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Post by cqmiller on May 2, 2011 11:49:38 GMT -6
Unfortunately in Utah there is no spring football. We are now given 5 days of pads after memorial day but before the "official start day" in August.
Not even allowed to run 7on7 practices or any coaching activities other than conditioning and weightroom until memorial day... Plus it snowed here all day Friday and Saturday.
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Risk
Apr 29, 2011 21:07:15 GMT -6
Post by cqmiller on Apr 29, 2011 21:07:15 GMT -6
Before too long we will have to have Varsity Virtual Football Teams. We'll just hook our teams up to electronic monitors and they will have to play with 0 risk of injury.
Anything that requires work, discipline, physical or mental toughness, or any risk of injury will be removed at this rate. I played QB in HS and College and I think that we are almost at the point where they should have skirts for the QB's who get drafted to hold up. So many rules trying to eliminate the injuries in football, which makes players play more hesitant which weill lead to more injuries due to being out of position. Every single one of my serious injuries on my teams since I've been coaching has been a player who was playing scared or hesitant and got injured because of it or from a kid doing something he was specifically coached not to do. DB's who attack and play physical but keep head up and drive after contact dont' get hurt while my LB's who refuse to keep their heads up will get injured even if the contact is not as physical.
Sorry for the rant, but I am growing frustrated with the direction we are going and the fact that it is getting harder and harder to show kids examples of how to be a strong/tough man because they are being allowed to make it through life without it. The fact that I have to deal with all of the excuses from parents for why their son has a bad grade or can't come to weights/conditioning/practice, then they think that they should be in the NFL even though they bench 100 lbs and run a 6.0 40-yd dash. Everyone wants everything handed to them.
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Post by cqmiller on Apr 27, 2011 8:57:49 GMT -6
I'm sorry, but unless you are going to a Private "we guarantee if you graduate from this school you will get to choose from Harvard, Yale, Brown, etc..." School, then there is NO EXCUSE for having an F in high school. If you are in class and even attempt on a regular basis, you can get a C. If you are in PE/Art/Drama/Weights then it is an entirely participitory grade. Should be an A.
By my math, you will have 4-5 academic classes where if you are trying you can get C's and between 3-4 participitory classes where you should get an A. That is a 2.8-3.0 GPA without really doing much except for being in class and attempting.
That is what is so frustrating to me about the educational system these days. Parents want their kids to get easy A's and still get perfect scores on their ACT/SAT. Meanwhile, their kid sleeps 1/2 the time and tries to spit game to the females for the other 1/2. Teachers can only maximize a students ability at a level that the student is willing to put in the work. My coach always used to tell me...
"Just remember that you can't make chicken salad out of chicken $h!t"
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Post by cqmiller on Apr 26, 2011 14:42:57 GMT -6
It is an issue everywhere... kids have too much "entertainment" at the tip of their fingers and they don't want to learn how to do what is "boring" and study to become educated. They think everything is owed to them.
The school I just got hired at had about 15 kids that were lost last year to grades and I came in with about 2 weeks left in the 3rd quarter. We spent 2 weeks getting the weightroom setup and my "better make grades or else speech" about 2-3 times for those first couple of weeks. We did maxes and speed testing the last week of the quarter and I posted a "depth chart" as of NOW outside the weightroom based on those maxes and speed testing. Next to the depth chart was a column called "NOT ON THE LIST", which listed every player with an "F" on their 3rd quarter report card was on that list.
Had about 15 teachers email me and ask what I did to make every football player that was a pain in their butt to come in and behave and ask what they could do to get their grades up. Make it an emphasis and cut a couple kids loose and it may motivate them. Just what I have tried and haven't had to worry about sitting anyone important yet (QB has a 3.95 and best athletes are eligible right now).
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Post by cqmiller on Apr 10, 2011 9:34:52 GMT -6
We have gone to a 5:30 AM - 7:00 AM morning weightlifting session every day in the offseason, and M-W during the season. We have done this for a couple of reasons:
1) I have never had every football player in my "football weightlifting class". There is always about 10-15 who have an AP class that is only offered that period, or some other conflict. 5:30 AM doesn't conflict with anything.
2) The only excuse for not being to a 5:30 AM workout is that you don't want to get out of bed. It eliminates the "doctor's appt, dentist appt, babysitting, basketball practice, baseball practice, track practice, or the 1000 other excuses you get for an afternoon workout.
