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Post by fkaboneyard on Jul 24, 2018 9:35:39 GMT -6
I’m back coaching at a small private school, coaching some kids that I’ve known since they were 7 years old. A month ago things were humming with 65 kids in the program and a good mix of skill/hogs. I was optimistic that we would be unstoppable. Now…
1 - The starting right tackle fell off the roof jumping into his pool and broke his scapula. He's out for good.
2 - The starting left tackle (6'4", 290 that runs a 4.8 40 - 1st team all league last year) said, "I don't like playing line, I want to play corner and kicker". Quit when we told him no.
3 - Starting center and left guard both have financial issues so they can't attend the school (this school gives NO assistance to athletes, it is all need based and it has already been allocated).
4 - Right guard is very average (was worst lineman before others left) but now believes he's the King since the other guys are gone and has taken on a superstar attitude.
5 - Replacements are all sophomores that are incredibly immature. They have the physical tools to do it but are absolute goofballs.
6 - We're down to 9 total linemen for JV & Varsity combined, with all of those to play both O-line and D-line.
7 - There was 36 total kids at practice yesterday.
Things turned on a dime. Bummer.
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Post by The Lunch Pail on Jul 24, 2018 11:38:48 GMT -6
I couldn’t help but laugh at #2..
Best of luck though, coach! Sounds like you’ve at least maintained some of your skill guys?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2018 8:45:41 GMT -6
Tell #2 to learn to tap dance as well so he could be a triple threat
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Post by fkaboneyard on Jul 25, 2018 11:05:47 GMT -6
We still have all the skill guys. Latest is one of the sophomore goofball guards quit - AFTER practice - yesterday. He said, "My dad says I should be wide receiver and linebacker. He said you're wasting me at guard."
I went over to talk to his dad about it. Dad was super aggressive. I asked, "What's going on?" He said, "You guys don't know WTF you're doing, I was patient but you guys just won't learn. We're renting a place in Corona and he's going to play for Centennial. Don't think you can talk me out of it." I said, "I wouldn't dream of trying to talk you out of it" and walked away.
Kid is 5'8", 170lbs. He should be a backup in our division 11 program, but I'm sure a couple weeks under Matt Logan and he'll be a starting Division 1 wide receiver/linebacker.
I wouldn't believe this if I weren't experiencing it.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2018 7:15:48 GMT -6
Years ago as a youth coach I had a bunch of weird $hit happen 1 season, it actually carried over into 2 really bad years, if i posted it here most would wonder why im not an alcoholic
It sucks man, trust me Ive been through some wacky $hit over they years.
Just remember why you do it. try to keep a gd sense of humor about it, enjoy it for what it is, and I wish you the best coach
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Post by coachd5085 on Jul 26, 2018 7:31:21 GMT -6
We still have all the skill guys. Latest is one of the sophomore goofball guards quit - AFTER practice - yesterday. He said, "My dad says I should be wide receiver and linebacker. He said you're wasting me at guard."
I went over to talk to his dad about it. Dad was super aggressive. I asked, "What's going on?" He said, "You guys don't know WTF you're doing, I was patient but you guys just won't learn. We're renting a place in Corona and he's going to play for Centennial. Don't think you can talk me out of it." I said, "I wouldn't dream of trying to talk you out of it" and walked away.
Kid is 5'8", 170lbs. He should be a backup in our division 11 program, but I'm sure a couple weeks under Matt Logan and he'll be a starting Division 1 wide receiver/linebacker.
I wouldn't believe this if I weren't experiencing it.
This is why I don't believe a coach should EVER talk about "the next level" having anything to do with his program. I cringe all the time when I read about how football "provides opportunities for the kids in college" etc. I just don't think that it is prudent for HS coaches to ever include college opportunities as a reason to have a football program and this illustrates why. This kid and his parent are probably severely misjudging his skill level, BUT he is just a sophomore. They recognize that he will never be an "elite" OL because of size limitations. The "next level" OL are monsters, even in HS. But in their minds, hey..I could be a linebacker, or a WR and only be around 5'10-5'11. That is doable (again in their minds). |
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Post by fkaboneyard on Jul 26, 2018 9:55:06 GMT -6
If physical size of family members is any indicator this kid will be lucky to hit 5'10". His older brothers both topped out at 5'8" in the 10th grade. Dad is 5'7", mom is 5'1". He is not fast or quick. He's barely quick enough to play guard.
