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Post by coachdubyah on Jul 15, 2010 9:07:27 GMT -6
Let me just start by saying that Bobby Johnson is one of the best coaches in College Football. But along with that, he is one of the best human beings. As most of us know he retired yesterday from Vandy. To me he has had as much success in the SEC with Vandy as anyone could. A coaching friend of mine went to a clinic where Coach Johnson was speaking. He had a breakout session. My buddy said there were only him and 2 other coaches in the classroom. They stayed in there for 4 almost 5 hours talking about everything from Defense, Offense, and just life. Anyways, I just felt lead to say that. Now to the point.
How many of you guys have taken a year off? How many of you have been doing this since leather helmets? Will you coach forever?(that question may be hard to answer) What benefits did you get from taking the year off other than the obvious (spendin time with family etc..)?
I read Bobby Johnson's presser and this just got me thinking. Oh and lets make this a good thread. Please no one start making comments about Vandy and why or why they werent successful and all that stuff.
Now FIRE AWAY Guys!!!
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Post by blb on Jul 15, 2010 9:13:46 GMT -6
Hate to say it but I'll probably die on the sidelines or while watching game video.
Had a chance to walk away when I retired from teaching last fall but I re-upped this winter.
Guess I'm addicted.
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Post by brophy on Jul 15, 2010 9:22:32 GMT -6
interesting question and, yeah, Bobby Johnson's situation is actually a POSITIVE one (despite what you might hear on BooYah Network).
I'm taking this year off, myself, and realistically plan to take a few seasons off. Personal (having my son full-time) and professional (non-faculty coach, I'll be swamped for the next 8 months on my current project) reasons help justify my *emotional (has turned into a 'waste of time' in my opinion at the last program) rationale for stepping out for Fall 2010.
*with the emotion thing (investment), when you've been a header, or coordinator, or serious position coach, and come on to a completely new staff, it can be rough trying to do all the stuff you've done before and investing a great deal of time/effort/resources if the program isn't wired to work at that pace.
It is tough to go through coaching withdrawal, especially after you've been so hard-wired in teaching skill sets.
It does help not being so fixated on making it through the week-by-week ("if we can just get everything in for this week..." and repeating that for 16 weeks) season, to be able to take a bigger picture look at other things going on. For one, I never really get time to watch Sunday football when coaching because I spend so much time game planning, practice planning, etc.
I do think you can't just have a void there, though. You do need to be engaged in something constructive / competitive, even if it isn't as serious as coaching. I think this off-season, I'm going to explore stand-up comedy.
But with Friday/Saturdays free, you have a lot of flexibility on what all you can do in a week...let alone a month.
I think another great thing that happens stepping away is that I find my dogmatic, clenching to the vest attiude regarding scheme loosens up significantly. In all honesty, I'm not all that receptive to looking at doing things radically different than what we're trying to get better at during the season. You can look at the game from many different perspectives and see why certain folks do what they do (differently).
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Post by Coach Huey on Jul 15, 2010 9:27:19 GMT -6
when i can financially afford not to work ... i won't work. so, i would say that in 20-25 years, I'm calling it a career and retiring.... the sooner, the better .... lol
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Post by fbdoc on Jul 15, 2010 9:34:18 GMT -6
Two years ago, after being a head or assistant coach (HS and college) for 27 years, I became "just" an AD at my new school. I missed coaching, but there was a lot to do to keep busy. I was still on the sidelines every week - had a great relationship with our HC - and it was a fun year.
This past season we needed coaches and the HC asked me to be his OC so I was right back in it. The year was fun even though we struggled with a very young team. This coming season I'm back to being an AD as the HC and I have worked to bring in some new assistants for him.
I still love coaching - I also coach hurdlers for my wife's track team - and I'm not ruling out a return to the sidelines in the future. But right now I have a great job, school, headmaster, staff so my coaching is coaching our coaches and - for what they are paying me - I can see myself doing that for a long time!
