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Crack Coach
Maurice and Vijay are thrilled to be the only grade nine students to make the junior football team. But it soon becomes clear that their coach, Bob Jones, who has just been elected mayor, has his own reasons for giving his two new players preferential treatment.
Massive media coverage of the outspoken Coach Jones starts turning up allegations of illegal behaviour, including use of crack cocaine. And the ego-driven competitiveness that won Jones the mayor's office fuels his abusive coaching style.
But Jones has many dedicated supporters, including Vijay's father, who say Jones cares about the little people and credits him with saving his football players from a life of drugs and gangs. Maurice and Vijay finally decide that they've had enough. But can they get the rest of the team, especially the older players who resent them as "minor niners," to help them take control from the man the whole world knows as the Crack Coach?
While based on a situation taken directly from the headlines, Steven Sandor offers a compelling and entirely fictional story that explores what happens when young players strive to take action that addresses an unexpected and destructive issue — rather than waiting for adults to face up to the problem.
Massive media coverage of the outspoken Coach Jones starts turning up allegations of illegal behaviour, including use of crack cocaine. And the ego-driven competitiveness that won Jones the mayor's office fuels his abusive coaching style.
But Jones has many dedicated supporters, including Vijay's father, who say Jones cares about the little people and credits him with saving his football players from a life of drugs and gangs. Maurice and Vijay finally decide that they've had enough. But can they get the rest of the team, especially the older players who resent them as "minor niners," to help them take control from the man the whole world knows as the Crack Coach?
While based on a situation taken directly from the headlines, Steven Sandor offers a compelling and entirely fictional story that explores what happens when young players strive to take action that addresses an unexpected and destructive issue — rather than waiting for adults to face up to the problem.
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2015
5 people want to read
About the author
Steven Sandor
11 books13 followersWhen I'm not writing books, I'm the features editor at the Edmonton Journal/Postmedia. I'm the former editor of Edify Magazine.
I am also a freelance writer, whose works has been published in more than 100 magazines, collections and newspapers worldwide. I am a freelance sports broadcaster, as well.
I like to listen to very loud music when I write. Like Slayer.
I am also a freelance writer, whose works has been published in more than 100 magazines, collections and newspapers worldwide. I am a freelance sports broadcaster, as well.
I like to listen to very loud music when I write. Like Slayer.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 21, 2016
NetGalley provided a copy of the ePub in exchange for an honest review.
Following in his brother’s footsteps grade nine student Maurice makes his high school junior football team. The pressure is on as his teammates are not particularly welcoming. His best friend Vijay also made the team. Their coach is the mayor of Toronto, Bob Jones. This story is ripped from Toronto headlines and will be familiar to many.
The city is caught up in Jones Nation and local residents are supportive of the colourful mayor. His coaching style is questionable. The chapters move quickly. This topical read will not disappoint the reluctant reader. Steven Sandor weaves sports, football, racism, media awareness, substance abuse, and bullying into this young adult novel.
Following in his brother’s footsteps grade nine student Maurice makes his high school junior football team. The pressure is on as his teammates are not particularly welcoming. His best friend Vijay also made the team. Their coach is the mayor of Toronto, Bob Jones. This story is ripped from Toronto headlines and will be familiar to many.
The city is caught up in Jones Nation and local residents are supportive of the colourful mayor. His coaching style is questionable. The chapters move quickly. This topical read will not disappoint the reluctant reader. Steven Sandor weaves sports, football, racism, media awareness, substance abuse, and bullying into this young adult novel.
January 9, 2016
Fast packed action that is sure to please any sports fan, this book has an interesting twist - a coach spiraling out of control. I think this book will appeal to middle and high school students. I can see it used in a classroom as a literature circle selection. It should spark lively discussions.
I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
March 21, 2017
This book was a very fast read and despite being a little over the top, it did keep my interest.
Obviously based in "real life" events, Crack Coach is about a volunteer football coach who ends up being mayor of Toronto and in the process (or even before) starts believing his own press, leading to a series of horrible decisions.
I did like the main character of Maurice who was actually written in a smart way, making smart choices and being a voice of reason in a sea of "unreason".
The storyline was interesting as it blends in two generations having to deal with the same fallout - but from a different angle.
Where this book fails is the complete lack of focus and character development of the coach. This book is driven by this character and yet, we know absolutely nothing about him - fail!
Having said that, it was an okay read.
Obviously based in "real life" events, Crack Coach is about a volunteer football coach who ends up being mayor of Toronto and in the process (or even before) starts believing his own press, leading to a series of horrible decisions.
I did like the main character of Maurice who was actually written in a smart way, making smart choices and being a voice of reason in a sea of "unreason".
The storyline was interesting as it blends in two generations having to deal with the same fallout - but from a different angle.
Where this book fails is the complete lack of focus and character development of the coach. This book is driven by this character and yet, we know absolutely nothing about him - fail!
Having said that, it was an okay read.
January 24, 2016
I know some mayors of big Canadian cities have been called bad, corrupted, like in many other countries. But to push it to the point here described seems too far. I could not bite, neither about the mayor's drunken appearances at official events, or his behavior as a football coach.
The events related are too extreme and too close.
The events related are too extreme and too close.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews