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Spring 2022
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50 COACHES IN 50 STATES DOING GREAT THINGS
Blue Valley Northwest (Kansas)
Coach Clint Rider
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25 things College Recruiters Want to See on Film Playbook Boost Your Passing Game with the Rocket Concept
COACH’S CONTRIBUTION
How to Create Excitement by Using the Power of Moments
C O M M U N I C AT I O N W I T H O U T C O M P R O M I S E
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CA L L TO DAY OR VI SI T O U R W E B S IT E F O R M O R E INF O 8 0 0.7 4 9. 2 7 6 1
W W W. COACH COM M . COM
CONTENT
COACHES OF THE YEAR EDITION
PRESENTED BY
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Coach of the year Selections
8 PRODUCTS FOR YOUR WEIGHT ROOM
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03 gear & Goods 05 coachcomm equips the USFL 13 Using the Power of Moments in Your Program to Create Excitement 10 5 Ways Schools Honor Seniors
PLAYBOOK THE LEGACY OF GEORGE ZALEUKE IN INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
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11 25 Things a College Recruiter Wants to See on Film 24 Back to the Future: The Return of the College Recruiting Process
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Boost Your Passing Game with the Rocket Concept
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STRENGTH TRAINING
8 Products to Add to Your Weight Room BY DAN GUTTENPLAN
In 2017, Kimberly (Wis.) High School opened a 6,500-square-foot weight room to serve the football team, among other sports. Kimberly went with an in-state equipment supplier, Dynamic Fitness and Strength, that was willing to work with the school’s strength coach in designing custom racks — 14 in the larger room alone. Kimberly strength and conditioning coach Dean Matsche shared eight pieces of equipment for coaches looking to add to their strength program.
3
4
1. VERTICAL JUMP MATS “OUR BIG THING IS TO
have a measurable for vertical jump,” Matsche said.
kettlebell or ball to change the stimulus.”
5. SAFETY SQUAT RACKS “WE GOT OUR RACKS
5
2. SPRINT VELOCITY ASSESSMENT TOOL (SPRINT LIGHT) “WE USE A SPEED SYSTEM
for 10-meter flies and 40-yard dashes,” Matsche said. “Our system has a timing system.”
3. ROGUE TALLER SLEDS 6
7
“SLEDS GIVE THE
athletes something they can push, pull and sprint behind,” Matsche said. “You can do a lot of things with them and work on different planes of motion.”
8
4. BANDS “WE HAVE TO HAVE BANDS
so we can do glute activation,” Matsche said. “Bands allow them to work on bench and squat technique. You can take a band and put it on anything like a dumbbell,
POSTERIOR CHAIN EXERCISES POSTERIOR CHAIN EXERCISES ARE A BIG PART
of the strength program at Kimberly. Posterior chain exercises involve contracting and lengthening the muscles in a chain-like manner. This is important for athletic movements that require strength, flexibility and fluidity to properly jump, rotate, lift or land. Training the chain can also help to reduce possible injury caused by weak or improperly functioning muscle groups. In addition, a strong posterior chain
04
football coaches! Get your subscription at fnfcoaches.com
custom made with safety squat bars,” Matsche said. “We have four bars at each rack — so you could have 56 kids performing a movement all at one time.”
6. SWISS BARS “THIS BAR ALLOWS
athletes to change the grip for various lifts,” Matsche said. “We like to do close-grip pressing with them.”
7. HEX BARS “WE USE THE HEX BAR FOR
deadlifts,” Matsche said. “It’s the best bar for that lift due to the grip and hand placement.”
8. PULL-UP ATTACHMENTS “YOU COULD USE A
connector board or really anything that allows the athletes to do chin-ups and pull-ups,” Matsche said.
contributes to a strong core musculature, which reduces back pain and low-back injury, while also facilitating coordination and strength through the limbs. Some posterior chain exercises include loaded squats, diagonal lunges, deadlifts, hamstring curls and inverse curls. “It’s a way to bring together the glutes and hamstrings,” Matsche said. “We do a lot of reverse extension and inverse exercises. We want to hit the lower back, glutes and hamstrings.”
TECH CORNER
USFL Coaches and Game Officials Will Be Equipped with the CoachComm X-System During Inaugural Season
C
oachComm LLC, the leading provider of coaching football
headsets and practice systems, will equip the coaches of all eight USFL teams and game officials with the CoachComm X-System for game-day communication. The new professional football league took its first snap on April 16, 2022, in Birmingham Alabama, where all regular games will be played in the inaugural season. “We are excited to be working with the USFL in this new era of professional football,” said Peter Amos, President, CoachComm. “CoachComm will work closely with the USFL to provide coaches and game officials with the tools that help them communicate effectively and efficiently. We are committed to providing the USFL with state-of-the-art technologies, as well as delivering incredible service and support for the systems.” CoachComm is revolutionizing the way coaches, players, and officials communicate, but more importantly improving the speed and flow of the game. CoachComm has developed simple, dependable, and innovative systems for a wide variety of industries all over the world with a track record that’s second to none,” said Daryl Johnston, USFL Executive Vice President, Football Operations. “Whether it’s coach to coach or between officials, having clear, reliable communication is essential to football played at this level. As a leader in sports communication technologies, CoachComm was the right choice for the USFL.” The USFL has assembled an experienced group of winning coaches to lead their respective teams, including Jeff Fisher, Michigan Panthers; Larry Fedora, New Orleans Breakers; Skip Holtz, Birmingham Stallions; Kirby Wilson, Pittsburgh Maulers; Mike Riley, New Jersey Generals; Todd Haley, Tampa Bay Bandits; Kevin Sumlin, Houston Gamblers; and Bart Andrus, Philadelphia Stars.
■■The Inaugural USFL Season began on Saturday, April 16 in Birmingham, Alabama, where the Birmingham Stallions defeated the New Jersey Generals 28-24.
