Marine coach teaches Dos Palos team about more than just football

DOS PALOS, Calif. (KFSN) -- What might look like the average training before the start of football season isn't. The Dos Palos Football Team isn't learning the X's and O's of football, they're learning something else.

"Discipline, respect, leadership and we implemented that into their practice," Marine Joe Coelho said.

They're lessons that'll go beyond the football field.

"I'm not here to make a football team," he said. "I'm here to change a man. Make a man, make a respectful man."

Coelho first met the team last year, and he noticed they weren't playing well and asked if he could help. His help, however, focused on more than just physical strength - it focused on values, leadership, and family.

"He started bonding and we started to come close as a team," team member Steven Gordillo said. "He helped us through all the pain and torture and that's the saying: motivation. And we say no pain, cause we're not going to feel it."

Coelho later moved from Merced to Virginia, but not before watching the team make it to the semifinals in 2015. A year later, he's back to visit - driving more than 2500 miles to remind the team of those values.

"He wanted to make a great football player but also want to make greater men," head coach Rob Calvert said.

"It's a great honor to be part of this tradition," Gordillo said. "This tradition means a lot to me. Sgt. Coelho says the game plan is to spend a week with the team saying that their motivation to be better is also his motivation to help."

"They're willing to come out here to give everything," Coelho said.

And he will spend the week training the team and repeating this message.

"Dream big, train hard, never quit on what you're doing," he said.

The biggest touchdown for this team is beginning the start of future leaders, walking off the field.