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Post by olcoach53 on Mar 26, 2015 6:07:09 GMT -6
The follow up: The 5'8" kid is a great kid, played in spots. He knew he definitely wasn't better than the 6'2" kid. He played mainly special teams. olcoach53 - the greatest part of that whole story is the reaction of his parents when I didn't start him. I didn't hear a single word from them. Not a peep, they treated me the same as they always had. At the end of the season I pulled them aside and thanked them for allowing me to "drive" their son in game 1. They just laughed and said "his playing time is between you and him, we are supportive no matter what." I have to say one of the greatest thing about coaching at the private school was those parents expected you to drive and be hard on their kids. I'm sure the HC had to deal with some stuff from some parents, IDK, but if he did it was minimal, nothing like we've dealt with at some public schools. On the Alabama kid - the night I benched him, a little scene took place on the bench to the point where I said "you know what, you're done, go play offense." His mom and grandpa were sitting in the first row right above us and after my conversation with the kid they were clapping. The next series the kid goes back out, but I had replaced him. He comes jogging off, comes over and says "when do I go back in?" I said "for me? Never. Go play running back." he wandered away and came back a few minutes later and says "alright. my bad. you're right. I was bullchittin." So I put him back in. Later, on a plane ride back from a visit he says "you know, you're the first coach to ever bench me." I said "well chit, you're a great player but you ain't necessary if you're just doing whatever you want." His first year at Alabama he screwed up a kickoff coverage and the camera is on him as Saban is ripping him on the sideline and he got replaced on kickoff. The next day I called him and asked him if everything was alright. He said "yea, it's cool. He ain't the first MFer to bench me." HAHAHAHA. I feel like with that kid, that was my biggest contribution to his development. I mean he grew to be 6'2" 235 lbs, could run, had instincts, etc. That was womb given, I didn't coach that. I tried to teach him to think the game and how to handle adversity. Coach, both of those are awesome examples of parents allowing coaches to coach and not stepping on any toes. I wish there were more parents like that, unfortunately most parents think that their kids are the next Joe Mantegna and expect them to play and play a lot.
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Post by olcoach53 on Mar 26, 2015 5:17:31 GMT -6
19delta that's kind of my point. Of course that kid is going to play, he's got to play and he knows it. But I think you can change his thinking/work ethic without benching him in a game. I mean, we are in March right now, not August. Now is the time to create the "earning" environment. Actually I think this area is one of my biggest strengths as a coach. When our defense got together and did the 2 positive/1 negative team building exercise one of the positive comments they made about me was "you have no favorites, everyone is equal". For me they really are but all of that stems from my relationship with them and the consistency of that. I feel like this can and should be handled in practice or in the weight room, especially during camp. Because there is going to come a time during camp where a top player is not playing or working to the level expected of him and I am going to get on him and he is going to handle it a few different ways but many of those ways may get the entire defense doing up/downs, may even end up getting him sent home from practice. Now I'm not a tyrant, I will follow up and tell him I love him and all that stuff but he needs to understand that I am not really "asking". The bi-product of that is when you as a coach call out the "big dog" the rest of the kids know he's the big dog and if you will send him home, you definitely won't hesitate to send them. Yes I know we need him, yes I know it's important that he be there but honestly I personally would rather lose with a bunch of hard working kids who are giving everything they've got than to win with a bunch lazy athletic guys who can win by playing half@ssed. Last year our starting MIKE backer: 6'2" 225 - Hardest working kid in the weightroom. Team leader. Great kid. But I could not for the life of me get him to come down hill and be aggressive at linebacker. He wanted to stay at LB depth and just run side to side, we talked about it, I b!tched about, we practiced it, but still no change. Well, he had a thigh bruise and didn't play in our last scrimmage and I played another kid at MIKE and I blitzed him almost constantly because he was little (5'8") and just couldn't get off blocks. Going into game 1's practice the backup took all the first reps with the #1 defense and the 6'2" kid subbed in. We get all the way to Thursday and the 6'2" kid comes up to me after practice and says "is Sam starting tomorrow night?" I said "yes." He said "why?" I said "well, he scrimmaged better than you did. In your scrimmage you had a few tackles, you still weren't decisive on your reads, and you weren't aggressive. He was in the last scrimmage." The look on his face was priceless. I don't think he had ever felt that level of anger before. He explodes "that's phukin bullchit, I didn't bust my F'in @$$ for 2 MF'in years to watch my senior year." I replied "then I suggest you start being more aggressive, reading your key and doing what you're supposed to do and trusting your teammates to do their job or that is EXACTLY what is going to happen." He walked away and I chuckled to myself because I knew right then that he was going to have a great year. The other kid started, played 1 series and then I put the 6'2" kid in...guess what...he read his keys, he was fast, decisive, down hill and very aggressive. Played great.Behind the scenes - you don't think every kid on our team knew he didn't start? and if I won't start him...right? Heck, the LB I had a few years ago who just finished up at Alabama...I threw him out of practice at least once a year and I benched him in a game. If he didn't learn how to handle a little adversity from me in high school how in the heck could he have ever played for Saban without going on suicide watch?I think you've got to hold them to it or else you are just hurting that kid in the future. What the heck do you think you're doing making kids accountable! How dare you Coach....HOW DARE YOU! This is total sarcasm in case anybody was wondering.
