Reader's Choice: Tell Us Your Favorite Coaches

I never played sports past middle school soccer in Whittier, and I was a bit too young to appreciate my older brother's football and tennis and debate team coaches. But with only one exception, I've been awe-inspired by my son's Little League, soccer and swim coaches--their patience, skill-building and much-needed good humor.

We started the conversation last week about your favorite coaches or those who left a lasting impression, on yourself or with your children. We got some great names, and list them here for our non-competitive poll. But please add more as you think of them or join the chat.

It's really about celebrating the everyday heroes all around us, those who give countless hours of their time and life to help raise our future leaders. They set examples for compromise, leadership, humility, respect of rules, compassion, aggressive accomplishment, focus, the works.

Our list so far from readers is:

Peter Archer, Wilson High swim, water polo (pool named for him) rowing

Ron Campbell, Whaley Park Pony League, relocated to Ohio

Todd Johnson, Los Altos Cal Ripken boys and girls teams (also LBPD)

Jim Lineberger, Rogers Middle School flag football coach

Jack Mertz, Wilson High football (marine bio teacher), passed away 2010

Monte Nitzkowski, swimming, water polo, Long Beach City College.

If you have website links, photos of the coaches or other candidates, let us know in comments.