Any coach can't watch this kid for 5 minutes and know that he isn't going to a D1 school. With a ton of hard work and great academics he might sniff a D3/NAIA school. It's a terrible shame because he's a really sweet kid and his dad is ruining his high school sports experience. I know Matt Logan at CC very well, he is super professional and will not suffer this fool. Poor kid...
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Post by coachd5085 on Jul 26, 2018 11:36:39 GMT -6
If physical size of family members is any indicator this kid will be lucky to hit 5'10". His older brothers both topped out at 5'8" in the 10th grade. Dad is 5'7", mom is 5'1". He is not fast or quick. He's barely quick enough to play guard.
Any coach can't watch this kid for 5 minutes and know that he isn't going to a D1 school. With a ton of hard work and great academics he might sniff a D3/NAIA school. It's a terrible shame because he's a really sweet kid and his dad is ruining his high school sports experience. I know Matt Logan at CC very well, he is super professional and will not suffer this fool. Poor kid...
I am not disagreeing with your move at all...I hope I didn't come off as supporting the Dad's position. I was just saying that often in HS we play players at positions because it will best help the team, but the parents are worried about their "next level chances". It is comical, because the parents seem astute enough to realize their child doesn't have the physical dimensions to play Position A, they seem to miss the fact that their child doesn't have the physical ability to play Position B. I just this this situation highlights one of several reasons why the idea of playing on "the next level" should never be a supporting factor in fielding HS sporting teams. |
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Post by fkaboneyard on Jul 26, 2018 13:13:17 GMT -6
Yeah, I got you and I agree with you completely.
Silver lining - we have a tight end that is 5'8", 200 lbs that doesn't fit the mold at all but is unbelievable. He was all league last year as a junior. He emailed the coaching staff last night and said, "Coaches, you can move me to guard if you want. I don't really want to play line but if it will help us win I will do it and I won't be mad or cause a problem." This kid is going to be a winner in life. The HC called the kid's dad to talk to him about it and the dad said, "My son is built like a fire hydrant, he has no chance to play college ball. Now is his shot to win, use him however you want."
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Post by coachd5085 on Jul 26, 2018 13:21:26 GMT -6
Yeah, I got you and I agree with you completely. Silver lining - we have a tight end that is 5'8", 200 lbs that doesn't fit the mold at all but is unbelievable. He was all league last year as a junior. He emailed the coaching staff last night and said, "Coaches, you can move me to guard if you want. I don't really want to play line but if it will help us win I will do it and I won't be mad or cause a problem." This kid is going to be a winner in life. The HC called the kid's dad to talk to him about it and the dad said, "My son is built like a fire hydrant, he has no chance to play college ball. Now is his shot to win, use him however you want." Parents like that should be given an award at the banquet! |
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Post by hammer66 on Jul 27, 2018 5:10:36 GMT -6
Learned a long time ago your team will only be as good as its WILLING PARTICIPANTS.... Have had teams super talented that lacked the willingness to do what needed to be done for the best of the team. Those were long seasons and typically those kids parents were huge problems. The current team is completely on board and willing to do what needs to be done and as can be expected this group of parents is fabulous.
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Post by Defcord on Jul 29, 2018 8:44:06 GMT -6
I wish I hadn't read this thread. We have the best offensive line I have ever been part of this year. We aren't deep but our top 6 are legit. Now, I am worried about how quickly things can change!
I know how hard it is to find 5 linemen without the mess you are dealing with. Good Luck Coach!
