Help! Rebuilding a middle school program.

I think you are definitely on the right track. Indy's and freeze and fit drills are what make successful teams in most cases. Just the fact that the old coach spent so much time in team explains the sub-par record.

Good luck coach and congrats!

If your coach was yelling and screaming at the players in an abusive way, that might be part of the reason your participation is so low. Kids don't like being yelled at. Everybody loves a guy who's enthusiastic, pumped, and upbeat, but screaming at kids for screwing something up they probably just don't understand is not a good idea IMO. Sounds like you're on the right track to getting this thing turned around.

I believe that if you want to be successful coaching at any level, especially youth aged kids you have to emphasize fundamentals. They need to know how to do things on the field, and IMO i think they also need to know why. I think if they understand what you are trying to teach them they are more inclined to listen instead of just doing things their way.
Also, I would say be very organized as Coach Doug said, this will allow you to have more pracitice time and kids wont just be standing around, most importantly it will be more fun for you and the kids.
Also, I would say, if you're not a screamer, don't try to be. It's really not a good thing in the first place, and you have to be yourself. I may be mistaken for a screamer by people who aren't at up close, but I'm just intense, and they kids know this and respond to this very well. If they are playing hard and hitting I let them know about it. I'm probably a little more extreme than most, as I'm a pretty young guy (21) and I'll do whatever it takes to make practice as beneficial as it can be. For instance, one muddy rainy day they kids were complaining a little, so i took my shoes and sox off and got right into the mud with them, no one complained after that. How could they? They seem to really like that. I don't think being a mean old screamer has ever helped anyone win a game or helped a kid play better. Most of the time they play worse.
I guess what i'm trying to say is to establish a good middle school program you need
To be the best role model you can: Encourage the students both athletically and academically. I think their is a correlation to how hard players work on the field to how hard the work in the classroom. This is one of the most important things you can give them. Also to have
Work on the fundamentals
Organization
Enthusiasm
Make it fun
Make you scheme as simple for them as possible. K.I.S.S.

Too get more players I think these things will go along way. If kids see that playing on the football team is fun they will want to play. Give it a year or two, i think your numbers will increase. Also, go and recruit yourself. I think alot of kids don't know if they want to play until you ask. For these kids, they are either gonna play or not and it's up to them, but i think asking kids to give it a try really helps.

Hope this helps coach.

-Canesfan

Qualities
1. Support- With the parents I get I can raise a whole lot of money for stuff.
2. Facilities- We have the nicest facilities.
3. A High School Staff- Will probably become more involved.

Strike while the iron is hot, this sounds like a great situation. More importantly, these are the things that make the foundation for a great future, now you need to make your idea come to fruition with leadership, involvelment and consistency across the grades. Drive it down the elementary and youth leagues.

Thanks Again, for the many good suggestions.

Shotgun1 - Going to take the flag football idea and run with that one for sure. Maybe try to organize a 7 on 7 passing league for later summer.

Coachorr - Spoke to the HS HC and he has offered the services of himself and his assistants until they get into their season. The headcoach has seen the talent that is going to be coming up from the lower levels and realizes that his future depends on them both being developed and excited about football.

Angryman - I believe the administration whom fully support our highschool headcoach is willing to do whatever is necessary to make football a positive experience. The super wants middle school numbers doubled with as much participation as possible and good fundamentals. Even said that the wins weren't as important as having a positive impact on our players. Parents are the ones that have always been the hardest part of this program. Most have never played football and can't see the difference between their player who can't walk and chew chewing gum and a kid who can put himself into position to make plays.

Canesfan - will Keep It Simple for Sure

Coachbush and Coachinghopeful - Thanks for the words of encouragement.

To be honest our talent level is on the rise over the next couple of years and most of the others in the conference are on the decline. This should make finding success possible if we work harder than everyone else.

sin86 that is why i started a football for mom's program to get the family to understand the x's and o's. also have a mom every week on the sideline from the classes. once they feel the stress of the game they are impressed how well coaches handle it and can get something done. get dads to tell you all their "great football plays" and help coach if/when they can. you may never use the play(s) they give you, just tell them you did and how well its worked. everytime i think of using that one i laugh. i cant beleive all the football guru's in stands dont know better.
but nomatter what make sure the parents dont challenge you in fornt of their own kids. if they do bench the kid or send the kids home.
oh, keep a pair of boxing gloves in you car and dont be afraid to use them....lol

lol, we must be in the same neighborhood coach cane. real funny stuff

86, that sounds like a real good start, good luck.

Maybe coach. I think what you are talking about is not only feasible, but effective and potentially potent. It would seem to be nothing more than a direct snap. But, add two different sets of bodies and legs for the ball to go through and I don't know about how the results would be. Especially if you mixed the flee-flicker action with it.
As for getting it from somewhere, I seriously doubt it. I think this guy had a screw or two loose. Anyways, outside of his threats to physically harm me, he was always kinda funny.