Below are some of the angles I explored that didn't quite quite fit into the stories but might still be worth taking a look at.
Charley Molnar the Reader
One of my favorite topics to ask people during interviews for profiles is reading. Do they read and what do they read? It often opens up a window into their personality that wouldn't come out in many other ways.
Charley had previously mentioned in the interview that he's a busy guy (naturally), that he rarely watches television or listens to music. But he's definitely a reader:
"I love to read. I try to read everyday," he said. "Usually when I go to bed at night and I read on planes."
The two stories were the product of quite a few conversations. When we talked about reading he was finishing "The Artist, The Philosopher and the Warrior" by Paul Strathern:
"It’s about Da Vinci, Machiavelli and Borgia," Molnar said. "I’ve been absolutely fascinated by it. it’s how all three of these leading characters of the renaissance how their paths all converged at the same time."
He had just completed "Brunelleleschi’s Dome" a "story of the guy who built the dome on the church of Santa Maria in Florence," which coincidentally shows up immediately as recommended book on Amazon for anyone that is interested in "The Artist, The Philosopher and the Warrior."
Molnar, who is part Italian, said the history of that country interests him greatly.
"I like reading about the Renaissance. I’m just fascinated by the art and culture of that period," said Molnar, who has a trip to Italy on his bucket list. "I plan on gong there sooner rather than later. It's hard to do with a coach's schedule. Very hard, that’s why I haven’t done it."
I was originally going to use some kind of Molnar likes reading about great men and their historic tasks theme in my story, but it didn't fit with where the story went and it was hard to go there without sounding corny.
It's worth noting too that Molnar met his wife Meg in a "French Revolution and Napoleon" class at Lock Haven so his interest in history paid off for him handsomely in life as well.
Molnar said he also likes reading about: the Civil War. the Revolutionary War and about Football coaches
He Tweeted about this American Revolution book in February:
Just read "Angel in the Whirlwind" The Triumph of the American Revolution. I put meeting author Benson Bobrick on my#bucketlist
— Charley Molnar (@CharleyMolnar) February 20, 2012
The 50-yard-line phone call.
If you're watching the pregame of a UMass game and you look down and see Charley Molnar talking on his cellphone, there's a good chance that his father, also named Charley, is on the other end of the line.
I like the image that a man that takes preparation so seriously takes a moment before a game and calls his dad.
"Since the invention of cell phones I always call my dad from the 50 yard line before every game. If my brother Mike is not at the game, I’ll call him next. He’ll always ask ‘Are you guys ready?’ and I’ll say ‘yes’ and he’ll say ‘Are you nervous?” and I’ll say ‘No. Are you?’. He’ll say yes. He’s always more nervous than I am before the game. He has more vested interest than watching any other game." He likes that I’m at a school that he can follow via the internet. He’s looking forward to the games, either being there in person or following us on TV or the radio or the internet."
Molnar said he fell in love with football watching it on the couch with his dad, but given the time demands of his job, that hasn't happened in a long time.
"We haven’t. It’s just the nature of my job," Molnar said. "During football season, I’m never home to watch a game with him. It’s unfortunate, but it’s just the way it is.
His high school coach Walt Cueman told me that unlike a lot of parents, Molnar's were never intrusive.
"My dad was always there, but only talked to the head coach at the end of the year banquet. He was never in the Dad's club," Molnar said. "I went to a school where there were some well-heeled kids, who weren’t necessarily good football players, but their dad’s were in the touchdown club which existed to help get their kids more playing time. My dad always taught me the respect for authority and a great respect and reverence for your coach. I think that went a long way. For me a coach, no matter what sport I played, was a guy with a higher calling. I’m so proud to be a coach. It’s humbling because I had such great respect for the position."
Charley Molnar III
Charley Molnar's son, Charley Molnar III is a graduate assistant on UMass' staff. The chance to work closely with his father during his first head coaching job has been a special experience for Molnar III.
"It’s been a goal and a dream of mine to get to work with him and see how he operates on a day to day basis. It means the world to me to be able to watch him be a head coach. I’m just so excited for the first game where we get to walk out together against UConn. It’s going to be one of the coolest things you can imagine," Molnar III said. "It happens so rarely that a father and son get to work together like we do especially with these hours. It’s going to be real cool I think."
Miscellaneous
Molnar on why his teams will win.
"I believe in certain principles of football. If we adhere to them we’re going to get some wins a long the way because we’re going to play somebody that’s not adhering to the infallible truths of the game of football. Play great defense. Great in the kicking game. Win the turnover battle and score in the red zone. If you make those things happen you’re going to win football games."
MOLNAR ON HIS LIFE
"It’s better than I imagined. I love where I work. I love living here in Western Massachusetts. I feel like I have the best of all worlds. I’m on the east coast. I’m close to home. I’ve got the ocean not too far way. This is not much different than Lock Haven or Charlottesville. It’s just really nice. I work with great people."
"I haven’t accomplished all my goals. This is just the beginning of the next goal that I’d like to accomplish. Next goal? Have a top 20 football team go to a BCS game and win it."
ALWAYS ON THE RUN
Molnar's high school coach Walt Cueman said Molnar never walked anywhere in high school.
"He was always a runner. He never walked anywhere. he was like the roadrunner. He’s run from drill to drill. He’d run out to practice. He’d run into practice. Anytime the kids ran he was always the first guy. In between classes he’d run from building to building. He either never wanted to be late or he’d want to be the first person to get there."
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