John Neal can’t remember what he did for Thanksgiving last year, but one memory from more than two decades ago still stands out.
Oregon’s secondary coach was celebrating the holiday with his family in Alabama. As Neal’s daughters, Kristin and Caitlin, devoured their turkey, his teenage son, Casey, would make an annoying sound with a handheld toy.
Squeak, squeak, squeak.
The girls would stop and glare at Casey for a few seconds, then go back to eating.
Squeak, squeak, squeak.
The girls’ frustration mounted with each subsequent squeak, causing the boys — young and old — to become increasingly amused.
“It was hysterical!” Neal said.
Coaches like Neal treasure Thanksgiving memories like these because they’ve occurred so sparingly in recent years. The day after this Thanksgiving, the Ducks play Oregon State, causing many coaches to sacrifice time with family and friends. This is standard procedure for football coaches every November.
“Certain professions don’t allow you to do certain things,” linebackers coach Don Pellum said.
Offensive coordinator Scott Frost said he hasn’t been home to Nebraska for Thanksgiving in 15 years. Running backs coach Gary Campbell has experienced the conflict between football and Thanksgiving for three decades, but he said he’s content giving up time during the holidays.
“I’m accustomed to it,” Campbell said. “Some policemen and firemen work on those holidays.”
Pellum admitted he’s forgotten birthdays because of football, but he said family members understand the grind coaches go through each fall and winter.
Besides, the grind doesn’t prevent coaches from celebrating Thanksgiving.
Head coach Mark Helfrich said the team will get together for a big meal Wednesday night and that players will get a chance to celebrate Thanksgiving with their families the next day. Some players won’t have their families in Eugene, but they’ll have plenty of options if they’re looking for a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner.
“Our doors are open on Thanksgiving,” said Campbell, who helps his wife cook a big Thanksgiving meal every year.
Frost’s parents flew into Eugene earlier this week, and his mom will cook a Thanksgiving dinner for the family and any players who want to join them. She did the same thing last year for a group of Oregon wide receivers.
Pellum also hosted players for Thanksgiving last season. Linebacker Boseko Lokombo was one of them, and he appreciates the plethora of invitations players receive from coaches every Thanksgiving.
“It’s a good way for us to bond with the coach and just get to know how he is and eat a good meal,” Lokombo said.
While Oregon coaches might not be able to experience Thanksgiving like many other people, they still manage to squeeze the festivities in between practice and team meetings. Pellum can still cook his assortment of meats. Campbell can still barbecue his favorite ribs. Neal can still enjoy his wife’s broccoli casserole, which he said “might be the best food thing ever made.”
“There are some other things during the fall that people get to do that we don’t get to do,” Frost said. “That’s part of the job.”
Follow Victor Flores on Twitter @vflores415