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Post by senatorblutarsky on Oct 16, 2023 0:14:08 GMT -6
Well, I just ended my most frustrating season in coaching ever in 34 years. I probably had what should have been more frustrating years in the early 90s, but I was too young and stupid to know better.
We ended 4-5. It is the first losing season here in 12 years and first losing season I’ve had as a coach since 2001, which is also the last time I team I coached missed the playoffs.
Some lowlights:
We had a roster of 24. The fewest I’ve had in 11 man football.
I was told 3 hours before kickoff that we would not have the services of a starting defensive back. This happened not once, but twice- both games were against the top two passing teams in the region (including Friday night where we lost a 42-8 nailbiter).
We lost two games in the last 30 seconds. If we win one of those, we are in the playoffs (or at least tied with two others for two spots).
We script plays (usually just the first few plays of the first few series) and lined up in the wrong formation (after being in the huddle) on the second play of the game. So I called timeout. Probably not necessary since it was 2nd & 1 and we could run that play from the formation we were in… it was just the principle of the situation… and I was pissed, so I burned a timeout.
We weren’t playing very well but had been moving the ball and were down 14-0 with a little over a minute left in the first half. 4th and 2 from their 28… we gained 1.5 yds. They go the length of the field in 3 plays and score with 8 seconds left.
There are other dumb things that went on this year, but I don’t want to get in to that now… but we had to suspend a few kids (both starters and underclassmen).
It was like Quentin Tarantino was directing our season. It was so ridiculous that by the end of the season, we were expecting the stupidity.
I guess on the plus side (if there is one) we started mostly sophomores and juniors this season. We even ran a series with (the four) seniors out and gained 22 yds. In 5 plays.
I’m going to take some time to decide whether or not to ride off in to the sunset or use poor judgment and keep doing this.
I don’t want to be too much of a complainer- it’s been a great ride and a blessing that I’ve been able to be in this game so long. I’ve benefited tremendously from being in football. I just don’t know that the tradeoff of time, commitment, hip/knee/back pain and liver damage is worth it.
Best of luck to those of you still going.
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Post by larrymoe on Oct 16, 2023 4:07:03 GMT -6
That sounds nearly identical to my 2014. Went 3-6 and lost 3 of those games by a combined 4pts. I stuck around and the next year was a rebound and went 5-5 and made playoffs, starting only 2 Srs. 2016 though was a complete disaster and it should have been the year I got out, but I tried to reinflate the balloon a couple more years.
Best of luck to you coach in whatever you do. There's much more to life than making yourself miserable about the outcome of a game that the kids won't spend 2 minutes afterwards caring about the outcome.
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Post by CS on Oct 16, 2023 4:14:09 GMT -6
 I can feel this post |
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Post by senatorblutarsky on Oct 16, 2023 7:45:04 GMT -6
I saw what you said about liking your seniors in class but not in the realm of sports.
Exact same sentiment here.
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Post by fantom on Oct 16, 2023 9:48:40 GMT -6
Well, I just ended my most frustrating season in coaching ever in 34 years. I probably had what should have been more frustrating years in the early 90s, but I was too young and stupid to know better. We ended 4-5. It is the first losing season here in 12 years and first losing season I’ve had as a coach since 2001, which is also the last time I team I coached missed the playoffs. Some lowlights: We had a roster of 24. The fewest I’ve had in 11 man football. I was told 3 hours before kickoff that we would not have the services of a starting defensive back. This happened not once, but twice- both games were against the top two passing teams in the region (including Friday night where we lost a 42-8 nailbiter). We lost two games in the last 30 seconds. If we win one of those, we are in the playoffs (or at least tied with two others for two spots). We script plays (usually just the first few plays of the first few series) and lined up in the wrong formation (after being in the huddle) on the second play of the game. So I called timeout. Probably not necessary since it was 2nd & 1 and we could run that play from the formation we were in… it was just the principle of the situation… and I was pissed, so I burned a timeout. We weren’t playing very well but had been moving the ball and were down 14-0 with a little over a minute left in the first half. 4th and 2 from their 28… we gained 1.5 yds. They go the length of the field in 3 plays and score with 8 seconds left. There are other dumb things that went on this year, but I don’t want to get in to that now… but we had to suspend a few kids (both starters and underclassmen). It was like Quentin Tarantino was directing our season. It was so ridiculous that by the end of the season, we were expecting the stupidity. I guess on the plus side (if there is one) we started mostly sophomores and juniors this season. We even ran a series with (the four) seniors out and gained 22 yds. In 5 plays. I’m going to take some time to decide whether or not to ride off in to the sunset or use poor judgment and keep doing this. I don’t want to be too much of a complainer- it’s been a great ride and a blessing that I’ve been able to be in this game so long. I’ve benefited tremendously from being in football. I just don’t know that the tradeoff of time, commitment, hip/knee/back pain and liver damage is worth it. Best of luck to those of you still going. I understand and sympathize. To any coach that hasn't I'll give a word of advice: Get ready because some day you will. Only one thing surprised me: Holy crap, it's mid-October and you're done. |
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Post by canesfan on Oct 17, 2023 9:43:50 GMT -6
We started 1-5 and lost those five games by a total of 23 points.
