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Post by irishdog on Jan 21, 2013 8:30:11 GMT -6
I've had the good fortune of working in a number of various systems throughout my career (40 yrs.). I've taken the best parts of each and blended them into my own, although I am still learning new ways to do things I will tweak things every year to make my own system easily taught, and easily learned. But first you have to have a philosophy of football you're comfortable with before embarking upon the development of your own system.
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Post by irishdog on Jan 19, 2013 15:28:44 GMT -6
1. First and foremost you need numbers. 2. If you have numbers you can develop a sub-varsity team. 3. Do all you can to improve staff stipends to increase the number of coaches you can pay. 4. Raise money for field equipment. 5-man sled, 2-man sled, 2 tackling sleds, and a set of 12 of those big forearm blocking pads. Why?? Because in a small-school you want to be able to teach the fundamentals of the game (blocking and tackling) on a daily basis without injuring your players at practice. You don't have the same depth as you would at a large school. One two-way starter down could be like losing 3 starters (offense, defense, and special teams). Lose two and the number becomes more like 6, etc. and so on. 5. Meet with the coaches of the other sports and encourage one another to share the athletes. It is the ONLY way each sports team will have some sort of success.
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Post by irishdog on Jan 17, 2013 8:44:06 GMT -6
I started my coaching career on accident. I was injured my junior year in college during the spring game. Back in those days those types of injuries meant you were through playing. My old HS coach heard about what happened and contacted me. He asked if I would be interested in helping coach the 9th grade team. I loved football, and figured what the h*** so I gave it a shot. I was hooked after the first day of practice, and have been doing it ever since for the last 40 years!
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Post by irishdog on Jan 10, 2013 9:24:44 GMT -6
Yes Texas. I tried to get on in Florida, I have a lot of family there but no luck. There are times you beat yourself to death. As a HC my assistant coaches only had to ask when they needed to go do something (watch their own kids etc). I have worked for others where it is always a no. Even had a guy when I asked if I could get off at 7:00pm Saturday and come in early Sunday for my anniversary I was told no. It the nature of the game here and yes people do check up at field house to see if your there. I also coach in Texas, and our weekends aren't anything like the other one that spends 16 hours per weekend on high school football. We use HUDL so we have our next opponent's scout films by Thursday. HC/DC/OC break those films down on Thursday/Friday. Friday night post-game our video guy will ODK our game, asst. coach get laundry started, and then it's 5th quarter w/families at a local bar/grill. Our Saturday schedule: Coaches 7:30 am - Assts. gets laundry finished. HC/DC/OC meet. 8:00 am - Staff breakdown Friday night's game Players 9 am - Captains practice. Light lift/Light run Coaches 9:30 - Meet to discuss and evaluate our own personnel Players 10:00 - Watch Friday night's game Coaches 10:00 - Watch upcoming opponent's film as a staff Players 11:00 - Done Coaches 11:00 - Done (we all have access to HUDL and continue to evaluate film independently over the weekend, HC/DC/OC meet early Monday morning before school to set the game plan) We DO NOT meet as a staff on Sundays. That day is for God/Family. By the way...we have been very successful (staff continuity, enthusiastic players, happy wives and girlfriends, playoffs, state tournament, and a very happy supportive school community) using this formula.
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Post by irishdog on Jan 3, 2013 13:13:43 GMT -6
Not a surprise to me. Get the fingers in the turf and get physical!!