3) It gives the kids a chance to rest inbetween lifting and practice. If you do one immediately followed by the other, then one of the 2 will suffer. They will lift hard but practice soft, or visa versa. Giving them that 7 hour break inbetween allows them to recover and go again for practice.
4) In our program we have a MANDATORY 45 MINUTE STUDY HALL immediately after school. School ends at 2:25 and we take roll in the study hall at 2:30. Each grade level will be doing a core subject each day and we rotate through as the week progresses. The study hall counts as football practice, so missing it results in sitting out the same amount of game time as if they missed your entire football practice.
5) By doing lifting from 5:30 AM - 7:00 AM all of my off-campus coaches can be there. By doing a 45 minute mandatory study hall, then giving the players time to dress and get to the field, I give my off-campus coaches more time after school to make it in to practice. It is too hard to get those off-campus guys work schedules to let them be at the school by 2:30, so with this setup, they have until about 3:45 if they are going to be in the group meeting at the beginning of practice, or 4:00 if they are not.
I got my 1st HC job in January and we have had 65+ every day for the offseason workouts, with at least 85 being there at least once. The kids love having the afternoons for themselves or for track/basketball practice etc.. I have them for 90 minutes from 5:30 AM to 7:00 AM and I'm done with them. It is only 90 minutes 5 days a week.
During the season, it is a much greater commitment, but there is nothing before or after school that interferes during the season. I believe that it is that off-season lack of commitment that hurts teams in the long run. If I can get them to come to weights & conditioning in the offseason, then I am ahead of the rest of the teams we play who are allowing basketball and baseball players to be excused from lifting because of practices after school.
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Post by cqmiller on Feb 5, 2011 17:49:57 GMT -6
Hey guys,
I'll be heading to the Nike Clinic in Las Vegas on February 18, 19, 20. If anyone is going to be there and wants to meet up, let me know.
Casey Miller
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Post by cqmiller on Jan 21, 2011 16:27:40 GMT -6
Hey guys,
I have an open date on August 19th, 2011 for a game. I need to see if anyone is willing to play me. I know that most people don't start as early as this, but I'm trying to see what my options are. I would prefer a home game because I already have 5 away, but if I have to travel, I can.
PM me for more details.
Casey Miller Head Football Coach Hillcrest High School Midvale, UT
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Post by cqmiller on Jan 9, 2011 15:47:22 GMT -6
You can check with Clovis East in the Fresno area... they have one around then each year.
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Post by cqmiller on Jan 6, 2011 8:10:00 GMT -6
I have been more than happy to share all my stuff with coaches on this site and have only had one or two instances where I have seen other coaches posting "their stuff" which looks frighteningly similar to mine. With all of the time and effort I have put into all of it, I have started to use the "security code to edit" function in microsoft office on all of my materials just because I don't want others to be using all of my hard work and claiming it as their own.
Many of you who I have a trading relationship with or have dealt with in the past with no problems, I always disable the lock before I send it out.
I have thought about possibly finding a way to start selling some of my materials that I have created, but have not been able to find a reasonable way to do it and don't have the time to do all the research and tracking. With the economy now, any extra income would be great, but I love sharing ideas with other coaches and don't want to limit that
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Post by cqmiller on Nov 5, 2010 13:27:43 GMT -6
We tell our kids simply that if we win the toss, we will defer. If we lose the toss, we really don't care what goal we are going to defend. As far as choosing a goal to defend, what do you guys base that on? #1 = Wind .....If the wind is going to be a factor, I want it in the 2nd and 4th quarter. IF we are behind I don't want to have to fight the wind and the opponent. If we are winning, make them have to do both. #2 = Scoreboard .....If wind is not a factor, I want my team to have the game and playclock in front of them for any 2 minute situations. Cuts down on procedures, delays, and clock "mess" ups by the kids if they can see it. #3 = Based on Stadium .....If wind is non-factor, and scoreboard/playclock on both sides, then I want to be going toward the loudest part of the stadium in the final minute. By the time you get down to where their fans are on top of you, they are nervous and worried, so they are going to be quieter than if you have to try and start your drive in the middle of the chaos.
