Q&A with Soda Springs High School track and cross country coach Jeff Horsley

The News-Examiner recently sat down with Soda Springs High School track and cross country coach Jeff Horsley. Here are his answers to our questions.

News-Examiner: What do you like most about being a coach?

Horsley: I enjoy the camaraderie with other coaches, but I really enjoy working with kids. It is awesome to watch a young person with little confidence grow to be a confident and successful athlete/person on and off the field.

NE: What are the greatest highlights of your coaching career?

Horsley: I have had a lot of great coaching "highlights" over the years... it's hard to identify one. One of the greatest memories I'll have is of the amazing kids I get to work with and the awesome coaches that have helped me along the way in my career. I get to work with the best.

NE: What are the most important attributes that you try to teach your athletes?

Horsley: The value of hard work... life these days is easy, but hard at the same time. We can access things in a split second and that's great, but it gets hard to teach patience and to "trust the process" when we live in a world of instant gratification. Our kids buy into the work and it is fun to watch them grow.

NE: What is the secret of all the success you've had as a coach at Soda Springs High School?

Horsley: There really is no secret. Hard work works! If you work hard and try your best, there really is nothing to hang your head about because that's all you had on that day. Regret comes when you know you are not giving your best... you are the only one who can answer that question.

NE: How did you get into coaching and what led you to Soda Springs High School?

Horsley: I had some great coaches and mentors and I knew I wanted to follow in their footsteps. I grew up here and things lined up when I finished college and a position opened up for me to have a job... I have been here for 27 years.

NE: Any words of wisdom for young athletes?

Horsley: Enjoy the journey... you'll be old before you know it and the things that you can do now will be much harder when you are older. Always believe — the impossible is possible.