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F rom Penalty Box to Power Couple: Knox Callahan Breaks His Silence

Kara Paige: Coach Callahan, thank you for agreeing to this interview. I’m honestly shocked. Most of your press appearances involve one-word answers and a glare.

Knox Callahan: Then you should’ve stuck with one question.

Kara: laughs Okay, fair. Let’s address the elephant in the rink. You and Iris Evans. How long has that been happening?

Knox: shrugs Longer than your article will last in the algorithm.

Kara: That’s not an answer.

Knox: It’s the only one you’re getting.

Iris: from off to the side He’s trying to be mysterious. It’s not working.

Knox: You’re not helping, Red.

Kara: So it’s serious, then? You’re coaching. She’s playing. Isn’t there some rule about that?

Knox: Rule says don’t get caught. We didn’t.

Kara: Until you did. There were photos. The hallway incident?

Knox: smiles I’m not apologizing for kissing my girl.

Kara: Your player .

Knox: My person . Big difference.

Kara: People are saying this affects your objectivity as a coach. That Iris gets special treatment.

Knox: Right. Because making her run double drills and benching her for mouthing off is real romantic.

Kara: And yet, she’s leading the league in assists and just got invited to train with Team USA.

Knox: Yeah. Because she’s the best. Period.

Kara: So what happens next? You’re under contract. She’s potentially going national. Are you worried?

Knox: I’m not worried about us. We’ve survived worse than distance.

Iris: He means himself. He’s the worse.

Knox: smirks Not wrong.

Kara: And the rumors about you being offered a job in the pros again?

Knox: People love to talk. Doesn’t mean I’m listening.

Kara: So no truth to it?

Knox: If it happens, we’ll deal. She’s my priority. Always has been.

Kara: That’s… unexpectedly sweet.

Knox: Don’t quote me on it.

Kara: Too late. Thanks for your time, Coach. Iris, always a pleasure.

Knox: pauses You forgot to ask me the important thing.

Kara: What’s that?

Knox: If I’d do it all over again.

Kara: All right, would you?

Knox: Fuck yes. Every second of chaos. Every penalty. Every sleepless night. If it got me her? I’d do it twice.

Iris: And that’s why I’m keeping him.

Kara: rolls her eyes God, I hate when the broody ones get soft.