jpurye1
Probationary Member
Posts: 5
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Post by jpurye1 on Jul 30, 2017 19:18:45 GMT -6
This will be my fifth year coaching. Fourth as a head coach. I got to a program that never won any games ever...as in the history of the school. Each year we have got better. Last year was a peak year for us. We went 8-2 and we had 38 players (1a in Louisiana) I'm thinking once we start winning the program will take off. Well we are going into the school year with 22 players. Graduated 9 but other kids decided not to play. One kid wanted to finish Boy Scouts, 2 other wanted to focus on soccer!!! We don't have football kids here but I recruit my butt off in the hallways and get kids to come out and play. I built expectations of what I expect from myself and program. Just nervous about the upcoming year with the lack of numbers. I thought winning would help grow it. I'm Loyal and enjoy the program. I love building up guys but I also want to win. I thought I could really build a program here. It's hard to not take it personal.
Any help from you guys that have been through this or offer any advice would be great.
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Post by coachd5085 on Jul 30, 2017 20:08:57 GMT -6
This will be my fifth year coaching. Fourth as a head coach. I got to a program that never won any games ever...as in the history of the school. Each year we have got better. Last year was a peak year for us. We went 8-2 and we had 38 players (1a in Louisiana) I'm thinking once we start winning the program will take off. Well we are going into the school year with 22 players. Graduated 9 but other kids decided not to play. One kid wanted to finish Boy Scouts, 2 other wanted to focus on soccer!!! We don't have football kids here but I recruit my butt off in the hallways and get kids to come out and play. I built expectations of what I expect from myself and program. Just nervous about the upcoming year with the lack of numbers. I thought winning would help grow it. I'm Loyal and enjoy the program. I love building up guys but I also want to win. I thought I could really build a program here. It's hard to not take it personal. Any help from you guys that have been through this or offer any advice would be great. Football is losing popularity. The TV ratings plummeted last year for the regular season, participation numbers are down nationwide (in fact there are like 2 other threads exactly like yours floating around here somewhere) . Don't take it personally.
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Post by 19delta on Jul 31, 2017 4:56:57 GMT -6
Football is hard. It takes a lot of commitment, discipline, and effort to be good. Sadly, there are fewer and fewer kid who are willing to do it.
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Post by freezeoption on Jul 31, 2017 5:06:38 GMT -6
I've been there, after this season you may have to take a look and see if this job is for you, but this season is going so give it your best.
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Post by rsmith627 on Jul 31, 2017 5:27:12 GMT -6
We are a BIG school in Michigan and while our varsity numbers are fine at the moment, our sub varsity numbers are low.
Last year we had 55 kids play JV. This year I had 38 in minicamp last week. The 9th grade class isn't much better and may be worse. I haven't seen those numbers yet.
We have had success. Back to back state titles in 2013 and 2014, fairly deep playoff run last year.
It isn't about winning or not anymore. Kids just aren't playing.
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Post by bluboy on Jul 31, 2017 5:38:21 GMT -6
"It isn't about winning or not anymore. Kids just aren't playing." I totally agree. Some of the biggest (by student population) schools in my area have varsity teams with only 25-35 players. Our numbers(varsity and frosh)are good, but we have lost a few kids who: a) don't want to invest the time/effort that football demands, b)want to do other things that they can't do if involved in football. IMHO, this is a trend right now.
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Post by rsmith627 on Jul 31, 2017 6:54:39 GMT -6
We'll see what happens for us. I know our 9th and 10th grade classes are smaller in general. The district has known this since those kids were in kindergarten. Our population picks back up with the 7th grade class so our football numbers will hopefully jump back up in a few years here.
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Post by blb on Jul 31, 2017 7:00:47 GMT -6
We'll see what happens for us. I know our 9th and 10th grade classes are smaller in general. The district has known this since those kids were in kindergarten. Our population picks back up with the 7th grade class so our football numbers will hopefully jump back up in a few years here.