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Post by chi5hi on Oct 17, 2023 12:16:50 GMT -6
Everybody has been there...but we keep coming back.
How many great seasons have been lost because of a fumble...a missed tackle...a penalty...?
Kids are resilient. They move on to something else. As kids, we did that, too. Now, the only thing coaches move on to is the next season.
See you in the Spring!
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Post by wingtol on Oct 17, 2023 14:53:10 GMT -6
"I’m going to take some time to decide whether or not to ride off in to the sunset or use poor judgment and keep doing this."
When its at that point, go. Don't stay a year too long. I made that mistake. I loved the kids and being around them and coaching, but that last season every day driving there I was thinking about what else I could be doing and regretting hanging in for one more. You can always go back to the game, you can't get that time back if you're miserable and frustrated
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Post by chi5hi on Oct 17, 2023 15:22:58 GMT -6
"I’m going to take some time to decide whether or not to ride off in to the sunset or use poor judgment and keep doing this." When its at that point, go. Don't stay a year too long. I made that mistake. I loved the kids and being around them and coaching, but that last season every day driving there I was thinking about what else I could be doing and regretting hanging in for one more. You can always go back to the game, you can't get that time back if you're miserable and frustrated A bad season is only an experience that gives us wisdom. It gave you misery, yes...but it also gave you some ideas on how to fix things. When we were children all we needed was a ball and six more guys. We'd make up a game and set the rules for ourselves. One piece of wisdom we learned during those pick-up games was that there's always a "do-over". That's what next season is. It's a do-over! |
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Post by larrymoe on Oct 17, 2023 16:26:43 GMT -6
"I’m going to take some time to decide whether or not to ride off in to the sunset or use poor judgment and keep doing this." When its at that point, go. Don't stay a year too long. I made that mistake. As did I- stay one year too long that is. |
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Post by senatorblutarsky on Oct 18, 2023 10:11:10 GMT -6
A bad season is only an experience that gives us wisdom. It gave you misery, yes...but it also gave you some ideas on how to fix things. To a point, I agree.
But with experience (wisdom) there also is the "serenity to accept the things I cannot change".
Unfortunately, this is a rather accurate depiction:
I probably stayed here 4-5 years too long. A lot of BS to deal with (no different than most jobs, but ours is getting worse). I stayed because kids kept coming out, we kept winning, etc.
At best, we'll have 23 on the roster. Guys from the other school (in a co-op) are talented, but uncommitted (they are at a school that really seems to celebrate mediocrity). We can't drop the co-op until after next season (which we likely will do).
The (out of building) basketball coach and the (out of building) wrestling coach and the (out of building) baseball coach push their guys to be single sport athletes. I'm telling guys to go out for other sports... but if they are good (or courted by the other coaches), I worry that they might stop playing football.
Overall weight room attendance dropped by about 50% in a year (all sports... because other coaches no longer promote it).
There are more issues (i.e. facilities), but that's not worth going in to at the moment.
It's a little early for me to retire (mostly because I have retirements in multiple states... there's a lesson in that), and I still want to coach.
I'm just not convinced that it's going to be Here anymore.
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Post by blb on Oct 18, 2023 11:07:29 GMT -6
senatorblutarsky FWIW I will tell you from experience: I probably stayed two years too long at my last HC job. But I told them when they hired me I'd give them at least five years. So I did. After three I just didn't want to do the weekend (game prep) stuff and games weren't fun any more. Still enjoyed the camaraderie with the kids-coaches, teaching the game on the field. Didn't have problems with parents or administrators. And we had been more successful than the school had been in decades. My last year I was talking to a young opposing head coach before the game like you do and he asked me, "How long have you been coaching?" I told him it was my 40th year. He looked at me like I had two heads, then said "I can't see me doing this that long."
