If you’re reading this. Take a quick look at the clock. What time is it? Is it 10:31 a.m., 1:05 p.m., maybe 7:33 p.m.? What difference does it make? Anyone who’s played for Jerry Parrish — and the number of those who have is considerable — would likely be quick to point out that those odd minutes matter.

Coach Parrish, who often started practice at “odd times,” but never late, would likely do so as well. Minutes, even seconds, for anyone who’s a fan of grid iron play can mean the difference between winning and losing, just hanging onto a close lead or seeing it barely slip away despite your best efforts.

He stayed in the game for more than three decades, that’s a heck of a lot of minutes no matter how you slice it, and saw more successes and failures at North Kitsap High School than any coach in history. Anyone who has picked up a whistle and led a team can certainly marvel at this achievement.

Even after so long, Parrish will undoubtedly miss his days on the sidelines — the countless hours of practice that culminated into frantic Friday nights of grid iron chess. Winning. Losing. Being cheered. Being booed. Having each and every decision scrutinized by a stadium full of spectators. Some praising, others criticizing.

Like all seasoned coaches, Parrish developed not only a thick skin but plenty of go-to sayings as well: “The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement,” “I never went to work, I always went to school” and “Lead, follow, or get out of the way” are just a few of these gems. These little bits of wisdom will stick with his players and assistant coaches for years to come, as will the numerous lessons they learned under his direction.

For all the years of hard work, personal sacrifice and time spent leading, we’d just like to say thanks coach and enjoy the offseason — you sure earned it.