GORDON WILLIAMS, Star Writer
MONTEGO BAY, St James:

For a man locked into one of the most hectic football schedules possible in Jamaica, and on the verge of unprecedented success, Miguel Coley isn't breaking much of a sweat.

The rise of his Jamaica College team hasn't rattled the coach, even after winning the LIME Super Cup. Neither is the prospect of JC claiming three more titles before the 2014 season is done, including defending its Manning Cup and Olivier Shield crowns, plus the Walker Cup.

Coley is also assistant to Winfried Schaefer, head coach of Jamaica's senior men's national team, which is favoured - and under pressure - to win the CFU Caribbean Cup, a weeklong tournament which Jamaica kicked off last night.

Recently, the 32-year-old has constantly shuttled between schoolboy and national duties, plus his role as a physical education teacher at JC. He braces under the schedule's weight.

"It's very, very hectic," Coley calmly explained shortly before Jamaica played Martinique.

But he isn't complaining. Coley relishes the challenge of the schoolboy season. He equally embraces national programme.

"There is nothing you wouldn't want to give up for your country," he said.

Coley copes by spreading duties and credit around.

"What helps," explained Coley, "is that I have a good management structure at JC. I have good assistant coaches. It's not all about me."

That team, he's confident, will make sure JC is ready to face St George's College in the Walker Cup final. But up to last night Coley was still unsure if he would make Saturday's showdown due to Jamaica's presence in MoBay. Still, he stays in constant contact, planning JC's daily on-field sessions by telephone and handling fragile off-field issues as well.

"I just ensure that they are motivated," said Coley.

He doesn't have to do much of that at the national level, where the players are largely self-sufficient. No worry about class attendance schedules. There isn't much difference in his coaching approach to both teams, but the attachment threshold isn't the same.

"With the national team, it's a more professional environment," said Coley. "But with the schoolboys it's more intimate, hands on."

Players from both camps understand Coley's challenges. They offer support. Detailed preparation for his current situation has ensured he is ready. At JC, Coley schooled the players from early in the summer about the daunting task ahead. That doesn't, however, make his absences simpler.

"The (schoolboy) players understand what goes with the national programme," said Coley, who began coaching at age 23 when an ankle injury ended his playing career. "But it's never easy to leave them."