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Post by cqmiller on Nov 5, 2010 13:21:25 GMT -6
I have been accused by the people in our community of bringing a passing game into our flexbone veer option offense. I laugh at it. We threw 18 "passes" one game, where 8 were bubbles off of veer (just a long pitch), and 4 were quick screens to our WR's (0 yard pass). We only threw it beyond the LOS 6 times the whole game, but everyone is "excited" about our new passing game.
It is ridiculous that people who don't know anything can have such an impact on a coaches' job. One of the reasons why I am glad I am a coordinator and not a HC. I'll throw the bubble if the opponent is putting 9 in the box against all my #2's. Why should I let them tee-off on my kids?
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Post by cqmiller on Oct 31, 2010 10:35:42 GMT -6
kids who play NCAA and Madden think that if you kick, you receive automatically because that is the way it works on the game. We make sure we coach up all the kids on the 4 choices and what they mean in a game.
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Post by cqmiller on Oct 12, 2010 15:52:18 GMT -6
My daily schedule goes like this:
M-R (13.5 Hours x 4 Days = 54.0 Hours) 5:30 AM - 7:30 AM = Weightroom 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM = Tutoring and/or Classroom Work 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM = School Day 3:30 PM - 7:00 PM = Practice (meetings all the way thru conditioning)
Fridays (17.5 - 18.0 Hours) 5:30 AM - 7:30 AM = Coaches' Breakfast and Pre-Game Meeting 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM = Print & Organize Callsheets, Special Teams Sheets, etc... 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM = School Day 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM = All gameday things (stat sheets printed, cameras packed, etc) 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM = Varsity Dinner 5:15 PM - ???? PM = Coach JV Game ???? PM - 11ish PM = Coach Varsity Game
Saturday (About 10 Hours of Work, but it takes longer due to NCAA games) 8:00 AM - NOON = Film Breakdown and Preliminary Scout NOON - ???? PM = I watch college football and scout during commercials/halftime/inbetween games
Sunday (5-10 Hours) Gameplans (O, D, ST) Practice Schedules for week Drills, Down & Distance, etc...
By my calculations, that is about 85-95 Hours a week of work. Granted it is not all football, but the amount of work for all of it is about 85-95 hours. Thank god my wife and the HC are the ones who stay up until 2 AM game nights and ODK, D&D, and Chart all the film and data or that number would be higher. I get to spend 2 hours a weekday with my daughter on M-R (7:00 pm - 9:00 pm), and she gets to help daddy with scouting and gameplanning on Sat-Sun, so that makes it take longer than it should as well.
The # of hours working doesn't seem that high, unless you are doing that on top of another job... then I would say CRAZY!
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Post by cqmiller on Oct 11, 2010 11:27:43 GMT -6
As I start looking for head coaching jobs, I am asking myself this same question...
Do I bring in somebody who runs what I run, so I can teach them the stuff I want emphasized, or do I bring in someone and let them do what they do, but make sure that we are sound vs. run and pass?
I am hoping that I have the control to not micro-manage my coordinator (no matter which one I choose to do), yet still have the physical play and fundamentally sound scheme (no matter which one it is) that I want.
Too often, we get caught up in the "system" we want, rather than the "style" we want. I don't care if it is a 4-3, 3-4, 4-4, 4-2-5, or whatever... They better have each gap covered and be sound vs. the pass, they all work. Same on offense. Don't care if it is zone, veer, midline, flexbone, power-I, SBV, or any other style of offense, as long as a physical running game is the #1 priority.
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Post by cqmiller on Oct 4, 2010 14:56:57 GMT -6
I'm putting together my portfolio to start applying for HC jobs and for GA jobs at the college level in the next year or so. I have that you can take a look at if you are interested.
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Post by cqmiller on Oct 4, 2010 14:55:02 GMT -6
Hey Brad... That is the way it is getting everywhere. Admin are so focused on hiring people who just "follow blindly" that coaches are getting replaced by bad teachers. My school only has 2 coaches on staff, while our cross-town rival who is ranked every year in the section has 11. Any wonder why those kids seem to be in the weightroom more often or have a harder time sliding by? They can't with that many eyes on them.
Having a good program begins with the administration, not the HC. You gotta have both to have long term success.
