Post by knighter on Feb 8, 2006 7:12:11 GMT -6
“Raising the Bar...a Blueprint to Building a Successful Program”
Brad Knight
I. 52-11 at GH (6 Years) ** Took Over an Outstanding Program
- 4 time District Coach of the Year (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004)
- IFCA Region 1 1A/2A Coach of the Year (2003)
- IFCA Region 1 A/8 Man Coach of the Year (2004)
- Selected as an Assistant Coach to the North Shrine Squad (2003)
- 5 time District Champions
- 6 time playoff qualifier (3 years as quarterfinalists)
- Losses to Graettinger, River Valley, IKM (2000) 7-3 overall
Newell Fonda, Clay Central Everly (2001) 8-2 overall
Akron-Westfield (2002) 10-1 overall
West Lyon (2003) 10-1 overall
West Bend Mallard (2004) 10-1 overall
Odebolt-Arthur, WLVA, West Bend Mallard (2005) 7-3 overall
***In 2001 CCE was the runner-up, in 2002 AW was the champion, in 2004 WBM was the champion, in 2005 WBM was the runner up
*** Regular Season Record is 49-5 in 6 years (1 loss on home field)
II. WHY The Success?
- 5 Day a week Off Season Strength and Agility Program (off season starts when football ends and lasts until football begins)
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday = BFS (follow it to the letter)
- Tuesday, Thursday = Plyometrics, Quickness, and Speed Training
10 weeks of Core Strength and Balance to start off season
Dr. Jamie Whitmer is in charge of my program (local chiropractor)
- In Season is a 2 day per week schedule
- Varsity = Monday and Wednesday
- Junior Varsity = Tuesday and Thursday
- ALL WORKOUTS ARE AT 6:00 AM
- Personal belief is kids must sacrifice in order to achieve (BLUE COLLAR)
- Not blessed with great athletes, but very blessed with average athletes who work extremely hard to get better every day
III. Accountability
- DECATHLON TESTING (2 or 3 times during the year)
Coach Fisher at DM East gave me this idea (I have modified his a little to better fit what we do at GH)
- 2 Day Test
Day 1- Bench, Incline, Squat, Deadlift, Power Clean, Dips
Day 2- Pro Agility Shuffle, Dots, 800m Run, 40 yd dash
- Point system- Kids earn t-shirts into various clubs
- P.R.I.D.E. System (Fisher)
- Dedication Points (Fisher and Tom Wilson -DNH-)
- Senior Leadership Class (borrowed parts from Coach Wilson and several others)
IV. Voluntary/Mandatory Track (I am also the Head Track Coach)
- 2 practices per day (must attend 1) done for golfers and kids with jobs
- Everyone sprints everyday (not blessed with natural speed so we have to work at it)
- Increased numbers and success of track program (had 80 kids out in 2003...won MVC in 03...1st time in 20 years or so)
- Increased contact hours with my athletes (helps build positive relationships)
- WHAT ELSE ARE THEY DOING? (helps bring some discipline and structure to their lives)
V. Football Staff
- 10 coaches (4 paid at the HS, 2 paid at the JH, 4 volunteer assistants at the HS)
- ALL have responsibilities (I tell them what I want done and let them coach) still it is my way or no way at all (I’d rather coach shorthanded)
- 3 games per week (at times) Always at least 1 paid coach there besides me
- I try to attend EVERY 9th, JV game as well as 2 JH games
VI. They don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.
- I attend as many “other” things as possible (plays, concerts, other games etc.) It is important to them to know that you support them away from football. I am very visible.
- If the weight room is a priority, if you consider it to be important...BE THERE!! (I do not accept excuses from anyone. My 20 month old has been there more times than any of I disagreeistant coaches...it is important for you (head coach) to be seen in the weight room)
- Graduation Receptions (I attended 42 in 3 days in 2003) I know it may seem like a pain, and you may only be able to spend 5 minutes at each reception, but to those seniors it is VERY IMPORTANT. As 1 athlete put it this past year, “I busted my butt for Coach _________. and he can’t come spend 5 minutes with me.” What message got sent to that kid? What message will he pass on to the next group of kids?
- Colleges/Scholarships/Majors etc. I am always trying to help.
- Open door policy at my house for ALL of them. (Graduates and Current Players alike) I love to see them, my daughter loves to see them, and so does my wife. They are part of my family and I treat them that way. I have them stopping over all the time.
- Highlight Video (Given as a gift to seniors at graduation) I spend over 200 hours working on it. It is simple to do (I use IMAC, IMovie, kids supply music) I love working on it as much as I enjoy watching it.
- Season Review Book (my wife is in charge of it) She feels included in things, and it is something my kids hang onto for a long time. She puts in a tremendous amount of work to do this right. It is given to everyone involved in the program at our banquet.
