Screaming, shouting, clipboards smashing against white boards—the sounds of a typical high school football locker room.
It’s no secret that football coaches are “passionate” about football. “Varsity Blues,” a classic American high school football movie, is a perfect demonstration of how disgruntled coaches can react when things don’t go their way. However, not all coaches emulate the “indignant, discontent coach” that most people picture.
Malcolm Floyd, McClatchy’s head football coach, former Fresno State and Houston Oilers wide receiver, was born in San Francisco, in 1972, and moved to Sacramento in 1974. He had a difficult childhood, as he grew up poor in Oak Park, but what he did always have was a supportive family. “My family always taught love,” Malcolm Floyd said. Unconditional love and respect, something his family had taught him, is something he tries to teach not only his football players, but also his students.
Of the football players interviewed, they all think he’s a great coach, and that he boosts morale and helps them improve in their day to day lives. Malcolm Floyd uses a different method of coaching than what you’d expect. Instead of being a hot headed, malicious coach that rules with an iron fist, he tries to have fun with his player because at the end of the day, “football is just a game.”
Mr. Floyd said that “teaching is better than being in the NFL,” as, “being in the NFL is all for me, all for making the money because you don’t make a change.” For those who don’t know, Malcolm Floyd attended C.K. McClatchy, and his experience at this school wasn’t so great. The reason he came back here to teach and coach was to make a difference in the lives of the students he has the privilege to work with. Being at this school and teaching not just academics and football, but also important morales like respect, love, discipline, and dedication, helps him influence the future generation into a better one.
Malcolm Floyd teaches his students and football players the importance of respect and love every day, and that’s what makes him such a loved coach, teacher, and person.
