We were a bit surprised Tuesday morning when a listener called the Dan Scott Show on WCCP radio hoping to badmouth Easley High School head football Coach Stephen “Jabo” Burgess.

We were even more surprised with the firm and positive reaction the host had to the listener’s comments. Scott said while his show was an open forum for criticism of highly-paid college and professional coaches, he would not allow anybody to call in and insult a high school coach.

Scott correctly pointed out that high school coaching is an entirely different field. The men who choose that profession are teachers first, then coaches. And one of the main things a coach teaches is character.

Scott remembered a few years back when Burgess suspended several of his best players because of a rules violation. The move almost certainly cost Burgess a few wins, but his character is worth more to Burgess than any amount of wins.

Had he ignored his players’ actions that year, it would have set a terrible example for the many players — some less talented — who had worked so hard throughout the season.

A person who puts what right above what is convenient is exactly the kind of person we need on the Easley sidelines.