Coach Mike Cahn has always been passionate about hard work. At 12, he started working in his parent’s restaurants and carried this strong work ethic into his adult life.
When he jumped into coaching, he couldn’t predict how passionate about the role he would become. In 1993, he started coaching his daughter’s youth team and eventually moved on to coaching at higher age levels. His first coaching job was at Tulpehocken but when the job opened at Reading Senior High School he knew he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be at his alma mater. He took the challenge head-on and fell in love with coaching. 
“People thought I was crazy going to coach at Reading, due to the size of the school district and coaching at the high school level), but it was my dream job. It was hard work but I loved it,” said Coach Cahn.
Coach Cahn speaks fondly of his time coaching at Reading School District. “I have so many amazing memories here,” he said.
Coach Cahn’s attitude towards coaching is simple - do it right. “It’s not worth winning without winning the right way.” In 2010, he started a no-tolerance policy for his teams. He made sure they worked hard on and off the soccer field; teaching them to be respectful and the importance of obtaining good grades. “You can’t give up on the kids. Being able to help turn kids around, give them the proper motivation. Anything is a teachable moment. You can’t take it for granted,” said Coach Cahn.
In 2014, he led the Reading High School Boys’ Soccer team to a district championship. “The whole season we treated like pre-season. We knew it would be tough with Exeter and Wilson, but we just dominated. The whole season was awesome. We even had two all–state players.” Coach Cahn said pridefully.
Coach Cahn also mentioned how great it is to see past students become successful adults. “I have so many great memories with my players. You make lifetime friendships. The kids I started coaching are almost forty now.”
Coach Cahn knows it is time to hang up his cleats, mainly due to a diagnosis of multiple myeloma, a blood cancer.
“I am doing well right now, but I knew I could not give it my all to do another season,” he explains. “I knew I couldn’t just do it halfway and knew my body wouldn’t let me do it the way I wanted to. So it was time. I would have done it for the rest of my life if I could have.” After watching this past season from the sidelines, he knew it was time to pass it off to the next coach.
Early retirement has not hindered his spirit. He is looking forward to becoming a grandfather, cheering on the Red Knights, and continuing to live his life.
“Anyone can have the shirt and clipboard, but it’s what you do that makes the difference,” Coach Cahn says with a smile.
We wish Coach Cahn well on his retirement journey. Remember, Once a Red Knight, Always a Red Knight.
