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Post by ohcrapigotit on Jan 9, 2009 21:29:41 GMT -6
Interviewed and got the head job at a High School that has won 1 game in three years. Help! Any help on first meeting with kids or program philosophy would be helpful. I am going to run the Franklin stuff on O and try to build the enthusiasm for football.
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along
Sophomore Member
Posts: 210
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Post by along on Jan 9, 2009 21:33:00 GMT -6
Set the tone early, Sell the Farm, Rob the liquor store with a plastic Spoon! Set the tone with weights! Talk about doing things right and paying attention to detail. Good Luck coach!
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Post by paydirt18 on Jan 9, 2009 23:46:53 GMT -6
IMO, you are in a perfect situation. My guess is the expectation bar has probably been set very low for you.....that is good. I took over a similar situation 3 seasons ago. What I did is came out positive, stayed that way, and sold my program like it was the best thing since sliced bread. As a result, we haven't been world beaters, BUT we have manged to win 13 games over the past 3 seasons AND qualified for the state playoffs for only the 5th time in our school's 41 year history. Remember baby steps. I'm the type of guy who wants stuff to happen yesterday. But being in the situation I was in, I learned real fast about how to set realistic goals. In the three years I've been there we have: -became a threat in our conference -set a single game school record in scoring -had 2 kids recieve D1AA scholarships and 9 others go on to play D3 football -become leaders in the hallways and the classroom Now my goal is to win a state championship-as is probably every coach on here, but will it happen? Maybe but not right now. So, I just focus on the small victories and love everyday that I am doing this. Good luck to you. Preach weightroom, preach respect, preach your ultimate goals of wanting your players to become great young men, outstanding husbands, and unbelievable fathers and you will find out that you will have the power to move mountains. Coach Wallack Alexander Hamilton HS -Milwaukee www.hamiltonfootball.net |
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Post by wingtol on Jan 10, 2009 7:11:22 GMT -6
It may be a ways off but as for the season I would stress getting better ever da and every game. Stay away from "winning" talk, sure it's your goal but if you start with were gonna win this many games and our main goal is to win, if you don't the players will start to doubt. I have seen lots of guys do that when they first come in. "we're gonna go out there and win right away and turn this around and win win win blahh blahh" But guess what when they are 0-4 0-5 the wheels start to fall off.
Where I am now our HC came in after 21 straight losses. 4 years later we won a district title. His first year it was all about hitting the weights in the offseason and getting better every day and every game. No pressures to win. He went 1-8. But everyone knew the program was turning around because instead of 60-0 48-6 57-7 type scores they were loosing 28-12, 21-0 scores like that and the kids saw that and bought into the system.
Worry about getting better every day and the rest will follow. Don't try and do too much. Run your base and stick with it.
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Post by ohcrapigotit on Jan 11, 2009 23:12:43 GMT -6
Thanks you guys are great! Very helpful
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moon
Junior Member
Posts: 324
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Post by moon on Jan 11, 2009 23:40:07 GMT -6
I agree with wingtol, don't talk to much about winning, but talk more about competing. That is what we did this year (went 6 and 4) with our new head coach who actually kept me (DC) and the rest of the staff from the previous HC who went 2-20 the previous 2 years. Stay positive, sell your total program, and things will begin to turn around. Also, congrats on the new job.
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tedseay
Sophomore Member
Posts: 164
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Post by tedseay on Jan 12, 2009 6:57:41 GMT -6
Interviewed and got the head job at a High School that has won 1 game in three years. Help! Any help on first meeting with kids or program philosophy would be helpful. I am going to run the Franklin stuff on O and try to build the enthusiasm for football. Coach: Congratulations! See if you can find a copy of Bob Ladouceur's article on program-building that's been floating around the free sites for a year or so. If you can't find it, PM me. |
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Post by tvt50 on Jan 12, 2009 7:28:05 GMT -6
Dont talk about winning? WOW
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Post by outlawjoseywales on Jan 12, 2009 8:24:11 GMT -6
TV,
I think that there is a difference between having a winning attitude-wanting to win and "talking about winning."
This young man doesn't have a record or winning nor does he has the experience of turning a program around. I would be wise for him to chose his words carefully, and I think that this is what the other coaches are saying here.
I certainly don't think that he should walk around acting depressed at all. He can let his excitement bring a real energy to the program, but he would be wise to temper his language about how many games they are going to win.
But a winning attitude, an attitude of excitement and a fresh start can go along way in the off-season. Just be careful with your prediction of success.
And, no offense meant here at all coach, I hope you don't take it that way.
OJW
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Post by ftbll7801 on Jan 12, 2009 8:35:09 GMT -6
Congratulations coach, instill a tough mindset and enforce the little things. The little things makes the big things look good or it will ruin your program. Good luck and give all you got.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2009 8:43:00 GMT -6
Ask them "are you going to be history repeaters or history makers?"