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Post by senatorblutarsky on Oct 18, 2023 11:13:16 GMT -6
senatorblutarsky FWIW I will tell you from experience: I probably stayed two years too long at my last HC job. But I told them when they hired me I'd give them at least five years. So I did. After three I just didn't want to do the weekend (game prep) stuff and games weren't fun any more. Still enjoyed the camaraderie with the kids-coaches, teaching the game on the field. Didn't have problems with parents or administrators. And we had been more successful than the school had been in decades. My last year I was talking to a young opposing head coach before the game like you do and he asked me, "How long have you been coaching?" I told him it was my 40th year. He looked at me like I had two heads, then said "I can't see me doing this that long."
Appreciate it.
I've called the 1-2 guys who have been in longer than I have. It's hard to find the dinosaurs any more... which is why this is such a great resource.
I like the kids, the $ is good... there are still some positives about being here.
They other day I was talking to my dad (who is 84) and he said, "Well, you love to rebuild programs- you've got one right there."
I said "Yes... but I don't want to necessarily rebuild something we built".
I guess if nothing else, I have a good opening line for a clinic talk (should anyone ever ask me to speak again): "When I came here, I promised to turn the program around. And I did that. Twice".
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Post by blb on Oct 18, 2023 11:48:57 GMT -6
If you stay in one place long enough -
Sooner or later you will have to rebuild your own program.
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Post by wingtol on Oct 19, 2023 6:36:52 GMT -6
"I’m going to take some time to decide whether or not to ride off in to the sunset or use poor judgment and keep doing this." When its at that point, go. Don't stay a year too long. I made that mistake. I loved the kids and being around them and coaching, but that last season every day driving there I was thinking about what else I could be doing and regretting hanging in for one more. You can always go back to the game, you can't get that time back if you're miserable and frustrated A bad season is only an experience that gives us wisdom. It gave you misery, yes...but it also gave you some ideas on how to fix things. When we were children all we needed was a ball and six more guys. We'd make up a game and set the rules for ourselves. One piece of wisdom we learned during those pick-up games was that there's always a "do-over". That's what next season is. It's a do-over! I have been through bad seasons and still wanted to come back the next year and keep at it. But when you start asking yourself "Is it worth it?" or "How do I know when it's time to go".....it's not and it is |
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Post by larrymoe on Oct 19, 2023 7:04:33 GMT -6
If you stay in one place long enough - Sooner or later you will have to rebuild your own program. And it seems the turnover rate for that is getting shorter and shorter. Because kids are the same kids as they've always been... |
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Post by coachwoodall on Oct 19, 2023 7:20:36 GMT -6
If you stay in one place long enough - Sooner or later you will have to rebuild your own program. And it seems the turnover rate for that is getting shorter and shorter. Because kids are the same kids as they've always been... my biggest problem is that every season I get a year older, but the players never age... |
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Post by larrymoe on Oct 22, 2023 13:14:16 GMT -6
And it seems the turnover rate for that is getting shorter and shorter. Because kids are the same kids as they've always been... my biggest problem is that every season I get a year older, but the players never age... That is definitely an issue as well. I found i had little to nothing in common with the kids my last 3-4 years. Different interests, values, sense of humor, interest in the game, etc. I tend to theorize that I coached so many sports over the 20 years I was in, I got older a lot faster than most.(I coached 41 "seasons" over 20 years.) |
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Post by IronmanFootball on Oct 23, 2023 9:06:10 GMT -6
Well, I just ended my most frustrating season in coaching ever in 34 years. I probably had what should have been more Let me say that COVID kind of gave me an out I wasn't having the guts enough to just take on my own accord. With our season moved to January I had a lot of time to think about coaching again. One big thing was who am I spending so much time with (re the staff) and why?! Another was whether I still wanted to coach football, or give my 'afternoon and weekend' time elsewhere. Clearly I love football but the thing I realized was: 1- I wasn't enjoying watching college or NFL games at home as much 2- I didn't like who I was when stressed over wins and losses. I took that "spring season" off, then coached the MS team where I taught because the coach quit right before the season. That little mini-season was good, but it was def. enough for me to know it was time Now I'm doing S&C with all sports at a private facility. Has way more pros than cons. 1 More efficient, when I'm done I'm DONE no waiting around for Jeff's mom to get there 2- Set your own schedule so if I need a weekend off or a random week day so be it 3- Work with different sports and types of athletes, more variety 4- No laundry, field painting, film sessions of Texas Chainsaw blurry crap to watch 5- Sundays OFF 6- Saturday done by 12 It's really revitalized my "coaching" even with some FB players I work with in the off-season |
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