I don’t think I ever really wondered if football would be a part of our lives.
My husband played college football, so from the very beginning, I was used to spending my weekends at a football field. I loved being there, watching him play and being part of something that meant so much to him. Somewhere along the way, I knew that one day he would probably become a coach.
And now, here we are.
Being a coach’s wife is something I’m incredibly proud of, but it’s also a life that comes with its own unique challenges. Football season can be exciting and full of memories, but it can also be exhausting—especially when you’re raising little ones and working as a teacher.
Last year was one of the hardest seasons for me. We welcomed our baby girl right before football season started, and learning how to care for a newborn while jumping straight into the craziness of football season was really hard. Add in being a teacher, having another little one at home, and trying to support my husband through a demanding season, and there were definitely days when I wondered how I was going to keep up with it all.
But then I look at my kids and realize just how special this life really is. Our son has practically grown up at a football field. He knows the football plays, he knows the signals for game days, and he watches everything his dad does. It amazes me to see how much he has picked up just by being around the game. When we ask him what he wants to be when he grows up, he says he wants to play in the NFL or be a coach.
And honestly, I can’t help but smile because football is in his blood. Some of my favorite moments are watching him on game day, knowing the signals and getting excited about what’s happening on the field. He doesn’t just see football as something his dad does—it’s becoming part of who he is.
And now our daughter gets to grow up in it, too. She was born just before football season last year, so her first months of life were spent around practices, games, football fields, and everything that comes with being a coach’s family. It wasn’t always easy carrying a newborn around and trying to keep up with our busy schedule, but those are memories I know I’ll treasure.
One verse that has encouraged me through the hard seasons is Joshua 23:8: “But cling to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day.” That verse reminds me that when life feels overwhelming, I don’t have to figure everything out on my own. I just need to keep clinging to God.
As coaches’ wives, we spend so much time supporting everyone else. We encourage our husbands, take care of our families, work our own jobs, show up to practices and games, and somehow try to keep everything running at home. But we need encouragement, too.
My biggest piece of advice to another coach’s wife would be to give yourself grace. Some seasons are going to be harder than others. There will be times when you’re exhausted, times when you feel like you’re doing too much, and times when you wonder how you’re going to make it through another week.
It’s okay. You don’t have to do it perfectly.
Look for the little moments. Your baby experiencing her first football season. Your little boy knowing his dad’s plays and signals. Your husband looking into the stands and finding you. Your kids growing up on the football field. The laughter, the late nights, the wins, and even the hard days.
Those are the moments that become your family’s story. I know football will continue to be a huge part of our lives, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m so proud of my husband and the work he pours into his players, and I’m proud of our little family for learning to navigate this crazy, beautiful life together.
Maybe someday I’ll be sitting in the stands watching our son play football. Maybe I’ll be watching him coach a team of his own. Maybe our daughter will be right there cheering in front of me. Whatever the future holds, I pray our children always remember that we were there—that we showed up, that we supported each other, and that we trusted God through every season.
Because football seasons come and go, but the memories we make as a family last forever.
So to every coach’s wife who is tired, overwhelmed, carrying a baby, chasing a toddler, working, or simply trying to make it through another football season: Give yourself grace. Enjoy the little moments. And most importantly, cling to the Lord.
One day, we’ll look back on these crazy Friday nights and realize they were some of the sweetest seasons of our lives.
***This space is about supporting the women behind the sidelines. We’ve created a few favorite wear-on-repeat pieces inspired by this life, just in case you want to check them out!***