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Post by carson101 on Oct 7, 2005 0:30:16 GMT -6
hi guy, My turn to whine and snivel.  I have wondered why I took this job this year. I am at a small school and have some tough kids, but they are not tough enough! Our players mouths are so big we could fit our butt in em mentality. I have been coaching a long time and find myself now wanting out more that ever, I have already kicked 5 players off the team for swearing, not caring about the team responsibilities, starting fights with the opponents and crap like that during a game. Suspended two players for game conduct yelling at teammates and officials. Now I am faced with getting rid of three more disrespectful turds. Its only week 5. I started with 35 players 12 of them good athletes the rest first yr players. Our programs JV team is mostly all 8th grade kids playing against 9th and 10th graders. We have a tough schedule but are able to play competitively. The issue is I can't seem to get into these kids heads. They just do not listen to anyone and waisting time on discipline issues are useless. I wish we could just fold the season now. I wonder how I can get these kids attention. The kids I am losing are starters, skilled players and for the most part Qb's, Linemen. I left with a remaining bunch that are petrified kids that won't quit which is good for them bad for me. I am in disbelief because in practice we prep for each team ready to pound on the teams we play, but the crazy part is at game time I may as have a bunch of girls out there instead. These guys will not play and the guys that are remaining skilled players only total 4. What would you think the solution should be? I wanna forfeit the season, but then again its not fair to the kids wanting to learn. I came to this school with a 27-1 record with three section titles. Now I know its not my coaching. And it is not really about the record but darn if I keep teaching a bunch of rocks....... |
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Post by brophy on Oct 7, 2005 9:44:01 GMT -6
sorry to hear that, coach!
What can you coach / teach?
Why do the kids play?
What can make football FUN for them?
What motivates the kids to come out everyday?
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Post by carson101 on Oct 7, 2005 10:08:59 GMT -6
I can coach any position both offense and defense, I am an off campus coach. The kids play the game because they have nothing else to do. Just them being a part of a team is fun for them. The motivation is that if they didn't play football there would be nothing else to do. This schools history has been basically been the same for years. I just wish I had known what I was up against before I commited to this. The strange thing is we started out fine then these guys gave up trying maybe because they all thought football was supposed to be easy like playstation.
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Post by brophy on Oct 7, 2005 11:11:08 GMT -6
I'm sure YOU can coach anything...I should have clarified...what can the KIDS pickup / learn?
How old are these kids?
That's one of the toughest things about a 'losing program' - reconditioning the kids into winning. It's weird to watch a game of kids like this - you get ahead, and they start LOOKING for ways to lose, it's like they expect it....once they get a taste of legitimate victory, it's infectious...but always elusive.
I am in your court, coach---real sorry to hear it's that bad.
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kakavian
Sophomore Member
Where's the ball, boy? Find the ball.
Posts: 175
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Post by kakavian on Oct 7, 2005 19:44:30 GMT -6
Carson-
Been in your shoes, TWICE now. BEst thing I can tell you is a) Take what good you can from the season, b) Put forth positive praise towards the guys who behave right, and who keep their mouths shut even after a big hit. c) Check out the "Black Lion Award" on Wyatt's site, and perhaps announce that there will be one at the end of the year. d) BREATHE. e) Do shuttle runs, relay races, Snake drills, have a "take off the pads and play touch" day, or a "swamp scrimmage" where the Line and the Skills trade places. f) BREATHE.
If I have learned nothing else from my nightmare seasons, is that you learn more about yourself as a coach than you ever wanted to know.
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Post by amikell on Oct 7, 2005 23:06:10 GMT -6
Breathe ... great advice kakavian. I would add, that it sounds like you're doing what you think is right, so keep doing it. winning is not the be all end all. making positive steps is the most important thing. Hopefully you're setting the tone for the future. Teach the kids who want to learn, and they'll be able to carry your system/style for the rest of your career. It sounds like we're in very similar situations. The difference is that I am in my 5th year as HFC and you're in your 1st at this school. You definately have the advantage of being able to change why the kids play football and how they play the game.