VII. Other “things” we do...
- Linemen Challenge- (stole the idea form North Scott) Always in July, always a day just for linemen, 8 events, we make it a very BIG deal. I invite several schools and it has continued to get bigger every year. Have had 2 teams from Minnesota come every year we have done it and they always want to come back again!
- 7 on 7 Passing Leagues- So far I have just done this with my kids. I want to control it and I also have a ton of my kids that play baseball in the summer) we play intersquad style games about 4 or 5 Saturday mornings or Sunday afternoons.
- Football Banquet- Post Season Awards, Have had great turnout each year
- Team Camp- The last 3 years we had Hugh Wyatt come do a 3 day DW camp...our kids loved it, and we will do it again this summer as well.
- Pre Season Camp for all grades 7-12 Allows younger kids to see and interact with our older kids, transfer of work ethic, enthusiasm. develops consistency in program)
- Last Home Game- 8th graders our are “invited” guests to attend pre game talk, and stand on the sidelines for our game. Our announcer does a great job making a big deal out of it. It gives them a small taste of what Friday nights are going to be like. Generates a ton of excitement.
Why do I spend so much time?
I believe that through hard work they will have success. I also believe that if I want them to give me everything they have, I need to give them everything I have as well. I never expect them to give more than I am willing to. It is a time commitment, and I always have something going on. But be honest, is this really a job? I get to play every single day...these guys keep me young. I learned from the coaches I think are the very best in the game (Matt Dillon, Keith Gurius, Jerry Walker, Steve Latimer while I played at North Polk. I played for Terry Allen, Bill Salmon. Mark Farley, and Walt Klinker while at UNI, and I assisted Ed Thomas, Al Kearns, Jon Wiegmann while I was at Aplington Parkersburg. I have since learned form Brian Wilken, Ken Winkler, Walt Fiegel, Keith Hanks, Tom Wilson, Darrin Fisher, and many others since I have been coaching. These guys have all taught me that HARD WORK and SUCCESS go hand in hand. Not just in football but in life as well. I like to win games, we all do, BUT if these kids we coach learn that hard work will increase their chances of success in football and that carries over into their lives away form football than I have TRULY done my job. I would be nowhere without the work ethic these coaches have instilled in me. I owe it my athletes to teach them the same. I am still not a genius, not the best football mind. I outwork people. I put more into it than others are willing to do. I care about my kids more (at least I show them more) than others are willing to. That is why I have been successful. I have a successful system. The kids buy into it. I can sell my program to kids, and I can sell myself to kids. When they buy in to what you want, you will win.
Brad Knight
I. 52-11 at GH (6 Years) ** Took Over an Outstanding Program
- 4 time District Coach of the Year (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004)
- IFCA Region 1 1A/2A Coach of the Year (2003)
- IFCA Region 1 A/8 Man Coach of the Year (2004)
- Selected as an Assistant Coach to the North Shrine Squad (2003)
- 5 time District Champions
- 6 time playoff qualifier (3 years as quarterfinalists)
- Losses to Graettinger, River Valley, IKM (2000) 7-3 overall
Newell Fonda, Clay Central Everly (2001) 8-2 overall
Akron-Westfield (2002) 10-1 overall
West Lyon (2003) 10-1 overall
West Bend Mallard (2004) 10-1 overall
Odebolt-Arthur, WLVA, West Bend Mallard (2005) 7-3 overall
***In 2001 CCE was the runner-up, in 2002 AW was the champion, in 2004 WBM was the champion, in 2005 WBM was the runner up
*** Regular Season Record is 49-5 in 6 years (1 loss on home field)
II. WHY The Success?
- 5 Day a week Off Season Strength and Agility Program (off season starts when football ends and lasts until football begins)
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday = BFS (follow it to the letter)
- Tuesday, Thursday = Plyometrics, Quickness, and Speed Training
10 weeks of Core Strength and Balance to start off season
Dr. Jamie Whitmer is in charge of my program (local chiropractor)
- In Season is a 2 day per week schedule
- Varsity = Monday and Wednesday
- Junior Varsity = Tuesday and Thursday
- ALL WORKOUTS ARE AT 6:00 AM
- Personal belief is kids must sacrifice in order to achieve (BLUE COLLAR)
- Not blessed with great athletes, but very blessed with average athletes who work extremely hard to get better every day
III. Accountability
- DECATHLON TESTING (2 or 3 times during the year)
Coach Fisher at DM East gave me this idea (I have modified his a little to better fit what we do at GH)
- 2 Day Test
Day 1- Bench, Incline, Squat, Deadlift, Power Clean, Dips
Day 2- Pro Agility Shuffle, Dots, 800m Run, 40 yd dash
- Point system- Kids earn t-shirts into various clubs
- P.R.I.D.E. System (Fisher)
- Dedication Points (Fisher and Tom Wilson -DNH-)
- Senior Leadership Class (borrowed parts from Coach Wilson and several others)
IV. Voluntary/Mandatory Track (I am also the Head Track Coach)
- 2 practices per day (must attend 1) done for golfers and kids with jobs
- Everyone sprints everyday (not blessed with natural speed so we have to work at it)
- Increased numbers and success of track program (had 80 kids out in 2003...won MVC in 03...1st time in 20 years or so)
- Increased contact hours with my athletes (helps build positive relationships)
- WHAT ELSE ARE THEY DOING? (helps bring some discipline and structure to their lives)
V. Football Staff
- 10 coaches (4 paid at the HS, 2 paid at the JH, 4 volunteer assistants at the HS)
- ALL have responsibilities (I tell them what I want done and let them coach) still it is my way or no way at all (I’d rather coach shorthanded)