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Post by spos21ram on Jan 12, 2009 15:19:43 GMT -6
Dont talk about winning? WOW It's pretty good advice not too mention winning too often at a program that hasn't won in a while, because if thats all you talk about and you don't deliver in your first season then you look like a lier, a fool, and lose all credibility with your players, parents, staff, admin., etc...They'll never take you seriously if you can't deliver on your word. |
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juice10
Sophomore Member
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Post by juice10 on Jan 12, 2009 15:20:44 GMT -6
Just some things that I have thought about.
First of all, be honest and truthful with your players. If you tell them something, make sure you follow through with it. You need to gain there trust, so they will play for you. I came from a much worse program in terms of winning and the amount of years of not winning. It takes time to win the trust of the players.
Be enthusiastic. As one of the earlier coaches stated, "you are in a perfect situation." You control the program now. Sell it like it is the best sport, the best group of athletes to be with, a new start and tradition. If you stay positive and motivated, your players and coaches should follow. Promote this as a new beginning, fresh start, new tradition.
"Failure to prepare is preparing to fail!" Start your off-season stuff now and make it so they don't want to miss. Find a couple of your leaders and studs and have them help you promote the WR. This is one of the best anecdotes for losing.
I don't know what the long term success or lack there of has been at your school, but I can relate to the scores of 60-0, 55-6, 44-0, etc. Those were the types of scores that the football team were facing on a Friday night before I took over. These scores were not just a one or two year thing, it was many years. If you are in the same boat, you really can't focus on just winning or losing. Those athletes do not KNOW how to win or WHAT it takes to win. They need their hands held every step of the way. Focus on the things you can control or they can control, getting stronger (Weight-room), getting faster (weight-room), getting quicker (weight-room), gaining confidence (weight-room and coaching). If you can get them to believe in those things, winning will come. And when it does, nothing greater than watching those athletes and how far they have come.
Just a couple of things off the top of my head. Best of luck coach, Stay positive and focused on your philosophy and the overall goals of your program. Don't let anyone or anything stray you from that.
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Post by touchdownmaker on Jan 12, 2009 17:56:51 GMT -6
Look, it does not take a genius IQ to know that you are running a JV team out on the field. The thing to emphasize is PERFORMANCE and EXECUTION of assignments. Do everything right, to the best of your abilities and winning takes care of itself.
I think with a young team, players who do not know the game or know what it takes to win, emphasizing the lil things and getting them to do things correctly is more important than talking about winning. Id rather see my kids make 85% of our workouts rather than putting emphasis on winning. Lets get in the weight room first. Then after we learn to clear our schedule to make workouts, lets make sure we can make two a days and dedicate our selves to that. Then lets make every practice.
programs that lose typically have issues with attendance, discipline and desire.
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Post by tvt50 on Jan 13, 2009 6:48:56 GMT -6
Yeah so the new staff of the Dolphins didnt talk about winning? They just said lets get better every day. Believe what you want. Maybe it was easier for us because we had a big ring on our finger?
I say be yourself, Dont try to be anybody else. If you want to talk about winning go ahead, if its in your heart.
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Post by indian1 on Jan 13, 2009 7:06:15 GMT -6
tv you are way off. Read anything about John Wooden. He NEVER talked about winning, only performance and execution.
If you talk about winning you take the players' minds off of the task in front of them which is PERFORMANCE. They need to stay focused on what they are doing to have a chance to win. Players have to be focused on the process, not the outcome. If they focus too much on the outcome they forget to take care of the process.
You see this all the time with bad teams. The players subconsciously want to find out if they can win or not BEFORE they decide to play hard. They will never admit that even to themselves but it happens. A bad team gets a little momentum early in a game and they start playing harder than they played all year. Or, the other team makes some plays early and it looks like it will be hard to win and they fold. This mentality comes from being too focused on the outcome (winning/ losing) instead of the process (executing, playing hard).
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Post by tvt50 on Jan 13, 2009 7:43:04 GMT -6
Yeah I know Ive read and listened to all of John Woodens stuff. Last year when I met with Urban Meyer all he talked about was winning the national championship this year. So if you want to use Wooden as an example, might as well use Meyer too. Oh and Meyer is a big Wooden admirer.
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Post by tvt50 on Jan 13, 2009 7:44:54 GMT -6
This is a good discussion.
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Post by waltflanagansdog on Jan 13, 2009 9:34:48 GMT -6
Congrats. You got a job, and I lost mine.
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Post by ftbll7801 on Jan 13, 2009 9:48:00 GMT -6
Congrats. You got a job, and I lost mine. Sorry to hear that Walt |
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Post by mitch on Jan 13, 2009 10:21:58 GMT -6
I think what spos, indian, and others are trying to say is winning is a product of effort, execution, etc. Without those things, a consistent winner won't be built. Those are the things you need to emphasize over all other things. Make those things the bedrock of your program before winning is even a thought.