Don't know about other states, but the school-age population in Michigan is way down due to declining birth rates and economy (people leaving state for jobs).
Some HSs have lost as much as 50% of their enrollment in last decade.
So there are fewer boys in HSs to play football, which is one reason for lower program numbers.
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Post by irishdog on Jul 31, 2017 9:57:11 GMT -6
This will be my fifth year coaching. Fourth as a head coach. I got to a program that never won any games ever...as in the history of the school. Each year we have got better. Last year was a peak year for us. We went 8-2 and we had 38 players (1a in Louisiana) I'm thinking once we start winning the program will take off. Well we are going into the school year with 22 players. Graduated 9 but other kids decided not to play. One kid wanted to finish Boy Scouts, 2 other wanted to focus on soccer!!! We don't have football kids here but I recruit my butt off in the hallways and get kids to come out and play. I built expectations of what I expect from myself and program. Just nervous about the upcoming year with the lack of numbers. I thought winning would help grow it. I'm Loyal and enjoy the program. I love building up guys but I also want to win. I thought I could really build a program here. It's hard to not take it personal. Any help from you guys that have been through this or offer any advice would be great. Your situation is very similar to what I experienced my last three years as a HC. And is part of the reason why I decided after 45 years of coaching football at the HS and College levels to step aside, take a break, and re-evaluate if I want to continue or not. I have also been a football coach in 5 different states (wife's job) and have noticed over the past 10 years a decrease in participation numbers. As our society has become softer, so have the boys. Football has never been a sport for everyone, but everyone loved the sport. I don't believe that is the case anymore.
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Post by lions23 on Jul 31, 2017 12:53:01 GMT -6
Don't let anyone tell you what you can get done or the kids can get done.
It's part of the building. It's not easy for the adults either and there are just as many programs that have adults-the coaches, admins, teachers, boosters that are the biggest problems. Evaluate all of them first. It won't be easy you'll need support and the ability to delegate to those people. Make sure you got people around that care about kids, build relationships with kids, and willing to contribute their strengths and learn more football as needed. They should know it is never easy.
Never stop recruiting your kids and building relationships with them.
Make sure you have efficient well planned practices and training. You will lose trust and this kids if you are not effective manager of all time you ask of them. You will lose good adults even faster if you are a poor manager. Kids and adults have lots they can spend their time on.
Make sure Maslow's hierarchy is taken care of. You'll need to get to know kids and coaches to get to know kids to evaluate this.
Make sure it's about the process and you congratulate kids as they get good at the process.
Make your program special and unique somehow.
It is not the kids!
You will lose some bc you are working hard and doing things right. That's is okay. Evaluate the guys you left. Can you count on them and they are pretty good kids?
If so you might be fine. We were in a similar situation at 2 different schools. Got it done at both. I hate to break it to you but it never gets easy-even after winning. Sometimes a little easier but it never gets easy! You got to 8-2 with hard work. It will take hard work to sustain it.
We were at bigger schools but our numbers have dropped since we were building and everyone got excited. A lot of kids are willing to come out and give it a shot at first. We used to get 110 and now we are s lot closer to 80. And that has steadied out right around there for a few years since we are losing about 1 time a year. For a few kids we ask too much. Some kids just don't like the game. That's okay. I can see why you would be concerned with only 22. Keep recruiting some of those guys.
As we have leveled off some. We have gotten even better.
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Post by lions23 on Jul 31, 2017 12:54:43 GMT -6
Don't let anyone tell you what you can get done or the kids can get done.
It's part of the building. It's not easy for the adults either and there are just as many programs that have adults-the coaches, admins, teachers, boosters that are the biggest problems. Evaluate all of them first. It won't be easy you'll need support and the ability to delegate to those people. Make sure you got people around that care about kids, build relationships with kids, and willing to contribute their strengths and learn more football as needed. They should know it is never easy.
Never stop recruiting your kids and building relationships with them.