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Post by MICoach on Jul 30, 2018 6:30:57 GMT -6
I wish I hadn't read this thread. We have the best offensive line I have ever been part of this year. We aren't deep but our top 6 are legit. Now, I am worried about how quickly things can change! I know how hard it is to find 5 linemen without the mess you are dealing with. Good Luck Coach! Last year I had four studs - two playing NAIA now and one returning who is getting some DII attention, they averaged about 6'3" 250lb. They really made me look like I knew what I was doing until three of them went down the first week of playoffs. Somehow we squeaked by to the semi's starting guys who were questionable at best. This year we've got a bunch of quick, skinny, squirrelly, tough kids, probably three of whom should be playing FB but I raised a ruckus to get them on the OL. I'd probably take the first group if I had a guarantee that they'd all be healthy every day and play up to their potential but this year we've got like 7-8 guys who I think can get some serious varsity playing time. Maybe I'm just reacting to the injury plague at the end of last year but I'm looking forward to having some competition for playing time. |
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Post by fkaboneyard on Aug 2, 2018 9:29:17 GMT -6
The latest... I spent most of the night at the police station after I got a call from the mom of a set of twins on the team. Apparently drunken stepdad was yelling at mom, kid #1 defended her so drunken stepdad picked him up and piledrived him. Kid #2 grabbed a fire poker and domed him with it... and continued to dome him with it till he was knocking on hell's door. When the cops showed up he locked himself in his room and they called me to talk him out of it. I showed up with an attorney friend in tow, we got the kid out and then we all took a ride to the police station where they rattled him for the next couple hours.
All this and we haven't even played a down of football in a game yet.
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Post by hammer66 on Aug 2, 2018 9:43:17 GMT -6
The latest... I spent most of the night at the police station after I got a call from the mom of a set of twins on the team. Apparently drunken stepdad was yelling at mom, kid #1 defended her so drunken stepdad picked him up and piledrived him. Kid #2 grabbed a fire poker and domed him with it... and continued to dome him with it till he was knocking on hell's door. When the cops showed up he locked himself in his room and they called me to talk him out of it. I showed up with an attorney friend in tow, we got the kid out and then we all took a ride to the police station where they rattled him for the next couple hours. All this and we haven't even played a down of football in a game yet. Other than the people on this site. Most don't understand everything a COACH does and goes through. Kudos for you going to sort things out. |
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Post by fkaboneyard on Aug 2, 2018 10:42:10 GMT -6
The latest... I spent most of the night at the police station after I got a call from the mom of a set of twins on the team. Apparently drunken stepdad was yelling at mom, kid #1 defended her so drunken stepdad picked him up and piledrived him. Kid #2 grabbed a fire poker and domed him with it... and continued to dome him with it till he was knocking on hell's door. When the cops showed up he locked himself in his room and they called me to talk him out of it. I showed up with an attorney friend in tow, we got the kid out and then we all took a ride to the police station where they rattled him for the next couple hours. All this and we haven't even played a down of football in a game yet. Other than the people on this site. Most don't understand everything a COACH does and goes through. Kudos for you going to sort things out.
I'm not going to lie, when the door opened and the boy latched onto me the tears started flowing. It's the kind of thing you hope you never have to go through but you feel super humbled and rewarded when you get to help a boy through something like that. |
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Post by sherlock on Aug 9, 2018 18:14:47 GMT -6
I’m back coaching at a small private school, coaching some kids that I’ve known since they were 7 years old. A month ago things were humming with 65 kids in the program and a good mix of skill/hogs. I was optimistic that we would be unstoppable. Now…
1 - The starting right tackle fell off the roof jumping into his pool and broke his scapula. He's out for good.
2 - The starting left tackle (6'4", 290 that runs a 4.8 40 - 1st team all league last year) said, "I don't like playing line, I want to play corner and kicker". Quit when we told him no.
3 - Starting center and left guard both have financial issues so they can't attend the school (this school gives NO assistance to athletes, it is all need based and it has already been allocated).