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Post by cqmiller on Oct 3, 2010 20:09:41 GMT -6
Sit down with the kids and the parents and ask what their concerns are about moving up to varsity. We had this issue at the beginning of the year with us bringing up a sophomore to start varsity and so far this season, he has been our MVP.
Make sure that they understand that your job is to put the best team on the field as possible, as long as it doesn't put a kid at serious risk of injury. Unless the kids are so small and frail that they are a health concern, then you may have to let them know that you may have to move someone else to their kids' position and if the kid does well, their kid might be on JV again next year even though they think he is "ready".
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Post by cqmiller on Sept 29, 2010 13:14:59 GMT -6
I'll be heading up to the bay area again to go to the Utah State @ San Jose State game in a month or so... Delivering recruiting packets and talking to a few buddies that are playing on Utah State's team. Anybody that wants to get together then, let me know.
Going down to the Utah @ San Diego State game that month as well. Any SoCal coaches that want to do lunch or drinks let me know.
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Post by cqmiller on Sept 29, 2010 12:13:51 GMT -6
I have a weird deal coming down the pike. I am really feeling like school administration is not helping our program. Since the early 80's we have won 80% of our games (I came aboard in 1999). I am one of only two on campus coaches (the HC is the other) in the whole program. There are many factors involved here. I honestly might get out real soon...but have a dilemma. I have two young boys of my own. They are 10 and 8. If they end up playing football I want them to experience it the way it's been around here. Problem is....I see the program potentially declining because of the lack of administrative support in hiring teachers that coach football. We have good off campus guys....but that well is getting dry. I have a couple ideas on the possibilities....but I'm discouraged by the schools lack of caring about one of the few extracurriculars on campus that wins. That's too bad to hear coach... I know you guys got hosed last year on not making a bowl game, and you guys are sending kids D1 constantly. We are in the same boat, except without any winning tradition and without D1 players. Down to 2 coaches on staff, and they keep making life miserable for both of us. Just keep plugging away and I'm sure an opportunity will present itself.
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Post by cqmiller on Sept 29, 2010 12:05:29 GMT -6
Central California does it! It is stupid. There is a league here where there are 9 teams and they range from D5 (2nd smallest in the state) to D1 (biggest). It is a joke.
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Post by cqmiller on Sept 28, 2010 16:14:26 GMT -6
Just remember that it isn't the X's and O's, it's the Jimmies and Joes. Every offense and every defense has won championships. No offense is designed to lose. No defense is designed to give up points. Try to find a way to make the Jimmies and Joes better at executing and it will work. Keep plugging away.
As long as you still have a desire to help kids, don't give up coaching. Don't let the other coaches around you deter that want to help kids. Eventually the ones who aren't there for that reason will be gone anyway. The kids always remember the ones who love them and care for them, not the one that was in charge.
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Post by cqmiller on Sept 15, 2010 13:14:51 GMT -6
I had a kid who quit because he was "playing too much"
I was speechless.
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Post by cqmiller on Sept 15, 2010 12:57:58 GMT -6
They have 2 choices... raise the $200 or pay the $200.
Motivators are: 10 cards = you get one free 20 cards = you get your practice jersey (name included) 50 cards = keep your game jersey that year (away/home based on which ones we are buying new for the next season) 100 cards = keep both game jerseys 150 + = keep your helmet
Group Motivators Put one kid from each position group into an evenly sized group (3 or 4) 1) Group that sells the most gets a dinner at a nice restauraunt (chili's, applebees, etc...) 2) Group that sells the 2nd most gets a dinner at a fast food restaurant (McDonalds, Carl's Jr., etc...) 3) Any group that sells more than 300 gets ____________. Think of something really cool that is school-related (trophy, plaque, they run conditioning for the rest of the players 1 day, etc...)
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Post by cqmiller on Sept 8, 2010 14:29:06 GMT -6
I'm in California right now. I'm being told that the "JV" kids can play in the JV game on Friday and if they have to, the Varsity game on the same night. So two games in one night. Later, when league starts, the JV games are going to be played on Thursdays. On Friday, they'll suit up as well with the possibility of playing. Two games in one week. How's that sound to you guys? Unless southern section has COMPLETELY DIFFERENT RULES, then you guys are in trouble if one of those kids gets hurt. We cannot play a kid in 2 games the same week. ESPECIALLY THE SAME DAY.