Make sure you have efficient well planned practices and training. You will lose trust and this kids if you are not effective manager of all time you ask of them. You will lose good adults even faster if you are a poor manager. Kids and adults have lots they can spend their time on.
Make sure Maslow's hierarchy is taken care of. You'll need to get to know kids and coaches to get to know kids to evaluate this.
Make sure it's about the process and you congratulate kids as they get good at the process.
Make your program special and unique somehow.
It is not the kids!
You will lose some bc you are working hard and doing things right. That's is okay. Evaluate the guys you left. Can you count on them and they are pretty good kids?
If so you might be fine. We were in a similar situation at 2 different schools. Got it done at both. I hate to break it to you but it never gets easy-even after winning. Sometimes a little easier but it never gets easy! You got to 8-2 with hard work. It will take hard work to sustain it.
We were at bigger schools but our numbers have dropped since we were building and everyone got excited. A lot of kids are willing to come out and give it a shot at first. We used to get 110 and now we are s lot closer to 80. And that has steadied out right around there for a few years since we are losing about 1 time a year. For a few kids we ask too much. Some kids just don't like the game. That's okay. I can see why you would be concerned with only 22. Keep recruiting some of those guys.
As we have leveled off some. We have gotten even better.
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Post by coachwoodall on Jul 31, 2017 14:17:48 GMT -6
Question, for those with declining numbers, is there a correlation between this and the number of coaches in the building/school system?
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Post by seabass on Jul 31, 2017 15:46:24 GMT -6
The amount of negative press about football over the last 2 years is impacting participation all over the country. It started in the youth leagues and it will work its way up.
I know some of you believe the youth game gains and loses popularity all the time but that hasn't impacted HS football. I believe this time it's different. Parents aren't allowing their kids to play football because they believe it to be too dangerous. A different kind of dangerous. That won't change as they get older.
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Post by blb on Jul 31, 2017 15:57:57 GMT -6
The amount of negative press about football over the last 2 years is impacting participation all over the country. It started in the youth leagues and it will work its way up. I know some of you believe the youth game gains and loses popularity all the time but that hasn't impacted HS football. I believe this time it's different. Parents aren't allowing their kids to play football because they believe it to be too dangerous. A different kind of dangerous. That won't change as they get older.
You are probably right.
But your reply did not help OP or others in a similar situation.
Any positive suggestions?
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Post by seabass on Jul 31, 2017 16:28:47 GMT -6
The amount of negative press about football over the last 2 years is impacting participation all over the country. It started in the youth leagues and it will work its way up. I know some of you believe the youth game gains and loses popularity all the time but that hasn't impacted HS football. I believe this time it's different. Parents aren't allowing their kids to play football because they believe it to be too dangerous. A different kind of dangerous. That won't change as they get older.
You are probably right.
But your reply did not help OP or others in a similar situation.
Any positive suggestions?
Sorry about that! I think we have to start selling football to parents. Unfortunately, that won't help the OP with his problem for this season. I have been leading a grass roots effort in my area of the world. I made up a presentation that I have been giving to any group that will allow me the 20 minute it takes. So far it has been a handful of service groups. I believe football has some unique opportunities for kids that the other sports don't provide. My presentation highlights those and puts the concussion issue into a context that I think is more realistic.
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Post by chi5hi on Jul 31, 2017 18:34:51 GMT -6
This will be my fifth year coaching. Fourth as a head coach. I got to a program that never won any games ever...as in the history of the school. Each year we have got better. Last year was a peak year for us. We went 8-2 and we had 38 players (1a in Louisiana) I'm thinking once we start winning the program will take off. Well we are going into the school year with 22 players. Graduated 9 but other kids decided not to play. One kid wanted to finish Boy Scouts, 2 other wanted to focus on soccer!!! We don't have football kids here but I recruit my butt off in the hallways and get kids to come out and play. I built expectations of what I expect from myself and program. Just nervous about the upcoming year with the lack of numbers. I thought winning would help grow it. I'm Loyal and enjoy the program. I love building up guys but I also want to win. I thought I could really build a program here. It's hard to not take it personal. Any help from you guys that have been through this or offer any advice would be great. Football is losing popularity. The TV ratings plummeted last year for the regular season, participation numbers are down nationwide (in fact there are like 2 other threads exactly like yours floating around here somewhere) . Don't take it personally. Very true. Even ESPN sounds more like a political show than a sports station.
