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Losing
Jan 21, 2009 9:32:51 GMT -6
Post by bigm0073 on Jan 21, 2009 9:32:51 GMT -6
I am sorry there is no way you can equate pro football to a 9-5 job. All of the mental and emotional peperation and the highs and lows of the game. It is literally a roller coster ride.
I am sorry but it is way more intense and involved losing a playoff game one step away from the Super Bowl as opposed to punching the time card and leaving work.
Say what you want about that Bullock guy (The LB from the Titans after their loss to the Ravens) but I rather see that type of frustration and reaction as opposed to the "Ho hum game is over and it is time to see my family".
I know it is only a game and once it is over you just walk away but for me personally I can NOT just shut off my emotions like a water spout. It sticks with me for some time. That is just me.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 21, 2009 8:13:50 GMT -6
This is why when you interview you should outline it in detail.
If the administration starts hemming and hawing about it then you know it is NOT the right situation for you.
I know some coaches who think this will scare away people from hiring you. But you have to think are they schools you want to coach at if they can NOT support you?
4 Interviews I had for head coaching - 2 I got 2 I came in second.
If a principal had a problem with what I was doing I would not follow up with them.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 21, 2009 7:08:43 GMT -6
There you go. Strong Admin is a must!!
My booster club president came to me in the pre-season and asked "What does NIck need to do to start" . I told her that he needs to perform better in practice. She prodded a little and I stopped her in her tracks.
Her son can be a little bit of "Puss" at times. He can get lazy and slacks off. He gets complacement. After the 3rd game he did win the job. But by week 6 he missed some practice (SIck)... JV back up came in and kicked ass. He ended up taking his spot.
Nick responded really well picked up his intensity and ended being our best OL the last two games of the season.
Keep them parents at arms length and never give in to the booster parents.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 20, 2009 20:22:19 GMT -6
Good job coach.
Cut all of the fat and garbage.... To hell with that QB and the parents. You do not need that nonsense. Keep pushing along. You are laying the foundation and in a year or two the all of the crap will be gone. They have to know WHO THE ALPA MALE IS! Keep it going and continue to root out any other annoying parent who does not know their role. You are doing the right thing. Once they know you will not bow down to pressure and the administration supports you they will eventually do one of two things: 1. Hop to or....
GO away!!
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 20, 2009 14:41:26 GMT -6
Well it does start with the administration. If the parents have the ear of the administration it all is for not.... I have been at two schools: Both schools strong AD and Administration... I guess I need it though. Both schools had troubles and they needed to be addressed (One was discipline and academic achievement and my new school had cohesion issues with parents, players, coaches... 5 coaches in four years - you do the math).
In my interviews I outline what I am going to do: 1. Do not discuss playing time or position with parents. 2. Players must air all concerns with coaches. 3. Parents have to know the chain of command - If they go over the top I do not address. 4. 48 hour rule - Will not talk to a parent right after a game (Tensions are high and it is usually not good). Wait 48 hours. 5. I demand grade sheets / study hall and I have high behavioral expectations. Players know they may sit a game or more if they violate team rules.
Now why do the parents accept it - Because they know if they EVER really need anything I will always be there for their son. I hold a college recruiting night focusing the NCAA CLearinghouse (Power Point), I am in constant contact with parents via email or cell phone about colleges and recruiting. The parents know I have their childrens best at heart - kind of a social contract. I have taken hundreds of calls over the years about college, recruiting, school or just concerns parents may have. They know they can come to me when it is important.
When it comes to BS playing time, position and other horse {censored} I will not even dignify it. The key is that if the administration does not support it does not work.
WHen I interview I am very up front and they know what they are getting so I guess they are ready for it. Believe me I have a TON of know it all parents at my school. They need to keep their distance and not try and disrupt our team about petty crap!!
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Losing
Jan 20, 2009 10:16:48 GMT -6
Post by bigm0073 on Jan 20, 2009 10:16:48 GMT -6
I am from the philly area (Grew up there) and I have to admit that does bother me....
After such an intense emotional game I do not see how you can just go out there like it is shits and giggles and cut up.... I know I can not. MAybe it is me but when you get into those situations and you have a chance to go on and make history it takes me a while to get over that...
