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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 27, 2009 13:41:33 GMT -6
Coach,
They MUST go...
From experience - If you FEEL like it (If you are in a room and there is a level of "uncomfortability", there is a problem)...
I know the signs as well. Talking in the corner or out in practice they might be on ONE side of the field almost standoffish while you do team or group.... They are almost - Passive Aggressive.... You can see it coming a mile away. If your administration supports you they will know you must get rid of these guys. They have to give you the call on this.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 27, 2009 12:01:28 GMT -6
X 2 Coach George... Cohesive hard working staff with the same philosophy will go a LONG way... Believe me I know from first hand experience.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 27, 2009 9:02:25 GMT -6
Not sure either... Maybe he had one too many beers
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 26, 2009 20:17:32 GMT -6
I am sure you have been around the game a while and probably have had your fair share of stories..
All due respect my experiences are not from "pages of a book" but from actual we life experience. Kind of like some of my graduate school professors and school - some ideas in books are not always practical in real life.
Not sure on what you are debating. We agree... goal is to develop good young men, good football players and outstanding human beings. That is why we teach character education and are role models for kids. But sometimes you HAVE to draw the line in the sand. Like White Mike Said if a kid makes a mistake and is willing to work hard to come back we can do that as well.
I have coached in a school where 90% of my players where minorities and many come from dysfunctional families. many did not have fathers or Even new who they were. When I inherited my first job the team had a 1.7 GPA and there was NO discipline on the team. Kids ran WILD at the school and they did not work hard. Over a couple of years we changed that culture(White Mike was there for this turnaround first hand). We did this through grade sheets, study hall, character education, being role models in the classroom and on the field, teaching teamwork and togetherness in the weight room and finally after we accomplished ALL of that we won games. It took two back to back 2-8 seasons but by year three we were 7-3 and in the playoffs and by year four we won our schools first playoff game in ten years...
Now I can PM you my most recent interview packet I used last year for my most recent job. It has our mission statement, philosophy, dealing with players, coaches expectations and overall vision for our program. Again this is not something from a book but it is something I have done and currently do. It looks real good and at EVERY interview it is a crowd pleaser.... But in reality it is just "pages from a book".
In reality we see eye to eye on things... The only thing I have done is show how far I am willing to go to take action. Like a parent a player must know there is a consequence for his actions and if they continue then dismissal from team would ultimately be the consequence. The only thing I have done is put the means to and ends. I rarely get to this point but on occasion I have had to do that for the greater good of the team.
And I am with you coach... The most rewarding memories I have are when my players come back to me and tell me if it wasn't for what we as coaches did for them, they would not be in college or where they are today. That makes worth it.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 26, 2009 19:40:51 GMT -6
Coach George I have to agree...
I do not beg or chase kids.
We wam up together and we end together as well. Sounds like you and I have a lot in common in the way we run things.
Do you use incentives like T-shirts or other things for goals (weight room clubs or record boards....)
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 26, 2009 12:29:57 GMT -6
WOw,
Phoebus!!! They are NASTY.... Saw coach Dee speak at a clinic in NOVA last February... I like his style....
Congrats on the season.... How about that QB - Where is he going??
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 26, 2009 10:48:32 GMT -6
All good points... DC - Yo made the right decision.... You would have been pulling your hair out dealing with THOSE type of kids. I do not work out, blah, blah, blah.....
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 26, 2009 10:45:32 GMT -6
Good points..
We often will clap or give a command for this kids who struggle with depth as well.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 26, 2009 10:42:55 GMT -6
Head Coach North Stafford High School VA
Around 1700 students around 45 miles south of Washington DC (Outside of Quantico).
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 26, 2009 7:57:39 GMT -6
We do grade sheets in the 2nd semester...
This week we start our second semester and I will check my players grades... Any player with under a 2.0 will have to give me weekly grade sheets and the others every third week (Good kids.. Team GPA well over 3.0..).
To start I have to meet with every kid at the end of the year and we discuss grades, weight room, behavior... They know where they stand.
