wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Mar 11, 2013 7:39:58 GMT -6
We just got Under Armour jerseys last year and haven't had any major problems with them. We did have a numbering mix-up (we got two 81's instead of an 18 and 81) and they're a bit heavier than what we've used previously, but they held up really well. The kids love flashing that UA symbol on gameday.
We could never afford to sign a contract with a company because we barely have the budget to keep our team afloat, but these jerseys were a great purchase.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Feb 21, 2013 19:51:29 GMT -6
I'm not starting a league myself, but I appreciate the advice. I could never pull that off. I'm just a middle school coach wondering where my kids will be coming from, experience-wise.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Jan 16, 2013 17:55:19 GMT -6
I'm not going to get into the specifics because I don't know if I can give you correct details, but there are plenty of rumors that our feeder youth league may not be able to field ANY teams this fall. We organize teams by letter, from A (6th grade) down to E. Our A team won a league title three years ago, and the league hasn't fielded a team in that division since. They couldn't field a B team this past fall and didn't have a ton of players on C. It now looks like they may not have any teams in 2013. I've heard a lot of people complain about the league president (and as one of my kids' parents, I could say a thing or two about his wife and him) and say that they would not be sending their kids out for football this fall - at least, not in this league.
Long story short, what can you do when your feeder program folds up? I see no positives in this at all.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Jan 7, 2013 21:26:51 GMT -6
I'm afraid we're about to step into this situation, so thanks a million for this thread gents.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Jan 7, 2013 16:26:08 GMT -6
From what I can tell, there and plenty of bourbon-specific places. I'm looking for a good blues bar.
If anyone would like to meet up that weekend, feel free to PM me. Would love the opportunity to hang out with some of you!
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Jan 6, 2013 21:32:48 GMT -6
The Louisville Nike COY clinic is February 15-17.
This will be my first clinic. I'd prefer to go to a Glazier Clinic or the SW Conclave, but this is the most reasonable option for me at the moment. A high school coach from my county/district is speaking, and we'd really like a chance to meet Saban or Rodriguez.
On top of all that, The Who are playing the KFC Yum Center that Saturday night. How can you beat that?
Is anyone else going to Louisville? What can I expect from the clinic and city? Any hotspots to hit on what downtime we may have?
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Dec 15, 2012 11:20:35 GMT -6
Only saw the first quarter while I was out to eat, but I really enjoyed it.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Dec 10, 2012 19:36:30 GMT -6
Split them into groups and work some sort of large coop project. I can't be of much help because I've never had an opportunity to work with my players strictly in this capacity. I love it!
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Dec 9, 2012 11:54:04 GMT -6
I can't help you, but I'd love to hear some insight as well! We are building a new school and need to replace all our football facilities.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Dec 2, 2012 18:59:56 GMT -6
There are only a handful of private schools in West Virginia and they don't even all play football, but one school gets enough criticism to overshadow that small number. They've played in the state championship (which is hosted by their home stadium, coincidentally) nine times since 2000, losing only once. I don't know if they recruit or not, but they get crap every year from other Class A schools. Usually, these are schools that don't have much chance at a state title regardless.
That team actually lost in the first round this year, and another private school from the same region played last night in their third final since 2008. They lost 43-42 in overtime, one of the best football games I've ever seen. I figure people will start going off about that school soon.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Dec 1, 2012 14:46:08 GMT -6
In West Virginia, Martinsburg just won their third straight AAA title. That hadn't been done in half a century. A school in my county, Wayne just won their second straight AA title and third out of four attempts since 2006. There are others, but these are probably the top two.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Dec 1, 2012 14:12:06 GMT -6
How to get players 'stronger' and 'mentally tougher' at a middle school program that doesnt allow weight room work or time as a team outside of practice.
+100 again!
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Nov 30, 2012 23:19:19 GMT -6
Getting players to believe TEAM first when dad is constantly in their ear about how they need to go to camp X and Y and need better stats to get a scholarship +100 Sent from my iPhone using ProBoards
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Nov 25, 2012 16:02:26 GMT -6
Mora was calmer than most would be in that situation. This made me a UCLA fan.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Nov 15, 2012 16:17:54 GMT -6
I don't want parents anywhere near the football team. Chain crew, lining the field, etc are fine, but I don't want them in the locker room or even carrying water. They're cancerous.
We had to have parents help with that sort of thing this year out of necessity. One used to coach our kids in youth league and wasn't popular - a little TOO focused on instilling fear. After a big loss, he somehow got in the locker room and decided to wrap up all the coaches' statements with a huge beat down on the kids about discipline. Other folks were not happy and we had to have a talk with him.
Your problem is way worse and I would not let that man back in the program. Talented or not, the kid's not worth that.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Nov 10, 2012 20:27:24 GMT -6
An excellent passage. If you're not in it for the kids, you're wasting your time.
My heart was broken late this season when a few parents (jilted over a playing time issue) accused me privately and publicly about being a phony and not truly caring about the kids. It made me seriously consider hanging it up for next year and looking elsewhere.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Nov 10, 2012 20:23:50 GMT -6
-Discipline on the field - minimal penalties, turnovers, stupid mistakes. We were successful in this regard.
-Discipline OFF the field - I can't stand when I hear someone talking about "that football player" did. I love being told how polite, respectful, and upstanding our young men (and occasionally women) are in the community. We were NOT successful here, but I'm going to put half of that on how things are done at home for a few of these kids. Still, we coaches have work to do.