4 - Right guard is very average (was worst lineman before others left) but now believes he's the King since the other guys are gone and has taken on a superstar attitude.
5 - Replacements are all sophomores that are incredibly immature. They have the physical tools to do it but are absolute goofballs.
6 - We're down to 9 total linemen for JV & Varsity combined, with all of those to play both O-line and D-line.
7 - There was 36 total kids at practice yesterday.
Things turned on a dime. Bummer.
About #2.......you've tried to get him back, right? |
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Post by hammer66 on Aug 10, 2018 5:13:26 GMT -6
I’m back coaching at a small private school, coaching some kids that I’ve known since they were 7 years old. A month ago things were humming with 65 kids in the program and a good mix of skill/hogs. I was optimistic that we would be unstoppable. Now…
1 - The starting right tackle fell off the roof jumping into his pool and broke his scapula. He's out for good.
2 - The starting left tackle (6'4", 290 that runs a 4.8 40 - 1st team all league last year) said, "I don't like playing line, I want to play corner and kicker". Quit when we told him no.
3 - Starting center and left guard both have financial issues so they can't attend the school (this school gives NO assistance to athletes, it is all need based and it has already been allocated).
4 - Right guard is very average (was worst lineman before others left) but now believes he's the King since the other guys are gone and has taken on a superstar attitude.
5 - Replacements are all sophomores that are incredibly immature. They have the physical tools to do it but are absolute goofballs.
6 - We're down to 9 total linemen for JV & Varsity combined, with all of those to play both O-line and D-line.
7 - There was 36 total kids at practice yesterday.
Things turned on a dime. Bummer.
About #2.......you've tried to get him back, right? For me.... I would not try to get him back. Especially as an OLINE guy. Your either ALL in or NOT in at all. I get the whole idea of trying to get him back. I have been doing this so long maybe my viewpoint is slanted. From my experience that rarely works out kids today quit for the dumbest reasons most of the time they just don't want to put the effort in. So my answer is always we have other dudes that really want to play. Yeah they may not be as good... not even close. I would still rather coach them up. My starting left Tackle/DE (SOPH) started as a freshmen. Quit first day of practice this year. So I feel your pain. |
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Post by fkaboneyard on Aug 10, 2018 10:09:51 GMT -6
I’m back coaching at a small private school, coaching some kids that I’ve known since they were 7 years old. A month ago things were humming with 65 kids in the program and a good mix of skill/hogs. I was optimistic that we would be unstoppable. Now…
1 - The starting right tackle fell off the roof jumping into his pool and broke his scapula. He's out for good.
2 - The starting left tackle (6'4", 290 that runs a 4.8 40 - 1st team all league last year) said, "I don't like playing line, I want to play corner and kicker". Quit when we told him no.
3 - Starting center and left guard both have financial issues so they can't attend the school (this school gives NO assistance to athletes, it is all need based and it has already been allocated).
4 - Right guard is very average (was worst lineman before others left) but now believes he's the King since the other guys are gone and has taken on a superstar attitude.
5 - Replacements are all sophomores that are incredibly immature. They have the physical tools to do it but are absolute goofballs.
6 - We're down to 9 total linemen for JV & Varsity combined, with all of those to play both O-line and D-line.
7 - There was 36 total kids at practice yesterday.
Things turned on a dime. Bummer.
About #2.......you've tried to get him back, right?
The kid only came to a few spring ball practices this year when I was coaching baseball so my contact with him was very little. I didn't coach football at this school last year so I don't have a relationship with him but I sent him a hudl message telling him I'd love to have him on the team. The HC spoke to him and the kid said, "I don't like the linemen, my friends are all skill guys. If I'm going to play at the next level I need a position that is more visible." You can't make this stuff up.
I asked the other players to talk him into playing. The nearly universal answer was, "Coach, he's a lazy piece of ****, we're better off without him." I will say, the sophomore goofballs flipped a switch and have locked in. And JV got a few new fat kids to play line, so I'm going to put down the bottle for awhile and see how this works out.
