small school likes and dislikes

Hey Tog,

I am in my first year at a small school as the offensive coordinator. I was the Head coach at a large school of about 1300 students 10-12. Now I am at a school of about 250 students in 10-12. In my areaI like the small school setting. There is only one elementary school and one middle school so it is very easy to get to know the kids coming up through the schools. At the larger school I would barely see some of the students because they are so spread out and participate is so many different sports. Small school all the kids play the same sports together and grow with each other. Larger school offers more sports and studnets might only play one sport with each other than play another with other kids. This is just one of the things I have noticed so far but its only the third week into our season. It just seems like its easier to get the kids involved at all levels as we have the modifieds and youth program so close to each other. In the larger district everyone had different schedules and you have a lot more parents thinking thier child should be starting at this position instead of where the team needs him to play.

Having been in both situations – played HS ball in a big school (2500+), coached in a big school (2200) and small schools (170, 250 and currently 78), I’ve seen both sides. I like small schools better, but much of that is simply a personal taste. For one I like small town/rural life much better than I did in a metro area. As far as football (and all athletics) goes:
Pro: 1) Town pride- one school, one team. The players here grew up together and dream of state championships for this team when they are in 5th grade. The football program is important to everyone here- not just the current players. That adds pressure, but also adds to the thrill. 2) I know everyone, have had every player in class and that helps me coach them better, 3) Support from the town is great. I did not see that in the big school, but to be fair I coached in the big school in what is kind of a non-football state. Football is king here.
Con: 1) The short, slow, weak, fat kid who would not go out for football in a big school is a starter or at least a contributor here. That can be a good thing eventually (helps the kid gain confidence, etc.), but it is a little harder to swallow when I just got done watching him take two steps out of his stance then watch the LB run right by him.
2) 2-3 Injuries can make a great team average and an average team bad. 3) No major media (might be a “pro”) and few colleges above Div. III/NAIA visit. We have few top level players- but we do have some. We have had at least one player go on to play in college in each of the last 15 years. We have 3 playing pro football (1 NFL- 49ers, 1 Arena, 1 World League). We have a legitimate Division I athlete right now (a junior), who may not be taken seriously due to the competition he faces. 4) I know all (most anyway) coaches know there are quality players/programs at the small school level, but the public perception that it is a ‘step down” to be here irritates me when I let it. I love football… I also love being able to sit out back and fire a .22 at a target and not be hauled in to jail.
Some people (like myself) get antsy in their younger days and want to “move up” to the big schools. There are some great things there- I coached against a Heisman Trophy candidate, and several DI players. We played in a great (often empty) stadium- and for some people I think it can be a great experience. It just wasn’t for me in spite of several on-field successes. A lot of (friends, family) thought I was nuts to quit a job at a class 5A school and move back to where I started in a town of 900. I remember Tom Osborne saying at a clinic one year: “The big time is where you are”. I buy that. I will admit though that we constantly sell our players on the idea that we are not a small program, but a big-time program at a small school level, because I think the “small is bad” perception is out there- for them (players) more than for the coaches. (There is a lot of animosity between our town and the bigger, wealthier neighboring town. I don’t think there is near as much envy as when I came back here 4 years ago, but it is something you have to fight- at least here- in a small school environment.)

Best thing is not necessarily the coaching part, but the classroom. I know every kid in the hall. Who our athletes are hanging out with, etc. Also, I think in general, that small school kids are better kids and that the administration handles them in a little more "old school" way.