As a Coach, I was pouring into other people's kids while my own weren't getting my full attention..

Dr Eric Preszler (@EricPreszler on X)

Preszler family | Chickamauga GA

I grew up as an only child in a mostly single-parent home. My mom was a teacher who worked hard to support us, but she also had the flexibility to be present in my life. We lived close to my grandparents and spent a great deal of time with them. My grandfather became a father figure to me, and because of his presence, I never really felt like I was missing something, even though my biological father wasn’t around.

My mom had the wisdom to involve me in as many activities as possible. That exposure helped me learn how to adapt to different people and environments, and it allowed me to experience support, encouragement, and accountability outside our small family. My coaches and teammates filled spaces where a parent or siblings might have. That sense of belonging and guidance is probably a big reason I pursued athletics and coaching as a career.

I’ve always resonated with a quote from college basketball coach Buzz Williams: “Be famous in your home.” To me, that means striving to be the person your children look up to—their hero. Growing up without my “real” dad present, I became determined to be the exact opposite as a parent. I wanted to be there for everything and anything my kids needed.

The biggest challenge has been that my career in coaching often conflicted with time at home. As our children grew, I realized I needed to pull back from coaching in order to be more present. At one point, my wife and I felt like we were spending most of our lives pouring into other people’s children and not enough time into our own. That realization led us to make a major life change—moving across the country so both Colleen and I could step into roles that allowed us to be more available to our kids. It also meant leaving our core group of family and support and, in many ways, feeling on our own for the first time, even though we were in our early forties.

There are three big lessons I’ve implemented from Dad Academy.

First, have a plan. I spent countless hours creating practice plans and game strategies, yet I never thought intentionally about having a plan as a parent. My only real plan was simply to be there—a good start, but not enough.

Second, create and celebrate traditions. These core memories help shape our children’s foundation and allow them to look back positively on their childhood. Traditions also give them something familiar and grounding to return to as they grow.

Third, remember that kids are always watching. We teach our kids what is good and bad, what is acceptable, and what we truly value mostly through our actions. It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to forget, especially when they’re young and we assume they aren’t paying attention. Like any team, the leader must set the standard and live the standard. Fathers must actively pursue leading their families with consistency and intentionality.

I’ve realized that having a plan is one thing; executing it is another. One area I’ve fallen short is clearly communicating that plan to my family, and that’s something I intend to improve. These insights have helped me recognize how deeply my actions shape our home. They’ve also reminded me to refocus when I allow myself to get too busy outside our home to give what’s needed inside it. I know that if our kids don’t receive the love, attention, and guidance they need from us, they will eventually seek it elsewhere—and those alternatives are rarely healthy. Dad Academy has helped me see my role with greater clarity, purpose, and urgency. Working through tasks with my four kids, planning and learning together, has been the real treasure. I’m excited to continue this journey as my children grow into adulthood.