Kids that are new must hand in a grade sheet and two teacher recomendations in order to workout with us. Without that they do not even get in the door.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 26, 2009 7:53:28 GMT -6
How about the size of kids today... When I was a senior I was 6'2" 225 and the second biggest guy on the team... I played BOTH WAYS and never left the field... We did not have guys 280 - 300lbs when I played (late 1980's and early 1990's)....
Also how about this breakdown (Any data)
Heat related deaths over the past 15 years (high school v college)...
My point is that at the college level I believe they are better educated and have better understanding... At the high school level though most of us are educated and do a good job there are people out there that are CLUELESS and have no idea what they are doing. You would be surprised and how many "boobs" there are out there that could prevent many of these issues.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 26, 2009 7:47:56 GMT -6
We make the kids go below parrellel... Like at power meets - they have to break 90 degrees....
That is me and I am big on this...
We also focus on flexibility (Overhead squats are good... Light weight).
The big guys are always tough... They just take time until their hips get use to it... Use lighter weight with them and focus on form..
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 26, 2009 7:42:31 GMT -6
I finished up playing at my college (OL) and I new even when I was in high school I wanted to coach. So spring of my senior year I help out in the weight room and I help with conditioning, plyos...
I have another semester to go so I come back in August as an unpaid student assistant. I was going to assist the OL Coach. Well I get there a week early and help with EVERYTHING.... FInally my OC gives me 10 tapes from the year before and asked me to break them down for him so he could file them away (I broke them down in 10 days)... Old school... Draw up every formation and put the players in and all of that BS...
As the year went on I was in EVERY meeting and was there all day Sundays too. I also was in charge of the scout team and JV team Offense. I finished in December and started look look for college GA jobs... Had one line up when my college coach asked me to come down for lunch.
We go out to eat and I find out the OL coach (My mentor) was leaving and they wanted to hire me for his spot (Full time OL coach $20,000 a year and I could go get my masters too). They said I did such a good job they thought I was ready.
At 23 I was a full time OL coach and I was loving it. Got my masters and in three years was coaching high school ball.
I had the bug right away and I new this was for me.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 26, 2009 7:28:25 GMT -6
WE ARE GOING TO WIN NOW!!
If that job was gold mine and had some much potential the other guy would not have left.... Plus that puts you in a corner and might tempt you to cut corners and do some things you normally would not do.
My experience has been once you get into the program there are probably A LOT of things that pop up on that you had to clue about (First year is a lot of putting out fires).
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 26, 2009 7:22:39 GMT -6
Who said anything about tearing down programs. But you have to have a foundation and that foundation has to be the right kid....
I do have to disgree with your theory on numbers and two platoons... I think that is one of the most overated things discussed on this board. Going off of what I saw growing up (I Played FOotball in PA and from what I have seen in VA over the past 10 years) numbers really do not have a huge impact.
Now please do not get me wrong.... If you are at one of those Big old high schools with over 3000 students in a big state with spring football then I bet your numbers will have an impact on you winning. For 99% of us, that is just not the case. That is why we focus on good kids and work with them. The commited ones. Good kids in class and kids that work hard.... How exactly is that tearing down a program?
And your point about bodies to choose from... I believe in quality over quanity personally... I want quality players. That is me though.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 25, 2009 18:22:06 GMT -6
BINGO...
Way to get your foot in the door... You are the piss boy for a year or two (Kind of like an intern)...
Now once you do your time and a position opens up often you will be considered for it and can move up the ladder. Suck it up for a while and move on.
I believe the former coach from NORTH PENN HIGH SCHOOL in PA was this for the Ravens. I maybe wrong (Mike Petine) but this guy was the guy who was the coach of the team "The Season" an ESPN doc...).
He left NP and worked for the Ravens as their QC for about two years.... Then was promoted to OLB.... Now Rex Ryan considers him and has said that Mike Petine is his "Right Hand Man"...
Now that Ryan left I am not sure if he is leaving with him or staying.... Bottom line goes from high school and a legit pro coach in just a few years... Pretty cool stuff. I would bet he might be up for being a DC soon if not already.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 25, 2009 18:17:15 GMT -6
Take the high road and if they hire him MOVE ON.... I am sure if your school has ANY kind of backbone or clue they will not hire that ass clown....
If you go the other way you may look petty and small....
