This spring, assistant Indian River football coach Paris Mitchell Sr. is going to take a different swing at things — literally. He’s trading the loud, energetic chaos of the Friday-night lights for the tranquil, steadied eye on the links as the new head coach for the Indians’ golf team. Mitchell replaces former coach Neil Beahan, who, after a decade of coaching and a devoted love for teaching, moved on as the assistant principal at Sussex Central High School.
Coastal Point • Jesse Pryor
IR golfers practice driving down the range. Assistant football coach Paris Mitchell Sr. takes over the reins as coach this year.
“Neil was a big help,” said Mitchell, “teaching me what to do, from etiquette, proper attire and how matches are run. He coached for quite some time and helped establish a really great program. I just hope I can follow up where he left off.”
Last week, enthusiastic hopefuls came out swinging to Cripple Creek Country Club, the team’s home course.
“It looks like we have some people out here who can really play,” said Mitchell. “We have about seven who are really good players. By the talent that I’ve seen already, I think we might have a good chance at the conference.”
Mitchell, an avid golfer himself who started playing in high school, already has a game plan in mind for the season.
“This year,” he said, “we’re going to work on the short game. I’d like to cut some strokes on that. Everyone likes to come out here and hammer the ball, but you putt and chip more than anything else, and that’s what we want to work on.”
As of Monday, three girls have attended practices, and at the start, seven had signed up, quite an impressive turnaround from last year’s all-male team.
“That’s something Neil had wanted in the past,” Mitchell noted. “It’s good to see everyone out here. I’m looking forward to working with all of them, even though you only go with six starters. There are a lot of freshmen out here. I hope Neil rubbed off on these kids.”
The team began with 38 prospects signing up on the first day, although some spots have already become vacant.
Returning on the coaching staff this year is Maynard Essender, who worked closely with Beahan and the team during his time with them.
“[Essender]’s very knowledgeable,” said Mitchell, “and a great help to the team. He’s good enough to show the kids what’s what out here.”
The Indians will take aim in 16 matches this year, starting on April 1 against Sussex Central.
Mitchell reflected on the pastime that quickly developed into a passion for him.
“I remember my old football coach back in high school,” he said. “We all thought he was crazy. He would tell us ‘You can play football and baseball and you’ll love it, but golf is one thing that will stick with you your whole life.’ He was absolutely right. That was one of the best things I’d ever learned at school.
“It’s good to teach these kids that there’s an alternative to the lifestyle they’re growing up with,” he said. “We’re showing them the transition from the rock-and-roll generation to the country club group. Some of these kids haven’t even played before, so it’s great to se them coming out and trying something new.”
Mitchell added that the community and the golf clubs in the area contribute tremendously to the chances that the athletes have.
“It’s really great what Cripple Creek and all the country clubs offer for these athletes,” he said. “Without their help, these guys wouldn’t have this wonderful opportunity. It’s really a great thing they do for the kids. There’s a week when our course has to shut down for maintenance, and, already, other clubs have approached us and offered their courses for us to practice on.”
Though he may know the aspects of the game, personally, making the coaching move from the field house to the pro shop could be quite the jump.
“It’s a lot different with golf,” he said. “With football, you can coach them all through the game and pull them over whenever you want. Golf’s a lot different. My coaching is going to come primarily from practice. Golf is just as much an individual sport as it is a team effort.”
Mitchell said he will return in the fall to the football field.
“My wife told me that if I stop doing stuff, I’ll die,” he admitted, “so I guess I’m better off staying busy. Either way, I’m hoping it will be a good, fun season.