BTW...We talked in the spring about your camps in VA, and why the VHSL wouldn't let your camps fly.
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Post by Coach Huey on Oct 8, 2005 23:05:09 GMT -6
well, this ain't the worst but is very frustrating for me. i came on board this past april and we installed a completely new offense.....one that is pretty much 180 degrees from what they had done in the past. it is very, very tough to install a totally new scheme. we've made huge strides but are nowhere near where i thought we would be at this point. others keep telling me that the 2nd year is completely different -- much better, etc.... however, i'm concerned about the present as well. i feel confident that this thing (offense) will continue to take off and we'll be much improved next year and will really evolve this system in the years to come. BUT, at the same time, i want THIS team to be successful so it is frustrating that we can't do some things i've done in the past nor can we currently take full advantage of what the defense is giving us. personally, i feel that i've done a poor job in teaching this team the new system because i refuse to lay the blame on them for our shortcomings.
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Post by carson101 on Oct 9, 2005 19:10:46 GMT -6
Hey Coaches,
Thanks for the support, I guess I was being down on myself a little. I have had a tough year with my health and felt getting back into coaching was the answer. Goes to show everything doesn't stay the same as you leave it. I have found getting back to GOD is more important. The biggest thing I have learned is humility and when I posted this thread boy it was the truth we had just got hammered 42-0. We were ready for this game and 10 min. before the game I get a call that my QB can't play because of a medical release. That killed us back-up QB was inexperienced and our starter was suspended. We did ok, but just not well enough. Anyways, my guys are learning and will be better next year. I will not be here because I am moving back to California, to Coach at the school I came from. Family does'nt like the East Coast. I am gonna just hangloose the rest of the season take it on the chin and keep trying my best to help the kids that want to learn. I will still continue to get the VHSL to allow my camps here, I will also try to spread the wealth else where. If any of you are looking for a great Defense Camp for next season e-mail me I'll get you the info. We will travel to you. Thanks for this site I love all the topics.
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Post by ogie4 on Oct 26, 2005 11:56:01 GMT -6
hi guy, My turn to whine and snivel. I have wondered why I took this job this year. I am at a small school and have some tough kids, but they are not tough enough! Our players mouths are so big we could fit our butt in em mentality. I have been coaching a long time and find myself now wanting out more that ever, I have already kicked 5 players off the team for swearing, not caring about the team responsibilities, starting fights with the opponents and crap like that during a game. Suspended two players for game conduct yelling at teammates and officials. Now I am faced with getting rid of three more disrespectful turds. Its only week 5. I started with 35 players 12 of them good athletes the rest first yr players. Our programs JV team is mostly all 8th grade kids playing against 9th and 10th graders. We have a tough schedule but are able to play competitively. The issue is I can't seem to get into these kids heads. They just do not listen to anyone and waisting time on discipline issues are useless. I wish we could just fold the season now. I wonder how I can get these kids attention. The kids I am losing are starters, skilled players and for the most part Qb's, Linemen. I left with a remaining bunch that are petrified kids that won't quit which is good for them bad for me. I am in disbelief because in practice we prep for each team ready to pound on the teams we play, but the crazy part is at game time I may as have a bunch of girls out there instead. These guys will not play and the guys that are remaining skilled players only total 4. What would you think the solution should be? I wanna forfeit the season, but then again its not fair to the kids wanting to learn. I came to this school with a 27-1 record with three section titles. Now I know its not my coaching. And it is not really about the record but darn if I keep teaching a bunch of rocks....... I have heard this from about every great coach I have ever spoken with. And I have experienced it too (I'm not a great coach) Tough seasons are where you do your best coaching. Never worked harder then during the goose egg years, and in the great seasons it seems like I am hardly working. |
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Post by carson101 on Nov 3, 2005 23:30:46 GMT -6
Well the dagger is in and the season is over. Can't say it was a total loss we did grow a bit compared to the last few weeks but there is a lot of work to be done. I have never been so disrespected in all the years in coaching and never have I had kids get in my face on how they don't have to like me to play the game. This may be true in some cases but for me to pamper these guys would be a joke. I learned alot about these kids in a split second when they decided that a day before a game they are gonna tell me how it is, well thats ok. I walked on the field as a great coach and I still left the field a great coach. I'll take the season as experience, but not as a chip on my shoulder. I'm totally at a loss for words on how I feel and again it goes back to being a one man coaching staff against a bunch of hard head cases. I wish the best for these guys they have the talent they just don't have the disapline nor desire. I hope they find it next season.
