Managing the chaos of a family of three young children while working full time is usually enough to challenge any woman. Add to that mix that your husband is a high school head football coach and she really has her hands full. Mindy Clayton, like many wives and mothers out there, keeps it balanced because as she sees it, this is what she is supposed to do. The wife of Gulf Breeze High School Head Football Coach Bobby Clayton is no stranger to this life; she is the daughter of legendary Pine Forest High School Head Coach Jerry Pollard. So her life has not taken a strange twist, she is doing what she has known her entire life.
Mindy and Bobby are the parents of three children, Brock 11, and twins Lilly and Brooks 6. Like many families, there is always something going on. They are active at Gulf Breeze United Methodist, Little League, where Bobby coaches Brock’s team, and other usual kid activities. Throw in two demanding teaching careers and leading a football team and there is not much time to catch one’s breath. And at this printing, they are in the process of purchasing a new home and selling their old one. So each day is a new adventure at the Clayton household but Mindy would not have it any other way.
Growing up as a coach’s child, Mindy says she did not really notice how much her mother Katie did. Besides raising her brother Beau, sister Olivia and herself, her mother was a full time teacher. She sees her mother as a role model for what she has embraced as a mother and a wife. She recognizes the dedication and sacrifices coaches make for the young people in their charge so it is all part of the package of being married to one. Laughingly, she does say Bobby does a few more things around the house than her father might have. The couple does find time for each other whenever possible. Her teaching position at Gulf Breeze Middle School allows Mindy to see her husband every day at lunchtime with the adjoining campuses. They have been married for fifteen years and still with the kids try to do all they things they enjoyed as a couple, skiing, hunting and boating. She says she has recently taking up hunting. She had Bobby teach her how to shoot a rifle and what to look for. According to Mindy, she is not sure what is the best reward; a trophy buck or several hours of peace and quiet in the woods.
As a coach’s kid and having three of her own, Mindy knows there are some great experiences her children will be part of. Being around the team and in a way being part of the team is unique. She says it never really dawned on her how special it was until she came back from college and saw all her mother and father did for the school and their family. Maybe it was having a coach as a father that has helped her be stronger in dealing some challenges life has thrown at her. Mindy admits there are days things can pile on, but she says she just tells herself this is what I signed up for and reminds herself how good she has it and she always tries to remember what is important.
Mindy says it will be a little different this fall being in the stands at Gulf Breeze High School instead of Pine Forest. Yes, she went to every game to support her father and Bobby who was an assistant coach, and it was her alma mater and where she met her future husband. She is planning on making all the games with the children to support Bobby this season. Mindy has not made up her mind where she will sit for the games yet, but there is one thing that really bothers her about sitting in the stands. It seems today some fans feel they can yell and shout personal comments about the coaches and players. Some of these comments can be quite hurtful especially when they are about your husband. But what really bothers Mindy is how disrespectful these actions are to the men who give up a lot to work with the kids and she adds, trust me, it is not for the money. “High School athletics is about teaching young people about developing character and responsibility, not as much about the wins and losses. People should be more appreciative of the work they do and time our coaches give.”
Football season is drawing near and Mindy will be busy preparing for the season. But it will not be two-a-day’s or drawing up x’s and o’s, but overseeing the Clayton’s new household during Bobby’s busy time. Supporting the Dolphins in Bobby’s inaugural season is very important to her, but being a family is also. Like her mother, Mindy will be cheering this fall and most importantly being MOM!
We salutes all coach’s spouses and the sacrifices they make so their husband and wives can stay In The Game and make a positive impact on young people.
ITG Web Content
A Coach’s Wife
Written by Arnold Gamber
Photo by Michelle Smith
