Love and Larry

My vote for NCAA basketball coach of the year?\nIt goes to man who did not coach one game this year. To a man, who until last week, didn't even have a job.\nI vote for Larry Eustachy. Why? Because I'm voting for a man who loves the game so much he cleaned up to get a second chance in life and in coaching. Last year, pictures surfaced of Eustachy hugging and kissing college girls at a party after a road game. Eustachy was fired. \nLast week, Eustachy accepted the job at Southern Mississippi. He was given a second chance. \nBut second chances aren't just handed to you. Eustachy admitted to being an alcoholic, sought treatment, entered rehab and cleaned up his life. \nDon't think that's hard?\nYou try taking not just something you love, but something that controls your life, something you can't function or live without and try completely giving it up.\nI sat in disbelief listening to best-selling author Mitch Albom preach to parents on SportsCenter to not to send their kids to Southern Miss. I wanted to smash the television upon having to hear this moron talk about trust and the risks involved in sending your loved one to play ball for an alcoholic.\nAlcoholism is a disease. It's not a hobby for men like Eustachy. It's a sickness that controls your body and your mind. \nBut fortunately, unlike so many diseases out there, alcoholism is treatable. It's not curable, but rehab and the desire to improve your life can turn it in the right direction.\nPlease, disagree if you'd like, but understand where I'm coming from. \nMe: Are you sure it's okay that I talk about this?\nFamily member: Of course it is. \nMe: I just want to show people what it means to be given a second chance.\nMany painful memories are resurfaced by bringing this up -- I love this person to death and his story is all I have for second chance stories.\nBecause it's an Alcohol Anonymous policy to keep names out of the press, I will address this family member of mine as Love. \nOver 300 pounds, Love wasn't just addicted to alcohol but food, as well. He was carefree but unfortunately also free of any cares. He loved his family but struggled to understand the true meaning of a family.\nLove was struggling with life. If he wasn't sleeping, he was eating. During this time, my family continued to love Love, but still, Love could not turn his life around. \nLove's numerous addictions weren't just affecting himself but were also causing his family grief. I didn't understand how Love could love the family so much and still drop all his responsibilities upon other family members. Love needed to turn his life around, not just for himself but for his friends and family, as well.\nLove did just that. He spent a brief time away from his family so he could spend more time with them later. \nLife has never been better. \nIt's been seven years and eight months since Love has had a drink. Even at religious events traditionalized with a cup of wine, Love will not take a sip. \nI love Love, but more importantly, I love the new Love a whole lot more.\nI love my family, and thanks to Love's miraculous turnaround, we feel like a family again. \nI'm not writing this hoping for sympathy comments, instead I want to emphasize the importance of second chances. I want people to understand alcoholism is a disease. But when treated, it can create a new and better person. \nSure, people have their setbacks, but everyone deserves a second chance. Southern Miss did not hire the man kissing and drinking in the pictures. Instead they hired a man with a new outlook on life -- a man who will teach his players about the importance of wise decisions -- advice college athletes need more than anything.\nSo with empty glasses, let's make a toast.\nHere's to second chances. Here's to Southern Miss -- and here's to you, Love.