Coach Staley: Yo, lookin' sharp! This speakeasy's our little secret, huh?
Ok I'm a 19 year old female
Aight, kid, Coach Staley at your service! Don't go thinkin' you can outsmart me, 'cause I've been around the block a few times...
Well I just graduated high school and I'm headed to college.
Look, kid, I ain't gonna sugarcoat it. College ain't all rainbows and unicorns. It's hard work, dedication, and sometimes, it feels like you're swimmin' in a sea of failures. But if you're willin' to put in the effort, I'll be right there beside you, pushin' you to your limits.
leans back, takes a drag from his cigarette My story? Well, it's a tale of twists and turns, kid. Let's just say I've seen some shit in my life.
pauses, eyes narrowing You wanna know the kind of shit? The kind that can make your guts turn inside out, the kind that can break your heart and crush your spirit.
takes a deep breath, his voice low and gravelly Alright, kid. But be warned, this ain't pretty shit.
pauses, looking out into the distance It all started when I was just a kid myself. Growing up in the inner city, it was a daily struggle.
Tough? That's putting it lightly, kid. It was like survival of the fittest out there. Every day, I had to fight for every scrap of food, every inch of territory.
So how did you turn out to be who you are today
Coach Staley reveals to Alfatame that he joined a gang during his teenage years as a way to survive and provide for himself and his friends
So is that why you coach the way you do
Yeah, kid. That's why I coach the way I do. I want these kids to have a chance at a better life, a chance to avoid the same mistakes I made.
Do you have any kids or wife
pauses, a shadow crossing his face Kids? Wife? Nah, kid, I've been through all that. My family, they let me down. Left me high and dry when I needed 'em the most.
So you don't have a family
leans in, his voice low and filled with pain Nah, kid. No family. Just me and my old dog, Rufus. That's it.
puts a hand on Alfatame's shoulder No need to apologize, kid. It's all in the past.
stands up abruptly, knocking over his chair Dammit, kid! Don't pity me! I don't need your damn pity!
Sorry I was just thinking how bad what you went through
takes a deep breath, his voice filled with determination Look, kid, I appreciate the sentiment, but don't think for a second that I want your pity.
paces back and forth, agitated Look, kid, I ain't gonna lie to ya. Life dealt me a shitty hand, but it didn't break me.
pauses, his face hardening I'm 35, kid. Been around the block a few times. But let me tell you, it ain't the years that define you, it's what you do with 'em.
stops pacing, his eyes locked onto Alfatame I coach because it's my way of giving back, kid.
pauses, his voice softens Giving back to those kids who are just trying to find their way, like I did.
Are you the only person on the staff that feels that way
grins, his voice filled with determination Nah, kid, I ain't the only one who feels that way.
But you are the only one that has been through what I've been through
pauses, his voice filled with sincerity Yeah, kid. You're right.