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Post by 50slantstrong on Aug 12, 2018 21:56:45 GMT -6
Private school near Centennial? Norte Dame or Ontario Christian?
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Post by silkyice on Aug 12, 2018 21:59:52 GMT -6
Yeah, I got you and I agree with you completely. Silver lining - we have a tight end that is 5'8", 200 lbs that doesn't fit the mold at all but is unbelievable. He was all league last year as a junior. He emailed the coaching staff last night and said, "Coaches, you can move me to guard if you want. I don't really want to play line but if it will help us win I will do it and I won't be mad or cause a problem." This kid is going to be a winner in life. The HC called the kid's dad to talk to him about it and the dad said, "My son is built like a fire hydrant, he has no chance to play college ball. Now is his shot to win, use him however you want." That is awesome! |
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Post by fkaboneyard on Aug 14, 2018 11:32:19 GMT -6
Private school near Centennial? Norte Dame or Ontario Christian? Neither, we're about 75 miles away... which makes this lunatic moving there even more hilarious.
The latest is that the 6'4", 290 tackle that runs a 4.8 40 - 1st team all league last year that quit because he couldn't be a defensive back has decided that he now wants to play. Our first game is this Friday, he hasn't done a single thing all summer. The HC has decided to let the kid onto the team. The offensive coordinator is losing his mind, he thinks the kid is a cancer.
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Post by silkyice on Aug 14, 2018 12:40:28 GMT -6
Private school near Centennial? Norte Dame or Ontario Christian? Neither, we're about 75 miles away... which makes this lunatic moving there even more hilarious. The latest is that the 6'4", 290 tackle that runs a 4.8 40 - 1st team all league last year that quit because he couldn't be a defensive back has decided that he now wants to play. Our first game is this Friday, he hasn't done a single thing all summer. The HC has decided to let the kid onto the team. The offensive coordinator is losing his mind, he thinks the kid is a cancer.
Y’all sound dysfunctional and your kids sound delusional. Did I read that right? 290 pounds and thinks he is a db? |
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Post by fkaboneyard on Aug 14, 2018 12:56:50 GMT -6
You read it entirely correctly. Honestly, the staff is probably the healthiest I've ever been on. There is very little ego with the exception of the HC and I don't think I've ever met a winning HC that didn't have one. The kids are young and immature for their age. We will find out what we are in the next two weeks.
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Post by fkaboneyard on Aug 27, 2018 9:22:59 GMT -6
Private school near Centennial? Norte Dame or Ontario Christian? Neither, we're about 75 miles away... which makes this lunatic moving there even more hilarious.
The latest is that the 6'4", 290 tackle that runs a 4.8 40 - 1st team all league last year that quit because he couldn't be a defensive back has decided that he now wants to play. Our first game is this Friday, he hasn't done a single thing all summer. The HC has decided to let the kid onto the team. The offensive coordinator is losing his mind, he thinks the kid is a cancer.
The week leading up to our first game the big tackle vanished, he was dodging the HC on campus and nobody knew what his deal was. But he came out and watched our first game where we smashed our opponent. The following morning during film the HC got a text from the kid, "Coach, sorry I haven't been there but I had to take care of some personal things. I'm super eager to be on the team. I know I will have to work hard, I will see you Monday." The coach said to the team - "Rawlings wants to come back. Do you guys want him back?" They all said yes, but only if he's held accountable and made to work hard.
Kid showed up on Monday (late, of course), went through individual drills and vomited halfway through. He was so out of condition that he acted like he was going to die. During a water break he laid on the ground in the fetal position with his head on a blocking shield. He managed to make it through practice but didn't show up to school the next day. On Wednesday morning we all received a hudl message from him saying "After a lot of thought I will not be joining the team. I really only was joining because the other kids on the team were pressuring me. I left my gear outside HC's office door."
Friday night the kid was in the stands again as we won big. He hung around after the game and told the HC that he had acted without thinking and would like to be on the team again. And then was floored when the HC told him no.
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