What is most important to you? Winning? We tell our teams that if you go out and compete with every ounce of effort you can muster, leave everything you have on the field for your teammates, then win or lose we can be proud of what we did. The scoreboard is not the most important thing to us and we mean it. Does that mean losing doesn't hurt? HELL NO. Losing sucks, nothing good about it. But we continually make the main things the main focus of our program. Winning doesn't happen to be one of them, even though we've won way more than we've lost.
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Post by jgordon1 on Jan 13, 2009 10:40:23 GMT -6
I always liked the phrase: 'those who stay will be champions" Doesn't guarantee winning now but sets an expectation
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Post by waltflanagansdog on Jan 13, 2009 10:47:11 GMT -6
Congrats. You got a job, and I lost mine. Sorry to hear that Walt Thanks. It's been a real sh*tty deal. Was not given a reason by the superintendent. Not a lot of character around here...or spines. |
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Post by mitch on Jan 13, 2009 11:06:55 GMT -6
Thanks. It's been a real sh*tty deal. Was not given a reason by the superintendent. Not a lot of character around here...or spines. Sounds like a good development then, in the long run. Sure is a pain in the azz though. |
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coachgeorge51
Sophomore Member
Cliches and mottos is mindless verbal nonsense.
Posts: 151
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Post by coachgeorge51 on Jan 13, 2009 12:01:55 GMT -6
Don't allow you and your staff to be lied to. You will make mistakes - God knows I have this first year, but you have to hold kids accountable and that will be the challenge. Have a plan for when kids start skipping weights, making up ridiculous excuses, getting a job after school, lying to their parents about you or your expectations because this will happen - guaranteed!
No coach has ever turned around a program without first experiencing the "lows". Kids will quit, parents will be upset, A.D.'s will wonder.......but you have to create change for change to occur. Hold true to your values and teach kids to be accountable and committed and you will do fine - just be sure you can sleep at night knowing your heart is in the kids.
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Post by touchdownmaker on Jan 13, 2009 12:40:50 GMT -6
Things often get worse before they get better. "im not doing that" is an attitude that one has to overcome.
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oldcap8
Sophomore Member
Posts: 106
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Post by oldcap8 on Jan 13, 2009 12:49:31 GMT -6
Stick to your guns, keep an open mind but do things your way,...It's easier to be a a_ _hole and then back off than it is to start off soft and the try to toughen up later (like Wade Phillips is trying to do now)
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coachgeorge51
Sophomore Member
Cliches and mottos is mindless verbal nonsense.
Posts: 151
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Post by coachgeorge51 on Jan 13, 2009 13:47:09 GMT -6
Agree with the idea that "things may get worse before they get better" simply because the right people aren't in place right now - players and coaches. Remember Woody Hayes said, "you with with people." This is why it will take time. You need to get the right people in place as do I. I feel like I have the right coaching staff after my first year but one year away from the right kids.
It is normal for kids to NOT commit because they have yet to see tangible results; however, teach them that it is about bettering themselves as people and athletes, and that they are starting something bigger than themselves. The "buy-in" will come from the right kind of kids.
We are recently finding out that there is a "group" within the group that is bringing us down. Rumors of drinking, skipping ever other workout, covering for each other, and making lame excuses. You will have them too, but I think it needs to be confronted and addressed otherwise, they will undermine you every step of the way.
Anyone else experience this "group" within the group I am talking about? How did you handle it?
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Post by ohcrapigotit on Jan 14, 2009 10:20:26 GMT -6
Update: Will meet with the team soon and have received feedback from boosters that "the hard ass method did not work". With that in mind, I would love some input on approaches for the first meeting. I am leaning toward setting goals and strongly encouraging attendance at all weight sessions. Do I break out the commitment cards first day? Our state allows practice year around without pads any thought on that?
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Post by touchdownmaker on Jan 14, 2009 10:31:20 GMT -6
Build relationships first and foremost. show a human side but show the kids that you are serious about running a tight ship in the process. tolerate nothing when it comes to slacking or disrespect of your program, its not yet their program, not until some investment is made. more than likely there are going to be a few casualties. We lost a few kids do to our tough policies but trust me, they arent that tough. just different. now that a year has gone by and the kids are used to it and understand what to expect they get it and have come around. the losers, quitters, whiney types arent going to come out and thats good for us.
coach- pick a direction and just go there. weather the storms along the way. keep your eye on the prize, some days its baby steps, other days its a step back to set up two steps forward. dont expect to build rome in a day. I think whats important is that you do everything in the way that you think is best, not the boosters. they hired you to make the tough decisions. if it requires being a hard azz then so be it.
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