05
SECTION
As Pappaw, coach, The Blind Man,
Zaleuke’s heart touched thousands of lives BY LARRY REISMAN
“How can you coach them all the same when you don’t know what’s going on at the house?” George Zaleuke’s beloved local football coaching mentor asked him years ago before poking him in the chest with a big ring. “You better have a little rubber in your rules.” It was an important lesson for Zaleuke, who spent 38 years coaching in Indian River County (Florida), from pint-sized Sebastian Panthers to teenagers at Vero Beach High School. The lesson, according to his daughter, Kristin Westberg, led to Zaleuke buy some players cleats that fit, household necessities, a hot meal or Uncrustables when they needed snacks. Zaleuke perennially wondered whether it was time to leave coaching to a younger generation. “I would always tell him no,” said Westberg, who married one of her father’s former players. “I would say, ‘You still have plenty to contribute.’ ” Last spring Zaleuke, 62, began what Westberg thought would be his final year coaching: with VBHS running backs. He spent the offseason with players at camps, Westberg said, but on Aug. 2 Zaleuke was hospitalized with complications from COVID-19. He died Sept. 17 at Sebastian River Medical Center after more than 30 days on a ventilator. He waited until Vero Beach defeated North Marion, 40-15. “(It was) true George fashion,” said Westberg, a Sebastian River High School graduate and director of curriculum and education for the PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation. “Game day is game day and you do not interrupt it.” “I lost my best friend, my hero, and the hardest working man I’ve ever known,” she wrote on Facebook, noting he fought hard after being hospitalized. “He was there when I came into the world, and I had the honor to be with him when he left this world.” In between, Zaleuke led a life that touched thousands of people as a family man, coach and businessman. He was known affectionately as The Blind Man, because he was the third generation in his family to own
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COACHING LEGACY
A
celebration of Zaleuke’s life was held Sunday, September 26, 2021 at the VBHS Citrus Bowl. That was home to football and track teams Zaleuke’s mentor, Billy Wilson, helped coach to three state championships between 1981 and 1990. Wilson, who wore that big ring, was 81 when he died Sept. 20, 2020, prompting a tribute from Zaleuke. At the end: “Rest in peace, coach. I will see you on the other end someday.” Who knew they’d meet again so soon? This column reflects the opinion of Laurence Reisman. Contact him via email at larry. reisman@tcpalm.com, phone at 772-9782223, Facebook.com/ larryreisman or Twitter @LaurenceReisman Reprinted with permission
companies specializing in window treatments, most recently Sebastian Blinds & Shutters. On the company’s website, Zaleuke showed customers the grandchildren he was so proud of. Zaleuke’s other passion was developing young men of character through football, Westberg said. He spent countless hours volunteering at Sebastian’s Barber Street sports complex, eventually joining the Sebastian River High School staff. He was there in 2002, when his son, Michael, was slated to play quarterback for the junior varsity. “I’ve been coaching 20 years waiting for this,” the proud father told the Press Journal at the time for an article about recovering from a heart attack. Zaleuke considered retiring from coaching back then. But head coaches Dan Smith and Randy Bethel wouldn’t let him go. “I thank God every day for this opportunity,” Zaleuke said. Four years later the coach was back in the news. Out with his family at Capt. Hiram’s restaurant, Zaleuke was attacked while using a urinal. He suffered a broken eye socket and required 10 stitches to close a gash in his head, the Press Journal reported. Noel Wideberg, 50, initially was charged with felony battery, stemming from what Zaleuke said was a long-held grudge over Wideberg’s son’s playing time, newspaper archives said. Zaleuke’s commitment to family and country was evident in 2010 when he wrote to the Press Journal about Memorial Day. He’d just dropped Michael — then an Army infantryman headed to Afghanistan — off at Orlando International Airport. “As we walked up to the gate ... he looked at me, and I looked at him, and we grabbed each other trying to keep ourselves together,” Zaleuke wrote. “I told him: ‘Be a leader. Be aggressive, and keep your head down. Above all, be safe.’ “As he entered the jetway, he looked back at me and communicated (nonverbal) one last time. ‘I love you Dad!’ Of course, I returned the message many times over. “I turned around, and there was a large group of people literally crying over our exchange. Then, the gate erupted in applause and thanked me for my son’s service.” The next year Zaleuke wore that family and country pride at Sebastian River Sharks varsity games in the form of a black Stetson hat Michael sent him.
“He said, ‘Here dad, you’ve earned this as much as I have earned this.’ ” Zaleuke told TCPalm, noting cavalrymen in combat zones earn the Stetson and cowboy spurs. “The Army is all about team. It’s not just about football; it’s lessons in life. When we were in the huddle, I said, ‘All right, cavalry is here; let’s go fight.’ ” A year later, the Sharks won their first district championship, but Bethel was dismissed after 16 years. Zaleuke wrote about it in one his many blogs, citing disappointment after the team’s best year. He questioned his future in coaching, concerned about a society hellbent on winning. “When did winning become paramount over teaching the ‘Lessons in Life’ that we have to teach every player coming through the system?” he asked. Eventually he joined Bethel as an assistant in Vero Beach, where they have been part of the Treasure Coast’s most storied football program. In Vero Beach, Zaleuke began traditions Westberg said she hopes will cement her father’s legacy for years. Zaleuke conceived of the “turnover cape” worn by defenders who make impact plays. His wife, Marty, made it, Westberg said, just as she altered uniforms for extra small or large players. The coach’s wife also decorated the belt given to the top lineman of the week, another “Coach George” creation, Westberg said. She noted sometimes her dad joked whether Marty — whose cooking was enjoyed by coaches — was the only reason they kept him around. Westberg, who lives in St. Augustine, is proud of her dad. The number of people, including many former players and coaches her family considers relatives, who have reached out to her during his illness seems endless. “Dad made sure that my brother and I had whatever we needed, and these (his players) were his kids, too.” Westberg wrote on Facebook. “Why wouldn’t he do the same for them? As an adult, I see it even clearer. He didn’t have to do that; he just chose to.” His commitment to them is why her family opened the “Cleats from Coach George” Fund to help players in need, Westberg said. Donations can be mailed to Seacoast Bank, 1110 Roseland Road, Sebastian, FL 32958, made payable to Martha Zaleuke, or deposited at any Seacoast branch into account number 4320925526.
07
SECTION
Using the Power of Moments IN YOUR PROGRAM TO CREATE EXCITEMENT BY TERRANCE BANKS
“There is power in moments that is why certain experiences can
jolt us and elevate us and change us.” – CHIP AND DAN HEATH
EORGIA WOLVES
Everyone reading this article wants to elevate their position, unit or program to the next level. One way of doing this is to create more moments or
experiences in your program or unit. Most of these examples are things we have done and they are cost ineffective. They are things that can be implemented today to change, drive or increase the urgency of a group or team. Here are five ways to use moments to create an emotional attachment to your group or team.
