Ohman finally living dream as varsity hoops coach

	After 52 years on the road, Charlie Ohman, 74, is coaching varsity basketball in his retirement. Photo courtesy of Mandy Manzano

While driving an 18-wheeler more than a million miles during his 52-year career, Charlie Ohman constantly dreamed of being a high school varsity basketball coach. At 74 that dream finally came true this season as he is currently in the midst of his first season as head coach at Westmoor (Daly City, Calif.) High.

After compiling a 50-24 record during three years as JV coach, Ohman, who was elevated to the varsity after last year's coach decided to become a full-time electrician, has guided the Rams to a 12-12 record thus far.

"First and foremost, he is a wonderful role model for young people," Westmoor principal Dick Morosi says. "He sets high standards in terms of discipline. He treats kids with respect and is honest with them. We've got good kids and he runs a tight ship. They are playing up to their potential and they play hard from beginning to end. He doesn't work refs or scream and yell. After every game, he and his wife [Juanita] hold hands and walk out of the gym. It's kind of like riding off into the sunset."

Ohman's background as a longtime coach in boys club and park leagues has made the transition much easier. He played several high school sports in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and following four years in the U.S. Navy, he began working in 1956 for Rogers Trucking & Equipment Company in South San Francisco. At the same time he launched his coaching odyssey, working mainly with boys from ages 12-15. Over the years he coached his four sons and one daughter. "I did it because I loved it," he says.

He even coached his grandson at the boys club when the regular coach quit. "We went 11-0," he says proudly.

Westmoor senior point guard Andrew Dismuke has been happy to play for Ohman. After all, Ohman has coached him since fourth grade, with the exception of his junior year when Ohman was working with the JV squad. In fact, Ohman has coached at least half of his current varsity players.

"He lets us be ourselves," Dismuke says. "He adapts with us in the game and it pays off. He's really been there for my family. He treats me like a son. We never really knew how old he was. He was always very mobile and we knew he had a lot of wisdom."

Despite the wide age gap, Ohman says, "I've never had a problem, truthfully, with a kid. We just iron it out. We both express ourselves and make an agreement. I'm really a fish for kids. If they tell me something, I agree until I catch them in a lie. I have to let them think for themselves and it works out pretty good."

During the past two years Ohman, who stands instead of sitting on the bench so that the kids can easily see him, was on his feet plenty as he coached at least one sport in every season. His son, Jimmy, who also coaches basketball, had recommended him for the Westmoor JV post. In addition, he still was driving his 18-wheeler, handling mostly hazardous material. He went to work at 3 a.m. so he could make a 2 p.m. practice. If he had to drive too far on a particular day, he would cancel practice, but he said that was rarely necessary. Last July, he retired, having passed through every state but Alaska and Hawaii.

"I get younger as the years go by," Ohman says. "You're as good at 74 as 24 as long as you don't let your age get in the way. I feel really good. If you like what you're doing, you always feel good. Along the way I have met a lot of nice people."

His only concession to age is the need for a hip replacement, which he will take care of as soon as the season is completed. He currently takes pills each day to ease the pain. After going 12 months a year for the last two years, he plans to take this spring and summer off from coaching.

"The way I feel now, I could coach forever, as long as they want me," Ohman says.

More notes

• St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) nipped perennial power Blair Academy (Blairstown, N.J.), 29-27, to all but clinch the national wrestling championship. The undefeated Eagles had not beaten Blair in a dual meet since 2000, though they had beaten Blair earlier this season in the Ironman Invitational.

• Anchorage native Adam Murray had a memorable debut as starting goalie for the U.S. National Under-17 hockey team, recording 40 saves during a 3-0 victory over the Alpena IceDiggers. Murray, a 6-1, 183-pound sophomore who attends Pioneer (Ann Arbor, Mich.), is the youngest member of the team.

• Sioux Falls' Corey Tropp (5-11, 184 pounds), who has signed with Michigan State, scored two goals and was named MVP as the West defeated the East, 7-3, in the annual U.S. Hockey League All-Star game at Waterloo, Iowa. Jesse Martin of Tri-City led the winners with three assists. Tommy Wingels of Cedar Rapids scored a pair of goals for the East.