each of his athletes personal goals, even if they have nothing to do with the sport. Some of his young people have
needed a place to stay, or have someone to trust and help them. Dave is that guy. He, virtually, never turns a young person away when they need help.”
She goes on to explain further. “Dave genuinely loves all his athletes. We used to joke that God gave us 2 girls because, depending on the time of year, we had 10 sons or 40 sons. The house is always full of his
athletes, and that’s ok with us. If his athletes are eating dinner, shooting pool or watching movies at our house, they aren't putting themselves in situations where they “could” make poor choices or find
themselves in a negative situation that could alter the path of their lives.
Now our oldest daughter (and soon youngest) runs for Dave. The house stays full of boy AND girl athletes now. Dave truly impacts his athletes in ways far above and beyond his role as their coach. I’ve witnessed athletes change the path of their life after a season with him. I love to see the passion and determination from his athletes at practice and meets. He’s the first person his kids run to when they’ve accomplished something they may not have thought they could do. Dave has such joy when his athletes meet their personal and athletic goals. He really does love the kids more than you may ever know. Each one of them becomes part of our family!
I’m proud to say that Coach David Halliday is my husband.”
More Than A Coach
One last thought on demonstrating his dedication and devotion to his athletes is the number of young men and ladies who want to share their special life events with Dave and his family. Current athletes visit and
take pictures with Dave by before their Homecoming Dances, Proms, and other school events. After they graduate and go on to college and their adult lives, they share their first jobs, engagements, weddings,
birth of their children, and other milestones with him. They want him to be part of their lives even after school is over. One of his athletes even named their child after him.
Dave truly impacts his athletes in ways far above and beyond his role as their coach. Athletes have changed the path of their life after a season with him. There’s so much passion and determination from his athletes
at practice and meets. He’s the first person his kids run to when they’ve accomplished something they may not have thought they could do.
Dave has such joy when his athletes meet their personal and athletic goals.
There are a lot of great coaches who put their life and all they are into the athletes and the program in which they coach. Dave Halliday is one of them.
We all make decisions that change not only our lives, but that of the ones around us.
At the end of the day, one thing is certain: Dave Halliday is more than a coach.