TEAM ROSTER
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Each year, I purchased my team wristbands with the yearly theme or team theme on it. Different colors, text, anything to make it exciting for the kids. I also suggest getting enough if possible for the faculty and Senior receiver staff. Wantwide to create buy-in from them? Make sure they James Crowley feel as though they are a part of the team. Some years I did multiple wristbands. One was for off-season workouts with our winter theme and then our regular season theme. Kids love wristbands. Buy them, create them and come up with a unique way to give them out. MAKE IT A BIG DEAL! cOacH: Darryl Dickey (1st season) 2007 REcORD: 2-9 (1-7 in GSC) football coaches! Get your subscription at fnfcoaches.com cONfERENcE: Gulf South (NCAA Division II) LaST cONf. TiTLE: N/A
SINGING THE SCHOOL ALMA MATER How many of you work at a school where there is a
A sea of red on the home side of disconnect between the band, cheerleaders Kelvin Ferrell Rhodes Stadium, representing KatyEven Nation and the Tigers. and football program? if there isn’t, I have a way to get Brandon Thompson everyone of the same page. One of my favorite after-the-game Nick Hensley traditions is the singing of the school alma mater. After the Ray Mitchell game my team heads over to the band, and with the cheerMichaelinRearson leaders front of us we all embrace and sing the alma mater. Mitchell Dean The number of fans that stay in the stands to take video of ABILENE: SHOTWELL STADIUM Joshua this andMitchell the buy-in we get from the Principal and Athletic Abilene High’s tradition extends more than 100 Marcus Wise Director is amazing. years. All that history gets funneled into P.E. Shotwell Wymon Kelly Stadium just before kickoff as Abilene’s flag-bearing Dwate Strickland Crash Crew and cheerleaders lead the Warbirds onto Dontavious Smith the field. The marching band (which lays claim to
PRO
WRISTBANDS
.
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e
OFFENSE QB Sean Gray RB Joey Harris WR Ron Dickson WR Steven Billue WR James Crowley TE Adam White OL Khalifa Jubril OL Matt Johnson OL Matt Bailey OL Kyle Yates OL Spencer Romero
RECRUITING
S TAR TERS
SPRING
SPECIAL 9th grade signing day Moments make them memorable. One thing that I see more and more programs doing is having signing day for 9th graders in conjunction with their 9th grade informational meeting. I think this is great and a fantastic way to get 9th grade parents and players excited and bought in to your program. You are putting on your best face, making the players and parents feel like they are important to you, which they are as the future of your program. A chance for them to put on the jersey, be on the stage, share that moment with family is huge in your program. There are several more ways you can create moments in your program. As a staff sit down and talk about them! These are important and create excitement and buy-in. Believe in the power of moments.
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DINNER WITH A COACH
COACHES’ CONNECTION
One of the best things I took from Randy Jackson’s book “Culture
Defeats Strategy” was Dinner with a Coach. The basis of the idea is to learn more about your players in a setting that allows for open conversation to learn more about who they are as a person rather than as a player. On at least one Sunday a month I had 10 players come to the school for dinner with me from 4pm to 6pm in the off-season to talk about parents, where they were from, what they wanted to do after high school, etc. This also gave the players a chance to know and ask FNF Magazine and FNF Coaches offer various contests questions about me. If you are a position coach or a coordinator, I encourage throughout the year to give back to the coaches and you to do this as well. A lot of coaches do this at their home and a few do it at teams that are the inspiration ourlove publications. the fieldhouse, no matter the locationfor players it. If you have a booster club Follow contests onsome Twitter @FNFCoaches then get itthese catered. If not, get Gatorade and a few Littleand Caesars pizza and watch the conversation flow! Watch how these few hours go fast but these are on FNFCoaches.com. the moments your kids will never forget.
FNF Contests Reward Coaches
Pictures and Videos Today’s student-athletes love Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram. Invest in those moments. If your team can’t afford a photographer, I am sure a student at your school is into photography, video and editing. Get them on your OPS, On-Field Personnel Staff. At Newton we had pictures and video, at Tri-Cities we had pictures from every game taken. We did graphics on Twitter for everything, Weight Room to Athlete of the Week. Kids love it! Programs can’t take enough pictures. They should be used to create excitement and moments in everything kids do!
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HUFFMAN-HARGRAVE (TEXAS) HOSTS TEAM DINNER
NF
HONORING SENIORS
5 Ways Schools Honor Seniors Honoring seniors is an important part of each season for high school football coaches. That recognition is all the more important this season with so many seniors getting adversely impacted by the pandemic. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN, FNF COACHES EDITOR
O
ne common theme from the fall season is that Senior
Nights all over the country took place earlier than ever before. Typically an honorary night that is reserved for a team’s final home game, Senior Night -- in many cases -- was pushed to the beginning of the season in 2020. In fact, many teams had Senior Night celebrations on the same night as the home-opener this fall to ensure that the seniors would get the recognition they deserved even if the season was cut short. Here’s an example of five creative ways schools have honored seniors during the pandemic.
1
Dixon High (Martinsville, Va.) School Signage, Social Media Spotlights The school plans to run three seniors’ names per day on the sign in front of the school and post senior spotlights for each student on social media pages. The school also will have yard signs for each senior to put in front of their homes that will be distributed in the coming weeks.
■■Seniors at Dixon High (Va.) will be recognized with yard signs.
2
Bucktail High (Renovo, Pa.) Mother/Grandmother Celebration Senior Night 2020 was truly a special occasion in September before the Bucks hosted Northwest. Bucks coach Jared Hurlbert decided to make the celebration special for the home-opener out of concern that his seniors might not have a chance to be recognized if games are cancelled later in the season. Precautions allowed the team and their mothers and grandmothers to enjoy a night of celebration of a close knit team and classmates.
3
Torrey Pines High (San Diego, Calif.) Sponsored Lawn Signs from Alumni “The Torrey Pines High School football program celebrated its 14 graduating seniors with surprise lawn signs last week, giving a boost of encouragement to those seniors who are missing so much with a postponed season. The special signs came courtesy of the football team’s parent liaison Romina Notarainni. She got the idea from Marco San Antonio at One Day Signs in Encinitas and got local real estate agents from The Guiltinan Group to sponsor the yard signs.
4
Grayling High (Grayling, Mich.) YouTube Videos for Each Athlete
The Grayling High School athletic department, instead of hosting a physical ceremony, honored its Class of 2020 student athletes with a video released on YouTube. Due to current restrictions on gatherings in the state of Michigan because of the COVID-19 outbreak, the school’s athletic department opted to replace the usual Senior-Athlete Awards Night with an online version.
5 ■■Alumni at Torrey Pines High (Calif.) sponsored signs for seniors.
10
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Conrad Weiser High (Reading, Pa.) Multi-Sport Senior Night Conrad Weiser had a Senior Night for football players, band members and cheerleaders -- at a party that came nearly 24 hours after a Friday night football game. It was scheduled the day after a game in order to allow more family members to attend the recognition ceremony. Senior Night is traditionally the final home game of the season, but with so much uncertainty due to COVID-19 many schools are not waiting until late October for such an important night.
