04/22/2023
As many of you may already be aware, I was told that I would not be rehired as the
Pleasant Hill Roosters Boys Basketball Head Coach. On Tuesday, the school board voted to not retain me, against the recommendation of administration. Clearly, this news will affect many going forward, and is very difficult for myself, my family, our coaching staff, returning players, and their families.
We have put so much into the community and the program over the past 22 years, 17 as Head Coach, at Pleasant Hill. While there have been some rough times for sure, I will always be proud of the many accomplishments that far outweigh those tough times.
I want to thank all of the Coaches that have influenced, coached with and against, and befriended, me over the years. You have provided so many tremendous memories and relationships for myself and our team members. The sacrifice and joy we’ve shared can’t be measured and will always make us truly family.
To the players: thank you! We love a demanding sport, one that takes year round dedication, a huge amount of energy, intensity, time, and passion. Sometimes those things mesh well together, a majority of the years they certainly did. I appreciate all the relationships that were built during those seasons, and the relationships that we still share today. I have so many timeless memories and emotions that will always be there when I need them most. Many of which have kept me going over the past few days. I’ve been honored and proud to be a part of your lives, and hopefully you picked up something that you will always be able to use in life.
To the parents, managers, and other program supporters: There have been far too many to name that have supported me and the teams over the years. So many that have genuinely cared about me, my family, and our program. Oftentimes those sentiments are lost in sports today, and society in general. I am, by nature, a closed, guarded, calculated person. I have my great parents to thank for that. But, emotions are there, thoughts are there, passion is there, and I want to thank those that understood and respected that. To coach at any level, it requires help, we have gotten so much help over the years from you, and I can never thank you enough. I know the memories will last.
Thank you to the administration that I have worked with. Again, someone to lean on, vent to, celebrate with, and even debate with. They have been supportive of me and what we’ve done all along. Yours is not an easy or appreciated job, but I do thank and appreciate you.
To my wife Lisa, and children Evan and Felicity. Thank you. Nobody has sacrificed more than you. Most people will never understand what we go though, have gone through, and will go through. But thank you for sticking by me, achieving with me, and allowing me to do something that gives me a sense of purpose. I love you.
“The Future is Now”, as we used as our theme with our great 2012-13 team. I am not sure what the future holds, but I want to wish the program and those players well going forward. I was looking forward to coaching you. I will be around if you ever need anything. Roosters Rise.
-Coach Mess
