MOUNT VERNON — It’s a problem few coaches ever run into, but for those who encounter it, it’s anything but a nuisance. Danville girls basketball coach Jack O’Rourke and Highland girls basketball head coach Jeff Maibach haven’t had a second of free time lately. On top of getting their teams ready for the upcoming season, they are on the coaching staffs for the Danville and Highland football teams, both of whom are currently in the playoffs.

“It can be mentally draining, but I made a choice and knew there was a chance I could end up in this situation. I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” said Maibach.

A typical day for Maibach starts out arriving to school around 7 to 7:15 every morning. The coach then heads to football practice until about 5 in the evening before heading to basketball practice from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

“With us making it to the playoffs it has been a long couple of weeks. ... There are some nights that I am lucky to be home by 9,” said Maibach.

O’ Rourke’s daily schedule is similar, spending his time with the football team until about 6:15 p.m. each day before taking a 20 to 30 minute break. Then it’s off to the gymnasium for a 2 1/2 hour practice with the girls basketball team. The coach finally arrives home around 9 to 9:15 at night.

“It’s a nice problem. It’s really a lot of fun. Yea, it’s a little tiring right now trying to keep everything straight with the girls program and football and that, but at the same time, I like being around kids so it’s not a big deal,” said O’Rourke.

Both Maibach and O’Rourke have received plenty of support from their girls’ teams.

“The girls are very understanding if I might seem out of it at practice, and its actually a good situation to be in,” said Maibach.

The other members of the football program have also been supportive of the busy coaches.

“The football staff has been great. If I say, ‘Carpenter, I need to go,’ he has no problems with it. The girls have done really well with it too,” said Maibach.

The only time O’Rourke won’t be getting praise from his team came earlier this morning before day break. Sometimes coaching two teams requires one of those squads to make a sacrifice.

“The girls are very supportive of football around here. They are probably our biggest fans. They are very good about it, but I’m sure they are not always crazy about things,” said O’Rourke. “We are going to come in on [this] morning at 6:30 so we can practice before school so they can go to the playoff game that night.”

Even if it cost the girls a groggy Friday morning, O’Rourke can be sure his team will be at DeSales High School tonight cheering on their fellow Blue Devils. Both teams are willing to work around their coaches schedule as long as their teams are still in the playoffs, a problem that nobody minds dealing with and any coach would like to have.