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Post by coachinghopeful on Apr 26, 2009 23:37:02 GMT -6
Today I heard about a program here in TN that's played at the highest level of HS football in the state the past few years with no feeder system whatsoever. Alll the feeder schools are small K-8 without a single MS team feeding into one huge HS for the entire county.
This school has been 1-29 the past 3 years, but it has a decent weightroom, and the administration has even impressed some coaches I've spoken with who interviewed for their recent HC job so it sounds like the support is there. They recently hired a very highly regarded assistant with an impressive resume to turn their program around. It sounds like all the pieces are in place except for the feeder programs, unless there's more than meets the eye.
What I'm wondering is if it's possible in this day and age to build a competitive program at such a high level of ball without a feeder system to get them some knowledge of the game beforehand. It's not like the kids are just badly coached coming in--the freshman here mostly have absolutely no football experience. A lot of this may breed attitude problems, as well. The previous HC, who came in after being DC for a solid program in GA, was run off for being "abusive" and "too demanding" of his players, but I saw on their school website that he was only conducting single 90 minute afternoon practices in August when everyone else is busing tail in 2 a days.
So... thoughts on this situation?
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Post by phantom on Apr 27, 2009 0:08:24 GMT -6
Today I heard about a program here in TN that's played at the highest level of HS football in the state the past few years with no feeder system whatsoever. Alll the feeder schools are small K-8 without a single MS team feeding into one huge HS for the entire county. This school has been 1-29 the past 3 years, but it has a decent weightroom, and the administration has even impressed some coaches I've spoken with who interviewed for their recent HC job so it sounds like the support is there. They recently hired a very highly regarded assistant with an impressive resume to turn their program around. It sounds like all the pieces are in place except for the feeder programs, unless there's more than meets the eye. What I'm wondering is if it's possible in this day and age to build a competitive program at such a high level of ball without a feeder system to get them some knowledge of the game beforehand. It's not like the kids are just badly coached coming in--the freshman here mostly have absolutely no football experience. A lot of this may breed attitude problems, as well. The previous HC, who came in after being DC for a solid program in GA, was run off for being "abusive" and "too demanding" of his players, but I saw on their school website that he was only conducting single 90 minute afternoon practices in August when everyone else is busing tail in 2 a days. So... thoughts on this situation? The problem isn't the lack of a feeder program. We don't have a direct feeder. You say that the last HC was fired for being "abusive"? The problem is administration. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2009 7:45:33 GMT -6
Carthage, IL (now known as Illini West High School) is one of the state's most successful programs and I don't think they have EVER had grade school or junior high football. They may have a team in the Quincy IL YMCA league, but if they do, that's a very recent development for them.
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Post by lnueva32 on Apr 27, 2009 10:58:06 GMT -6
I'm in northern California, we don't have any feeder system and we have had a lot of success. We play in the second biggest section in California. We have made to the playoffs the last 7 years straight, winning our section in 07. When we get the freshmen we just coach them up.
We don't tolerate much within our program, we have let starters go on a varsity level if they don't buy into our program or if they violate player/coaches contract.
We have solid weight room with a nice speed & condition program.
But most importantly we preach family & togetherness with the players.
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Post by davecisar on Apr 27, 2009 11:00:28 GMT -6
What?
You dont have the kids running your offense and defense since the 3rd grade?
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Post by CoachMikeJudy on Apr 27, 2009 11:06:28 GMT -6
I don't think the feeder system is necessary to win at a high level- it just leaves less wiggle room with the quality of the fundamental coaching at the HS.
With quality coaching at all levels in the program you could get the job done-
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Post by Coach Bennett on Apr 27, 2009 11:08:59 GMT -6
What if you had a weak JV program/staff? Would you pull up any sophomores that could walk and chew gum?
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Post by fbdoc on Apr 27, 2009 19:26:30 GMT -6
To answer the original question, YES it is possible to have a winning HS program without a feeder system. Of course a well run feeder system CAN help lead to a winning HS team but its just one of several variables.
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Post by los on Apr 27, 2009 20:38:52 GMT -6
Hopeful.....I'd say it would be "much more difficult" to be a "consistent" winning hs program, if every new crop of 9th graders, had never played football before(or, as per the question = you didn't have some kind of feeder system, direct or indirect)......while youth, ms and jr. high football programs will vary widely in their "development of football skills" value,.... at least, the kids are playing....getting use to the contact and ever increasing speed of the game.....so when they get to the fresh level, they "at least", have this going for them......just the way I look at it?.....Another way to re-phrase the question might be = would you rather have a group of 9th graders come out for your team every year, that had been playing football for several years or a crop of 9th grade "football newbies" every season? Then......which group would have the better chance of becoming consistent winners, by their senior year?.....I don't know the answer, by the way, just askin, lol.....but having helped coach a new to football hs team, for a few seasons....I'd take my chances on the "experienced group" and any bad habits they may have picked up, rather than the rookies with no experience at all, lol......so I guess my vote is "No" , you won't win consistently at a high level or a low level either for that matter.....unless everyone you play is in the same boat, lol.  |
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