By Dean Eversole
MaxPreps.com
The life expectancy of a coach is very short lived, but for a select few it can last a lifetime. Those that reach this pinnacle are fueled by one thing; a passion to teach the kids.
Bob Heil is one of these lucky few and he is no exception to the rule. He coached 26 years at Sidney Lehman High School (1956- 1982) and every minute of it was dedicated to helping kids. I recently sat with the coach at his Piqua home and discussed a career that spanned generations and involved more than just football.
An alumnus of Miamisburg High School, Heil starred on the football field and the basketball court, leading his teams to countless victories and garnering numerous individual awards. But this was just the beginning of his journey.
Upon graduation, Heil headed south to continue his athletic career. The University of Chattanooga offered him a full athletic scholarship, so he packed his bags and moved to the Smokey Mountains.
At UC, Heil continued playing both basketball and football. His path in life was being blazed and football was leading the way.
He had a cup of coffee in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers, and later the Baltimore Colts. After just a few years he decided his playing days were complete so he began pursuing his life's work; coaching.
"I was traded to Baltimore from San Francisco and after I left Baltimore, I headed back to Ohio and landed here in Piqua," Heil said.
His landing field was Piqua Catholic and a head coaching job, which later became Sidney Lehman. Heil turned the Cavaliers into a perennial winner and a respected state power, after winning just one game in his first season.
"The people here are so proud of their football," Heil said. "I think that played a big role in why I stayed here."
Although he would deny it, this pride was groomed by Heil and his successes as coach. A humble man, the confirmation of his accomplishments is tucked away deep in his house, hidden from the eyes visitors.
Heil let me into his past life as he guided me down into a seldom used basement. Full of plaques, trophies, and honorary notes, Heil chuckled as he explained the markers of his sporting accomplishments.
"A group of guys convinced me I should put this stuff up, so they came over and did it one day," Heil said. "I have a lot more of it in the attic."
One wall is filled with the glories of his playing days. He was inducted into the Miamisburg Hall of Fame for his achievements while a Viking. Sitting directly beside that is the plaque noting his induction into the University of Chattanooga Hall of Fame and a trophy naming him athlete of the year.
His awards are endless and the accomplishments in the football arena are countless, yet there is something more to Bob Heil than wins or awards, it is a passion for opening up opportunities for kids.
"I don't understand why people want to put down other sports, if a kid wants to compete, let him compete in something," noted a passionate Heil.
As most men like him he acted on what he believed, and in the end, others benefited from his passion. In 1974 he won his only state title as a coach. The hard-nosed, fiery coach saw a group of kids who wanted a chance, gave it to them and in the end won a state title, not in football, but in golf.
"I said to folks, `hey we need to have something more in the spring for these kids,' so I started a golf team," Heil said.
For Heil life is simple now, splitting his time between Florida and Ohio, and traveling. But in reality, it was always simple for him. Give kids an opportunity and they will compete, and if a coach did his job right those kids will walk away from sports better prepared to tackle life's challenges.
"I don't go to sporting events anymore. It was just too hard as everyone would always ask what I would do? I spend my time fishing and golfing now."