These guys are everywhere though.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 25, 2009 18:14:05 GMT -6
Yep that is the idea....
Most of the kids after a few days of that BS usually roll on their own...
We all know the "good kids" who are busting their ass 3-4 days a week for 9 months... Yeah maybe they do not have a TON of talent and Yeah maybe they are only 5'8" and 160lbs but man they love the game and they give it their all. Those kids will always have a place in our program.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 25, 2009 18:10:00 GMT -6
Good point about superivsion... We do our dynamic warm up at 2:30 PM on the dot (If you are late WITHOUT A PASS) you RUN!!
OUr strength coach is a stickler on form, organization.... They are uniforemed. We a OK weight room... We have 11 racks (5 on one side and 6 on the other) and in front of the racks is where you clean / jerk and snatch....
Are kids are in groups of 3-4... sometimes 5 and they are going... Coach puts the workout on the board, reviews it with them and they are off and running.
We have good kids who push themselves. ALso it is open so there is nowhere to hide or {censored}.
As WhiteMike says it should not be "Buffet" style.... I personally like having ONE person in charge running the show so it is uniformed. Our assistants come but it is more to just moral and support and forge relationships... In the spring they will go out with the kids after they lift and run and we will throe the ball, do routes and basically have open field twice a week.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 25, 2009 14:20:15 GMT -6
Ohh by the way who says you can not cut..... Most schools make it mandatory you must give the kids 3 days to workout. After that you are welcome to cut. I have in the past (Only turds who show up with bad grades, thugs, lazy..... good kids who work hard I WILL NEVER CUT!!!).
B-ball, baseball, lax they all cut.. We can as well.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 25, 2009 14:17:55 GMT -6
First week of two a days what I have done is put all of the {censored} bags with the OL.... Of courese but wait, I AM THE OL COACH!!
Kids that are 5'8" 170lbs will come with me and do stance, start, sleds, punch drills, board drills, pancake drills, king of the board drills...
I tell them that with their speed they could make a good zone blocking OL.
Those kids just see their name on the OL and the depth chart the week before practice starts and they are like "F-That"... Some still try...
If they make it with me the first week and I think they are legit I will let them move and try something else. usually by then I will put their AZZ through the ringer, mentally, physically and emotionally!
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 24, 2009 22:08:07 GMT -6
Let me clear up my thing about numbers....
Yes you do need more then 11... I was just trying to make a point. I think in todays days and age we get caught up in numbers...
How often do you hear people say - We have 60 guys on the varsity... We have over 80 players on the varsity.... Blah, blah, blah.....
I myself got caught up in it when I was at a school with 2600 kids and we tried to play kids one way.... I just focus on the good kids who work hard and are good students and good people. Surround yourself with these type of kids, you will always be a winner.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 24, 2009 8:10:31 GMT -6
Be true to yourself and your team. Treat your players fairly and make them think this is a special thing.
As I mentioned before I want kids commited and we want kids who love football..... We have a trust and a cirle and this is special for us....
I do not chase kids around the school to lift or workout. There are plenty of good kids who are good students who will win for you that you focus on them. Remember you only need 11 players to play the game (Not 50 -60). I personally think we get caught up in the numbers game...
Yes trim the fat. Challenge them mentally and physically in the off-seaoson. Make the workouts tough and make them mandatory... Do not accpet the fact they play other sports... Have them come in 2 maybe 3 days a week and just get their core lifts and go. Be crative. If that means you have to get off your ass early and open the weight room, well then do it (Do not be "do as I say and not as I do...)
As Ohio said do not get caught up in size/speed and weight. Evaluate your players on other attributes: 1. Work ethic 2. Classroom 3. Character 4. Trust 5. Accountablity
Focus on these attributes and make the physical attributes the last part of the evaluation.... Those players with GREAT physical attributes but are lazY, bad students and do not work hard are basically coach killers. Weed those turds out. If you give preferential treatment to those kids your good kids will resent you and eventually you will have a mess on your hands...
Some some advice from someone who has been through this process a few times.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 23, 2009 8:47:57 GMT -6
Tell that F-Face to get the hell out of here..... You probably FARTED out more football then that idiot parent will EVER know.
