Remembering Coach Saling

Most of the time we have no idea how many lives we touch in our lifetime, we just live our lives one day at a time, as days turn into weeks and weeks into years.  Sure, we can watch movies like Jimmy Stewart’s classic “It’s a Wonderful Life”, to try to show us it’s meaning, but seldom do we really think about it as we race through our daily routines.  However, for Coach Dan Saling, many, many lives were touched by his humble, down to earth demeanor that made it hard not to like him.  His love for family, football and his “boys” would radiate to anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him with his soft smile and grin.      If the value of a man is truly measured, it is usually by those who worked with him.  However in the coaching profession, it is usually those who had the opportunity to coach against him.  “I was numb, numb for about half an hour,” Wellsville coach Dave Skinner would remark recently about hearing of Saling’s passing.  When Matt Altomare of Leetonia was contacted, his comments were also brief but enlightening, “Coach Sailing was a good friend and a great man. He was taken from us too early, but still leaves a great impression on many people.  To write just a few thoughts would not do justice.”  Another rival coach, Jeremy McElroy of Lisbon, reflected on the impact Saling had on the Southern community, “Dan Sailing made a huge impact in a short period of time on the community and young people of the Southern Local School System.  If everyone could have the same type of impact on the world around them, the world would be a better place.”

Perhaps Saling’s proudest football moment came last fall when the Indians survived a 14-12 grinding ordeal with arch-rival Wellsville on a cool, rainy October night.  He sat at his desk in the small, crowded, and visible worn Southern locker room with a satisfying and proud grin.  He had accomplished something that only a few years ago wouldn’t have been imaginable.  The Indians football program had to forfeit a game just a few short years ago.  But in 2008, they had one of the best seasons in the school’s history by finishing 7-3.      That is one reason Saling looked forward to coaching again this season.  “I really want to keep the job,” Saling joked after the Wellsville game.  “I really enjoy the kids, and I feel like we can build something here, it doesn’t have to end here.  I’m losing a lot of kids, I know that, but I think a strong effort in the winter in the weight room, and we can replenish our line, and I think I’ve got some decent backs coming back.  So I see no reason we couldn’t have as much success next year,” as he would go on about the future of Southern football.

What lies in the future for Southern football is yet to be seen, however it will be the second heartbreaking death that the Southern community will try to overcome in recent memory.  The first tragedy that the Southern program has worked so hard to overcome was the loss of Indian star player Matt Puckett in 2006, just days before the season opening game.  The Indians responded with Matt’s brother Nick rushing for a team record 306 yards, and a season record for rushing with 1,956 yards.  If history is any indication, the Indians will pour their hearts into honoring their beloved coach in 2009.      All too often our coaches are measured by their wins and losses.  However, many times a coach’s true value at the high school level is his ability to instill the morals and values that we all need to make the right choices in our lives as citizens, parents, and community leaders.  The players that played for coach Saling will leave Southern Local as better people for having the opportunity to have known him.  He has touched many lives.