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Post by irishdog on Dec 27, 2012 14:59:36 GMT -6
1. Meet with the team. (Share philosophy, mission, expectations, goals, etc.) (helps you find out the cards you've been dealt) 2. Meet with former staff, and strength coach. (Share philosophy, mission, expectations, goals, etc.) (helps you find out who is on board, who needs to be let go, and what positions you need to hire) 3. Take inventory of all equipment. (personal, field, technology, etc.) (helps you to get organized) 3. Meet with the boosters. (Share fund-raising experiences, what they do, new ideas etc.) (helps you fill your immediate needs; find out who the "go-to" guys are; and who you can trust) 4. Meet with the maintenance/custodial guys. (Share some beverages with them) (they'll make you and your program one of their priorities!) 5. Introduce yourself to as many faculty members as possible. (Share your philosophy, mission, expectations, goals, etc.) (they'll become your biggest and best supporters!) 6. Meet with the parents. (Share your philosophy, mission, expectations, goals, etc.) (make them your allies, not your enemies. Get the MOMS involved!) 7. Meet with your new coaching staff. (Discuss schedules, duties, responsibilities, playbooks, etc.) (helps you look organized) 8. Meet with ALL football players (HS AND MS). (Introduce coaches, discuss schedules, etc.) (helps you appear as a well-organized leader) 9. Meet with the Seniors as a group. (Explain your process of selecting captains; discuss the role of Senior Leadership on the team, and in school in general) (Encourage them to take ownership; after all it is THEIR team!) 10. Be in the Weight Room!! (if you show them it's important to you, and to their success, it will become important to them!)
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Post by irishdog on Dec 21, 2012 10:46:34 GMT -6
Without a doubt the combination of football safety issues and "specialization" has had an effect on the number of talented athletes in the school who decide not to play. This is especially true in smaller schools. The biggest challenge a football coach faces in a small school is convincing the better athletes (i.e. basketball players and baseball players) to play football. Typical reasons for not playing have everything to do with "my mom/dad don't want me to play football - injury would mess things up for basketball/baseball." "I'm playing fall ball/AAU ball because it will help me get a scholarship." "I don't want to play because practices are too long." (translation: I don't want to play because I don't want to work that hard.) This next season will be my 40th coaching football. I can honestly say that over the years (especially within the last 5 or so) I have seen a noticeable decline in the overall toughness of boys in general.
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Post by irishdog on Dec 15, 2012 13:10:00 GMT -6
I have been a successful head coach and an assistant coach, an AD, and a Dean of Students at private (Catholic) schools throughout the US for most of my career (with the exception of 2 years when I was a HC at a city public school). If I wanted to hit the pavement to recruit I would have stayed in college coaching. Private schools MUST recruit students in order to fulfill their attendance goals. We hold open houses twice per year. In the case of Catholic schools our admissions people visit all the Catholic grammar schools. Parishes promote Catholic education. Some churches establish limited scholarships for two or three students within the parish to enable them to attend a private school of their choosing. PARENTS for the most part do much of the "recruiting" for us because of their admiration, devotion, and satisfaction with the education their children receive in Catholic schools. And... once the parents of a prospective student establish a connection with the high school admissions office they are encouraged to have the student spend a day "shadowing" at the high school. Once the prospective student is on campus for a visit it is at that time the coaches would meet the student IF the student is interested in athletics, and discuss his/her program with the student, and establish a contact. Under MOST if not ALL state athletic association rules this process is considered acceptable and NOT breaking any state association rules. There have been, are, and always be those coaches who are "exceptions" to the rule in BOTH private AND public schools. Believe me, I have seen my share of them! However, for the most part, most of the private school coaches I have known, and who I know now prescribe to following the rules, and the schools they work for insist they do. Currently I live and coach in Texas. We have separate state associations for public and private schools, and separate state tournaments. Many of us play public schools in non-district contests. Historically in Texas, public schools have ruled the roost in athletics, and continue to do so. Most private schools have only existed since the mid-80's and only a few Catholic schools have been around for more than 50 years. So... as a result... the interest in high school sports has historically belonged to the public schools, while the private schools continue to play second fiddle. However, public education as a whole in Texas is beginning to show signs of decline, and as a result the private schools are beginning to benefit from that decline. While pubic schools continue to dominate the headlines it won't be long before the private schools start receiving the same attention. Yet... the segregation of public and private schools will not ever change.
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Post by irishdog on Oct 4, 2012 11:16:07 GMT -6
Coach, when are these kids coming up with their injuries? At practices, games, or both? Do you go full contact every practice? Thud? Full contact in drills only? Do you use bags, sleds, etc.?
