I have absolutely no data whatsoever to support this thesis, but I am no less confident in its accuracy: more sons follow their fathers into coaching than any other profession.
In three years of hearing coaches speak at the AFCA convention and throughout the daily functions of this job, I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "My dad was a coach, and ever since I can remember I knew I wanted to be a coach, too." The pattern is a familiar one. Because Dad's job means he isn't home for regular family time, Dad's job becomes family time: in the field house, on the bus, and on the sidelines.
Coaching is a way of life that doesn't make sense to many on the outside, but to many on the inside, it's the only way of life that does make sense.
Anyway, I thought about that theory of mine when someone on my Twitter timeline shared this photo of Towson head coach Rob Ambrose and his son, Riley.
I can't say for sure, but something tells me someday I may find myself in some convention center meeting room listening to Riley Ambrose talk about how he coaches because that's what his dad did. And then I'll remember this photo.