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Post by coachd5085 on Jul 31, 2017 20:16:11 GMT -6
Football is losing popularity. The TV ratings plummeted last year for the regular season, participation numbers are down nationwide (in fact there are like 2 other threads exactly like yours floating around here somewhere) . Don't take it personally. Very true. Even ESPN sounds more like a political show than a sports station. Hot Takes baby...Hot takes. Although I think ESPN is on the verge (if it hasn't already done so) of losing its self proclaimed title as the worldwide leader in sports.
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Post by 53 on Jul 31, 2017 20:31:50 GMT -6
Football is losing popularity. The TV ratings plummeted last year for the regular season, participation numbers are down nationwide (in fact there are like 2 other threads exactly like yours floating around here somewhere) . Don't take it personally. Very true. Even ESPN sounds more like a political show than a sports station. They forgot people like sports because it's a break from politics and and the everyday issues surrounding people. They started taking themselves way too serious.
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Post by tippecanoe41 on Aug 1, 2017 22:21:18 GMT -6
This will be my fifth year coaching. Fourth as a head coach. I got to a program that never won any games ever...as in the history of the school. Each year we have got better. Last year was a peak year for us. We went 8-2 and we had 38 players (1a in Louisiana) I'm thinking once we start winning the program will take off. Well we are going into the school year with 22 players. Graduated 9 but other kids decided not to play. One kid wanted to finish Boy Scouts, 2 other wanted to focus on soccer!!! We don't have football kids here but I recruit my butt off in the hallways and get kids to come out and play. I built expectations of what I expect from myself and program. Just nervous about the upcoming year with the lack of numbers. I thought winning would help grow it. I'm Loyal and enjoy the program. I love building up guys but I also want to win. I thought I could really build a program here. It's hard to not take it personal. Any help from you guys that have been through this or offer any advice would be great. It's a tough situation. For instance, very long story, but last year we started off terrible and then had a coaching change (HC resigned on a Monday morning, haha--again long story) but then we got a few guys to come into the program and everyone went to work. We won half of our remaining games in the season. Guys were having success like they didn't have under the previous HC and his CRAZY systems (like I say long story, just trust me). We had guys who were excited that there was finally a group of coaches there that would demand their best and would expect their best effort and wanted them to be great rather than just telling them they were awesome regardless of the scoreboard. We had plenty of guys show up early in the morning before school, VOLUNTARILY, to run sprints, etc. because the HC hadn't made conditioning a big deal and when the change happened, they realized it was. VOLUNTARILY showed up for sprints by themselves, with no coaches there. It was amazing seeing how the attitudes had changed for these guys. We didn't have great numbers, but we expected almost every varsity guy to be back this year and to have 2 deep at every varsity position. Well, even though the attitude was amazing leading into the offseason, we still have had guys decide to quit so that now we are scrambling to fill positions. They want to work, or spend time with GF's, or, most often, they just aren't feeling it. I really just don't understand it. We had one guy who was doing amazing through summer workouts decide to quit and run cross country. If I'm gonna run my @$$ off, you better believe I'm going to do it in a sport that at least allows me to beat the hell out of someone, haha. It just seems that there's really never a good reason for a guy to quit in most cases. At least I'm saying that most cases it isn't about a coach or a coaching style, so don't beat yourself up trying to figure it out. I can't figure out kids. I just try to get after the ones who are out there putting out effort to do something that is so difficult. Let's face it, Tennis AIN'T Football. I don't know great advice for you. The biggest thing I can say that we are trying to do is to give the guys who come out a great sense of pride in being the type of guy that comes out for the hard work and pain and self-sacrifice and teamwork involved in football. Hopefully, we'll win 80% of games or better and have great turnout from here. I'd say the biggest thing I believe is that I won't ever try to beg anyone to come out who doesn't want to be there. And I won't let any guy on our team believe that anything has changed because Bobby or Joe isn't there. Screw it. He doesn't want to be a part of the team. Who cares. We're gonna beat the piss out of people regardless. Let's get after it.