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Post by lochness on Jul 15, 2010 9:35:42 GMT -6
I am a "not-in-the-building" coach. I've been coaching since I graduated HS. I've never taken a year off, although I did coach 1 year of semi-pro ball which was almost like taking a year off becuase of the shorter season and less practice time.
I don't know if I'll coach forever. I'm currently blessed that my job allows me to shift my schedule to allow for coaching, but I'd imagine that's a finite arrangement depending upon business needs and my own career aspirations. Also, my wife and I have not yet started a family. I don't know what kinds of things will change in my future.
I look at every season like it could be my last.
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Post by carookie on Jul 15, 2010 9:38:11 GMT -6
I took a year off, and I think I am 10x better a coach because of it. I was fairly young at the time (well I guess I am even now), but what it did was give me a chance to just look at everything from the outside and develop my own ideas. I think a lot of times we coach and teach systems and drills that we were taught, or that the HC wants; taking a year off gave me a chance to evaluate a lot of things without bias and decide what fit me best.
As far as coaching forever, I think me 10 years ago would've said, 'yes' in a heartbeat. But now I'm not so sure, and the funny thing is I love it just as much as before. Over the years I have picked up a wife, kids, and a mortgage; you take this, combined with budget cuts, and then teaching doesn't pay all the bills anymore.
But every time I start to think about doing something new I remember how much I missed it during the year off, I redo the budget, and rationalize it for one more year.
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Post by kboyd on Jul 15, 2010 11:35:39 GMT -6
I'm going into my 18th year of coaching, the last 17 at the same HS. I can't at this time see myself stopping until I'm planted but who knows what the future holds. One of our long time coaches hung up the whistle after the '08 season but is back for this season - he just loved the game and being with the kids too much to stay away.
Coaching truly gets in your blood and I can see the benefits coming from taking a year off but I just haven't wanted to yet. I just hope that if I stop being effective or having fun that I have the brains to get out.
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Post by carson101 on Jul 15, 2010 12:09:39 GMT -6
I have coached for 17 years at various levels primarily as a D line coach for freshmen, in 04 I took coaching off due skin cancer that was close to being fatal, in 05 I took a position as a JV HC in Va as well as a asst D Coordinator position for Varsity, the greatest challenge was learning diversity. As our season ended i again had to battle recuring cancer as well as back surgery. Enough with the sobs and woes to answer the question. I love coaching and being on the field, my son is playing this year and I am proud to call myself his coach. I hope LORD providing my health keeps me well, I will finish coaching when he is a SR, then I will hang my hat and whistle proudly knowing that my 20 yrs wasn't waisted. In all the truimphs and defeats and the experience that coaching has taught me through all the different class of kids lives I have been so Blessed to be a part of this is a mans game and if you can't handle all the unexpected results,my recommendation is find a different sport I have loved being a player as well as caoch and will always have football in my life in someway.
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Post by bluboy on Jul 15, 2010 12:27:12 GMT -6
This is my 39th year. I guess you could say I'm addicted. I plan on coaching as long as the good Lord lets me do so. I don't know what else I'd do. I don't put ships in bottles, fish, build furniture, or play golf. As someone else on this board once said, "Coaching is not what I do; it's who I am."
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Post by larrymoe on Jul 15, 2010 12:33:59 GMT -6
10 years ago I would've wholeheartedly agreed I'd be a lifer. Probably would've wagered I'd die on the field. I've kind of mellowed since then. Was seriously considering giving it up this spring, but then I was able to land the kind of job I've always wanted in the first place.
I used to be one of those guys who would've been a you can't keep me out of it guy. Now, not so much. I'm still as addicted to it as ever, but I could see myself without it now. That wouldn't have been the case even two years ago.
Having kids kind of changes one's plans and outlook on life.
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Post by kcbazooka on Jul 15, 2010 13:24:22 GMT -6
i'm an old timer - coached since *gulp* 1977. With budget problems I'll probably get paid this year less than I would get if I was retired. so I have to make a big decision -- might have to give up teaching but I hope I don't have to give up coaching - hopefully can help out somewhere. I'm really concerned with what I'll do if I wasn't coaching and teaching.