The first year I made the playoffs a few years back it took may until May before I could even watch the tape.... When I tell you I would put the tape in and just before I push play I would get sick and want to vomit. Just could not watch it. WHo knows maybe I got issues but loses like that historically take me a while to overcome. If I was a game away from the Super Bowl there is no way I would be yucking it up... No way!!
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 20, 2009 10:11:21 GMT -6
DC Ohio,
I think you and I are very similar. I am also a very up front and straight shooter. I think kids respect that today and if anything they always know where they stand.
I like using the off-season to challenge my players mentally. Really see what players are really up for the challenges of winning championships and going to the playoffs. I personally want quality not quanity. Before I was at this school (1700 students) I was at a school with over 2600 students. I use to do the same thing - really push and pry kids. See if they really were about.
I remember in 2005 I had two kids show - one was a great athlete. THey just showed up without working out. So since they did not get their 40 workouts in over the summer they would do double the conditioning.
I remember by the fourth day I told the team (Their names were Mark and Ivan) that if these two players make it through two-a-days I would buy the team pizza. Well they made just in spite of me (Mark told me later HE WAS NOT GOING TO BREAK). Over the next two years Mark had his ups and downs (He was kind of a mess at times but MAN he played hard and was tough as nails) on the last game of the season a playoff game Mark was in the locker room just balling his eyes out. I mean you could see it was sincere and it killed him it was over. He was the last person out. He went on to wrestle and was all region and was a regional qualifier in track. Up until that point NOBODY wanted him.. He was lazy and just a mess. He graduated and plays at a JUCO now. I have to amdmit deep down inside I have a lot of respect for that kid. He has some BALLS and really stepped up. I guess if I would have coddled him and kissed his butt I would not have gotted the same result. He came back to tell me if it was not for me he would not have graduated. That is pretty cool stuff.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 20, 2009 9:59:51 GMT -6
If you guys are in the PA/NJ/VA/MD/DE area you might want to look into First Team Sports.
They are two guys that broke off of varsity gold a few years back. They are awesome (My guy is Cesar... I have used him since 2005). We have done discount cards, letter writing campaingns, papa john discount cards...
Last year alone between my letter writing campaign ($5,600.00) and discount card sales ($13,500.00) we made close to $20,0000.00 off of them (This is what I walked with).
You can go to their web site. Always treat me well and makes my life EASY!!
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 19, 2009 14:01:06 GMT -6
I am not really a huge fan of doing this. I really look for players who REALLY want to be out there. The last thing I want to do is recruit, ask, beg... for kids to come out. My experience is for whatever reason they do not work (Have jobs, not tough enough, too much to learn to quickly, mentally weak). At my old school I would make ride their butts in the off-season (Workouts that were optional but mandatory) and I found the kids who kind of half ass the workouts and were NOT really into it usually quit.
I want kids who have been playing football for a while and who LOVE it. I want kids who can not envision life without football. I want kids that are 5'9" 180 lbs who probably do not have the physical skills to play at the college level but are commited to the program and to the game. They will DO anything for the team. In my opinion these are the kids you win with. They love football. They are in the weight room everyday and do whatever you ask.
When a kid comes to me about playing the first thing I ask him is why did he not play last year: Some acceptable excuses: 1. I transferred in September and was told it was too late. 2. 9th grader who was on vacation and thought if he came out after mid august he would be cut. 3. Young kid who transfers in in Janaury (Just met one on Friday).
Here is what I DO NOT WANT TO HERE: 1. I work at BK and I could not get off work. 2. I don't know. I think I just want to try it this year (Usually a juniOR) 3. I can not come to weight training becuase I work..... Whatever
If a kid really wants to play I will give him a grade sheet for him to fill out and also I ask for two teachers to write a letter of reference (Most often this scared away all of the knuckleheads and idiots who will not help you as well).
I know many probably will not agree with this policy but I unless the kid is a 9th grade student - I really try and avoid sophmores and juniors at all cost who come to me for the first time.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 18, 2009 11:09:40 GMT -6
Our philosophy is three pronged:
1. Development of our players socially. We as coaches are role models and we want to develop positive young man off of ideals of trust,honesty,character, leadership and work ethic.