I have really been thinking about doing a Football 101 night... Just basic education for the parents. Teach them about reading coverages, what is a cover II beater or cover III beater.... How and why do defenses and offfenses do what they do. I really think I am going to do this in the spring and really try and educate the parents as much as possible.
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Losing
Jan 23, 2009 7:32:59 GMT -6
Post by bigm0073 on Jan 23, 2009 7:32:59 GMT -6
You make some points but understand this:
Football is with any sport if you win a few games you start to get complascent. It is human nature.. Sometimes you let up the gas peddle.. It all depends. And all of a sudden you get smacked in a mouth and you are like "What the hell just happended"....
Now you may not agree with "Hell week" and that is your right and opinion but I have to tell you being apart of some succuessful programs in high school and college I new after a loss things were just going to be bad. I new we had to take the taste of losing out of our mouth. I was aware our coaches did not want us to accept losing and we would fight it every step of the way.
Again defining "Hell week" is up to the coach. I do have to admit from my point of view after a loss I do not want Shits and giggles on the bus. I do not want to hear loud laughter and screaming.
Again maybe it is me but if you put so much emotion into this I just do not see how in a matter of minutes you can shut if off and just be ok with it. Really it is just human nature.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 22, 2009 22:16:33 GMT -6
Our school is around 1700 students northern va right by quantico marine base and about 40 miles south of DC. Good kids who many come from military background (Many of my parents work in the Pentagon and or are officers in the Marines). Great, great kids.... hard workers.
I am entering my second year at this program (Before me 4 coaches in 4 years.... 2-8 back to back seasons). When I came in last year we got rid of the fat (7 seniors who started the year before quit or did not come out because they did not want to workout or compete). Last year we started 16 sophomores and freshmen. Only two seniors started. 31 people return who lettered. Now we did go 1- 9last season. We physically just could not match up with these teams... We took out lumps (Though my current sophomore class went 9-1 last year as freshmen). We took some on the chin but we NEVER waivered.
Kids stuck together and are focused and working their asses off to get better. Great group and are all about the "team" concept. They beleive in us and our concepts.
At my prior school similar things (Started 15 sophomores my first two years) weeeded out the the fat... Improved disicipline and the teams gpa (The school was a MESS!) Has two rough seasons (2-8 back to back) and from there went to the playoffs two straight years and won the schools first playoff game in 10 years.
This is my M.O. I like to build things from the ground up... I like to rebuild and take bad programs and see them grow. I am currently 35 and I see myself being at this current school for many, many years (The school is 3.5 miles from my house and so far is a good fit). things that work for me:
1. I am very direct with players and parents. 2. My expectations are CLEARLY outlined from day one (On the field, off the field classroom....). 3. Players respect me because they know I treat them fairly and I do not promote prima donna types. I will and have in the past sat, benched and thrown off some very talented players for the good of the team.... Once that message is sent it spreads like wildfire. 4. I go above and beyond for my players (tonight I had a two hour power point NCAA Clearinghouse presentation at my school). Well attended and the parents and players appreciate what I do.
Just some things I do that work for my programs. These kids are buying into what we do and I see this program really taking off very, very soon.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 22, 2009 12:07:11 GMT -6
I like his overall philosophy and approach to the team..... You as a player have to "earn" and develop a trust. Players that are seniors and have gone through it for four years "earn" more trust then a new kid or recruit..... According to Urban it is a constant process.
Here is what I adopted for this year:
The week before Thanksgiving I met WITH EVERY player in my program for 15 minutes one on one. We reviewed the season, upcoming season, goals, off-season goals, weight room, class... When the player left that meeting he new exactly what my expectation of him was and what I wanted out of him. I also explained starting 12/1/2008 we start our 3 day lifting program.
Now I had a sign up sheet outside of my door and the players would sign up for slots over a 5 day period from (2:20 PM - 5:30PM). From my current JV/Varsity roster I had 59 players returning. From that 59 only 4 players did not attend the meeting. All four of those players from what I was told quit (I did get confirmation from their parents through email that week).
Now I would allow new players come to the weight room but they had to provide the following:
1. Grade sheet with ALL of their classes (If they had a D they had better be able to explain and justify).
2. Two recommendations from two different teachers, former coaches or administrators. If they provided me with that, then they could lift with us. If not, they could not enter the weight room.
