Coach's Challenge: Faith, Football, and Filling the Father Gap

Mike Gottfried grew up with a overriding dream in his life--to coach college football. And that is just what he did, and very successfully, until he was unexpectedly fired. Toward the end of a stint as a college football analyst at ESPN, he discovered an even greater thing than a passion--a purpose. Gottfried started and continues to head an organization that seeks to fill the hole in a boy's spirit that is left when he has no father to fill that hole. Gottfried knows that hole well, it is one he has himself. His father died of a heart attack when he was 11. A number of coaches, a brother and other men help fill that void in his own life, but he knows many boys are not that fortunate. Gottfried makes it plain that he knows what he does is a ministry and the purpose that God put on his life and not something he merely stumbled onto by himself. This is an excellent testament to how God can use a person's hurt to bless someone else, and they both win.

This book made me laugh and cry and brought a deeper understanding of all the emotions of growing up without a Dad. I'm so thankful for Mike Gottfried and the work of Team Focus! Go Coach!

This book takes you to small town USA into a boy's life who has suddenly lost his father. It shows an overcoming spirit and the ability to reach through his own pain to touch other's lives. I think Mike Gottfried can reach young men world wide with his Father's heart.

The coach tells a very inspiring story and informs us with some very good stats on the power of fathers. This is an excellent read for any father - football fan or not.

Mike Gottfriend speaks from his heart in this inspiring book. I intend to buy more books to share with school personnel and church ministers so they can have insight on what my sons go through on a daily basis. Anyone who wants to learn more on fatherless boys and the struggles they have must read this book. It encourages and motivates me as a mother and I'm grateful that Mike truly understands and cares. My sons love Mike and wish they could find more men like him. They now have a book that they will treasure for a lifetime!