Ian Day: Inspiring future generations

Inspired by coaches along the way, Coach Ian Day returned to Navasota after college to inspire future generations.

A self-described late bloomer, Day wasn’t on the radar of college recruits until his senior season of high school. In 2010, the Rattlers weren’t expected to make a run on the gridiron, but Day, the starting quarterback, led Navasota to an undefeated district championship and threerounds deep in the playoffs. He was named District MVP and earned a scholarship to Midwestern State University in Marble Falls, Texas.

“That is probably one of the best things that happened to me, because although I didn’t go there and become a college star, it paid for my education which got me back here,” explained Day.

Growing up, Day aspired to be a coach and felt it was God’s calling on his life. “My plan from the start was to become a coach. I saw my coaches and said I want to be like those guys. I want to inspire kids because they [coaches] inspired me,” he said.

In athletics or academics, hard work paved the way for Day. Born in Houston, Day’s parents moved to Navasota when he was a young child. His parents owned U-Wash-It laundromat on South LaSalle Street. “I watched my dad wake up at four in the morning and go to work every day.” Day said if his dad could do that every day then what he as a coach and teacher is doing is easy.

Early on Day said his mom also sacrificed a lot putting he and his siblings first in her life. “Now she [mom] is going into the nursing field and even at her age, she still goes to school. That itself is inspiring.”

“There is life outside of Navasota,” explained Day. He said he wants to show students who may be in the same shoes as him and not “be the guy” that with hard work they can do great things in life.

One of Day’s most recent proud moments was watching Xavier Steptoe sign to play college football at Hardin-Simmons University earlier this year. “Where Xavier started from and where he ended is night and day,” explained Day. Steptoe, an undersized receiver and defensive-back, didn’t play football as a freshman.

Steptoe asked Day if he thought with hard work, he could play college football. Day had faith that he could. Steptoe asked what about his size. Day assured him with hard work and dedication he could succeed in football and in life. “He wasn’t on anyone’s radar either,” said Day. “But he worked his butt off and ended up overachieving and made a way for himself. It is good to see him extend his football and academic career. Hopefully he will get a degree and be able to do something with his life. That will make me really proud if he can do that.”

Throughout his young career Day also coached two track stars who are competing collegiately, Malaiya Jedkins, a state champion, and Ronnie Jackson.

This year Day has taken on a bigger role in the basketball program, coaching alongside Navasota Head Basketball Coach Christopher Randolph. “I have to tip my hat to Coach Randolph, he trusts me, and he trusts my basketball IQ and my brain. If he has an idea or if he needs an idea, he comes to me and picks my brain. I learn a lot from him too.”

The trust Randolph has in Day is more than just his knowledge on the court, but his ability to help mold young men for success in life. “We want to show our players how to be men, to help them when they graduate and have their own families,” explained Day.

He said Randolph had the idea of teaching important life lessons to players. The first idea was bringing in law enforcement to erase the negative perception they face. Day reached out to two officers he competed against athletically to speak to the team. “Being able to hear from actual officers is more impactful than hearing it from the coaches.”

Day said they want to continue “men-building.” “We want to show those guys how to change a tire, how to change the oil in a vehicle, do minor electrician work etc.” Day said they are looking for more people to come speak with the team. “We want to teach these guys to be men.”

Many students go home to a less than stellar lifestyle. “Sometimes coming to school is the best thing that happens to kids,” explained Day. “When they go home sometimes it is not a good situation. It could be they are isolated at home and don’t have anyone to talk to or anyone to love on them. They spend more time here than they do at home with their own parents.”

Day understands he is a role model. “You fall into the role of, I’m this kid’s coach, but I am also likely his best role model. Even if they don’t say it, they look at you and follow your steps and want to be like you. That helps me keep going.”

“Life is like a fork in the road,” explained Day. “You either go one way, keep pushing, and stay on the right track, or you choose to go the other way. Even if a kid does wrong, I let them know I’m still with them and I still love them. Everyone makes mistakes, but it’s how you recover from it. Are you going to stay within the realm of that mistake or move forward?”

When not being a father-figure to student-athletes, Day is a daddy to his four-year-old son, Kyzer. “That is probably the thing that makes me happiest. Having a kid that looks up to me and thinks I’m a superhero. I get to mold this human being from day one and watch him be successful. His son already enjoys competing having played soccer and about to play t-ball.

Even if he doesn’t do anything athletically I just want him to be successful in life and make good grades, do the right thing, and stay out of trouble.”

In the future Day would like to be a head coach in one of the sports he coaches, but in the meantime his focus is building better students by being the best coach and influence he can be.