SPRING
SPECIAL
25 Things a College Recruiter Wants to See on Film BY DAN GUTTENPLAN
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ith fewer opportunities for in-person scouting due to NCAA-imposed dead periods, college recruiters are spending more time breaking down game
film and workout videos. Athletes need to keep the evaluator in mind when producing that film. Jacksonville State University (Ala.) coach J.R. Sandlin became a social media star this fall through a series of Twitter posts in which he provided instructions to recruits with the hashtag #Recruiting101. Sandlin knows something about what coaches are looking for. He worked as a recruiter at Alabama under Nick Saban for two national championship seasons. He also recruited for Tennessee, Notre Dame and Central Florida. He shared with FNF Coaches a list of 25 things coaches look for on film, whether it be footage of games, practices, combines or camps.
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
“Can he run through someone?”
DESIRE/ATTITUDE
jogging behind the play on film.”
8 Lower body flexibility
1 Overall athletic ability
“We want kids with a natural bend.”
14 Do you see him hand the ball to the ref?
19 How does he get off the ground?
“Or does he toss it away from the pile?”
“You’ll see some linemen use all four limbs to get off the ground. We don’t want to see that.”
“Is he the best player on the field?”
2 Initial quickness “How does he react to the snap?”
3 Footwork “Is he technically sound?”
4 Foot quickness “The ladder drill is a good measure.”
5 Body quickness “Can he get to his spot quickly?”
6 Ability to change direction “Can he drop the hips and make a cut?”
7 Explosiveness
9 Balance “He shouldn’t end up on the ground on every play.”
10 Body control “Does he have coordination?”
11 Burst/acceleration “Can he separate?”
12 Reactionary athleticism “Can he make people miss?”
13 Ball skills/hand position “Does he use his hands effectively?”
15 Does he pick the opponent off the ground? “You want to see good sportsmanship.”
16 How does he celebrate? “Does he celebrate with teammates? Does he do it by himself? Or does he just walk to the sideline?”
17 Does he play with passion? “Or is he just executing his assignments?”
18 does he sprint to the ball? “Don’t get caught
20 How locked in is he on the sideline? “Is he supporting his teammates, or is he off in his own world?”
21 How does he communicate with coaches and teammates? “Is he sharing information and providing positive reinforcement?”
22 How is he outfitted? “Does he have the
individual bands and custom stickers? Or is it like the rest of the team?”
23 Does he lead warmups? How vocal is he? “Does he encourage players, or is he a trash-talker? Some coaches don’t like that.”
24 What does the trainer/ photographer/school official say about him? “You might even call the attendance secretary. She knows all the secrets.”
25 How does he interact with officials? “Is he able to move on to the next play?”
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FNF COACHES: COACHES OF THE YEAR COLORADO CHATFIELD (LITTLETON)
BRET MCGATLIN
The Chargers waited 20 years to nab another state championship trophy, winning the 4A title game with 11 seconds remaining. Chatfield knocked off Erie 41-34 for the final result. CONNECTICUT KILLINGLY (DAYVILLE)
CHAD NEAL
Killingly won its fourth CIAC title, capturing the Class M title. It was the program’s second championship trophy in the past four seasons, as it won 28-14 over Rockville. Coach Chad Neal also picked up his 100th career win (17 seasons).
PRESENTED BY
DELAWARE
S
ARCHMERE ACADEMY
electing one state champion coach in each state proved to be a difficult task for
our editorial staff with so many deserving coaches across the country. Our criteria for consideration included all state champion coaches in 2020. While not all states had fall football, we looked for coaches that led teams to championships for the first time in school history, coaches who led championship runs as underdogs, coaches who helped players overcome adversity, and coaches who made tough decisions in the biggest moments to help their teams break through. We couldn’t be more proud of our 2021 FNF Coaches of the Year, Presented by Sports Attack. Congratulations to all who won and all other state champion coaches who were considered.
JOHN BELLACE
Archmere Academy ended a 39-year drought without a state championship, knocking off Woodbridge 27-0 to capture the Class 2A trophy. The program had reached the state title game at least once a decade since its last title in 1982, but hadn’t won in five tries. FLORIDA JESUIT (TAMPA)
ALABAMA PIKE ROAD
state titles by Soldotna, winning 27-21.
PATRICK BROWNING
Browning led the Patriots to their first state championship in just the fourth varsity season of football. The program went 14-0 in 2021, following two straight 11-1 seasons. Browning is now 36-7 in his four seasons. ALASKA LATHROP (FAIRBANKS)
LUKE BALASH
Balash captured the school’s first-ever state title in mid-October, winning the Division II championship in Anchorage. The Malemutes broke a 10-year streak of
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ARIZONA SAGUARO (SCOTTSDALE)
JASON MOHNS
Saguaro may have come into the Arizona prep football postseason seeded No. 5, but that didn’t keep the Sabercats from capturing the state title in the Open Division playoffs. They knocked off perennial powerhouse Chandler 2015, ending Chandler’s fiveyear run as state champs. ARKANSAS MCCRORY HS
CHRIS KENNON
McCrory won its first state
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championship since 2015, knocking off Fordyce in the 2A title game in December. The Jaguars won 34-7 behind the efforts of coach Chris Kennon’s son, Reid Kennon – who captured MVP honors. CALIFORNIA CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC (SAN DIEGO)
MATTHEW THOMPSON
Jesuit hadn’t won a state championship since 1968, when Lyndon B. Johnson was wrapping up his time in the White House and Apollo 8 orbited the moon. But after a 21-point rally, the Tigers knocked off Pensacola Pine Crest in the Class 6A state title game, finishing a perfect 15-0 in 2021.
SEAN DOYLE Cathedral Catholic claimed the CIF State Division I-AA championship at Saddleback College, knocking off Folsom from the Sacramento area. It was a rematch and revenge win for the Dons, who fell to Folsom in the 2018 championship game.
year 15-0 after a season that saw it nationally ranked much of the year. HAWAII KAHUKU
STERLING CARVALHO
Kahuku toppled the monster of Hawaiian prep football, knocking off Saint Louis – the first opponent to do so in the state title game since the HHSAA Open Division began competing a few years ago. Saint Louis had won the first four Open Division trophies. Kahuku finished the season 10-0. IDAHO RIGBY
ARMANDO GONZALEZ
Rigby knocked off Highland 27-12 as it captured its second state championship in the past three years. It was the second time Rigby had defeated Highland this year, and the Trojans finished the season 11-1. ILLINOIS BYRON
JEFF BOYER
Byron (14-0) won its second championship all-time after four-point losses in 2018 and ‘19. Championship coach Jeff Boyer was the quarterback when Byron won the state title in 1999. INDIANA CENTER GROVE (EDWARDSVILLE)
ERIC MOORE
Center Grove became the first team in 40 years to go undefeated in back-toback seasons in the state’s largest classification. The Trojans knocked off Westfield 27-21 in a nailbiter.