2. Students - We want our players to be the best students possible. We develop stuents who excel in the classroom.
3. Athlete - We as coaches want to put our players in the best possible situation to succeed on the field. We want them to maximize their ability through a strenous off-season.
We believe if you start with this as your foundation you are going to be very successful. This has been very beneficial to me over the year.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 12, 2009 20:10:13 GMT -6
Coach at my school the LAX team basically works out and has open field (All it is is LAX practice in Janauary) during two of the days we work out. It usually goes from 2:45 - 4:430 range. We workout from 2:30 - around 4:00. I have the kids come in and get their core lifts in. They are usually there until 3:15 / 3:30. After that they go to LAX. I think this is a fair compromise and It seems to work. He gets the best of both worlds.
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Post by bigm0073 on Jan 3, 2009 20:10:51 GMT -6
I can just go off of my experience in college. I played on the offensive line in college and I have always coached that group as well.
When I played in college we playe in a no-huddle offense. We ran the ball very well in college and as an OL we took pride in it. As an OL when you are running the ball you get the feel that you are the predator, kind of like a lion hunting in the jungle. You look at anyone on the defense as prey and you just want to beat them down. On the defensive side it is two fold: 1. It hurts when you have a physial OL/TE/FB punching you in the mouth on EVERY play. Physically it HURTS!! 2. Mentally - It wears on you. Eventually it brings you to your knees and you feel like quiting. Like other posters have said the DL has to not only get off their blocks but they have to chase and make tackles. OL just gets off the ball and blocks.
Also when you run the ball well the OL gets into a "Groove". YOu can look at the defense doubled over with hands on their knees or maybe taking a knee.... You can just see it in their eyes, almost like just kill me and put me away. I equate this groove like when a QB gets in a "Zone" or when in a basketball game a shooter gets into a "zone". You just feed off of that and go.
As an old oline coach I LOVE running the football. Probably the reason why my favorite play in ALL of football is running the "Power O" off tackle.
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Post by bigm0073 on Dec 18, 2008 12:56:23 GMT -6
Agree with above. Coaching the the fundamentals and having discipline will make you a good program.
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Post by bigm0073 on Dec 18, 2008 11:59:26 GMT -6
We make workouts "mandatory"... I discuss this with every member on our team at our end of year meeting (This is done the week before thanksgiving). When we return they know the schedule and are ready to go.
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Post by bigm0073 on Dec 18, 2008 11:09:06 GMT -6
Great points about not chasing kids to come to the weight room and not having kids who are a problem off the field. At the high school level I truly believe you can have success with kids who are good people, good students and work hard. If they have a passion to play and have the above characteristics I believe you can success year in and year out. Plus coaching kids like that make it A LOT more fun.
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Post by bigm0073 on Dec 18, 2008 10:06:01 GMT -6
I would imagine all of those schools have some of these characteristics: 1. Discipline 2. Fundamentals 3. Few mistakes (Mental, penalties and missed assignments) 4. They probably run offenses and defenses that are NOT too complicated but they run them very well. 5. Organization 6. Tough gritty kids (Makes up for lack of size and speed)
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Post by bigm0073 on Dec 18, 2008 9:48:16 GMT -6
Rule of thumb when dealing with students and players is to try and stay away from sarcasm. It can be perceived in a wrong manner and it usually will blow up in your face.
Like the other coaches said: Squash that stuff early and always be "above it".
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Post by bigm0073 on Dec 18, 2008 7:18:49 GMT -6
Separate yourself from the situation. It should have NOT even gotten to that point. Remember you are the adult. He should never be saying anything about you in public the undermines you (Weight or anything else).
You stop if from the begining. Do not even get into that nonsense with him.
The players need to respect you and know you care about them.
Now about the film:
If it was making a coaching point then no you were not wrong.... If it was to humiliate the kid then yes you were wrong. If you even have to ask the question then I think you know what the answer is......
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Post by bigm0073 on Dec 10, 2008 7:41:23 GMT -6
Coaches,
I know this has been discussed in the past but we are going to play our players both ways next year. Any ideas or suggestions with practice? What do you cut out? How many days of inside drill, perimeter, 7 on 7.... Any examples of schedules would be great. Also we play Friday nights and bring the players in on Saturday to review tape.