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Post by 19delta on Aug 2, 2017 6:17:02 GMT -6
Our high school program is a co-op between two small, rural high schools, combined enrollment of a little more than 300 students. Last year, our junior high numbers were so low that we could only field a single junior high team (we usually field separate 7th and 8th graded teams). And, of course, that is going to start impacting the high school program. As it stands right now, we are going to have a tough time of fielding both a varsity and frosh-soph team this fall. I think that right now, we are right around 15 or so freshman and sophomores. That's not much to work with, especially considering that anywhere from 2-4 of those kids will be varsity starters.
Obviously, what we have been doing at the junior high level hasn't been working. This year, we are not going to play tackle football at the junior high level. Instead, our junior high kids are going to lift weights during the week and then play 7-on-7 on Saturday morning against each other (being coached by the HS staff). It's a pretty radical idea and our HFC has taken a ton of flack for it but he has stuck to his guns. He recognized that something had to change and this is what we have decided to do. Junior high football is supposed to be a feeder for the HS program and that clearly hasn't been happening.
The results have been pretty good, so far. We currently have over 20 7th and 8th graders who have been attending at least two days of weight training a week. And, more than a couple of them are kids who probably wouldn't have played if we were still doing tackle football at the junior high level. The hope is that the weight lifting will give these kids some confidence as they get bigger and stronger. Also, we are hoping that this will make high school football something "special"...it will give kids something to look forward to once they are freshman. I give our HFC a lot of credit. It is a pretty radical idea but we had to do something different. I think it is ultimately going to boost our numbers.
The interesting thing is that I think we are ahead of the curve. I know that at least a couple of area schools have contacted our HFC and have expressed interest in what we are doing. I would not be surprised if we had a handful of schools doing something like this in regards to JH football within the next 5 years.
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Post by wolverine55 on Aug 2, 2017 6:52:53 GMT -6
Delta, I think you guys are headed in the right direction. I once heard a legendary IL coach speak at a clinic (you know who I mean, think Illini West/Carthage) and he was asked how he "dealt with" not having any sort of junior high program when several of his yearly opponents did. He stated that he preferred not having junior high football. Now, he didn't have this sort of program in place, but I do think it's a good idea.
Speaking for our program, we do have tackle in 7th and 8th grade, but we used to have tackle all the way down to 3rd and 4th grade I think. We eliminated the younger levels in favor of flag.
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Post by jrk5150 on Aug 4, 2017 11:57:58 GMT -6
Delta, I think you guys are headed in the right direction. I once heard a legendary IL coach speak at a clinic (you know who I mean, think Illini West/Carthage) and he was asked how he "dealt with" not having any sort of junior high program when several of his yearly opponents did. He stated that he preferred not having junior high football. Now, he didn't have this sort of program in place, but I do think it's a good idea. Speaking for our program, we do have tackle in 7th and 8th grade, but we used to have tackle all the way down to 3rd and 4th grade I think. We eliminated the younger levels in favor of flag. How long ago did you change to flag? How are your numbers at each level? Do you see a drop off or do they stay with it from flag to tackle? Were there numbers issues before you did that? My youth org has had zero luck converting kids from flag to tackle - they all quit when they realize it's not the glorified gym class that the local flag football org is. And we want them to stay, they just don't understand why a kid who is 11 and 150 lbs and can't run 20 yards without falling can't play WR like he did in flag (no linemen or blocking in our local flag org, it's the NFL Play 60 crap). Our numbers are declining every year at the youth level. Same org, same people running it/coaching, fewer kids. 5 years ago we had 7 teams of 25-30 kids (7 - 14). Now we field 4. HS #'s dropping too. Although we just got a new Varsity staff, and the freshman numbers were big with the energy the change brought. Hope he keeps them.