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Post by irishdog on Oct 4, 2012 10:35:27 GMT -6
The very same situation happened to me. Starting TE/DE told me at the start of the season he would miss our last regular season game to participate in the "area code" baseball showcase in OK. He was an outstanding baseball player projected to be signed out of HS, and a decent football player that was also getting looks from DI schools. I told him I appreciated his heads-up, reminded him that another player would take his place that particular week, and when he returned he would have to earn back his playing time during practice the next week in order to PLAY (not start) in the first playoff game. He understood, and we went on to play in the state championship with him, I didn't get fired, and my team supported my decision. Oh, by the way, that same kid went on to become a relief pitcher for the Houston Astros. Had the kid been a so-so baseball player, and better football player I would have handled it the same way.
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Post by irishdog on Sept 24, 2012 10:12:03 GMT -6
I'm a building sub, and the OC at a small private Christian high school in Texas. Football stipend is 4800. Sub pay is minimal (70 per day). My stipend as an assistant coach here is more than what I made as a HC at my previous school (small Catholic school) in Ohio.
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Post by irishdog on Sept 10, 2012 11:29:14 GMT -6
Patience, patience, and more patience. It is easier to change the kids' character, attitudes, etc. than it is to change the adults in the school/community. You only have the boys for a few hours a day... Then they go home. To change a culture you have to reach the adults as well as the kids. Meet with the parents/boosters/administrators/faculty and staff/maintenance and custodial staff/alumni/attend town hall meetings etc. Invite all of them to take part in the program in some way, shape, or form. Meet with the youth coaches, hold a clinic/camp for the youth program and teach them what you want them to do. Identify all those adults in the community who show a genuine interest and make them your allies. It is these folks, and your assistant coaches who will ultimately help you change the culture of the school and the community. You cannot do it alone.
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Post by irishdog on Jul 30, 2012 13:43:07 GMT -6
As a HS player: 2 (1 in 9th grade; 1 in grades 10-12) As a JC player: 1 (same coach both years) As a 4 yr. college player: 2 (1 as a junior; 1 as a senior) As a college assistant: 3 (2 at a four year school; 1 at a JC) As a HS assistant: 9 (1 for 6 years; 1 for 3 years; 3 for 2 years each; 4 different guys for 1 year each) Total coaches: 17 Total years as an assistant coach: 24 Total years as a HC: 14 Total years coaching: 38 and still goin' strong!
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Post by irishdog on Jul 30, 2012 13:26:37 GMT -6
Been a HS HC for over 18 years. Would always meet with my kids Day One of two-a-days to talk about "expectations", and "goals"... mine, AND theirs. Would explain to them how to get all of those expectations to work together (chemistry, synergy... whatever you call it), and to achieve those goals. Once WE determined what the expectations and goals would be TOGETHER we pulled together to make sure those expectations would be met, and goals achieved. Those who bought in stayed in. Those who didn't fell out right away. More stayed than left... and each year more joined than didn't. Discipline is a RESULT of a skilled teacher.
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Post by irishdog on Jul 23, 2012 16:32:24 GMT -6
Put "scholar" back into the term "scholarship" and you will paint an entirely different picture of big-time college athletics.
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Post by irishdog on Jul 13, 2012 8:46:39 GMT -6
Let me clarify something. I would only "cancel" my varsity season if I was in a district (conference/league) where our opponents overwhelmingly outnumbered us (more than double the amount of players) which would place my 15 kids in serious jeopardy from injuries that would likely end the season anyway, and get them completely demoralized. And... which would be suicide for trying to build the program for the future. Otherwise, if the schools in your district/conference/league are in the very same boat you're in I say play on! If it's the latter, and the schools in your district/conference/league are aware of your situation I would like to believe they would cut you some slack this year if you told them you had to cancel the varsity season this year, and instead, play a JV schedule for this year only. In the meantime it would be incumbent upon you to work extra hard at recruiting more kids to be able to prepare them to play a varsity schedule next year. Or... you can be Mr. Tough Guy and play a varsity schedule this year and hope and pray that your 15 doesn't dwindle down to less than 11 because of injuries, kids quitting because they either get thoroughly discouraged, or tired of getting their asses handed to them every week, and not seeing any light at the end of that long, dark, tunnel your ego put them in which will end up forcing you to cancel the season anyway. Face it my friend, we're dealing with a different breed of cat these days! You either adapt, or die.