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Post by bigm0073 on Dec 3, 2008 19:56:47 GMT -6
Petrino can not go... Clause says he CAN NOT go to an SEC school from Arkansas.
Getting rid of Tubberville is amazing. His record is very imressive (ANd also an undefeated season!!). I hope it blows up in their face.
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Post by bigm0073 on Dec 2, 2008 11:12:43 GMT -6
Sounds like you have already "checked out". If I were you I would resign and move on to another job. Sounds like it is just not working.
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Post by bigm0073 on Dec 2, 2008 7:34:13 GMT -6
One thing too....
Have they bought into your program? Do they believe in you and what you are doing? It is kind of deep but you have to ask yourself that question.
I truly believe if they believe in you and your system there will be less battles to fight. Sure you will have some along the way but most will be there because they want to win and believe this is the best course.
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Post by bigm0073 on Dec 1, 2008 20:23:21 GMT -6
Stick by your GUNS!! If you say it, follow through with it!! With all of these excuses you have I would do the following: 1. Lay it down it see what happens.
You might have to consider if this is the right situation for you... I was at a school like yours and made workouts MANDATORY!! I basically have the power cut players. I tell players if you do NOT hit your workouts I will NOT let you come to any spring camps (Line and passing) or 7 on 7 or our team camp in July... Once the season starts I tell them I WILL CUT YOU after the 3rd day of practice. If the kids buy into what you do they WILL be there. At my prior program I made these workouts mandatory and it turned us around in two years (Started 16 sophomores my first two years).
My new school we went 1-9 this past year (Started 17 sophomores and freshmen). Met with EACH kid individually before Thanksgiving and today was our first day. Over 65 kids showed up after school (We had 5 kids on a field trip who came back after 4:00 PM and they ran in to get their core lifts in!) They know the line
Stick to your guns!! It will pay off!! Remember you only need 11 to play!!
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Post by bigm0073 on Dec 1, 2008 7:33:06 GMT -6
Coaches,
I am sure most of you do this but I just did it this year. Our season ended on November 7th (My first year at the school). I gave the players a week off just to recover and kind of get away. The following week on my door at school I had a schedule for ALL player to meet with me for 10 minutes. It started at 2:30 PM and went to 5:00 PM all that week (If any kid had a conflict I would make a time to see them as well).
Out of all of this kids in my program I met with 95% of them. The meetings focused on the following: 1. Past seasons performance 2. Off-Season expectations (I would pull out their lifting totals / max lifts from August). 3. 2009 Expectations (Position/depth chart/level....).
The kids walked away knowing what my expectations were. We start our lifting program today the Monday after T-Giving. I just feel like the kids are really on board with what we want from them and what we expect.
At my prior school I did this in an informal way, this was much more formal and only open to kids that were on the 2008 roster.
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Post by bigm0073 on Nov 21, 2008 9:49:33 GMT -6
I did not DVR the game but I was pausing it and watching it pretty closely....
They ran very little if ANY midline in the first half. The second half the midline absolutely KILLED Miami. That is so tough to defend.
It was amazing to watch Miami's coaches on the sidelines... They looked lost and confused. Absolutely amazing to watch!
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Post by bigm0073 on Nov 20, 2008 12:21:27 GMT -6
I should have added for players/playing time....
1. First go to your position coach and discuss why and what you need to do to play more.
2. From there go to the Coordinator(Offense/Defense).
3. After that it comes to me. I will no doubt support the prior coaches because if I WANTED him to play his a$$ would have been on the field.
Helps deflect frivolous nonsense from a kid who is a back up. It also allows for the position coach to explain in detail what the players deficiencies are and what NEEDS to improve in order to play. Sometimes when it is a thing like lack of strength or speed it could mean being in the weight room for another year.
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Post by bigm0073 on Nov 20, 2008 11:31:21 GMT -6
It is like a child... Somtimes they need their hand smacked and put in the corner for a little bit . Usually after that they get the message!
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Post by bigm0073 on Nov 20, 2008 7:25:45 GMT -6
Here are my policies. I have been in from both ends. Head coach at a school with NO parental support and I did it all. EVERYTHING!! Banquets, pregame meals, awards.....
