FEU Tamaraws head coach Nash Racela. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Looking back, Nash Racela didn’t see himself as a coach. He never even wanted to become one.
Things change and Racela has turned into one of the most successful coaches today after leading Far Eastern University to its first UAAP title in a decade last year.
“I never wanted to be a coach, it wasn’t really part of my plan,” said Racela during an episode of SportsIQ on Thursday.
What put him to where he is now is his passion for the game, but before the sweet victories, Racela had to experience growing pains.
Racela referred to himself as the “last losing coach” of the Red Lions before the team became an NCAA dynasty in the late 2000s.
His lasting memory in the San Beda bench was waving the school’s flag in front of the supporters of University of Perpetual Help.
“I think it’s just my passion for the team I coach, siguro, before it was San Beda now it’s FEU,” said Racela. “Pag nag coach ako ng isang team, I give my all for the team, I give my all for the team and for the school.”
“Sana makita ng FEU community yun.”
Coaching also didn’t cross his older brother Olsen’s mind when they were younger. Olsen, wanted to become a lawyer while Nash saw himself becoming an engineer.
“Well, the two of us ended up coaching,” said Racela. “It was really God’s plan, and I ended up coaching.”/rga