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Post by irishdog on Jul 12, 2012 15:48:01 GMT -6
It may be too late to co-op with other small schools near you that are either in the same boat you are, or who don't offer football, if having to play a varsity schedule. But it would be worth a try. Otherwise, cancel the varsity season and play a JV schedule until your numbers improve. I too coached at a small school in Ohio, and when we played JV games I contacted the opposing coaches to let them know I had a couple of seniors (who played like freshmen) and they were cool with letting them play JV. Most coaches would rather have a JV game than no game at all. It's really too bad that the OHSAA doesn't choose to play 9 man, or even 6 man football. I know that Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota play nine man football, and Texas plays 6 man football (now that's a wild and crazy game!), but at least the kids get a chance to play the game of football in some way, shape, or form.
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Post by irishdog on Jul 11, 2012 19:21:08 GMT -6
First three days (helmets only) 7:30-8:15 Circuit training (conditioning/agilities M-W-F; weights T-Th-Sa). 9-10:30 (Defense) installation, teaching, pursuit drill. 11:30 to 1 (Offense) installation, teaching, teaching, and more teaching. During the break eat, rest, film/chalk. Next three days (uppers) 7:30-9 (Defense) special teams and fundamentals. 10-11:30 (Offense) special teams and fundamentals. Noon-1 film/chalk. During the break eat, rest. Remainder of 2-a-days (full-gear) 7:30-9:30 (Defense); 11-1 (Offense). During the break eat, rest, film/chalk. During the breaks my assistants ran the show. Off-campus coaches always made arrangements with their work schedules to accommodate practices in the mornings, while I would make my obligatory appearances at the teacher in-services, OR, attend to my AD duties. No matter where I have been I have used this schedule and it has always been a hit with the players AND the parents! IF my assistants were unable to arrange their work schedules in the mornings I would bump the format to start at 5 pm and end at 8:30.
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Post by irishdog on Jun 18, 2012 14:57:33 GMT -6
If I'm the HC at one of those "elite" football programs there's no way in he-- I'm scheduling IMG. Most of IMG's roster will be filled with the "elite" players from most of those programs anyway! IF I lost a kid (or kids) to IMG I'd be an idiot to do any favors for them!
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Post by irishdog on Jun 15, 2012 8:31:48 GMT -6
Unfortunately a lot of people like to point the finger, and lay blame on others, or other things, for their own choices they have made in their lives. Terry Bradshaw, and all of those pro football players who are suing the NFL are just such people. They KNEW what they were getting into, and they CHOSE to become professional football players in the National Football League, and now, with their health suffering, but after enjoying the lights and the glamour that were part of the lifestyle they led, they now look for a scapegoat to blame for their problems. And what do their children learn from this??
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Post by irishdog on Jun 14, 2012 14:11:44 GMT -6
After school practices Weeks 5-10: Mondays - 30 minutes weightroom - Practice in Uppers. Dynamic warm-up, 5 minutes. Fundamentals Period (Fit & Form Blocking and Sled Tackling). 10 minutes each. Special Teams practice, 10 minutes. Team Offense, 20 minutes. Team Pursuit Defense, 10 minutes. Tuesdays - Full gear (Defensive emphasis): Warm-up 10 minutes. Defensive Special Teams 10 minutes. Fundamentals period (Tackling circuit - Thud) 10 minutes. Indy Groups (RUN) 10. Combo Groups (RUN) 10. Takeaways 10. Indy Groups (PASS) 10. Combo Groups (PASS) 20. Team D (Script) 20. Team Offense (new plays) 10. Wednesdays - Weightroom 30 mins. Practice Offensive emphasis - Uppers. Warm-up 5. Offense Special Teams 10. Fundamentals Period (Blocking Circuit - Sleds/Chutes/Bags - Thud) 10. Indy Groups (RUN) 10. Inside/Outside (RUN) 10. Indy Groups (PASS) 10. 7 on 7/Pass Pro 15. Team Offense 20. Two-minute drill 10. Thursdays - Shells (helmets only). Specialists/Line Pre-Practice 10. Warm-up 10. Game Script 40.
