Don't Put Me In, Coach: My Incredible NCAA Journey from the End of the Bench to the End of the Bench by Mark Titus

Don't Put Me in Coach by Mark Titus is a vulgar, coarse, and low-brow memoir of Titus's 4-year stint as a bench-warmer for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Or

Don't Put Me in Coach by Mark Titus is a funny, insightful, and engaging memoir of Titus's 4-year stint as a bench-warmer for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Which opening to go with, maybe both?

 

After some early success playing basketball and  playing on junior high teams with future NBA players, Titus makes a go of playing at Ohio State. Titus makes the team as Manager, before he's asked to suit up to play on the practice squad and be one of the guys who plays the last few minutes of unimportant games. Soon, Titus realizes he'll never actually be a player so resigns himself to being the class clown and court jester. Midway through his college career, Titus discovers the joys of blogging and starts Club Trillion, and becomes a hero to all kids picked last to play sports.

Titus adeptly gives readers an insiders view into the world of NCAA basketball. Titus doesn't hold much back, from asshole teammates, to juvenile pranks (the book seems to be one big prank, really), he really lets the stories fly. For too brief moments, Titus  emerges from his jock bro voice into something more mature and introspective, but then quickly ducks back into self-deprecating and humiliating language (nutsack licking, next bed beej's, pant shitting, etc.).  I don't doubt, however, that once Titus matures as a person, he will mature as a writer. I expect he'll back with even better stories from the sports world.

If you want a small taste of  Titus's sense of humor then check out his Mr. Rainmaker video.

I definitely recommend this to all sports fans, especially if March Madness is your favorite holiday. I also recoommend this book to anyone who has ever wondered what the life of a student athlete is like.