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Post by olcoach53 on Mar 25, 2015 11:02:18 GMT -6
I would much rather have a 5'10 185 pound grinder playing than a 6'4 235 pounder who looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane. Unfortunately sometimes the only thing that is seen is the size and the eyeball test.
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Post by olcoach53 on Mar 18, 2015 6:09:13 GMT -6
I actually don't mind it. I might be in the minority but I can tolerate it.
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Post by olcoach53 on Mar 4, 2015 19:05:59 GMT -6
I guess I just never saw the issue with a backwards hat. It is a school hat and not flat billed but like somebody else said as long as the boss-man is ok with it then it's good to go.
We had a guy that used to coach in flip flops...I thought THAT was unprofessional but what do I know, I wear a hat backwards...
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Post by olcoach53 on Mar 4, 2015 19:03:02 GMT -6
To me wearing a hat backward looks bush. But I never told my assistants not to. It's a personal taste thing, like shorts in all weather. Now the guy from another school who wore a fanny pack (and he was a cop no less)... Haters gonna hate on the backward hat. Gotta keep the silver label sticker there too on my flat brim, better tilted a bit to the side than turnt backwards. I just said I wore my hat backwards, not that I was a total D-Bag
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Post by olcoach53 on Mar 4, 2015 12:13:49 GMT -6
Let me ask this, am I in bad taste wearing a hat backwards? I just feel like with a headset on it is more comfortable and I do not have the bill in my eyesight. Thoughts? Then why wear a hat at all? Valid point. I just like having my head covered....No clue why, just comfort level I guess.
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Post by olcoach53 on Mar 4, 2015 11:10:01 GMT -6
Let me ask this, am I in bad taste wearing a hat backwards? I just feel like with a headset on it is more comfortable and I do not have the bill in my eyesight. Thoughts?
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Post by olcoach53 on Mar 3, 2015 7:13:19 GMT -6
I am that guy that wears shorts no matter the temperature. Having coached in Illinois for 7 years I got used to it. You would have thought I was an alien doing that in North Carolina this past season.
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Post by olcoach53 on Feb 25, 2015 16:11:14 GMT -6
As long as the facial hair is neat you should be good to go. Definitely dress for success. They will ask you the basic questions I am sure, the usual stuff they ask every candidate. Just answer honestly and you'll do great coach.
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Post by olcoach53 on Feb 21, 2015 11:38:40 GMT -6
I shouldn't be shunned as a coach or educator because I haven't "found Christ" or believe something that somebody else believes. I think that is a crock of crap.
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Post by olcoach53 on Feb 21, 2015 10:36:19 GMT -6
GOtta go classic, "Those who stay will be champions"
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Post by olcoach53 on Feb 20, 2015 19:19:03 GMT -6
Every school I have played for or coached for has done a pregame prayer. I am Jewish and this has NEVER bothered me one bit. I have actually memorized the Lords prayer now.
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Post by olcoach53 on Feb 19, 2015 12:54:54 GMT -6
We had that this season. It was not ideal. To make matters worse we also had our JV game on Wednesday night. We tried to keep the week as normal as possible but the reality of losing a day during the week did not help. It was also our first week of school too so that on top of everything else stunk.
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Post by olcoach53 on Feb 17, 2015 11:14:22 GMT -6
This guy went to our place. Legend has it he wasn't good at football...though he thought he was. His brother, on the other hand, was pretty good. st.baskino.com/uploads/images/2013/404/xmyr804.jpgReal football players? Spencer Havner (former UCLA All American) and maybe my favorite. Jefferson Heidelberger. Won a National title with Montana. We've had a lot of real good football players come through. Slider....you stink.
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Post by olcoach53 on Feb 15, 2015 14:50:33 GMT -6
I was offered a HC job at 29 but I turned it down for the best. I have worked for one guy who was younger than me but I technically never coached a game with him. HC now is 54 or 55 I believe and has over 25 years of HC experience.
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Post by olcoach53 on Feb 13, 2015 14:16:28 GMT -6
1350 flat rate. I get nothing extra.
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Post by olcoach53 on Feb 11, 2015 11:37:59 GMT -6
This show is disgusting. I will NEVER watch it.