GEORGIA COLLINS HILL (SUWANEE)
LENNY GREGORY
Collins Hill jumped out to a 24-0 lead and never looked back against Milton, capturing the Class AAAAAAA title. It was the school’s first state championship, ending the
IOWA HARLAN
TODD BLADT
Harlan earned its first state championship since 2009, wrapping up a season in which it finished 13-0. It knocked off Boyden-Hull/
FNF COACHES: COACHES OF THE YEAR Rock Valley 42-28 in the 3A title game. With the win, the Cyclones captured their 13th state title in school history. KANSAS BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST (OVERLAND PARK)
CLINT RIDER
Blue Valley Northwest (12-1) captured its first state title in school history, beating Derby 41-21 in Emporia in the 6A championship. The Huskies went 0-9 just four years ago. KENTUCKY ST. XAVIER (LOUISVILLE)
KEVIN WALLACE
St. Xavier (14-1) knocked off perennial powerhouse Male (Louisville) to win the KHSAA 6A state title, ending Male’s perfect season. Playing at the University of Kentucky, St. Xavier claimed its 13th state championship alltime, and first since 2009. LOUISIANA ST. CHARLES CATHOLIC (LAPLACE)
WAYNE STEIN
St. Charles Catholic upset powerhouse Lafayette Christian 32-27 for the Division III state championship at MercedesBenz Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints. Lafayette Christian had won four straight titles. MAINE CAPE ELIZABETH
SEAN GREEN
Cape Elizabeth had no problem winning the Class C state title, rolling to a 53-8 victory over Winslow. In its 17th season of football, Cape Elizabeth finally captured a title – finishing 10-1 this year. The Capers were 0-2 in state championship games before November’s big win. MARYLAND MERGENTHALER-MERVO (BALTIMORE)
PATRICK NIXON
Mervo captured the school’s first-ever state
title, knocking off Dundalk 22-13 in the Class 4A/3A game at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium at the United States Naval Academy. The Mustangs finished their season 13-1. MASSACHUSETTS COHASSET
PETE AFANASIW
Cohasset won the 2021 Massachusetts Division 7 state title, knocking off previously undefeated Wahconah Regional 27-12 at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. After an 0-2 start, the Skippers finished 10-2 on the season. MICHIGAN CHELSEA
JOSH LUCAS
Chelsea (14-0) captured its first state championship in program history in four trips. The 28-point comeback in the D4 title game against Hudson Unity Christian is also the largest deficit overcome in a Michigan state final. MINNESOTA MAYER LUTHERAN (MAYER)
DEAN AURICH
After more than 30 years as a head coach, Mayer Lutheran coach Dean Aurich finally got the feeling of a state championship, as his team won the 1A title game. Mayer Lutheran knocked off Minneota 20-14 to finish 14-1. MISSISSIPPI MADISON CENTRAL (MADISON)
MISSOURI CHRISTIAN BROTHERS COLLEGE (ST. LOUIS)
SCOTT PINGEL
Christian Brothers won its fourth state title since 2014, knocking off Liberty North 48-21 in the Class 6 affair at the University of Missouri’s stadium, Faurot Field. The Cadets finished 13-1 on the season. MONTANA HAMILTON
BRYCE CARVER
Hamilton (11-) ended a 23-year state championship drought with a 21-7 win over Laurel in the Class A title game. The program won backto-back titles in 1997-98 but that was the last taste of success in the final, as the team made the championship in 2017 and 2018 but didn’t win.
NEW JERSEY
MIKE KAYL
Gretna may have been ranked No. 6 in Nebraska coming in, but it is ranked No. 1 now, capturing the state title for the first time with a 7-3 win over Omaha Westside in a low-scoring Class A title game. The Dragons finished 12-1 this season. NEVADA
FRANK DELANO
Haddonfield knocked off Port Boro in a nailbiter 28-27 in the NJSIAA South Central Group 2 title game at Rutgers Stadium, wrapping a season with eight wins in the final nine games. The Bulldogs (10-3) were in their ninth state title game NEW MEXICO
Silverado wrapped up an undefeated year with a 61-27 state championship win over Shadow Ridge, coming home with the Class 4A state title trophy. The Skyhawks finished the season 12-0. NEW HAMPSHIRE TIMBERLANE (PLAISTOW)
GREG HENINGTON
Los Lunas won the 5A State Champion for the first time in school history following a 40-28 win over the Artesia Bulldogs. The Tigers finished the season with a perfect 13-0 record.
MITCH HEWITT
Chardon won its second straight OHSAA Division III state title with a 21-14 win over Father Badin. It was the program’s 28th straight win, and the team was 16-0 in 2021 – the very first team in Ohio history to finish 160. It is the program’s third state title in school history.
NEW YORK
OKLAHOMA COLLINSVILLE
KEVIN JONES
Collinsville captured the school’s first state title, beating McAlester 42-35 in the Class 5A state title game at the University of Central Oklahoma. The program finished 14-0 on the season.
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY (SYRACUSE)
CASEY BROWN
Christian Brothers (9-3) won its first state title in 17 years, knocking off previously undefeated Somers 32-31 in the Class A title game. Brown has been named state football coach of the year in Class A by the New York State High School Football Coaches Association.
OREGON SILVERTON
JOSH CRAIG
Silverton won its first state championship in 30 years of trying, and its coach – Josh Craig – decided to step down immediately after to spend more time with his family. The Foxes won their first title since 1991. PENNSYLVANIA
NORTH CAROLINA CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL (RALEIGH)
STEVEN WRIGHT
Cardinal Gibbons captured its first state football title in school history, knocking off two-time defending state champions Chambers HS 14-2. The Crusaders finished the season 15-1 overall, avenging its earlyseason loss to Chambers.
KEVIN FITZGERALD Timberlane suffocated Milford offensively and knocked it off 21-14 in the NHIAA Division II state championship. It was Timberlane’s first state title game
OHIO CHARDON
LOS LUNAS
SILVERADO (LAS VEGAS)
ANDY OSTOLAZA
game at the FargoDome. It was the third straight appearance in the final for the Mustangs, but it was the program’s first win.
HADDONFIELD
NEBRASKA GRETNA
TOBY COLLUMS
Madison Central had not won a state championship in 22 years, but broke that streak with a 24-17 win over Brandon at Southern Miss’ home stadium. The MHSAA 6A championship was the Jaguars’ first since 1999 and the team won 10 straight games to end the 13-1 season.
appearance since 2001, and finished 12-0 on the season.
