Coach of the Month January 2020: Callie Cameron

Sometimes, young athletes are simply destined to not only enter the world of sports, but also the world of coaching.

For Callie Cameron, this was clearly the case.

“When my mom was in labor, the nurse had to tell my dad to put down the playbook,” Cameron said with a laugh.

She grew up as the daughter of a football coach in Texas, a state that many know as one of top prep football states in the country. After an inevitably successful high school sports career that involved playing volleyball, basketball, and track and field, she then went on to receive an athletic scholarship to compete in track and field at Midland University.

After graduating, Cameron – inevitably again – found her way into the coaching community, along with her now-husband, who she met in college when he was a quarterback on the football team. She’s currently an assistant coach on both the volleyball and track and field varsity teams at Temple High School, where her husband is also the offensive coordinator for the football team.

Long story short – Cameron was destined to thrive in the coaching world for years to come, and impact the lives of countless young athletes along the way.

Congratulations to the BSN SPORTS Coach of the Month for January 2020: Coach Callie Cameron!

Temple High School, Texas
Assistant Track and Field Coach, Assistant Volleyball Coach, English Teacher
Co-Owner of Lights Out Pole Vault Club
Competed in Track and Field at Midland University
3-Sport Athlete at Crosby High School

1. How did you get into coaching?

I actually majored in business, and it took less than a year to figure out I was not a business major. I had to be active…After I was away from it a little bit after school, I got involved with private lessons and coaching and I really found my love for the sport again, from a completely different perspective. Just seeing the look on a kid’s face, it was such a great feeling. Seeing them find success and fall in love with their sport the same way I did, that’s what I love, and that’s what keeps me going.

2. How do you balance coaching two teams and teaching?

It can be really chaotic at times, but these kids have really become family. You really want to create a family atmosphere and find success in every kid individually. I think some people focus too much numbers, instead of investing in each individual athlete. When you invest in each athlete, you’re going to get a much greater return, and celebrate the little things.

3. What are your thoughts on sport-specialization?

I’m really supportive of kids playing multiple sports…I love coaching multiple sports. I feel like I’m doing something constantly, and I love competing. I feel like kids are specializing way too young. I don’t think they’re fully exploring what’s out there. I push my athletes to play multiple sports and compete all year long.

4. How do you think track and field can help other athletes?

Track and field doesn’t have to be your first sport, but just competing is going to make you so much faster, so much more agile. Whether it’s long jump, triple jump or something else, it’s just expanding the skills that you already have. You’ll go into football season (or another sport), and you’ll already be a step ahead. I would recommend that everybody who has college ambitions with athletics should run track…it’s going to help tremendously.

5. What are your thoughts on using social media as a coach, and for your players?

Social media can be crazy, but it has really helped me. I did not expect to get the recognition I’m getting for my thoughts and opinions. It’s also helped me get exposure for my athletes, which for me is most important…For the kids, it’s really important for them to know it can potentially affect their future. You have to carry yourself well and understand how you’re representing yourself.