Kids would rather have stats than win

Let him know that college recruiters don't give a flip about stats. If you are an athlete, and can block for your team and play hard, that will get you noticed.

I'd say Confront him about it but you can usually spot these types when going back to review video (lazy routes when not getting the ball, doesn't block, etc).

If video confirms these things then lay down the law. If it persists then start sitting him a quarter at a time and increasing each week til he starts acting in the interests of the team

talk to him directly.. no he said she said captains said stuff. talk with him, find his motivations, develop a more personal relationship than what you have now,before you do any type of punishment

Heck no, if he is doing what you want on defense.

Tell him if he doesn't block he doesn't get the ball. If he doesn't play defense he doesn't get the ball. Kid just needs his attitude adjusted one good time.

I disagree with this completely. It sounds spiteful and completely ignores trying to win for the rest of the team.

Setting him straight - fine.

Not playing him if he doesn't straighten out his attitude - fine.

Not playing him because he isn't blocking or running routes hard - fine.

But playing him and not including him in the offense is hurting your team and childish.

I've had this issue with OL/DL guys who don't go hard on offense especially...they come off the field on defense even if there better there because they are slacking on offense. If they want to play defense, they will block their asses of on offense 1st. Sounds like you may have to do the same with this kid...he needs to understand if he does his job on D, you only need 2 TDs from him to get a 14-0 win!

Yeah can't agree with this either. You're pretty much getting in a pissing contest with an 17 year old kid. I would talk to him about being a good teammate and his selfish attitude and try and help him the calm rational way.

then if that didn't work I would jump up his a$$ for being lazy and stay on him until he got it together or lost his spot.

Don't dance around the issue; tell him and his daddy/mommy, you call plays and run the offense not either one of them. If touching the ball is the issue.

If it is a "I'm a WR 1st, and play a little DB on the side" kind of kid then that is easy; "Hey Bo you get to be really fresh for defense." If you need him for defense.

Then again, as the DB coach I'd rather coach a kid that wants to work than one who will half arsenal his way through it. No matter the talent difference.

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.

Then again I'm not the boss man.

We've had kids who were all world on defense and would take it easy on offense. We told him he either starts going hard on offense as well or he doesn't play defense. You take something away and you get results. Now we were good enough to be able to do that so some may not be able to take that approach, but it worked for us.

cover your butt, then do what needs to be done. sit down with the kid and parents, lay it out on the table and say exactly what you mean. after that, when everyone is on the same page, then you can do what you need to do.

I will even offer another perspective. There is a fine line in determining what is a "cancerous" attitude of selfishness and what is sheer desire to compete and a drive to win.

From my experience, some of my best players were selfish. They were selfish because truly wanted to win. They felt that their stats helped us become successful. Yes, there were times where I had to "check them" on their attitude. However, at the end of the day, the better players do need their touches in order to help the team win.

If I'm not getting them the ball, then I have to look at my performance as a coach. If I get them the ball and they're still not happy, then I have to address it.  Hence this story...

About 10 years ago, I had a TE/DE who was a really good player. He ended up being all state. We were a bad team that was about to beat the best team in our conference.  True powerhouse.  Hadn't beat them in over 10 years.

We scored with just a little over a minute on the clock to take the lead by six. The crowd is going absolutely crazy. As the team is coming off the field I notice that he is pissed. I thought he missed a block or something. I said, "dude you okay, what's the matter?" He says, "We'll I'd like the damn ball!!!"

I was thrown off by that. I said, "man, we're about to beat the best team we've ever seen and make history for our program, and you're crying about touches? Come on man, enjoy this moment." I thought I had him calmed down.  A few moments later I heard this thunderous crash behind me as his helmet is bouncing off the ground and sailing into the air. I turned around and saw that pissed look still on his face.

I then turned to an assistant coach and said, "please escort him to the locker room. He's done for the night."

So how'd the game end? The other team noticed he wasn't on the field and ran to his side for an 80 yd. drive. Despite my efforts to shore up that side in a short amount of time, the other team scored with 1.7 seconds on the clock. We lost by one.

Moral to the story: if it selfishness, you have to address it promptly and swiftly and live with the results. If it is a true desire to compete, perform, and win...get him the damn ball.

I should probably move to your area. In Metro Atlanta, every kid twitter says D1Bound. Transfers to new schools are the norm. Jockying for position.  I have great kids. But parents and even some of them are worried about my stat line. Huge problem round here. Winning a championship is nice, AS LONG AS I GOT MY OFFERS

Little update on the LB... Played a Single-Wing team Friday night. (worked on reading pulling guards for two weeks as this was coming off a bye week.) They start to gash us after the first series.. Half-time comes and the the head coach lays into both LB about making their reads.. "But, coach.. I have about 10 tackles"..... Somethings you can't make up....Kid will be lucky to play another down this season