DaLawn Parrish The Man Who Became a WISE Coach

By DaLawn Parrish and Gary A. Hughes

This colorful memoir captures and highlights the ups and downs of an African American boy who never stopped dreaming, even as he became a man. Coach DaLawn Parrish is a living legend and is not even fifty years old. He has won six Maryland state championships and has nine state final appearances in only seventeen seasons. DaLawn was being raised by his mother in Baltimore City when his little brother accidently set a fire in their tiny apartment that destroyed the kitchen as well as the upper part of the building. His family was forced to move. DaLawn's mother was able to move her young family to Severn, Maryland, but it was in a highly drug-infested area called Pioneer City. When DaLawn was in high school, his mother moved the family to Columbia, Maryland and this is where DaLawn Parrish evolved into a highly decorated prep school football star. He eventually went on to become a star football player at Wake Forest University, however because of his own acknowledged mistakes, a lack of guidance from Wake Forest University, and the business side of professional football, DaLawn was unable to fulfill his dream of making it to the NFL. However, his dreams and plans to be a successful teacher and a winning high school head football coach came true and has been amazing! The journey came with its ups and downs, which included stints as an assistant high school football coach in Howard County, Maryland, a pit stop year as a graduate assistant for the Rutger's University football team, and a total of only four wins in his first three seasons as a head football high school coach. Lastly, Coach DaLawn Parrish's cold and unemotional stone-cold face on the sidelines looks very intimidating during football games. Fans who only see his stoic demeanor on the sidelines will discover a humble side of Coach Parrish they never knew existed. Enjoy!

Coach P was one of those coaches who believed in me when nobody else did. He knew talent when he saw it, and he would get everything that he could out of you. He's one of those coaches you want to play for, you want to make plays for, and you want to make him proud of you. Personally, I don't think I would have gotten the opportunities that came my way when I was coming out of high school without him! I started playing football late, and I made it further than the ones who were most talked about.

Ryan Smith, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Coach P was the best coach I've ever had. Real live pushed me to be great, and would not accept anything else. He made me want to be great and go show my talents. He strengthened my mentality and helped me take those lessons to become a great man on and off the field.

Zach Pascal, Arizona Cardinals

Coach Parrish is not only a great and winning coach, but a mentor and great builder of men especially coming from the circumstances I've come from. During those times, Coach Parrish took me in as his own and helped me become the man I am today. Thank you.

Savion Williams, XFL

Coach Parrish helped instill in me a certain toughness/edge about myself that I still carry until this day. The culture he created truly gave us a head start and advantage over others. It has allowed me to understand how to win at every level I play football.

John Daka, Houston Roughnecks XFL

Coach DaLawn Parrish is the reason I'm where I'm at currently in my career, which is five years active in the NFL. This man helped me reach my dreams that I thought were impossible to achieve. Coach P pushed me to be the best in every area in my game and as a man. Coach P installed discipline and structure into my life, not only on the field but off the field as well. Coach P wasn't just grooming elite athletes to get a free education and possibly reach the NFL; he was also traini

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 30, 2024
• ISBN: 9798890614209

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Introduction

Part 1

Chapter 1: Childhood

Chapter 2: Bazel Jones

Chapter 3: High School All-American

Part 2

Chapter 4: Very Important People (VIP) at Wake Forest University

Chapter 5: Memorable College Games

Chapter 6: The Brawl

Chapter 7: Academics: The Key

Part 3

Chapter 8: Life after College!

Chapter 9: NFL Time

Chapter 10: High School Assistant Coach to Head Coach

Part 4

Chapter 11: Dr. Henry A. Wise High School: The New Mecca

Chapter 12: Uncharted Waters: Season 1

Chapter 13: School Culture: Wise vs. Duval

Chapter 14: Change Is Necessary: Season 2

Chapter 15: Turning Point: Season 3

Chapter 16: The Wise Way: Season 4

Chapter 17: They Hate Us: Season 5 and Season 6

Part 5

Chapter 18: When the Plan Comes Together: Season 7

Chapter 19: The Emergence of Steve Rapp and Antoine Brooks: Season 8 and 9

Chapter 20: Trifecta: Seasons 10, 11, and 12

Chapter 21: One for the Thumb: Seasons 13 and 14

Chapter 22: COVID-19: Season 15

Chapter 23: Change Is Coming: Season 16

Chapter 24: Surviving the Storm: Season 17

Chapter 25: Why Coaching Matters to Me: Quotes and Testimonials from Players

Wise High Football All-Time Records

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

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DaLawn Parrish The Man Who Became a WISE Coach

DaLawn Parrish and Gary A. Hughes

Copyright © 2024 DaLawn Parrish and Gary A. Hughes

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2024

ISBN 979-8-89061-419-3 (Paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89061-420-9 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Introduction

DaLawn Parrish

(Author)

The state of Maryland is small yet very diverse. If you are from the state of Maryland, you know what I am saying, and those that are not and don't understand, please read carefully. Maryland is split into four distinct zones. People from these zones are very unique and different. You have the Baltimore zone (club music, crab cakes, downtown, and the harbor); the DC zone (Go-Go music, The Wharf, and diversity); the Frederick/mountain region (the land, rural, and towns); and those from across that bridge, aka the Eastern Shore (the land, underdeveloped, money, and a divide).

