So you get what you pay for?

Not if you were coached by Harry Leyland.

In that case, you learned life lessons while learning a sport — and it didn’t cost you a dime.

Coach Leyland never received a dime, anyway.

One of the most iconic volunteer coaches in this or any other region’s history died a few days ago at 85.

Virtually anybody involved in sports in this town for any length of time came across Harry Leyland at some point. Many current coaches were once coached by him.

He inspired plenty of people to get into coaching and developed a work ethic in generations of kids that impacted society in ways no one could possibly measure.

This man coached in the Butler Area Midget Football League for 50 years. He coached Butler Catholic basketball for 40 years.

That’s 90 seasons, folks. All as a volunteer. All in a teaching capacity.

I remember watching Coach Leyland coach a basketball game at Butler Catholic. His voice would boom, almost echo off the gym walls, as he shouted instructions to his team.

From the outside, it looked like he ruled with an iron fist.

Those on the inside knew that was the farthest thing from the truth.

In that game I was watching, a Butler Catholic player committed a rather rough foul and got into a verbal exchange with a player on the opposing team.

As the official signaled the foul to the scorer’s table, Leyland motioned for the offending player to come over to him. Without saying a word, he then pointed to the bench.

The player sat down, his replacement entered the game and play resumed.

Leyland walked over to the player, squatted down in front of him and said a few words — very softly, looking directly into the kid’s eyes.

A smile came across the player’s face, Leyland ruffled the hair on the kid’s head as he stood back up and went back to coaching his team on the floor.

That was Harry Leyland.

He got his point across in a no-nonsense way, yet taught a lesson at the same time.

It’s doubtful that kid ever acted in an unsportsmanlike manner on the court again.

Leyland wanted to teach kids at the ground level. He wanted to share his passion while helping kids discover theirs.

He cared nothing about personal fanfare. He enjoyed watching kids embrace what it takes to win.

A lot of parents do volunteer coaching with their kids. So few continue to volunteer coach after their kids have moved on through.

Harry Leyland, Red Slater, Greg Brown and coaches like them were special people from a special time.

Rest in peace, Coach.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle