Last month, Tommy Reamon announced he was stepping down as the head football coach at Landstown High in Virginia Beach.
It marked the end of a 34-year coaching career that started in Newport News, moved to Gloucester and ended in Virginia Beach, with the last 13 seasons at Landstown. He finished with 182 career victories.
During that time, he touched the lives of many athletes, including former NFL quarterbacks Michael Vick and Aaron Brooks.
He estimates he’s helped send more than 1,600 kids to college.
The decision to step down was a tough one that started to set in last year when COVID disrupted everyone’s life.
“I didn’t know I would feel the way that I felt during COVID. It definitely sped it up,” Reamon said about stepping down from coaching. “But with that said, my energy level wasn’t disappearing. I just knew I was going to be doing something, just in another way.”
After much planning, Reamon, along with his son, Tommy Jr., decided to start the City On My Chest Sports Academy. Tommy Jr. is the owner of the clothing store with the same name.
“I love what I do and have always loved it,” Reamon said about impacting lives. “So, that’s why I can’t retire completely because everything I stand for represents people and youth. It’s just time to shift it in another way.”
At the academy, Reamon and his new team — which includes Vick, former Hampton High star and Houston Texans quarterback Tyrod Taylor and other local high school coaches — will educate parents and athletes about the recruiting process, the media and marketing. They also will host camps and all-star games to educate and bring recognition to local athletes. And it won’t be just football, but also other sports, including basketball and soccer.
Tommy Jr. is excited and “humbled” about teaming with his father on this new venture. But he admits he can’t believe his dad won’t be on the sidelines.
“I was surprised that he finally did it,” he said. “He’s been talking about it for a couple of years now with him being an older coach, and he’s been coaching since the ’80s. There’s not too many other coaches sticking around. So, it’s been a conversation for a couple of years. When he finally said he was ready, I was shocked, but I was excited at the same time because I know he’s been looking forward to a new chapter.”
Landstown athletic director David Siock had mixed feelings about it when Reamon told him the news.
“I was happy for him because I know he’s moving on to something that he’s looking forward to doing,” he said. “But I was sad on my side because I’ve worked with him for so long and built a relationship.
“I think he did more for his players trying to get them to the college level than I’ve seen a lot of coaches do. He worked a lot year-round to get these kids prepared academically, physically and mentally. The biggest thing for me is just the amount of work that went into that particular part of the job just to continue the education for these kids to get to the next level.”
Siock knows Reamon will be successful with the academy because of his compassion for helping others.
“It goes back to that experiences he’s had over the years and the knowledge he has; he’s going to be fine,” he said. “And it sounds like he has some solid backing with the project. There’s a tremendous amount of talent in this area that will definitely benefit, and I know that he’ll do all he can to help these kids succeed.”
Reamon admits he’ll miss coaching and the relationships he developed.
But he has plenty of memories.
During the 2017 season, he helped lead the Eagles to the Beach District title and a 12-1 record. Landstown reached the region championship game, falling to Oscar Smith.
“It was one of my best seasons,” Reamon said. “It was a great coaching staff. That group showed me about growth from start to finish.”
He also remembers when he got the opportunity to coach Tommy Jr. at Gloucester.
And, of course, coaching Vick.
Now he’s looking forward to making new memories through the academy.
“Our mission statement is to inspire and help kids improve their foundation for success through athletics,” Reamon said. “I’ve been doing this for a long time. But what I’m saying now is I want to be able to touch others. I know we need help with our kids. This is where I think I fit in.”
Added Tommy Jr.: “I’m excited. My dad’s wisdom is second to none. What kid or parent would want to miss that? He has the blueprint. Now it’s time for us to continue to share it to the masses.”
Larry Rubama, 757-446-2273, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com Follow @LHRubama on Twitter.