Growing up with my mom was challenging as we moved about eight times. My cousins used to call us nomads. I didn't like it when I was younger, as I went to three elementary schools and two high schools, but those experiences would help me in the future as I would learn to adapt to all environments and people. I became a blender and never had a closed mind to learning about different people, cultures, and regions. This background would serve me well, and sports would be the avenue that I used to connect me to everyone, and it provided a structured environment for me to grow.

I always knew I would be an educator and a coach. I just didn't know when my life as a teacher and coach would begin. I had dreams of playing in the NFL like most kids that loved football, but I knew when it was over, I had a game plan for the rest of my life. Some of the most influential people in my life were either physical education teachers or coaches. I could tell you the impact of everyone and the lifetime lessons they imparted in me. I thought my elementary school physical education teacher, Mr. Pritchard, could do anything. He taught me every sport known to man. Mr. Saylor, my physical education teacher in middle school, was the expert at telling you what athletic group you belonged in and what you had to do to get there. Lee Rogers (the all-time winningest girl's basketball coach in Anne Arundel County history) at Arundel High and his attention to detail was amazing. I can still hear Coach Dan Ross and his statement: It's a great day to be alive at Howard High. I remember Coach Beverly in pound ball who told me never to be afraid to fail. Coach Keith who told me, You can be the best, and taught me to watch films early. Coach Mike taught me that sometimes the best have to sacrifice themselves for the whole. Coach John Quinn taught me to never let anything stand in the way of your goals. Lastly, Coach Jim Caldwell told me people would always be watching me, because as a leader, people are waiting to see how you respond to all situations.

All of these men helped instill in me a work ethic that would drive me in my future as a student, player, and coach. I always thrived on proving people wrong growing up, and I prided myself on being able to speak on many topics. I wanted to win at everything I tried; and I looked at all games, whether it be physical or mental, as a way to win at life. I like to believe if you didn't mind losing in a lonely game, you wouldn't mind being a nobody in life. If you played a game and didn't want to win as badly as I did, then don't play with me or be my partner. I never could understand how anyone can accept mediocrity, or as the saying goes, I pass. You have one time for a first impression, and I wanted that impression of me to be one that you would remember.

Athletics would give me an avenue to express myself in ways that academics couldn't. I loved school, by the way, as my mom would tell you, but sometimes you can't find people that will intellectually challenge themselves to learn and talk about various subjects and topics. I learned, through sports, people always want to know who won; and I planned on winning in school and then winning in sports so you would remember DaLawn Parrish won. I have been approached on numerous occasions about writing a book and talking about who I am and what drove me. I never really had time or gave it much thought until COVID-19 hit and I had time to reflect on some things. COVID-19 slowed me down and made me look at what was really important to me and to see the growth of my children, who I love so much.

My oldest child, A'Marah Parrish, is a pretty good athlete and a good student who can be quite moody like her dad. She can also sing although she tends to hide that from people. She was the first girl that stole my heart from the first moment I looked at her, and she has continued to play games with my heart even in the good and worst of times. Abria Parrish is my next child. She is a pretty good athlete and student. She can write and freestyle rap. Her adventurous spirit was evident to me early on. When she was two, I once fell down the steps with her in my arms. I had to twist my body in the air and slide down the steps on my back while cradling her in my arms. You would think she would have been afraid and crying, but Noooo! She said, Again, Daddy, while laughing. My next child is my only son, Tristan DaLawn Parrish. Tristan is supersmart and never ceases to amaze me with his knowledge and my lack thereof. His ability to strive for perfection reminds me of myself, but he takes everything literally. I love him and am proud of everything he does. He is a kind, nice, caring, and loving son. I know he will grow into something special, and he looks to be trying his hand at athletics. Let's see what Tristan will win in—the intellect or the athlete or both. Either way, I am proud of him already. My last child is Seryn Parrish. What a character. Some say she is my shadow as she follows me everywhere and is very protective of me. She reminds me of A'Marah Parrish when she was young as she followed me everywhere also. All my children are special to me, but Seryn seems to be on another level as she is protective of my love and will do anything to prove it. Her personality is very infectious; and she sees, hears, and adapts to everything.

