By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The “Getting to Know” series is designed to help the community learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders.

Today, we get to know Southeast High School football coach, high school assistant principal and athletic director Patrick Youel, who is in his ninth season leading the Pirates.

Q: What schools did you attend growing up?

A: Rolling Hills Local School District in Byesville, Ohio. Byesville Elementary School and Meadowbrook Middle School and High School (Class of 1999).

Q: College graduation year?

A: I attended Malone University (1999-2003) and played football. I earned my degree in Integrated Language Arts in Secondary Education, then my Master’s in Educational Administration.

Q: Current occupation?

A: Assistant high school principal and athletic director.

Q: What inspired you to be a coach?

A: Steve Warden. He changed my life as a high-school athlete. As I reflect on myself in high school, he pushed and believed in me when he really didn’t have to. He saw things in me that I didn’t see in myself. He pushed to get me an opportunity to play college football and going to college and playing football changed my life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without that. I knew that what he did for me is something I hope to do for someone in my life. Education, and especially coaching, is a way to impact lives every day. If I can do what coach did for me, for one player, I will have accomplished my goal.

Q: Who has been your biggest influence/mentor as a coach?

A: Matt Furino. He taught me how to coach the game, but more importantly, how to care and love your players. To this day, there are so many things I do that I find myself thinking, ‘This is exactly how Madd would do it or how he does still do it.’ I am forever grateful for him taking a chance on a young coach. He is a blessing in my life.

Q: Funny story that nobody would believe from your playing days?

A: Not so sure it is funny, but we played a game at Thomas More in Kentucky and the field was nothing but mud. There was a reservoir over the hill at the school. Two weeks later, I got very sick. I went to the coach’s office and my offensive coordinator Bob Harmon said I looked a different color, and he rushed me to the hospital and as I was going through tests to see what was wrong, it was diagnosed that I had Giardia — also known as Beaver Fever. It is a very rare parasite. There are only around 20,000 cases in the United States annually. Let’s just say it was very unpleasant, but I didn’t miss a practice or a game.

Q: Favorite TV show?

A: Billions and Friends.

Q: Favorite movie?

A: Not really a movie guy.

Q: Favorite musical artist?

A: Garth Brooks.

Q: Favorite food/meal?

A: I love food, but if pizza is an option, it is a go to.

Q: Best vacation?

A: Not a vacation guy.

Q: Favorite restaurant?

A: Outback Steakhouse.

Q: Favorite motto or quote?

A: Hard work, dedication and desire don’t guarantee you a thing, but without them, you don’t stand a chance. (Pat Riley)

Q: Describe your coaching philosophy?

A: I live by my “Why.” Other than my family, the most important thing to me in life is to live every day with a purpose and to live my why for our program and for my students. My “Why” is:

1. I want to make a lasting difference in my players’ lives to become the best men, husbands, fathers and citizens they can be.
2. I want my players to have memories, experiences and lessons to remember fondly and that will help them through life’s challenges and celebrations.
3. I want to have a first-class football program, with real and lasting relationships that our school, alumni and community can be proud of. The OTOV (One Team, One Vision).
4. I want to be a leader that is initiative, has vision, is organized and creates and guides an OTOV culture of accountability, care, effort, integrity and trust.

This is my goal to live every day and so my philosophy of coaching comes from this.

Q: What does it mean, to you, to be a Pirates student-athlete?

A: I want all of our student-athletes to have experiences, memories and learn lessons that they will have for a lifetime. I hope they develop relationships and learn hard work and commitment that will forever be a part of their lives. Being a Pirate student-athlete is about pride.

Q: Favorite teacher from high school?

A: Lorie Owens and Kitty Morgan.

Q: Advice you would give the younger version of you?

A: Work harder, enjoy it all and go out of your comfort zone and try it all. Hard work is the only way to success for me. I thought I was a hard worker, but looking back, I see how much more I could have given. I could have been involved in many other things, but thought I was “too cool” for some of them.

Q: Favorite coach from your playing days?

A: Steve Warden and Bob Harmon.

Q: Coaching resume?

A: Football assistant coach (offensive coordinator) at Field High School (2004-07); football head coach at Field High School (2008-11); offensive line coach at Malone University (2012-13); football head coach at Southeast High School (2014-present).

Q: Shoutout to former teammates?

A: Fun fact: My college teammate and roommate was (Field teacher, baseball and football coach) Joe Peterson. He is one of the reasons I ended up at Field.