Give and Take: Jim Winger Q+A

Lake City athletic director and boys basketball coach Jim Winger wouldn’t want to do anything else than what he’s doing. On the brink of becoming half a century old, Winger began his head coaching career at his alma mater, Coeur d’Alene High. After two years there, he moved to Lake City when the school opened its doors in 1994. He’s been the coach there for all but six years.

Q: Who has the toughest job in America?

A: You could name a whole bunch of things. I’ll tell you who has the utmost respect from me in my world and that’s special ed teachers and aids. They are absolutely miraculous people and some of the things they deal with are mind boggling. I’ve always said they deserve double the salary at least.

Q: What sport do you play most often?

A: I sort of have a theory. If you’re not active you can’t hurt. It’s golf for sure.

Q: What is the biggest problem facing young people today?

A: Social media. I mean that in a funny way and truthful way. I think back to when I was a kid it’s not like everybody in the 1980s or 1970s were saints by any means. But there wasn’t this appetite for instant entertainment or gratification. Not like today with Facebook and troubles we see in school with things that go viral on the Internet. It’s all done through a computer and you don’t have to look anybody in the eye. I don’t see how that’s healthy.

Q: If you were the king of the world for a day, what is the first thing you would do?

A: I’d wave my wand and eliminate all diseases, especially cancer.

Q: How old is old?

A: I’m 49 and almost 50 and I feel no different than when I was in college or in my 20s. My body isn’t the same shape but I don’t feel any differently in my mind. You have to be in the upper 80s or 90s before you feel old.

Q: What do you see yourself doing in 5 years? 10 years?

A: Same thing I’m doing now. I have no aspirations to do other things even in my field. I have the job that fits me best. Some days it’s a head scratcher with some issues but I don’t see any reason to do anything different.

Q: If you could go to one sporting event which would it be?

A: I’ve already done it. It’s the Breeders Cup and I’ve done it five times. I love horse racing. It’s more than the betting.

Q: Your favorite social media?

A: Don’t have any. I wouldn’t be caught reading a blog and don’t have a Facebook account. I’m a true newspaper guy. That’s my extent of social media. When I travel I buy every newspaper at airports. I have no use for social media.

Q: If you could spend a day with anyone, who would it be and why?

A: Two. Bill Parcells because I’m totally intrigued with his ability to control the New York media and control multimillion dollar athletes and run the show. Would like to know what his magic is. And Warren Buffet because everything he does turns to gold. Never seen anything like it.

Q: Tattoos?

A: I don’t have any and never will. I don’t get it. Never come close to getting one.