Quotes By Coach Patrick   “Leave it all on the field.”   “I love you all!”   "Think about the choices you make."   "GOD, Family, Football."   "What is most important is what is in front of you.  Don't worry about what is behind you because that is out of your control.  Just put all of your focus forward.’” When asked about teaching and coaching, Coach Patrick replied, "I'm living the dream!"     Quotes About Coach Patrick   "What can I help you with?"  I don't know if I have ever known anyone that gave so freely of himself to his family, friends, students, or anyone that he knew.  He was always so much fun to be be with ... and if you ever saw Dennis Patrick and Bill Toon together playing golf ... you would still be laughing to this day!"  Coach David Bentzen, Texas.     “I had the privilege of knowing Dennis, not only as a coaching colleague, but as a teammate as well.  We experienced a Football State Finals together as players for Mesquite High in 1974.  In 2001 when we won the first football state championship for MHS, I'll always remember Dennis being there in San Antonio in the driving rain, cheer on his alma mater, taking pictures and chronicling the entire event!  A great friend, great coach, and a true "Skeeter" in every sense of the word. I miss him.”   Coach Robbie Robinson, Mesquite, Texas.     “Always we will remember Dennis’ smile and fun-loving ways.  It was such a blessing to be one of his colleagues.”  Dee Landers, English Department, Whitehouse, Texas.     “Coach had very high expectations of the players and other coaches.  He never thought any hill was too high to climb.”  Coach Danny Robey, Whitehouse, Texas.     “There are four main things Coach Patrick wanted for everyone.  He loved each and every kid with so much heart you some times wondered how big his heart really was.  He wasn’t just a coach, he was a teacher.  He didn’t just teach us football plays; he taught us how to live.  That’s the thing that makes him so great.  And he didn’t just focus on 3 or 4 kids, he focused on everyone.  He wanted everyone to have the best life.  He tried to teach us lessons in life on and off the field.  He put his whole heart into us; he gave it his all to make us better.”  Ross Viergever, Whitehouse, Texas.   "Coach Patrick was a wonderful, wonderful coach.  He loved every player who ever played for him ... if you did not play for him but knew him as a friend - he loved you too.  He taught kids the right thing to do.  He taught everybody to live and love one another.  He was a great person to my family. And I thank God for that ... I thank you Coach Patrick for teaching me the right thing to do in life.  I love you and miss you ... see you on the other side.  And I want to thank you for my nick name ("Willie") you gave me.  "  Willie H. Aldridge, Whitehouse, Texas.   "Coach Patrick inspired us to all be Student Athletes ... Students first, then Athletes."  Patrick Cook, Whitehouse, Texas.   “He was inspired by his love for his family, for sports, especially football, and for those of us he coached.  With his knowledge he would guide us to play the game he loved, and inspired us to love it too.  Coach Patrick expected the best out of everyone every time we stepped onto the field, whether it was a practice or a game.  He taught me that if I gave it my best, I could hold my head high – win or lose.”  Hunter Taylor, Whitehouse, Texas.     “Coach Patrick inspired me to be the man I am now.  He was my family away from home and I loved him with all my heart.”  Ryan, Whitehouse, Texas.     “[Coach Patrick had] faith in me … I hope I make you proud.”  A.J. Minter, Whitehouse, Texas.     “I’ll never forget all the things he did for me and this school … [Coach Patrick was] so strong, so loving, so caring and a great person from this world.  I can remember him being so hilarious, even when everyone else was being serious, he’d be making everyone laugh.  I will remember him as a coach, a friend and a great man.  There will be no other person like him.”  Joey Coggins, Whitehouse, Texas.     “I loved playing for Coach Patrick because he could be funny and just get you laughing so hard but then he could be serious … I knew every time Coach Patrick got onto me he was just making me better not only in sports but in being respectful and life lessons.  Coach Patrick never gave up on anybody.  He didn’t care what shape, color or size you were, he would never give up on you.”  Justin Bloom, Whitehouse, Texas.       “Coach Patrick was a great Coach, but more than that, he was a great example both on and off the field.  He taught us more than Xs and Os.  He taught us how to work hard and never give up.  He taught us how to win with class, and with our one loss he taught us how to lose with class.  He wanted us to make good grades and to respect our teachers and our parents.”  Braden Robey, Whitehouse, Texas.       From Taylor Parks, Whitehouse, Texas: C         -           Caring O         -           Outgoing A         -           Awesome Coach C         -           Committed H         -           Honest   P          -           Patient (sometimes) A         -           Always Laughing T          -           Taught Us Well R         -           Really Great I           -           I Will Miss Him C         -           Can Really Make You Laugh K         -           Kids Love Him                                                                                                                                                                                                If you would like to have your quote considered for this page, please e-mail Ellen L. Patrick [President & Chairman of the Board] at ellenp@thedennispatrickfoundation.org.  Thank you.