All our practices are high-tempo so we condition DURING practice. From week 5 on we're on the field 2 hours at the most. Usually weeks 8, 9, 10 we're out there for just over an hour and a half. We lift twice a week (M-W) maintenance, 30 minutes. Our late season injuries (IF we have any) occur during games. We only have 55 kids grades 9-12.
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Post by irishdog on Jun 14, 2012 13:40:09 GMT -6
Beg kids? Never. Recruit kids? Always! Especially in a new school with a first-year varsity program. It is your responsibility as the HC to instill enthusiasm FOR the program. Make it attractive and worthwhile for kids to be the foundation of building something special. Make it COOL to be a football player, and make it FUN!! The ones who are sitting on the fence won't sit there for long. If a few decide not to play so be it, you wouldn't want them anyway. But many more will who can make tremendous contributions within the next two years. You'll take some lumps the first year, but after that...
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Post by irishdog on Jun 14, 2012 13:18:21 GMT -6
I think that you need to challenge them to understand that they're not practicing to be better than the other guys on their team. They're practicing to beat the best player on your schedule. Somewhere out there is The Monster- the guy who'll kick your a$$ and not bother taking your name if you're not ready. He's the guy you're practicing for. Practicing just to be a starter? Pfft! The worst team in the country has starters. If you're going to make noise in the playoffs you'd better be ready to beat-not just play against-STUDS. With that said let's remember that they're kids. It's human nature to have less of a sense of urgency while you're practicing this time of year. Couldn't agree more! I've had to deal with this often coaching in small schools. I came up with a way to encourage them to give their best effort on a daily basis during this time of the year. I simply tell them after the workout what their record is. Usually after the first workout the record would be 1-0. After the first week we typically had more "wins" than "losses". After that, what record they want is truly up to them. I don't spend a lot of time evaluating each kid during the practice, I look at the big picture. How hard is the entire team working, and are they giving it a championship effort? When you do it this way the lazy ones stand out, and it is easier to determine whether the day was a "win", or a "loss".
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Post by irishdog on Jun 11, 2012 10:17:52 GMT -6
The sticker awards don't have to be for individual achievement. My helmet award program was for the TEAM. They would only get helmet stickers IF: We won; IF the offense gained over 400 total yards; scored over 28 points; scored in every quarter; scored on every red zone possession; and had no turnovers; AND, IF the defense posted a shutout; gave up less than 200 total yards; made stops in the red zone; kept the opponent from crossing the 50 yd. line; and had four takeaways; AND, IF special teams blocked a punt; recovered an onside kick; caused a turnover; scored a touchdown; kicked the winning PAT/FG; and committed no turnovers. You can set up the criteria however you want, so long as it each one is geared toward TEAM accomplishments on the field. So who got the stickers? Everyone on the field? Everyone on the team? Everyone that dressed for the game? Everyone who dressed for the game. Only those who make the practices and contribute during the week deserve to dress, and as a result will receive the helmet awards for their contributions in preparing the team to win. Again, you can choose your own criteria, but the bottom line is the helmet awards are based upon TEAM accomplishments and not individual accomplishments.