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Post by mariner42 on Jul 15, 2010 13:55:28 GMT -6
25 y/o in yr 6 of my career... Who knows? But I'm not stopping any time soon, that's for damn sure.
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Post by lochness on Jul 15, 2010 15:10:29 GMT -6
25 y/o in yr 6 of my career... Who knows? But I'm not stopping any time soon, that's for {censored} sure. Sounds like we started at about the same time in our lives. I was 7 years in at 25 (started when I was 19).
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Post by CoachMikeJudy on Jul 15, 2010 18:33:57 GMT -6
I think I'll coach forever. Hate to say it but I'll probably croak while doing it. I learned many things from my parents throughout my life, but recently a couple strokes of bad luck, cancer, and the economic downturn brought this piece of advice from my Dad - "Do what you love and love every minute of it..."
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Post by outlawjoseywales on Jul 15, 2010 18:50:18 GMT -6
I'm a new coach and after a year I decided to take some time off. I'm looking forward to taking this year off, this makes the 3rd time I've "retired" and thought I've never coach again-really. But somehow or other I get dragged back into the fight. Started this last program 6 seasons ago. In the last few years I found myself wanted to learn some new things and it really bugged me. I'm going to spend as much time visiting friends throughout the area and seeing how they do things. I know what I know, I'd want some new ideas. Although I go to every clinic I can, that doesn't show me how programs actually work. I think it's going to be great fun. Then I might "unretire" again. OJW
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Post by blb on Jul 15, 2010 18:56:32 GMT -6
Sounds like a good plan OJW.
Two times in last 15-16 years I got out of head coaching gigs and took assistant jobs with acquaintances, one college and one bigger HS.
I learned things and got different perspectives from both that helped me, were good learning experiences.
And they were at least as enjoyable if not more so than when I've been the big cheese.
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Post by dubber on Jul 15, 2010 20:27:13 GMT -6
I want to be the Curtis Lowe of football.
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Post by coachguy83 on Jul 15, 2010 21:41:25 GMT -6
I'm 27 and in my 3rd year of coaching now. I took seven years off away from the game for various reasons and now that I'm back in it I'm hooked. My wife has been very supportive thus far and she knows how much I love the game and more importantly love working with the young men on my team.
The past two seasons I have been a HC at the youth level and now this season I'm on the Freshmen staff at the local HS. This season will be an all new experience and I'll be better able to answer this question when it's through, but for right now I see myself being in the game for a very long time.
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dcoach84
Sophomore Member
If what you did yesterday seems big, you haven't done anything today. -Lou Holtz
Posts: 129
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Post by dcoach84 on Jul 16, 2010 9:30:46 GMT -6
I took last year off and it gave me a whole new perspective on coaching. Before last year, I can't remember the last time I was able to watch football on the weekends (besides scouting game film). I am coaching this year and feel better than I ever have going into a season. Sometimes taking some time off pays off in the long run.
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Post by leighty on Jul 16, 2010 9:35:38 GMT -6
26, retiring for the second time
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Post by buck42 on Jul 16, 2010 9:44:32 GMT -6
I began coaching while in college...coached for 6 years...took 2 years off to sell real estate with family (sucked) hooked up with local HS and as soon as the first opportunity arose I was back in the game full time...
I am 31 and I honestly do not think I will ever stop coaching football...
Funny part is my high school coach my sophomore and junior year was so bad that I almost didnt play my senior year for a new coach. Matter of fact, I went to speak with the new coach to tell him that I was going to play baseball year around (played high school baseball with Brian Roberts, Orioles 2B)...We had a free physical day at the high school a couple days before the season and a few of my LONG time buddies really made me think about what I was doing...So I just showed up to practice on day one and I have not looked back since...
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Post by phantom on Jul 16, 2010 9:52:19 GMT -6
Forever? No. I'm going to die some day. Until then I can't imagine what I'd do if I wasn't coaching.