MT. LEBANON (PITTSBURGH)
BOB PALKO
Mt. Lebanon captured the PIAA 6A title for the first time, knocking off St. Joseph’s Prep 35-17 in Hershey – a Philadelphia program aiming for its fourth straight state championship. The Blue Devils finished the triumphant season 15-0 overall.
NORTH DAKOTA SHEYENNE (WEST FARGO)
JEREMY NEWTON
Sheyenne knocked off West Fargo High 27-7 in the NDHSAA Division 11AA title
RHODE ISLAND BISHOP HENDRICKEN (WARWICK)
KEITH CROFT
Bishop Hendricken continued its dominance
13
FNF COACHES: COACHES OF THE YEAR of Rhode Island football, capturing its fourth straight state title and 10th in 11 seasons. BH won 49-40 against La Salle Academy for the fourth straight state title, and the Hawks finished 7-2.
again. The 27-0 win over Brandon Valley was the school’s first state championship since 1999,and it’s fifth all-time. TENNESSEE ALCOA
SOUTH CAROLINA GRAY COLLEGIATE (WEST COLUMBIA)
ADAM HOLMES
Gray Collegiate won its first state title in school history with a 49-14 win over Silver Bluff in the 2A state championship. The War Eagles finished the season 14-1, with only a loss to Gaffney early in the season by three points.
GARY RANKIN Alcoa (13-1) captured its seventh straight state title and 20th overall, knocking off East Nashville in the TSSAA Class 3A final. Rankin retired after the season with a 215-16 record at the school and 13 of the title games. TEXAS PAETOW (KATY)
SOUTH DAKOTA HARRISBURG
BRANDON WHITE
After five unsuccessful trips over the past 20 years, Harrisburg (120) finally won a state championship trophy
B.J. GOTTE Katy Paetow captured its first state football title in the school’s five-year old history, winning 5A-Division I 27-24 in overtime against previously undefeated College Station.
UTAH LONE PEAK (HIGHLAND)
BART BROCKBANK
Lone Peak (10-2) won in a wild Class 6A state championship matchup, besting Corner Canyon 49-42. Coach Bart Brockbank’s Knights ended the Chargers’ three-year streak of state titles, while also ending the Chargers’ 48-game win streak earlier in the season. VERMONT ESSEX (ESSEX JUNCTION)
MARTY RICHARDS
Essex (8-3) won the first state title in 12 years, finishing on a five-game winning streak. It captured a title by knocking off Champlain Valley, 21-19. Coach Marty Richards stepped down after the win.
4 state title, knocking off Broad Run 28-21. It was the school’s first state championship. Varina had come close in the late 1990s with two trips to the title game, but never won it.
VARINA (HENRICO)
MARCUS LEWIS
Varina (13-1) won the Class
WISCONSIN CATHOLIC MEMORIAL (WAUKESHA)
WASHINGTON (STATE) GRAHAM-KAPOWSIN (GRAHAM)
ERIC KURLE
Graham-Kapowsin (15-0) knocked off Lake Stevens 44-7 in the 4A state championship game. It was the school’s first state championship win. As a bonus, the undefeated Eagles went on to challenge Collins Hill, the 7A state champs from Georgia. They won. WEST VIRGINIA MARTINSBURG
BRITT SHERMAN VIRGINIA
The Bulldogs (13-1) won four straight titles from 2010-13 and four more from 2016-19.
Martinsburg won its ninth state Class AAA title in 12 seasons, owning Huntington in a 62-21 win.
BILL YOUNG Catholic Memorial capped off a perfect season with a 21-12 WIAA Division 4 victory over Ellsworth. It was the third straight title for the Crusaders (14-0) under coach Bill Young, and fifth in the last decade. WYOMING SHERIDAN
JEFF MOWRY Sheridan nailed down its fifth state championship in seven seasons and the 28th in school history – which is tops in the state of Wyoming. The Broncs finished the season 11-1 by knocking off Rock Springs 45-27.
NORTH CAROLINA
Steven Wright Cardinal Gibbons High School Cardinal Gibbons Hoists the State Championship Hardware for the First Time
S
teven Wright has been the head football coach at Cardinal Gib-
bons High School for 11 seasons. During his tenure, Wright led the Crusaders to three straight state title games. After losing in their first two appearances, the Crusaders conquered Chambers High School (who they lost to earlier in the season) to win their first NCHSAA 4A State Championship. The impact Coach Wright has made on the Cardinals Gibbons community extends well beyond a championship title. During Wright’s tenure, the football participation rate doubled, and the program has transitioned to the state’s highest classification. Wright and his staff currently lead and support a football program of 165 players across three teams who are a combined 234-43 since 2011. They pride themselves on leveraging the sport to develop men of character through a leadership program that focuses on mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. In 2021, Wright was named North Carolina High School Coach of the Year for his efforts. This was an honor not only well deserved, but also years in the making.
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NORTH CAROLINA COACH OF THE YEAR
COACH STEVEN WRIGHT CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL
CONGRATULATIONS
Coach Wright and the Cardinal Gibbons High School Crusaders on winning the first state football title in school history!
FNF COACHES: COACHES OF THE YEAR LOUISIANA
Wayne Stein | St. Charles Catholic High School
Stein leads St. Charles Catholic to title in his first year as head coach
C
oach Wayne Stein has been coaching for 18
years at his Alma Mater, St. Charles Catholic High School. During his time with SCC, he’s served in vital roles for very successful teams. For 17 years, he served as the defensive coordinator/ defensive backs coach for Comet Football, and those teams went on to be state runners-up in 2005, 2006, 2016, 2019 and 2020, and were state champions in 2011. In his first year as head coach of the football program and also athletic director of the school, the team went on to win the state championship for 2021. And it wasn’t an easy path as Hurricane Ida significantly damaged the SCC’s home region of the River Parishes, causing all but one of the team’s regular season games to be played away from the Comet’s home field.
This was actually Stein’s second state championship, with his first one secured in a different sport. Stein is also the head coach for the baseball program, and his teams have been state runners-up in 2016 and 2021. He led Comet Baseball to their first state championship in school history in 2019. Coach Stein is a proud supporter of the Comet Family, and he’s so proud of his own family, SCC alumnus Christine Stein, and their three children: Drei, Charlie, and Oaklyn.
Congratulations Head Coach Wayne Stein & the St. Charles Catholic Comets 2021 STATE CHAMPIONS
It takes a little more to make a Comet, and it takes a village to create a champion.
You are our Champion, Coach!