Well as you could imagine the first week I had about 10 kids (New kids) come to me about playing. As soon as brought up those terms they left never to return (No surprise).
In my eyes these NEW people have to "Earn" my trust and earn their spot in "OUR CIRCLE"... This is special and it is NOT for everyone. Once in the circle the new players through continued hard work and commitment will gradually earn my trust and the trust of his teammates over the winter, spring and summer months...
Well we currently have 2 players who have not come to a workout since December 10th.... That is fine and that is their decision. But what our Team Council has decided (Leaders on the team I pick and counsel with) is that we will discard any players card who goes more then a month without working out.
As you can guess these players have avoided me, not come to me and have NO explanation (If there were family issues or medical issues I would be more then willing to help). If and when these players return they have basically been "voted" off the island and will start over.
They will bring grade sheets to me (NO F's or D') and must have two other recommendations. From there they will have to work their way up the ladder. One of the kids was the starting CB and right now he is 4th or 5th on the depth chart.... They will have to EARN The trust of the team and coaches. My players have really bought into this philosophy and really believe in us as coaches.
Going back to Urban - Same premise... Everything is earned and it also can be taken away. This is a privilege. If players do not want to follow what we do they can move on (They all know that we are a team and one player is NOT above the team... Nobody).
What I love so far is that my rising seniors and returning starters are my hardest workers. They lead by example. I have two players on our roster next year that are three year starters (The only 2) and they have logged in 22 workouts since December 1st. They have not missed one yet.
Please understand my players that play b-ball, track and wrestle still get their workouts in (maybe twice a week) but they still get an opportunity to get their core lifts.
I know this approach may not work for everyone but as I said in the past I want kids who "LOVE" football and I do not want "FAT" and baggage. If they LOVE football then the little requirements we as will not be a problem.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 22, 2009 11:02:19 GMT -6
Do your other coaches work with you? For example: If b-ball practices late the f-ball players lift with us.... If they practice early the coach takes them in 2- 3 days a week after practice (Our RB has gone from 165 - 173 and he is the PG on b-ball. HIs arms are getting bigger too).
Wrestling - They start at 3:15 so they lift with us for 45 minutes (usually just core lifts - cleans/jerks/squats/bench). Our coach will reduce their %.
Track - After practice. Couple of throwers out there. Many of my skill players run spring track in March.
Our kids are responding well. Not one kid missing that should be there. We give them a blue card and they fill it out everyday (Date and weight). I check it everyday.
I am adopting some similar policies that Uraban Meyers uses for kids not lifting or "hiding on the halls"... I have a about 3 doing that. Rest are on board.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 22, 2009 8:56:56 GMT -6
My strength coach is CSCS certified and worked with the Washington Redskins and Reds (Baseball). He is on a first name basis with Boyd Epley. He also stays in contact with the his former coaches as well (He goes to the conventions, clinics, chat rooms).
Our overall philosophy is to develop a good football player. We LOVE explosive lifts (Yesterday we did cleans, jerks and snatches) and my coach is a stickler on form (Hips, hips, hips).
We do a hypertrophy phase (started 3 days a week since 12/1/2008) and that will last another month. From there we go to four days until August (Strength and power phases). He maps out the volume for each phase and breaks the daily workouts down as such (He is big on the overall volume part - big picture).
Our kids lift in season (two days with a quick lift game day.. Really good just quick pops to get the juices flowing.. Low weight. More team building). Most of our kids when they came back in 12/1 (After about three weeks off) kept most of their % (Some young kids got stronger in-season). We do not believe and stopping in-season and starting back up in January from square one. We keep it going 12 months (Different levels and intensities).
I have been lucky at my prior school my strength guy was CSCS certififed and he worked with the phillies. Both have been huge assets for me.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 22, 2009 7:58:06 GMT -6
I know we all have different size schools and the such but are you pleased with what you are seeing so far from your kids? I truly beleive unless you have a TON of talend (Which most of us do not have) championships are won in the off-season.
Are your numbers where you think they should be? I am going into my 2nd year at my 2nd program and they are really responding well to our expectations.
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