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Post by wolverine55 on Aug 5, 2017 6:58:44 GMT -6
Delta, I think you guys are headed in the right direction. I once heard a legendary IL coach speak at a clinic (you know who I mean, think Illini West/Carthage) and he was asked how he "dealt with" not having any sort of junior high program when several of his yearly opponents did. He stated that he preferred not having junior high football. Now, he didn't have this sort of program in place, but I do think it's a good idea. Speaking for our program, we do have tackle in 7th and 8th grade, but we used to have tackle all the way down to 3rd and 4th grade I think. We eliminated the younger levels in favor of flag. How long ago did you change to flag? How are your numbers at each level? Do you see a drop off or do they stay with it from flag to tackle? Were there numbers issues before you did that? My youth org has had zero luck converting kids from flag to tackle - they all quit when they realize it's not the glorified gym class that the local flag football org is. And we want them to stay, they just don't understand why a kid who is 11 and 150 lbs and can't run 20 yards without falling can't play WR like he did in flag (no linemen or blocking in our local flag org, it's the NFL Play 60 crap). Our numbers are declining every year at the youth level. Same org, same people running it/coaching, fewer kids. 5 years ago we had 7 teams of 25-30 kids (7 - 14). Now we field 4. HS #'s dropping too. Although we just got a new Varsity staff, and the freshman numbers were big with the energy the change brought. Hope he keeps them. Last year was the first year we did flag only 3-6th grade, so too early for definitive numbers. However...I'm not sure what's going to happen with it now. Last year, our HC was very instrumental in the league--had a role in developing the rules and plays, we as a HC staff ran the coaches' meeting/clinic, and it was a joint effort with the local YMCA. This year, there was no communication from the YMCA on when or how they wanted our involvement. Then, when the flyer came out advertising registration, there was in rather large print, a message saying, "This league has no affiliation with XXXX Community School District"...so I'm not sure what's going to happen now.
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Post by jlenwood on Aug 6, 2017 20:58:40 GMT -6
I really don't think that the concussion issue is the MAIN driving force in declining numbers anymore. At one time I may have, but I just think that football is an institution, like many others, that just isn't that important any more. And before everyone goes ape chit crazy on me, I mean it isn't important in the minds of the kids because, frankly, I don't see it as important in the eyes of a lot of parents.
Think of it as a parallel to the church. Back in the day, when there was nothing else around for community importance, people would work their butt off all week, and on Sunday they would go to church. Through the week, the church was probably an integral part of the community as well. Fast forward to today and there are a load of churches struggling mightily for members. Now the church message is the same, but it just doesn't resonate with as many folks as it used to.
I see football, and a lot of other extra curricular activities for students, as the same thing. Back in our day, when the choices weren't as plentiful as to what you put your time and effort into as it is today, football meant something to the students, faculty and community. I don't think it does any more. You may have some pockets of growth, like the mega churches of today, but in traditionally stable schools and areas numbers are dropping like a rock.
As far as what to offer the OP, sorry man, I got nothing. If you can't look in the pipeline and see a surge of players heading your way, it may just be time to move on.
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Post by s73 on Aug 6, 2017 21:24:58 GMT -6
We made play offs last year & while we are not world beaters we are competitive.
Our numbers have NEVER been great but they've been sustainable. This year scares me a bit. Will struggle to put 25 varsity kids on the field. We're a smaller school so not as bad as it sounds. We're kind of used to it.
Unfortunately, I don't have any answers. I picked up a couple of kids through recruiting the halls. But...for the most part I think the concussion thing & the work FB takes is causing many to walk away. JMO.
Two sad things stand out to me. One, we lost 6 varsity players going into this season due to grades, moving away or code violations. In the past, we could usually recoup those guys through a concerted effort of recruiting. This year seems different.