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Post by brophy on Nov 4, 2005 8:13:57 GMT -6
I agree... (about working harder in the 'lean' years).
During a post season conference with the coaches (read out drinking beer) I mentioned,
"Y'know, if you were a player...and you put in all that time in the off season, lifted weights, went to camps, practices, these last four years trying to 'turn it around'...would you look back in regret? Would you think 'we failed'? .....No, you wouldn't - because that isn't what makes football, football. It's the guy next to you - the memories you shared with the guys next to you are what was the most rewarding element, not necessarily the scoreboard. So for ME, as a coach, while we did not qualify for the post season this year, these last four years for ME, have been just as rewarding and an honor to share with the kids, their parents, and fellow coaches...."
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Post by los on Nov 4, 2005 19:53:17 GMT -6
Well said coach, I'm not a professional coach like most of you all are but I help and work with football coaches! You guys put too much pressure on yourselves and try to be responsible for stuff that you really can't control! How do you measure yourself as being successful in your field? Win's and Losses? Numbers of players you send to college or pro football? Championships, or by the number of average guys (like me), who never played again after high school but became a productive member of society because guys like you all took the time to teach us what competition/life is all about. Hard work, persistence,honesty and respect, values that I still use everyday. Aside from my parents, my coaches and the guys I played with had the greatest impression on me and any administration/boosters group that doesn't understand this isn't worth working for anyhow! Keep up the good work fella's.
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Post by carson101 on Nov 6, 2005 0:08:17 GMT -6
hey thanks thats really what i was hoping to hear, guys like you are what all us coaches are hoping to instill in kids the fact that football is a learning tool to make decent citizens of our players and to know they at least appreciated our help, we aren't saints, we are coaches with an extended arm for growth and development of the kids that come to play. society just throws most kids out to the curb. it fills my heart to know about kids that give back to football for the same reason. thank you and to all those loyal to the fraternity known as football coaches. God Bless.....I'm Done on this topic...Thanks Again....
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I have wondered why I took this job this year. I am at a small school and have some tough kids, but they are not tough enough! Our players mouths are so big we could fit our butt in em mentality. I have been coaching a long time and find myself now wanting out more that ever, I have already kicked 5 players off the team for swearing, not caring about the team responsibilities, starting fights with the opponents and crap like that during a game. Suspended two players for game conduct yelling at teammates and officials. Now I am faced with getting rid of three more disrespectful turds. Its only week 5. I started with 35 players 12 of them good athletes the rest first yr players. Our programs JV team is mostly all 8th grade kids playing against 9th and 10th graders. We have a tough schedule but are able to play competitively. The issue is I can't seem to get into these kids heads. They just do not listen to anyone and waisting time on discipline issues are useless. I wish we could just fold the season now. I wonder how I can get these kids attention. The kids I am losing are starters, skilled players and for the most part Qb's, Linemen. I left with a remaining bunch that are petrified kids that won't quit which is good for them bad for me. I am in disbelief because in practice we prep for each team ready to pound on the teams we play, but the crazy part is at game time I may as have a bunch of girls out there instead. These guys will not play and the guys that are remaining skilled players only total 4. What would you think the solution should be? I wanna forfeit the season, but then again its not fair to the kids wanting to learn. I came to this school with a 27-1 record with three section titles. Now I know its not my coaching. And it is not really about the record but darn if I keep teaching a bunch of rocks....... 