As for the benefits of taking a year off, I've never done it but I can imagine it going one of two ways. It may rejuvenate a guy to the point where he can't wait to get back into it. Or, he may find out what life is like without football and really enjoy it. I remember reading a story about legendary grinder Dick Vermeil when he was in Philly during the strike year. It seems that that was the first time that he noticed that the leaves change colors in the Northeast during the Fall and he was like a little kid about it. Soon after that he "retired" and stayed out for years.
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Post by rpetrie on Jul 16, 2010 11:54:52 GMT -6
I'm 41, coached for 17 total years, the last 10 as HC. Took 2yrs off before getting the current job when I moved from VA to NY. Thought I was making a career change, but came right back into teaching and coaching again and realized...it is who I am. When I was an assistant...I planned on coaching forever. The perspective from the HC chair is quite a bit different. More responsibilities, more aspects that can make the job not as satisfying. As far as when the whistle goes on the shelf...can't say that will ever happen...but the roles will probably change many times before the love of the sport and coaching runs dry. I'd like to stay as the HC to have the possibility of coaching with my sons...the problem is they are 6 & 5...that's a lot more hair to lose and wrinkles to gain before that possiblity might present itself.
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Post by wingt74 on Jul 16, 2010 22:12:09 GMT -6
when i can financially afford not to work ... i won't work. so, i would say that in 20-25 years, I'm calling it a career and retiring.... the sooner, the better .... lol But...what will become of the web site and your 1million + members?!?!
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hawke
Sophomore Member
Posts: 209
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Post by hawke on Jul 17, 2010 8:07:16 GMT -6
It's actually been one year over the last 47. For me the season never ends. I still keep a paper and pad at the bedside and wake up in the middle of the night with some cockeyed ideas running through my mind. Been a DC and secondary coach just about all those seasons although I have coached every position at one time or another. Very often I'm asked by you know whom when am I going to quit. The answer is always the same: "when I go down to the fieldhouse and onto the field and ask myself what in the hell am I doing here," then I know it will be time to give it up. I'll still someone's quote and use it in this fashion, "to me football is a means of living life, not a means of making a living." I could make more money asking "would you like fires with that!" (it's not meant as an insult to those who do) but I do know that when I started it was at about 37 cents an hour and its probably not too much better know (LOL). It's very simple, "you gotta love it!!!!
Hawke
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hawke
Sophomore Member
Posts: 209
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Post by hawke on Jul 17, 2010 8:08:43 GMT -6
Apologize for the typos. Hawke
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Post by jhanawa on Jul 17, 2010 12:45:26 GMT -6
I still keep a paper and pad at the bedside and wake up in the middle of the night with some cockeyed ideas running through my mind.
I'll have to print that to show my wife I'm not the only one that does that....LOL
Only difference now is that I run downstairs to my football office with the 4x6 white board on the wall.
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hawke
Sophomore Member
Posts: 209
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Post by hawke on Jul 17, 2010 13:59:26 GMT -6
That's "calm" now. Back in the early 70s she awakened to the sound of a 16mm projector that was between us and being shown on the bedroom wall. You younguns who have never had the pleasure of watching film on a 16 mm projector and the coach running it back and forth do not know what you are missing. Back to that night, "You are completely insane, why I married an idiot like you I will never know!" She still hasn't figured that out after 42 years of being wed to someone who will have Sinatra's "My Way" played at his wake. Remember, "you gotta love it!!!!"
Hawke
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Post by coachbw on Jul 17, 2010 18:17:41 GMT -6
I coached for 9 years and have now taken a year off. I tried to rise through the coaching ranks as quickly as I could, and spent the last 3 years as a head coach. One of the things this past year has done is make clear, why i coach, and what I feel is important to coaching. In trying to move up quickly, I was simply chasing titles. Now as I consider getting back in, I have a very clear picture of what kind of a program I want to be involved in.
I believe Brophy said it, and I can second the idea that I am backing off of my stubborness on some areas of the game. Not being involved in a program at the moment has really allowed me to examine all aspects ways of doing things, not just trying to learn more about the way we have done things. Also, I had some hobbies like fishing and hunting that I literally gave up when I began my coaching career. Even if I get back in, I will keep those as active components in my life and have much more balance if I get back into coaching.
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