Second, our talent is actually the best we've had in several years. It will be heart breaking if we sustain some injuries. Nothing worse then a talented team losing it's potential b/c you just can't find a few dudes to give them a blow during a game.
On another note,
School 30 minutes from us has 1300 kids in the building & only 55 players signed up total. Another school close by has 1700 & only 80 players signed up.
The big school conference in our area that is very strong & usually competes very well at the state level just dropped a level of football.
In the past I used to feel like guys who complained about numbers were just "making excuses". I don't feel that way anymore. This is a real issue & the future looks tough.
Again, JMO.
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Post by 54695469 on Aug 6, 2017 21:57:49 GMT -6
How can everyone be hurting for players? Since last November all we've heard is "improve the culture, change the culture..." Books were purchased and read about improving the culture and now....
How could all of these new and improved cultures be lacking players?
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Post by coachd5085 on Aug 6, 2017 23:28:07 GMT -6
How can everyone be hurting for players? Since last November all we've heard is "improve the culture, change the culture..." Books were purchased and read about improving the culture and now.... How could all of these new and improved cultures be lacking players? Same way a person who registered in Feb 2017 is commenting on things since Nov 2016.... Having a championship culture doesn't mean that a program is impervious from waning interest. Of more importance is that having a championship culture doesn't mean constant twitter updates, slogans, hashtags, motivational signs etc. Lots of posters on this board seem to not see the forest for the trees when it comes to this term.
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Post by nltdiego on Aug 7, 2017 5:54:00 GMT -6
Is this the end of high school football?
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Post by blb on Aug 7, 2017 6:26:55 GMT -6
Is this the end of high school football?
No, but the number of 8-man teams in our state increases yearly.
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Post by 19delta on Aug 7, 2017 7:51:08 GMT -6
I really don't think that the concussion issue is the MAIN driving force in declining numbers anymore. At one time I may have, but I just think that football is an institution, like many others, that just isn't that important any more. And before everyone goes ape chit crazy on me, I mean it isn't important in the minds of the kids because, frankly, I don't see it as important in the eyes of a lot of parents. Think of it as a parallel to the church. Back in the day, when there was nothing else around for community importance, people would work their butt off all week, and on Sunday they would go to church. Through the week, the church was probably an integral part of the community as well. Fast forward to today and there are a load of churches struggling mightily for members. Now the church message is the same, but it just doesn't resonate with as many folks as it used to. I see football, and a lot of other extra curricular activities for students, as the same thing. Back in our day, when the choices weren't as plentiful as to what you put your time and effort into as it is today, football meant something to the students, faculty and community. I don't think it does any more. You may have some pockets of growth, like the mega churches of today, but in traditionally stable schools and areas numbers are dropping like a rock. As far as what to offer the OP, sorry man, I got nothing. If you can't look in the pipeline and see a surge of players heading your way, it may just be time to move on. The church analogy is a good one. As society has become more secular, religious leaders have had to change their marketing strategy. Around where I live, the traditional churches are struggling. Congregations are typically very old and it is a real challenge to recruit younger members. On the other hand, the McJesus-style, nondenominational churches are doing pretty well. The reason is that those churches are specifically marketed to a younger generation. The religious message is minimized. The focus is on fun and friends. The competition for kids' time is really intense. As a football coach, if your numbers are really low, you have to ask yourself if you are doing enough to compete for those kids. Why should kids play football for you? What is so special about your program that kids need to spend all that time in the weight room and at 7 on 7s in the summer and then give up 2-3 hours every day after school for 3 months? I think that having a successful program, at least in regards to winning, is just a part of it. Winning is great, but, as some of the posts in this thread show, it can create problems. The more you win, the greater the expectations. To meet those expectations, the kids and coaches are going to have to work ever harder and give up even more time than they already do. So, the question is, what is it about your program that makes you unique among all of the other activities that are vying for kids' time? Why should they commit to you instead of someone else?
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