WINTER PARK, Fla.  - On a sunny wednesday afternoon, pacing along an open pitch, Ray Sandidge is reminded that he’s truly happy.

  • Was a member of the 1979 United States Men's Olympic team
  • Currently in first season as Trinity Prep head coach
  • Makes return to high school soccer after 15 years away

"I think some people are just born to coach. I think that might have been my calling all along. I just have an aptitude for the game. I love kids. I like being out here, keeps me young," he said.

Sixty-two years young, the past 40 of which he’s spent coaching at Lyman High School, Winter Park High School, and his own Florida Kraze Krush club team. But after 15 years away from the high school ranks, Sandidge is back, this time at Trinity Prep with his longtime best friend and assistant Lou Cioffi.

"You go through those phases in life, where, what is your next challenge? And I know he truly loves to coach the different levels of kids at the high school level," Cioffi said. "And I think that challenge is just part of him, and that’s why it’s time for him to do it again."

Their friendship dates back to UCF, where they were teammates together in the 70s. Their passion remains unwavered….Ray a powerful presence. Lou, more even-keeled.

"Hopefully I’ve evolved," Sandidge said. "I can be loud, aggressive I guess you can say. People say I might yell. I don’t yell anymore. But I do coach very loudly."

Sometimes even the most intense of men meet their match.  Like when Trinity Prep was set to play rival Lake Highland Prep while Sandidge’s daughter was in labor with his first grandchild.

"I was kidding with her saying, 'well we need to have the baby before 4, or after 10,' and my wife of course was like, 'no we have it when the baby comes."

As the game unraveled, the baby was coming. Lou noticed something about his best friend he’d never seen in 40 years of coaching: he was distracted.

“You’re playing against probably you’re No. 1 rival, and then it’s your No. 1 grandchild, because literally if you looked right at the end of the game, he was gone. He barely had time to shake the head coaches hand,” Cioffi said.

“I actually shook [Jeremy Christie's] hand with fifty seconds to go, grabbed my bag, drove down there as fast as I can," Sandidge said. "And it wasn’t look after that Mr. Jackson t. Barr entered this world, and I couldn’t be happier.”

Eight pounds, four ounces  of living proof that Ray Sandidge is truly happy, and one day, Grandpa may even take on a familiar role.

"I’m a lifer. I’m gonna be one of these guys that’s going to be doing it until the bitter end I believe," he said. "I love it, I’m a coach."