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Post by irishdog on Jun 9, 2012 8:00:40 GMT -6
The sticker awards don't have to be for individual achievement. My helmet award program was for the TEAM. They would only get helmet stickers IF: We won; IF the offense gained over 400 total yards; scored over 28 points; scored in every quarter; scored on every red zone possession; and had no turnovers; AND, IF the defense posted a shutout; gave up less than 200 total yards; made stops in the red zone; kept the opponent from crossing the 50 yd. line; and had four takeaways; AND, IF special teams blocked a punt; recovered an onside kick; caused a turnover; scored a touchdown; kicked the winning PAT/FG; and committed no turnovers.
You can set up the criteria however you want, so long as it each one is geared toward TEAM accomplishments on the field.
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Post by irishdog on Jun 9, 2012 7:39:54 GMT -6
Be as proactive as possible. You MUST write down a set of expectations for the entire team (including the SR's), AND, a separate set of leadership expectations for the SR's only. Especially for the SR's because you EXPECT them to be leaders. All players MUST read and sign their Expectation sheets (along with their parents), and turn them in to you... personally... so you can meet with each player and briefly discuss with them what is EXPECTED of them if they choose to be a member of the team. After meeting with them individually meet with all of them as a team, together! If any of the SR's don't show for the individual OR team meetings contact the parents and meet with them (it is a good idea to have an administrator present when you do). Advise the parents of what has happened, what you are doing to help the situation, and what you will do to correct the issues. After that meeting you will have a better idea of what to do. If the SR's make the meetings but haven't signed the Expectations sheet, or turned them in to you personally, they don't participate until they do (that goes for anyone). If any team member doesn't meet those expectations after signing the Expectations sheet (a signature is their word and their bond), they will be suspended, or kicked off the team. If being a positive, contributing member of the team is what matters most to each player (especially a SR) he will meet your expectations, if not, cut him loose!
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Post by irishdog on Jun 7, 2012 8:48:06 GMT -6
the Great state of Texas Current School size: 2380 current Team Size: 183 (9-12), var 52, JV 31, Soph 24, Fresh A 36, Fresh B 41 HC: $83k that inc teaching plus stipend OC/DC stipends$9800 (2 sport stipend) Asst: $9300 (2 sport stipends, 7000 FB, and 2300 spring sport) $1000 less for Fresh coaches 13 total coaches (4 fresh, 8 Asst and 1 HC) New school that i will be going to... School size: 1480 current Team Size: 160+ (not sure what the break down is) HC: $78k that inc teaching plus stipend (does NOT teach) OC/DC stipends$13000 (no 2nd sport) VAR Asst: $11750 (2 sport stipends) 11 total coaches I'll say it for the rest of you: Boy, am I in the wrong freakin place! I've coached in California, New England, the Midwest, Ohio, and now Texas. Believe me when I tell you guys that there is NO place like Texas for high school football.
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Post by irishdog on May 29, 2012 13:55:08 GMT -6
State: Texas Enrollment: 275 (Private) Numbers: HS-55 including freshmen. MS-7th grade team 28; 8th grade team 20 HC Salary: Not sure. (I make 4200 as the HS O Coordinator) Number of coaches: 8 HS; 6 MS (12 are paid, 2 are volunteers)
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Post by irishdog on May 27, 2012 9:40:36 GMT -6
Many of us "older" guys who played HS football in the 60's and 70's were sons of a generation of military men, many of whom became teachers and coaches. We were drilled at practice not unlike they were drilled when they were in the service. Our parents grew up in a society where military discipline was the norm, and it was all that most of them knew. It was rare (if ever) a parent would intervene for their kid in a school disciplinary issue, or challenge a teacher or a coach because those folks were the authority figures, the professionals, and most parents respected those positions, and felt the authorities/professionals had the best interests of their kids at heart. Not anymore. My heart goes out to all the young coaches and teachers today. They have it much tougher than I ever did as a teacher/coach. Suffice it to say I'm glad to have reached the twilight of my career.
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Post by irishdog on May 22, 2012 7:47:58 GMT -6
LOL! Good one. But no, all different guys! If it were the same guy I wouldn't be feeling as old.
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