By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
It's still going to be a while before Hayden boys basketball coach Torrey Head is cleared to return to the bench after a scary fall that left him with nine fractured vertebrae in his back.
But while the veteran coach is eager to get back to his team, he also feels completely secure that the Wildcats are being well-taken care of while he continues his recovery.
Head, who operates Head Chimney Service with his brother, Murray, fell approximately 10 feet off a roof in late November, the first time Torrey had suffered a significant injury in more than a decade in the business.
"The bottom of the ladder slid out and I took a tumble,'' said Head, who had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance, but is expected to make a complete recovery.
With Head sidelined, assistant coach Tim Triggs has taken over as the Wildcats' head coach, leading Hayden to a 2-2 record, including an overtime loss, prior to the holiday break.
"Tim got this thing thrown in his lap, unbeknownst to him that he was going to kind of have to take the reins, and that's a hard thing to do when it's just dropped on you like that,'' Head said. "I think he's done a great job, keeping the guys organized, keeping the guys focused.
"This is probably as difficult a year as we've had coaching at any level for any coach, anywhere, with this COVID going on, and for him to come in and do what he's done, is really amazing.''
Triggs and Head also reached out to former Wildcat coach Jeff Dishman, who returned to coaching as Triggs' assistant.
"We're very fortunate that Dish was available and willing to step in and help because we've both known him for a long, long time and we're fortunate to get him involved,'' said Head, who coached the Wildcats to the Class 4A Division II title in 2018. "Between the two of them I think they've done a great job.''
While Head, a former Washburn assistant under Bob Chipman, has been unable to attend games, he has been able to watch the live streams.
"I get to watch them all and it's a nice perspective if you're trying to look at the positive of it because you get to see things that transpire live during the game that normally it may be several days before you have a chance to really evaluate film,'' Head said. "Usually you're already trying to get ready for the next game, so a lot if times you don't really spend as much time looking at the most recent game because you're preparing for the next one.
"But I take notes during the game and we discuss it, usually after the game, and we move on from there.''
Of course, Head also is quick to point out that watching on a computer is no substitute for being there in person.
"It's no fun watching the kids play from so far away,'' Head said. "It's no fun doing that. It's tough. The thing you really miss is practice because that's the opportunity that you get to spend around the kids, and practice is enjoyable for the most part. Sometimes it gets a little tough because you've got to get after them a little bit, but the interaction with the kids is what I really miss.''
Head likes what he's seen out of his team, which was just 4-17 a year ago, but started the year with wins over Highland Park, a Class 5A state tournament team a year ago, and Manhattan, which is coming off a 6A state berth.
"To the kids' credit they've responded well because they've been put in a tough situation with all that's going on in the world today, and having to adjust and adapt to the situation they've been put in,'' Head said.
The situation Head finds himself in is no picnic either, but he feels thankful that his injuries weren't more serious.
"No doubt,'' Head said. "It could have been much worse.''
And although Head doesn't have a firm timetable for when he'll be cleared for coaching duty, he has no doubt he will be back.
"That's the plan,'' he said.
