"I’ve pondered about being a head coach, but I like it where I am," Greene said. "Bob Rottler (head track coach) and Bill Sweet (head boys soccer coach) are two great people to work for."

Tony Floyd, coach of the girls track team, who happened to be with Greene at his home during his interview, understood without hesitation.

"He doesn’t have the label as head coach," Floyd said, "but is respected as such."

Bob Rottler, only had goods things to say about his longtime assistant.

"Mike’s a great guy and great coach," he said. "He’s always trying to find new information on new training and techniques.

"I’ve coached him, have coached with him for a long time and he’s very dedicated to the kids."

In looking back at his sports roots, Greene, who graduated Bristol Eastern in 1976 and CCSU in 1984, talked about his late father, Bob, who captained the undefeated 1932 Bristol High School football team, one which won the mystical state title that fall.

"There were some outstanding athletes on the team, Dykes Hall, Andy Palau and Albie Gurske," said Greene, a physical education teacher at Memorial Boulevard Middle School in Bristol.

Another family hero is his brother John, who Floyd recalled as still holding the 100-meters record at Eastern, a 9.8 100-yard dash in 1968 converted to a time of 10.7.

"I looked up to my brother," Greene said. "He was a great role model."

Green also has respect for some other longtime assistant coaches and talked about Mike Morin, especially, former longtime assistant football coach at Bristol Eastern.

"He was a great teacher and did an excellent job in motivating the kids," Greene said. "He was very loyal with the coaching staff and worked very well with us. Guys like Mike have the same goals for kids, for them to be successful in life."

Another side to Greene many are not aware of is the time given to athletes in the offseason. Often times, according to Floyd, an athlete will call Greene to get conditioned before going to college or wherever. It was Greene who started the speed and conditioning program once utilized by athletes at Eastern.

"Now, I see some of the kids I coached doing so well," Greene said, "and that’s always nice. "There’s Bunty Ray (baseball coach at Bristol Central), for example, and many others."

In summing things up, Greene appreciates how fortunate he has been.