Now I am at a school with a TD Booster Club and they are REALLY supportive!! Money, dinners, camps, clinics, uniforms they really support us. They do it all!!
Now from day one - Make is short and sweet (This should have been outlined from day 1 with your administrative staff).
1. I will not discuss playing time about a player with a parent while in-season. I will not entertain the question. That includes how much time he plays, what position, how we can use him better....
2. Parents may not contact a coach about anything until 48 hours after a game. Any concerns or problems they must wait until Monday to address with me.
3. Any concerns must come straight to me. I make the final decisions and parents should not discuss concerns or problems with assistant coaches (Many parents will try the old "Divide and Conquer".
4. Once we are in-season we will not do fundraisers or we will not be obligated to any extra curricular activities.
Now off-season: 1. I hold an NCAA Clearinghouse Seminar / College Recruiting night for our parents. I have a power point presentation and review it with the parents. I go over the core gpa, sliding scale and different levels IA, IAA, II, III Preps and JUCO.....
2. Individual parent meetings in the off-season to discuss college and what their kid needs to do to get into school. On the field and off!
3. Parent Night Seminar - Football Education 101: I have three levels: 1. First Night Basic - Review the very basics of football. Positions, gaps, hole numbers, plays, concepts....
2. 2nd Night - More advance - Our philosophy and why we do what we do. Basics on attacking an offense and defense. Get into more details about fronts, coverages and theories behind them.
3. 3rd Night - Advanced. We get into real chalk talk and how to attack cover I, II, III, IV and Zero. Details about blocking (Zone schemes and gap). Finally defense: Game Planning, breakdown, fronts, coverages...
Once you educate them it helps with their questions. I start the meetings by drawing up a fronts and coverage and ask a parent how they would attack it.... What are it weaknesses and strengths (Cover III - Four verts / Hitch... Cover II = Smash / TE down middle...).
4. Booster Club - I attend all meetings and I go to all fundraisers (We have dinners at outback, cici pizza nights, apple bees breakfast..). They are usually once a month or so.
Bottom line THEY HAVE TO KNOW WHO THE ALPHA MALE IS!! Once they understand where they stand in the food chain all is good.
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Post by bigm0073 on Nov 18, 2008 10:28:54 GMT -6
I agree!
Apathy is one of the worst things you can run across as a coach. It is bad enough if you have it from your players but if it is the coaches it will DESTROY your team.
Communication -
I would meet with each coach one on one. Discuss concerns and or problems. If you feel a coach can not or will not change do, not renew his contract.
Something you might want to make sure: 1. Have your expectations been clearly comminicated to your staff?
2. Do you have off-season and pre-season meetings reviewing your coaching philosophy, mission statement and overall approach?
If you did this already and you see apathy I would get rid of the coaches who are not getting it done.
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Post by bigm0073 on Nov 13, 2008 22:18:34 GMT -6
You need to have a philosophy. What I mean is an overall philosophy and mission statement. You as the leader will push this philosophy first. Most successful programs have a common belief shared by coaches / staff / players. You MUST have loyal coaches who believe in your philosophy and support it.
Administrators - They HAVE to support you. You will make tough decisions (Discipline) you may have to have some down years to recharge the program. They have to support your philosophy (this is presented at the interview).
Booster Club - It makes a WORLD of difference. If you need weight room t-shirts, buses and fees for 7 on 7 and other camps... They should support you whenever possible. You NEVER want money to be the reason why you are not with the "jone's".
Player Evaluations - Identily playmakers and get them the ball on offense. Same on defense. Cater your team towards their strengths. This should be offensively and defensively.
Off-Season Commitment - This goes on ALL year. The great programs have very, very committed Coches and Players in the weight room and running. Players HAVE to get bigger, Stronger and Faster!! Committed players who put the time in the off-season will win you games in the fall. Players who do not, will KILL you in the fall. Put kids out there that LOVE football and will do what it takes.
Talent - Ultimately you need talent. Now the key word is PROGRAM!! You may have a run of talent for 2-3 years that is exceptional but that is not what a program makes. You may win some games with just raw talent but you MUST have the above in my opinion to sustain a strong program. Core values, beliefs and discipline will beat talent in the long run.
Just my 2 cents
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