- 3 games per week (at times) Always at least 1 paid coach there besides me
- I try to attend EVERY 9th, JV game as well as 2 JH games
VI. They don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.
- I attend as many “other” things as possible (plays, concerts, other games etc.) It is important to them to know that you support them away from football. I am very visible.
- If the weight room is a priority, if you consider it to be important...BE THERE!! (I do not accept excuses from anyone. My 20 month old has been there more times than any of I disagreeistant coaches...it is important for you (head coach) to be seen in the weight room)
- Graduation Receptions (I attended 42 in 3 days in 2003) I know it may seem like a pain, and you may only be able to spend 5 minutes at each reception, but to those seniors it is VERY IMPORTANT. As 1 athlete put it this past year, “I busted my butt for Coach _________. and he can’t come spend 5 minutes with me.” What message got sent to that kid? What message will he pass on to the next group of kids?
- Colleges/Scholarships/Majors etc. I am always trying to help.
- Open door policy at my house for ALL of them. (Graduates and Current Players alike) I love to see them, my daughter loves to see them, and so does my wife. They are part of my family and I treat them that way. I have them stopping over all the time.
- Highlight Video (Given as a gift to seniors at graduation) I spend over 200 hours working on it. It is simple to do (I use IMAC, IMovie, kids supply music) I love working on it as much as I enjoy watching it.
- Season Review Book (my wife is in charge of it) She feels included in things, and it is something my kids hang onto for a long time. She puts in a tremendous amount of work to do this right. It is given to everyone involved in the program at our banquet.
VII. Other “things” we do...
- Linemen Challenge- (stole the idea form North Scott) Always in July, always a day just for linemen, 8 events, we make it a very BIG deal. I invite several schools and it has continued to get bigger every year. Have had 2 teams from Minnesota come every year we have done it and they always want to come back again!
- 7 on 7 Passing Leagues- So far I have just done this with my kids. I want to control it and I also have a ton of my kids that play baseball in the summer) we play intersquad style games about 4 or 5 Saturday mornings or Sunday afternoons.
- Football Banquet- Post Season Awards, Have had great turnout each year
- Team Camp- The last 3 years we had Hugh Wyatt come do a 3 day DW camp...our kids loved it, and we will do it again this summer as well.
- Pre Season Camp for all grades 7-12 Allows younger kids to see and interact with our older kids, transfer of work ethic, enthusiasm. develops consistency in program)
- Last Home Game- 8th graders our are “invited” guests to attend pre game talk, and stand on the sidelines for our game. Our announcer does a great job making a big deal out of it. It gives them a small taste of what Friday nights are going to be like. Generates a ton of excitement.
Why do I spend so much time?
I believe that through hard work they will have success. I also believe that if I want them to give me everything they have, I need to give them everything I have as well. I never expect them to give more than I am willing to. It is a time commitment, and I always have something going on. But be honest, is this really a job? I get to play every single day...these guys keep me young. I learned from the coaches I think are the very best in the game (Matt Dillon, Keith Gurius, Jerry Walker, Steve Latimer while I played at North Polk. I played for Terry Allen, Bill Salmon. Mark Farley, and Walt Klinker while at UNI, and I assisted Ed Thomas, Al Kearns, Jon Wiegmann while I was at Aplington Parkersburg. I have since learned form Brian Wilken, Ken Winkler, Walt Fiegel, Keith Hanks, Tom Wilson, Darrin Fisher, and many others since I have been coaching. These guys have all taught me that HARD WORK and SUCCESS go hand in hand. Not just in football but in life as well. I like to win games, we all do, BUT if these kids we coach learn that hard work will increase their chances of success in football and that carries over into their lives away form football than I have TRULY done my job. I would be nowhere without the work ethic these coaches have instilled in me. I owe it my athletes to teach them the same. I am still not a genius, not the best football mind. I outwork people. I put more into it than others are willing to do. I care about my kids more (at least I show them more) than others are willing to. That is why I have been successful. I have a successful system. The kids buy into it. I can sell my program to kids, and I can sell myself to kids. When they buy in to what you want, you will win.