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Post by cqmiller on Sept 8, 2010 11:46:21 GMT -6
I have coached in a couple of different states with a couple of different rules, but here is what I have seen and used:
In Utah, you have Soph & JV games that are played on thursday afternoon. All sophomores that don't start varsity play in the sophomore game at 3:30 thursday. All juniors and seniors who don't start varsity play in the JV game at 3:30 thursday. Your best sophomores dress friday for the varsity game and the entire JV team dresses for varsity since they are the #2's on varsity anyway. Under that system, the JV team never had seperate time from varsity. They were the scout defense on offensive days (with about 1/3 of the reps varsity starters get) and the scout offense on defensive days (with about 1/3 of the reps varsity starters get). They are getting prepared for the varsity game, so anything they see at the JV level shouldn't hurt them any. Sophomore players usually just dress and play varsity in a blowout, so it is all basic runs and basic passes for them. They practice seperate from the varsity, but still run the same system, just a streamlined one.
Then I moved to CA... Where you can only dress for one game a week, and the JV plays the same night as varsity. I know of a lot of programs that have a completely seperate JV program from the varsity program. Their JV runs different plays, different coaches, and everything just about different. We used the same setup as we did in Utah, with the exception of kids being able to play both games. We had the JV and Varsity practice together, with the varsity kids getting more reps than the JV in practice, but the varsity coaches and JV coaches were the same people. The JV kids were getting prepared as if they are going to play a varsity game... If the kids are competing against varsity kids in practice each and every day, they are going to get much better than going against a seperated scout JV team. 20 reps vs. a varsity scout is way better than 60 reps vs. a jv scout where the DT's are your 5th string corners at 105 lbs. I am a firm believer in quality of reps over quantity of reps.
Am I saying that this is the only way to go... no. But my philosophy is that JV should almost be a "negative thing". To me, JV just means that I'm not good enough to be on varsity. Nobody puts the JV games in the paper, or has an all-JV team. I use JV as preparation for varsity. Practice with the varsity, learn with the varsity, play agianst a JV team.
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Post by cqmiller on Sept 1, 2010 15:57:49 GMT -6
In high school, my OC and I used to take the 2 game balls out 1 hour before everyone else had to be dressed and in the pre-game meetings and throw 1-hoppers to each other while we went through our entire gameplan for the game. After the 1st one feels sticky (about 30-40 throws) you switch. Works just fine.
If it's going to be a wet game, just use a practice-ball. Gonna get messed up beyond recognition anyway, so no need to get a new one out and ruin it in one use.
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Post by cqmiller on Jul 20, 2010 18:32:53 GMT -6
As a Coordinator, I spend about 50% on each. Friday night to Saturday night, it is all about watching us and seeing what we need to improve upon from the previous week. Sunday is the day I spend watching the opponents. Looking for D&D tendencies, players to attack, players to watch out for, etc...
For the players, I would say that it should be about 90% us, 10% them. The 10% of watching them is so that the players can see the team they are facing, understand what they are trying to do, who they are trying to get the ball to, etc... Just a general idea. 90% should be on improving their stance, start, steps, technique, assignments, etc... Improving yourself is all that you can control as a player. As a coordinator, I need to try and find a way to put my players in advantageous situations, so I watch them more than the other coaches should.
Position coaches should be about 75% us, 25% them IMO. Figure out what you need to correct with your position group, and see if there is a particular technique an opponent uses that you should address during the week. I believe that the OC & DC should focus on the opponent more than anyone else, but it should still only be about 50% at the most.
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Post by cqmiller on Jul 19, 2010 11:25:53 GMT -6
Hey guys... My wife will be running a 20K in Oakland this saturday. I'll be in the bay area Thursday night through Saturday afternoon. If anybody wants to meet for lunch or get together, let me know.
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Post by cqmiller on Jul 13, 2010 7:19:46 GMT -6
We start when the rosters come... Usually takes about a week or so. Gives us time to play some games and get used to it. I'll be out of town Wed & Thu this week, so don't worry about it.
Everyone who is in, send me a message on the PS3 and we can start making contact there.
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Post by cqmiller on Jul 9, 2010 7:15:14 GMT -6
After correcting the same mistake over and over again...
"Son, you are a load your mama shoulda swallowed!"
By far the funniest thing I've ever heard come out of a coaches mouth at practice.
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