SECTION
KANSAS
Vision To Reality BLUE VALLEY NORTHWEST FOOTBALL’S FIVE YEAR PLAN, LED BY COACH CLINT RIDER, RESULTS IN SCHOOL’S FIRST STATE TITLE. BY BRIAN MCLAUGHLIN
C
lint Rider had a vision for Blue Valley Northwest football when he arrived at the
high school in Kansas in 2017. Coming off a state runner-up season with Hesston in 2016, there was work to do at Northwest. Rider and his coaching staff began to formulate a plan – and in 2021, the Huskies captured the state title, the first in school history. The vision had become reality. It was never meant to be an overnight plan, but more of a half-of-a-decade kind of plan. It had a grassroots feel to it. It was time to build from the ground up and take no shortcuts. Northwest, a Class 6A school in Overland Park, had sputtered on the gridiron in recent years. There was no other way to build it back up without patience. “Our journey is a lot like a lot of those other schools where you come in and the program needs a lot of work, so for me it was a five-year process,” Rider told FNF Coaches. “Obviously we had a really good group of guys, and physically we felt like we could be in good position to be successful. But out of 1,600 students at the school, we only had 62 in the four grades combined who wanted to come out for football.” So the staff began having an active presence around the two middle schools that fed Northwest, making sure those young men knew who they were and that they were serious about building a strong program by the time those middle schoolers were upperclassmen in high school. Rider’s players bought in and also began wooing the kids at the middle schools, the ones zoned to be at Northwest. They became salesmen of the program and conveyed the same message, being players these younger kids could look up to. It worked. The whole idea and process was mega successful and it started a chain reaction that eventually became something coaches at all levels love to talk about: Culture. After a couple of bumpy years in the beginning, it all came together for the state’s top honor and trophy. The ingredients are well known to football fans. Culture, outside support, weightroom dedication, the kids being “bought in” … you name it. Rider and his staff were able to build something special using all of the ingredients above. The eighth graders from Rider’s first year as varsity coach began to work out with the high school team in the spring of 2018. Those eighth graders formed the senior backbone of the 2021 title-winning team. During their COVID-shortened
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junior season in 2020, they helped the senior class win the school’s first postseason game in 11 years, setting the table for what was to come in 2021. So we asked coach – now that it’s behind him – quietly, did you know this championship was coming? There’s no way Rider would bluntly say to his team that it’s a state title or bust, but in his mind did he expect it? “I had a team (at Hesston) that finished second in the state, and I definitely felt like we could do it, too,” Rider said. “But it was unspoken, and we as coaches didn’t talk about it. But I can tell you our parents were saying we could get the whole thing done.” Before they got the trophy though, the players were going to have to dispose of Derby – a program that had won seven of the last nine Kansas championships in their division. Rider says the idea of upending the perennial Kansas powerhouse energized the team and the Huskies went on to a 41-21 blowout win, finishing 12-1 on the season. So when did Rider begin thinking this year’s senior class might be pretty good on the field, to go along with its great work ethic in the weightroom? “I think the first sign that it was possible was probably week seven of 2019, when they were sophomores,” Rider said. “We had five or so of these guys playing as sophomores. One of our players dropped a two-point conversion and one of our sophomores ran over and got in his face. “While I didn’t necessarily like all the words that were used, the overall message was there. They already had expectations for themselves to win.” The team went 0-9 in 2018 and 2-7 in 2019, but that spark was there. The hunger was evident. They had gone from weight-room warriors as middle schoolers in early 2018 to a championship varsity team in 2021. In the end, the spark turned into fireworks.
Photography by Keith Kreeger / bvnwspor ts.com
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EST W H T R LEY NO R ATULATES L A V E G U THE BL K CLUB CON ERBAC T R A U Q
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TECH CORNER
Think Reconditioning BY MATT STARR
I’m Matt Starr, CEO of Sideline Power. For over a decade, Sideline Power has worked diligently to provide cutting edge technology, processes, and innovation to the world of football. Every issue, we highlight a product or process we feel is time sensitive to your program. This issue we are going to talk about how annual reconditioning programs extend the life of your equipment and keep it running at peak performance. Let’s get #PoweredUp with reconditioning. So, the season is finished and it’s time to pack up your equipment. It’s not broken and nothing is really wrong with it. A few little idiosyncratic issues here and there, but you figured out work arounds to those this season so it’s okay. So, it gets packed and buried in the equipment closet. But what happens at the beginning of next season when those issues are still there and you have forgotten the work arounds. With all the headaches and stressors of getting a new season rolling, the LAST thing you need to worry about is annoying issues with communication and video equipment. This is where an annual reconditioning program becomes critical. Reconditioning your headsets and camera systems at the end of the season, BEFORE it goes into offseason storage, ensures that it’s ready to roll when you are. A good headset reconditioning program will test each headset, belt pack, or base station, for full operational functionality including range and available capacity of every battery. As much abuse as headsets can take during the season, a good reconditioning program should include basic repairs as well as updating any software and firmware. Sideline Power offers equipment reconditioning for all makes and models of coaching headsets as well as end zone and sideline camera systems. Our in-house technicians start with a visual inspection of each and every component from the power and charging systems to the devices themselves, documenting any and all damage. Each component then undergoes a detailed 10-point operational assessment to find out if there are any issues that are not visible. These are documented before
moving on to the power and charging systems. All batteries are bench tested to identify total available charge capacity, and charging systems are tested for full functionality. Once all testing and assessments have been completed, a report is generated and sent to the owner which also identifies any repair issues that fall outside the scope of the reconditioning package, with a quote for completion of those additional repairs. Equipment and storage cases are cleaned with minor issues being repaired, cords and cables are organized and the whole system is professionally and securely packed up and shipped back ready for storage. Gear is only as good as the time and effort you put into keeping it working correctly because tech issues tend to have a cascading effect. It’s never just a single issue; one malfunctioning component affects another component which affects another component, and so on. By making an annual reconditioning program part of YOUR program, you can keep your investment running at peak performance for longer and ultimately extend the lifespan of your gear.
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PLAYBOOK
BOOST YOUR PASSING GAME WITH Rocket Concept
The Rocket concept is a simple concept that we use out of our 3 X 1 set. This concept involves a 15-yard stop route by the No. 1 receiver, a 12-yard option route by the No. 2 receiver, and a 12-yard sit route by No. 3 receiver (as shown in diagram 1). We have experienced a lot of success with this concept as it allows us to attack the defense vertically and gives us unlimited options vs. blitzing defenses and quarters coverage. We have found that this concept is a very compatible to our quick game and has a direct effect on defenses when it’s time to stretch the field vertically.
1
trips right/left rocket
Coaching the Stop Route
We require that the receiver use a speed release off the football. We coach our guys against a soft corner to attack the defenders technique splitting the midline of his chest while quickly closing his cushion. Once he feels he has created a two way go he should step on the defenders toes, causing him to open his hips. Once he has opened the defenders hips, he is coached to continue to push the route to 15 yards. He will make his break opening his hips 45 degrees expecting the throw to be on his up field shoulder, providing him the opportunity to run after he makes the catch.
