by Larry EderIt is finally time that one of my spiritual advisors, Peanut Harms, has been been recognized for the amazing work he has done as a coach. Nut would tell you that this was Tena Harms, his lovely wife, and his work, and he is right. Nut and Tena have built the El Dorado program from a quite modest beginning.
Dwayne Peanut Harms, California Coach of the Year, Boys & Girls Cross Country
Coaches change lives. The late Sam Adams, mason grise at UC Santa Barbara used to scare the hell of me. A man of some stature, and a combination of the profound and profane, Mr. Adams told me that coaches were misunderstood. “They are educators, first.” It was amazing to see that EDHS Principal Matt Barnes gently reminded us of the role of coaches as educators and life changers. (Now, the late Sam Adams can stop the daily whispering of that comment in my ears. )
Nut and Tena changed the lives of many athletes at El Dorardo High School. He continues to, and the world is better for it. For many years, Nut was the Track & Field guy at Reebok, then, Springco, then, HOKA ONE ONE. But he was missing something, and I seem to recall a conversation about returning to coaching. Coaching high school has been life affirming, it is the first thing that we speak about when we catch up!
And on the spiritual advisor part. I found out long ago, if I mentioned John Powell, Jan Johnson and Peanut Harms as my spiritural advisor, I would clear out the riff raff. Nut has encouraged me, like the other two gentleman, when I was ready to throw in the towel.
El Dorado High School is quite fortunate to have Peanut and Tena Harms.
Congratulations from Karlsruhe, Germany!
Oh, and here is an in interview with Dwayne Peanut Harms, from 2012. It should be read once a year:https://www.runblogrun.com/2012/01/rbr-interview-dwayne-harms-on-vs-athletics-super-clinic-by-larry-eder.html
Harms named cross country coach of the year
Dwayne “Peanut” Harms
The National Federation of State High School Associations has named El Dorado High School’s cross country coach Dwayne “Peanut” Harms the 2018 California Coach of the Year for both boys and girls cross country.
Harms began volunteering at El Dorado High School as a freshman girls basketball assistant coach in 2000-01 and has been coaching there for the past 18 years.
Peanut and wife Tena were recognized at a recent school board meeting where they thanked parents, the El Dorado Union High School District and the Board of Trustees for the great honor.
“While this is a great honor, the true measure of success for the Harms couple is not about wins and losses, but it’s knowing that they’ve developed countless young athletes into phenomenal adults. Making up their teams are students from all walks of life, experience and capability — in the end what comes out is not just a team but a family. We are all well beyond congratulations. EDHS is forever changed and in debt to these two magnificent coaches and their tireless contributions,” said EDHS Principal Matt Barnes.