So I write this book to give my students, friends, players, family, children, and, most importantly, to those that have not met the real DaLawn Parrish a different picture of the mask I may wear. If you think you knew what drove me or knew who I am, think again. I hope this book provides hope and encouragement to all those who may not think they can win or achieve some measure of success because you can, and I did.

Gary A. Hughes

(Coauthor)

When I arrived at Dr. Henry A. Wise High in 2009 to teach English, I was quickly engulfed by the large school that had almost three thousand students walking the halls to find their new classes. I was transferring from teaching English at James Madison Middle School, which is seven miles north of Dr. Henry A. Wise High School. Both schools are in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and James Madison Middle School is the major feeder school for Dr. Henry A. Wise High School. I don't really remember when I first saw or met Coach DaLawn Parrish; however, I do remember thinking, after seeing him a few times and hearing him speak with his coworkers, that this guy is a cocky, arrogant young whippersnapper. Although he was ten years removed from suiting up from the gridiron at free safety, for the Wake Forest University Deacon Demons, he was intimidating to me and still looked to be fit, in shape, and ready to go play for someone's football team on a moment's notice.

I remember walking past his classroom at times when he was teaching social studies and noticing his students totally quiet and working. Coach Parrish would be sitting at his desk looking like the captain of a ship with a well-maintained and orderly crew. I taught some of these same students in my English 9 class, and I remember them talking about assignments they had due in Coach Parrish's class. The students also spoke about some type of color-coded system they had to understand in his social studies class for the organization of assignments. I didn't totally understand it from listening to the students, but what was most important was they understood it and the high respect level they had for Coach Parrish as a social studies teacher. As I reflected on how he ran his class from the outside looking in, it seemed like he was teaching his classes like a great coach would organize and run a practice.

Early in my teaching years at Dr. Henry A. Wise High School, I knew DaLawn Parrish as the football coach, a take-command teacher, and also a guy who loved debatable conversations with colleagues; however I would realize my true perception of him was nothing like I thought. It started when I was involved in a cheerful conversation with Coach Parrish and some of the school security guards in the hallway. Somebody asked me how old I was, and when I told the group my age, Coach Parrish looked at me in shock, like he didn't realize I was a few years older than him. I'm actually six years older than him, but I guess he thought I was his age or younger. At that point, I noticed his view of me changed slightly in a way of having a different kind of respect for an elder or a person who is just older than you. This gave me my first peak at his humility as a man, and it also gave me an indication of how he was raised, or in other words, someone raised him the right way. It was at this moment I began to learn who DaLawn Parrish really was. Up until that point, I only knew Coach Parrish.

A few years went by before I would get to know more about DaLawn Parrish. It was the start of a new school year, and I was delivering a presentation for the school staff titled Powerful Language for the Reluctant Learners. I remember Coach Parrish sitting through my presentation watching with a stone face, showing no emotion whatsoever. For some reason, it didn't bother me, and I continued delivering my presentation knowing that anytime you present in front of an audience, not everyone will think you are great. After my presentation was finished, as usual, random people, or in this case coworkers, were coming up to me saying I did a great job; and before I knew it, everyone was gone. I was now gathering up my materials and reflecting on my presentation as I always do. As my mind was traveling deeper into reflection mode, the lecture hall door swung open, and in comes Coach Parrish, who came directly toward me, shook my hand, and simply said, Good job. And as fast as he came in, he walked right back out. The man that walked out to me was not Coach Parrish, he was DaLawn Parrish, and in an instant, I finally felt like I knew him. The intimidation factor of what I perceived as the cocky, arrogant, young whippersnapper was permanently removed. This second act of humbleness toward me was refreshing, and it helped build my confidence for public speaking until this very day. I don't want to diminish any of my other coworkers who saluted me after my presentation, but it meant the world to me for Coach Parrish to salute me from his status as a living legend high school football coach in the state of Maryland.

We would go on to discuss and debate beliefs about philosophies on managing student misbehavior; however, our conversations were, and are presently, always healthy and competitive. When I wrote my first book, Coach Parrish was among the first to purchase it and read it. Of course, he had his opinions about my book that we discussed, but what I have learned about DaLawn Parrish is that he analyzes and has an opinion on any and every subject that arises; and this is what makes him a relevant, curious, wise, knowledgeable, intelligent, passionate, and a confident man.

Lastly, when I came to him about the idea of him writing a book, his thoughts were, Do you think this is a good idea?

I thought, This guy is really humble. I responded, Coach, you just won your fifth Maryland State Championship in fifteen years, and people don't really know the man that you truly are. Most of them know Coach Parrish, but they need to know who DaLawn Parrish is, and I believe people want to know, because I want to know, and I'm speaking for the people!

He obliged, and I'm honored with