12 Year Old Applies For WVU Coaching Job

Hats off to the young man from Connecticut who applied for the job of head football coach at West Virginia University. Joshua Irizarry is 12 years old, but that didn't stop him from writing to the university's president, Mike Garrison, when the coaching position opened in December.

Insisting in a letter that his was a "completely serious offer," Joshua outlined his skills. He said these included "making up new plays to fool defenses in local sandlot games."

Not only does Joshua believe in his skills and talents, he believes in marketing. "Consider the publicity your campus would receive," he wrote. "I understand this would be a move more suited for a team like Temple, but I am just asking for your consideration. Don't think of this as hiring a 12-year-old from a nowhere town, but think of this as hiring a dedicated football mind trying to help a team. I would work for any conditions you would wish to provide."

Garrison settled for what he assured Joshua was "an equally qualified candidate" to succeed Rich Rodriguez, who is now head coach at Michigan. Garrison chose Bill Stewart.

Joshua, keep believing in yourself and keep doing what others fail to do. At 12, you already understand the value of marketing your skills and experience, and you are able to focus on your dream job. Keep that focus and that winning attitude and you'll find your dream. Good for you!

Before you laugh and say that Joshua got his 15 minutes of fame, ask yourself:

-- Are you able to recognize opportunities to land your dream job when they come your way?

-- Are you willing to do what needs to be done to get that job, or any other job opportunity?

Remember, you must be willing and able to sell yourself. No one else will do it for you. Although there may be shortcuts to the mall, there are no shortcuts to life. Do what others fail to do.

My apologies to Temple!