"Assistant Coach?" George felt it was a bit absurd, then he composed himself and asked, "What about the salary?"
George, a middle-aged man with a family, had no choice but to bow to reality. If the salary offered by the school was suitable, he wouldn't mind humbling himself to be an Assistant Coach for the team.
"The school has clear regulations for employee salaries. But don't worry, I will try my best to help you maintain a salary of five hundred dollars per week," Principal Tom continued. "Moreover, this demotion is a last resort. You only need to be Wayne's assistant for a while, and once the storm passes, the school will consider promoting you back to the Head Coach position."
"Five hundred? And I have to be Wayne's assistant?" The expression on George's face changed repeatedly.
Previously, when the team had no achievements, George's weekly salary was five hundred dollars. Later, when the team's performance improved, his weekly salary had already increased to seven hundred dollars.
Now, the team had achieved its best results ever, but unexpectedly, his salary had dropped back down.
Furthermore, another point that George found difficult to accept was that he would have to be Wayne's assistant.
One must know that Wayne used to be George's assistant, and his coaching level was truly not that great.
Now, for George to work under his former subordinate, it made him lose face a bit.
Seeing George's face getting worse and worse, Principal Tom said, "George, the school will remember your contribution this time. This situation will not last long. I also hope you can understand the school's difficulties..."
George could no longer listen to the Principal's empty promises. He remained silent for a long time, and finally seemed to have made a decision.
After taking off his Medford branded baseball cap and placing it on the Principal's desk, George said, "From today on, I am no longer Medford's coach."
"You're resigning?" Principal Tom looked surprised. Then, he quickly advised, "George, don't be impulsive, we can discuss things. We can also talk about the salary again."
Judging from the Principal's reaction at this moment, he still highly recognized George's ability.
"No need, I've already decided." George shook his head slightly, finished speaking in a calm tone, then ignored the Principal's attempts to make him stay and turned to leave the office.
George, walking out the door, seemed to have shed a burden, letting out a heavy breath.
"Dad, how was the talk with the Principal? Did you get a raise?" Georgie, waiting at the door, asked, looking at his dad's relaxed expression.
"No," George said. "I've already resigned."
"Ah—?" Georgie was startled. "How could this happen?"
"Don't worry, I have my own plan. I'll tell you guys tonight..." George smiled, then added, "Now, you should go to practice."
It was already time for school sports, and the Medford Team should have already started training.
"Oh, okay—" Georgie walked vaguely towards the sports field. After walking a distance, he noticed Mike hadn't followed him. "Mike, aren't you going to practice?"
"You go first, I still have something to do," Mike said.
"Alright, I'll help you ask for leave," Georgie mumbled, leaving the hallway alone.
He thought Mike had something to say to his dad privately, and never considered that the other party wanted to quit the Medford Team.
"Train well in the future, you're a good prospect for football." George didn't know Mike had the idea of quitting the team. As he walked towards his office, he said, "I'll mention it to Wayne before I leave, to let you be the team's quarterback next year..."
"I've already decided to quit the Medford Team," Mike suddenly said.
"What?" George stopped in surprise and earnestly advised, "You have such great talent, why wouldn't you continue playing? Don't be affected by my resignation; I have my own considerations."
"I also have my own considerations. Actually, I'm not very interested in football. Next, I'll join the school's Math Olympiad team," Mike explained.
"This..." George originally wanted to say that it would be an absolute waste for someone with such strong talent in football not to play.
However, he quickly realized that Mike's academic performance was no less than Sheldon's. It seemed that joining the Math Olympiad team was also not a problem.
"Sigh, decide for yourself." George, having understood the key points, sighed. Then, he still advised, "Mike, I still think you should continue on the path of football, you have the potential to become a football superstar..."
However, Mike's expression was firm, clearly indicating he had his own thoughts. So, George found it difficult to say more.
Next, in silence, the two arrived at the Medford Team's exclusive sports office.
"George, you're here?" Coach Wayne, who was lying on a leather chair in the office, quickly stood up.
That chair was originally prepared by the school specifically for George.
"It's fine, you sit. That chair is yours from now on," George said magnanimously.
"No, no—" Coach Wayne awkwardly waved his hand and said, "I'm sorry about what happened to you, but don't worry, you'll still be in charge of the team from now on."
Although Coach Wayne's coaching level was not good, he was very self-aware.
"I've already resigned, the team is yours from now on. I hope you'll put more effort into the team," George said, his expression somewhat heavy.
After all, he had been the Head Coach of the Medford Team for so many years, and he had already developed feelings for the team.
"How could this happen?" Wayne said in surprise. "Did those sponsors make things difficult for you? I'll go explain to them right away."
Looking at Wayne's reaction, George smiled. Then, he said, "No need, leaving the team was my own decision."
"Did another school poach you?" Coach Wayne's mind worked quickly.
Listening to his former colleague's guess, George smiled without speaking.
"That's right, your coaching level is good, it's not surprising that other schools would be interested in you. It's just a pity, I won't be able to rely on you anymore," Coach Wayne said jokingly.
"Alright, don't overthink it." George also said in a joking tone, "Let me pack my things, and this office will be yours alone from now on."
"Sigh..." Coach Wayne sat back in his chair. Seeing George pack his personal belongings, he let out a heavy sigh.
Wayne felt a bit sad about his colleague's departure.
"Coach Wayne, I'm applying to quit the team—" Mike seized this opportunity to state his request as well.
"What?" Coach Wayne was startled again, almost jumping out of his chair. "Don't be impulsive, Mike. George is leaving, but you don't have to go with him. The team still needs to rely on you..."
"It has nothing to do with George, I'm going to join the school's Math Olympiad team next," Mike explained.
"Math Olympiad?" Coach Wayne was also aware of Mike's good grades. With Math Olympiad as his reason for quitting, he didn't know how to persuade him to stay.
Ten minutes later, Coach Wayne lay weakly in his chair, watching the team's two key players leave.