Before football coaches have gone any distance in the minefield-laden careers they’ve chosen, they learn that the welcome mat – so warmly extended before their first game – often is jerked away before there’s time to leave a footprint.Finally deciding to accompany his wife to Europe after breaking promises to do so for decades, one old coach had run plumb out of excuses. After all, they had reached retirement years with reasonable health, enough money and plenty of time.With a shaky hand, creaking bones and weakening enthusiasm now “coughed up” with a wheeze, the old mentor signed the check for ...