-Win or lose, we want our kids to be prepared for the high school when they leave us. We've been VERY successful there.
-We don't want to be a one-trick pony. I do everything I can to involve as many ball carriers/receivers as possible, sometimes to our detriment.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Nov 8, 2012 15:45:08 GMT -6
West Virginia plays all three state title games at Wheeling Island Stadium in Wheeling, which is on the Ohio border and about an hour from Pittsburgh. People complain often about the fact that the stadium is home to two WV high schools (one of which is almost always a championship contender), but they truly go all out to provide the best possible experience for everyone involved.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Nov 5, 2012 21:27:53 GMT -6
I need to be totally unwavering.
If I establish a rule, I need to enforce it at all times. I didn't do that early on this year because I was often the only coach at practice and just didn't want to deal with the hassle.
I need to watch my mouth a bit more.
I need to keep parents out completely. If they want to be involved, they can join the boosters. No stats, no equipment manager, no water, etc. Find outsiders or other students for these jobs.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Sept 27, 2012 12:01:36 GMT -6
In the four years that I've been coaching (three as OC, one as HC), we have had a girl on the team all but once. We hold them just as accountable and responsible as the boys - no leniency. And they're not that bad. The girl we currently have has problems getting her motor running, but she is an unstoppable nose guard when she wants to be.
Yes, I said nose.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Sept 23, 2012 7:06:45 GMT -6
I see a lot of surprise at the fact that I consider 800 students a large population. I'm in West Virginia. We only have around 120 football-playing high schools, and my alma mater is the second largest AA school (out of three classes) at 436 kids. You guys must be in a vastly different world from mine! Sent from my iPhone using ProBoards Second SMALLEST at 436. Excuse the typo. We're divided into AAA, AA, and A. AAA: 778 students or more (largest school in the state has 1857) AA: 429-777 A: 0-428 (Smallest football-playing school has 104 students) The numbers at the small schools continue to dwindle due to consolidation and other factors. I firmly believe 8-man football will arrive here in the near future. Sent from my iPhone using ProBoards
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Sept 22, 2012 21:40:10 GMT -6
I see a lot of surprise at the fact that I consider 800 students a large population.
I'm in West Virginia. We only have around 120 football-playing high schools, and my alma mater is the second largest AA school (out of three classes) at 436 kids. You guys must be in a vastly different world from mine!
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Sept 19, 2012 19:38:02 GMT -6
This is a very general question. No relevance at all, just curious.
Given the opportunity to be a head coach, would you rather take a job:
A) At a large school (800+ in my state) that represents an entire county or large city (could be consolidated), has tons of money, etc.
B) A small school that represents one, maybe two, small towns, everyone knows everyone, and the community support is intense.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Sept 12, 2012 14:04:08 GMT -6
Make yourself available to help when necessary. Chaperone at a school dance, send the secretary a gift, etc. Make friends and then sell them on football.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Sept 7, 2012 9:33:04 GMT -6
This same parent posted an "apology" on our team Facebook page. She apologized for her language and timing, but finished with saying that "when a cub is attacked, the mama bear will defend it."
And we West Virginians wonder what gives us a bad reputation.
Now I'm wondering if I should delete that post and annoy her more, or leave it up and invite unrest from others?
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Sept 6, 2012 23:01:46 GMT -6
In our game tonight (18-0 loss), a parent actually found her way onto the sideline late in the fourth quarter. She came down to yell at me for not putting her kid in. Her 6th grade son who has missed several practices and never shows any true desire to get in the game. I do my best to be polite and ask her to step off the field.
"Ma'am, I need you to go back up to the bleachers." "Well I need you to learn how to coach!"
I mean, there was no rationality at all. Her husband eventually came over and had a somewhat more civilized chat with me, but this woman has really pissed me off.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Sept 5, 2012 10:23:28 GMT -6
We all seem to be on the same wavelength, gentlemen. Now we just have to get the kids to truly buy into that. Thanks for the words!
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Sept 4, 2012 21:37:02 GMT -6
Our 1st regular season game was last Thursday, a 38-6 win. Our defense was immovable, but our quarterback stole the show. 209 yards rushing and six total TDs (4 rushing, 1 passing, 1 INT return). Our little town could not be more excited.
Until we found out that the quarterback and his family were moving over to the town across the river. It was like the Colts leaving Baltimore.
I'm not going to go into why the kid left (his brother and he are nationally ranked basketball players for their age level), but it's sent our school into shock. My football team is, thankfully, the most level headed about the situation, but we now have to break in a new QB. Smart kid, but not even close to the same type of player. What's worse is that there is almost no sense of trust or timing between this kids and his center, backs, etc. this all comes a few days before we play what will probably be the best team on our schedule this year.
I'm worried that the offensive struggles that result from this - as well as all the negativity from outsiders and even our own parents - will doom my kids. They're so talented, but they've never realized their potential because they were always overshadowed. I'm trying to convince them that THEIR time has arrived.
Has anyone been in a similar situation? Any advice?
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Sept 1, 2012 22:44:08 GMT -6
I don't know if it was by the defense's design, but my halfback had to sit out a play Thursday for this. First time in my admittedly short career.
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wvcoach
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Post by wvcoach on Aug 29, 2012 22:24:36 GMT -6
If he refuses to be coached, why is he there?
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