Coach Beats Cancer, Wears Livestrong Rubber Wristband For Inspiration.
Tom Bolden is a cancer survivor. The man replacing legendary Kerry Coombs as Colerain’s head football coach had better be tough, and Bolden certainly fills the bill.
Bolden was elevated Friday from offensive coordinator to head coach, replacing Coombs, a Colerain icon. Coombs, who left the school Dec. 17 to become defensive backs coach at the University of Cincinnati, went 161-34 with one Division I state title (2004) in 16 seasons with the Cardinals.
The shoes are big, but former star Colerain quarterback Bolden (class of 1988) believes he can step in.
“I’ve had a lot of people tell me I’m crazy, as the guy coming in after Kerry,” Bolden said in a sit-down interview with The Enquirer Friday at Colerain High School. “We know some people out there expect Colerain football to go down, and that stings us. We’re already champing at the bit to get out and play.”
Bolden, 37, is no stranger to tough times. In July 2004, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The tumor was malignant, and surgery was done to remove his right testicle.
All the while, Bolden continued to attend Colerain’s summer workouts as an assistant coach. During 21 consecutive days of radiation treatments, Bolden continued to show up for practice.
“I got sick in the heat several times, so I would just throw up in the garbage cans out on the field,” Bolden said. “I stayed with it, because in a way it was therapeutic to keep working.”
Bolden’s oncologist, Dr. Thomas Morand, is the father of former St. Xavier cornerback Frank Morand and current St. X cornerback Ross Morand. St. X and Colerain have battled for area supremacy the past few years as the area’s top two programs in that span.
“People said, ‘Are you sure you want a St. X guy working on you?’ Bolden said, laughing. “Dr. Morand and I would talk football all the time.”
The cancer did not spread, and Bolden started to regain his strength during the 2004 season. He was quarterbacks/fullbacks coach as Colerain’s dominant 2004 team cruised to the state Division I championship.
“I take great pride in my intensity and mental toughness,” Bolden said.
Bolden wears a yellow “Livestrong” rubber wristband popularized by famous cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. He looks at it every day and is thankful he is still around to enjoy life with wife Lisa and their four sons, Jake (16), Kyle (8), Luke (6) and Mitchell (2).
Bolden sees the doctor for regular six-month checkups. His three- year window to be declared cancer- free comes this July.
“I can’t wait for that,” Bolden said. “Everything looks good, and I feel great.”
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