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Post by olcoach53 on Feb 9, 2015 18:32:18 GMT -6
The last two years, I have let the senior offensive linemen come up with a group nick name. 2 years ago it was the inglorious bastards, this year it was the Kodiaks. I come from a military back ground and I always liked having a platoon name, so I tried to pass that on. Part of it is that I want my guys to own the line and have an identity that is separate from the rest of the team. I try and go out of my way to let them have a good time at practice, without it getting in the way of improving every day. I have a bluetooth speaker that I will set up and play during indy. If they have a song they want, if it is clean, I will add it to the playlist. Post game, I give any senior offensive linemen and any others that played a piece of gum. Little things, btu one of our freshmen offensive linemen was totally jacked to get his first piece of gum. There is a great book called "Coaching the Wing T Offensive Lineman". The author goes into depth about the offensive line mentality and what it means to be a fat guy. Just a great read regardless of what system you run. We did that this year. We dubbed ourselves "The Unit"
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Post by olcoach53 on Feb 9, 2015 11:39:55 GMT -6
I would provide food and treats all the time. Donuts for Saturday morning film if we won. I would buy them lunch after big wins too. Kids started to bring in food too, we had one athlete who had his mom make mint chocolate brownies. Best thing ever.
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Post by olcoach53 on Feb 4, 2015 10:44:05 GMT -6
We promote sleep on the way there.
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Post by olcoach53 on Jan 27, 2015 12:15:13 GMT -6
I am an assistant coach at a small school in a small town in North Carolina. While searching for coaches my boss approached me and told me that he had somebody coming in for an interview to help coach football and teach. Me being me and having a little more technological experience than our head coach Googled the mans name and turned up a sexual misconduct case in Florida. Needless to say we told said gentleman to not bother interviewing.
Point of this thread, has this ever happened to anybody before? With Google and Facebook and the internet being what it is now, it is not very easy to "sweep" these situations under the rug anymore.
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Post by olcoach53 on Jan 26, 2015 16:51:04 GMT -6
Congrats Coach, best of luck!
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Post by olcoach53 on Jan 25, 2015 15:44:59 GMT -6
We have all our football players not playing any other spring sports running track. If they choose not to run track they will find themselves in the doghouse for sure.
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Post by olcoach53 on Jan 21, 2015 17:22:43 GMT -6
I think it is better to start out stern and get loose as the year goes on. That way the kids know when you mean business you MEAN business.
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Post by olcoach53 on Jan 18, 2015 15:13:38 GMT -6
Quick and painless would be my suggestion. Give out the usual awards, thank the kids and the parents. Get them out the door within an hour.
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Post by olcoach53 on Jan 16, 2015 13:42:41 GMT -6
I know a staff that went to Wisconsin Whitewater and got a ton of information.
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Post by olcoach53 on Jan 9, 2015 8:34:59 GMT -6
This past JV season we had a kinda funny one. We're a small school (had about 30 on our squad 9-12) and had a kid who played some early varsity games for us, but got beat out for a position and played JV the rest of the way. He took it really well. He's a tweener, and hadn't played in several years, also kind of a goof ball, which explains what he did. So we're in a tight game on the road (ended in a tie after an overtime) and force a punt with our opponent on about their own 15 or 20. We run a wall return (or at least try to with our younger kids) and this kid is the wall setter. So they get it away and, as expected, its a short kick but takes a good roll for then to around the 50. I assume its gonna be downed and turn to give instructions to another kid. When I do, this kid's (the one I'm talking to on the sideline) eyes get real big and i hear our sideline screaming. I turn back to the field to see our tweener running down our sideline, ball in hand, to score a TD. When he comes off the field, I grab him and say, "great play, but what in the hell made you decide to do that?" He smiles and says, "well a bunch of their kids were just standing around and hadn't touched it yet, so I figured 'why not?'" This is awesome. I love it when kids like that make plays. This story reminded me of something that happened during the 2013 season. We had a not so good JV year, 0-8, and we were playing the eventual JV conference champs. We had a defensive tackle who was, what is the polite way of saying this....a big fat dork who had never played football before and wore baseball rubber cleats for his football shoes. Anyways, this young man actually intercepted a pass in the opponents end zone for a touchdown but not before trying to run the opposite direction with the ball. Luckily he had caught the ball in the endzone so the TD had already been signaled. Kid had no clue what happened and we ended up ALMOST winning
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Post by olcoach53 on Jan 6, 2015 6:24:51 GMT -6
At both schools I have worked at we encourage the kids to play other sports. We also encourage the other athletes (not football players) to use the weight room and work out. I know at my previous school the best program we had on campus was girls basketball and they were in the weight room second only to football. Some of these baseball and basketball coaches have such a negative feeling towards the weight room and it shows.
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Post by olcoach53 on Jan 4, 2015 14:53:26 GMT -6
I know one of the reasons I am frustrated in my profession is that we are not allowed to teach. We have to make sure that students pass a test, not learn content. It can be a pain in the butt when you get zero help from administration and you are still expected to get results. Basically we as teachers are expected to make chicken salad out of chicken poop.
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