Chris Ray

Head Softball Coach: Tahlequah High School

[Chris Ray @CoachChrisRay]

NCCAA 2026 Runner Up

[Chris Ray @CoachChrisRay]

@OUontheAir

Coach Ray listening from Tahlequah

[Chris Ray @CoachChrisRay]

@RightScopee 👍

[Lady Norse Softball @NEOSFTBLL]

Checking in at 1️⃣6️⃣ days, we’d like to give a shoutout to a few former Lady Norse ⚔️

Jayley Ray- Southwestern Christian University
Jillian McDaniel- Mission University
Emily Carpenter- Northeastern State University

Good luck ladies! Once a Norseman always a Norseman ⚔️

[Greg Berge @GregBerge]

Why Coaching Is Harder Than People Think (A Holiday Reminder)…

Because coaching isn’t just about plays, drills, or game nights.

It’s about people.

It’s about walking into practice every day and managing emotions you didn’t create but are responsible for.

Your own.
Your players.
Your assistants.
Parents.
Administrators.
Fans.

It’s about teaching kids who are all at different stages.

Different maturity levels.
Different confidence levels.
Different home situations.

And somehow holding them to the same standards while still meeting them where they are.

It’s about decisions that look simple from the stands but feel heavy from the sideline.

Who plays.
When.
Why.
How you communicate it.

And how that decision might land on a 16-year-old who ties their identity to minutes.

It’s about losing sleep over kids who won’t buy in.

Over conversations you need to have.

Over mistakes you replay in your head long after everyone else moved on.

It’s about being judged by people who see the outcome, not the process.

The scoreboard, not the hours.

The result, not the relationships.

And yet, you show up again.

You plan. You teach. You model. You care.

As the season slows and the holidays arrive, this is the reminder:

What you do matters.

Even when it goes unseen.
Even when it feels heavy.
Even when it’s hard.

Coaching is about influence. And influence lasts longer than any season.

That’s why coaching is harder than people think. And also why it matters so much.

As the year winds down, I hope you find a little rest, a little perspective, and a lot of pride in the work you’re doing.

🎄Happy Holidays, Coach.