Coaching the Option Route
Once the No. 2 receiver has defeated the invert defender, he will push his route 12 yards and depending on the coverage he will hook up away from pressure. The key coaching point in this route is the alignment of the No. 2 receiver and the ability to work to their landmark. We have found that aligning the No. 2 receiver one yard inside the hash and having him work to a landmark of two
2
22
trips right/left rocket TB swing
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yards outside the hash creates a natural horizontal stretch on most defenses. This stretch allows the quarterback to get through his progressions much easier and instantly opens up throwing lanes.
Coaching the Sit Route
Our philosophy in the pass game is that if they didn’t blitz you on first down be prepared for it on the next down. In embodying this philosophy we ensure that all of our route concepts have built in blitz beaters. The Rocket concept is no different. Our No. 3 receiver is coached to take a track to his landmark that will automatically replace any blitzing defender on the way to his landmark of hitching up 12 yards over the center. It is important that he gets to this landmark as he is key in holding the safety vs Cover 3, and is an immediate option as the coverage lifts vs quarters coverage.
Quarterback/Read and Progression
We consider Rocket to be part of our base passing game which is predicated primarily on timing. In our base pass game we utilize formations and pre-snap movement to create favorable matchups. We often run Rocket out of some form of a 3 x 1 formation because we believe it gives our backside X receiver a favorable matchup that we instill he must win. After our QB has gone through his pre-snap read if he determines he has a one on one matchup, that will be his primary read in his progression. After the QB receives the snap we coach our quarterbacks to take a three step drop, a quick gather, and throw. We emphasize to our quarterbacks the importance of ball placement in the success of this concept, so we are critical of their mechanics as they go through their progressions. We coach our quarterbacks to place the ball on the outside shoulder of the receiver, throwing him open and away from pressure. In this concept we will vary the protection using both a 5 and 6 man protection. If we find that defenses are attempting to get the WLB underneath the X receiver’s route, we will then move to a 5-man protection and swing the RB to open the throwing lane.
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THE ROCKET CONCEPT Vs. Quarters Coverage
The Rocket Concept has become a very explosive play for us vs quarters coverage (Diagram 3). It allows us now to tag our No. 2 receiver’s route and further put the defense in conflict. Tagging the No. 2 receiver gives the play a completely different look however it still keeps an element of simplicity that allows the concept to be productive. We will often tag the No. 2 receiver on a corner route. We coach our No. 2 receiver to push the corner route to 12 yards and stay high on the break as we are looking to remove the safety and high low the corner simultaneously. This allows for a very explosive play as the CB is put in immediate conflict and when completed delivers a big play downfield.
3
We also love this concept against quarter’s coverage because it gives us a favorable matchup backside that we look to exploit. This helps us continue to move the chains while working to set up the defense for us to take a calculated shot with the deep ball.
4
Trips right/left rocket y corner
CONCLUSION
BY TORIANO MORGAN, VIRGINIA STATE, OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR
trips vs quarters
When to run Rocket
We feel rocket is a great concept against any defense. We will run Rocket against a hard or soft corner as we feel it is very effective against both. We see a lot of quarters coverage so being able to execute this concept out of various formations and personnel l groupings has played a very big part in our execution of this success. We have made this play a staple in our offense as it also marries well with down and distance and moving the chains which we utilize to our advantage.
5
Trey Rocket
6
Empty Rocket A corner
IN CLOSING WE HAVE HAD GREAT SUCCESS
throwing the ball and I believe it is attributed to several key points. We like to make sure our concepts are simple enough that our athletes understand where they are going and why. This will make a much more confident athlete that will produce big gains. While the Rocket concept is simple enough to teach at any level it also is flexible enough to attack any defense and gives your QB clear cut options.
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Back to the Future
THE RETURN OF THE COLLEGE RECRUITING PROCESS With the summer fast approaching, expect college campuses across the nation to open their doors for the first time in two years without the fear of the pandemic. Charles Fishbein of the Fishcast Podcast and head of Elite Scouting Services breaks down many of the ways to be seen on the recruiting trail this summer. ff This will be the first summer since 2019 that isn’t affected by the pandemic. That should be a good thing for high school prospects that are looking to get recruited right? Charles Fishbein: Absolutely. With a pandemic-free summer expect every FBS, FCS and most Division II programs to have some sort of on-campus prospect camps. I expect it to be the most active summer camp season in the history of college football recruiting. Many of the prospects in the Class of 2023 and 2024 haven’t been able to get on campuses like they want to and see the facilities and meet the coaches. We are already seeing it this spring with programs opening their doors to prospects to watch spring practices and every day you might see 50 to 100 kids on the sidelines. Two years is like a lifetime in terms of recruiting, so everyone is eager to get back at it. ff FC: So would you suggest that most prospects focus on doing program-hosted camps this summer? CF: Yes. The winter/early spring period is the time to do those all-star camps and the showcases, all-star 7-on-7 tournaments and some of the testing combines. But the summertime is all about getting on campus and performing in front of the college coaches. These are the guys that are going to be doing the evaluations and handing out the scholarship offer. If you are a prospect and you don’t get in front of a college coach how do you expect to get a scholarship? If you are a Class of 2023 prospect it’s not only encouraged, but it’s
completely necessary to take part in a couple of these camps. For the younger players in the Class of 2024 and Class of 2025 it’s not as urgent, but I believe that it’s important to get your name out there as early as possible. There are a finite number of scholarships available and it’s important for many of these players to cast a wide net if they want to play at the next level.
ff Beyond the prospect camps, what are some of the other opportunities for players to get seen over the summer? CF: Most prospects will do other events beyond just prospect camps. Many schools do their own big-man camps, which might be the preferred route for offensive and defensive linemen to get in some good work against other good players and receive coaching and instruction from college coaches. There will be a ton of 7-on-7 tournaments hosted by college programs and those are good on a couple of levels. For starters, everyone loves 7-on-7 because it’s competitive and fast paced. It’s a very good showcase for quarterbacks, running backs, receivers and defensive backs. Plus these are team events, so you are there with your high school teammates and coaches. It’s a great chance to be seen and build team chemistry at the same time. Later in the summer there will also be padded team camps. Most high school coaches LOVE padded team camps, because the hitting is a little more live and it’s a chance to run some actual plays against other schools. The padded camps are a good chance for college coaches to observe how the players deal with the physical end of the game.
Gain more insight by listening to the Fishcast on the FNF Coaches Talk Podcast network
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