FNF Coaches 2019 "Football Is Family" by A.E. Engine

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The Magazine for High School Football Coaches

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DEC/JAN 2020

Football is family.

MORE THAN A GAME Florida community and football teams come together after tragedy. PAGE 26 MORE THAN JUST A CLINIC: THE 2020 USA FOOTBALL NATIONAL CONFERENCE

COLLEGE

COACHES’ CORNER

CONTENTDEC/JAN

with smu coach sonny dykes

OVER ZONEY (BOSTON) DOUBLE OUT

DIAGRAM 1

16.

playbook C

N W

COACHING LEGEND: JERRY SINZ 04. NEWS+NOTES 05. PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT 08. ROAD TO THE RINGS 12. INNOVATOR’S SPOTLIGHT 22. IN MEMORIAM 23. FUNDRAISING 24. COMMUNICATION 25. NETWORKING 32. INSPIRATION 34. TECH CORNER 38. THE HOLIDAYS 39. BACK IN THE DAY

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH

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Podcast Hot Reads

30. KENTUCKY TEAM DEDICATES SEASON TO COACH 31. COMMUNITY RALLIES AROUND WEST VIRGINIA TEAM

your connection to the

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR We are proud to present our final edition of 2019, which has a “Football Is Family” theme. In the midst of the holiday season, and with a new year approaching, we thought we’d take a look at examples of communities rallying around football teams that have experienced tragedy. In turn, we also look at football teams that have reached out to less fortunate members of the community. Football is a great sport for the way in which it helps mold men, builds character, and creates stronger individuals. But it’s also great for the way it exposes our vulnerabilities and makes us empathetic towards others. We also have a section of the magazine that focuses on game-planning. What works? What’s the best way to do it? How can we save time by delegating some of this responsibility to our assistant coaches. We know the grind of the football season when every day of the week is packed with preparation for that particular week’s opponent. We want to help you manage that. We also share the stories and tips from experts in the field– whether it’s other coaches, authors, or coaches that specialize in strength, conditioning, speed, equipment, nutrition, motivation, safety or recovery – in hopes of sharing some information that high school football coaches may not know. It’s worth taking the time at the start of the season to make sure you are aware of all of the latest trends and educational opportunities so that if a parent asks for your advice, you will be armed with the information you need. If you would like to learn more about any of the topics we cover in this edition, we’d like to hear from you at fnf@ae-engine.com. We want to continue to provide you with information you want in the coming months, so we’d like to hear your suggestions for content. Engage with us on our website, FNFCoaches.com, and social media, @FNFCoaches, and tell us your suggestions for feature stories.

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NEWS+NOTES

HOME TEAM MARKETING’S CLOSURE LEAVES HS TEAMS OUT MONEY

leveland-based Home Team Marketing, a

of TicketRoar, a digital ticketing company that partnered with Eventbrite in 2016. Customers used TicketRoar to purchase tickets online for high school events. The company said it was the “official ticketing and marketing partner of the NFHS.” Solon High is just one of many Northeast Ohio schools that is owed money by the company.

marketing and digital ticketing company, filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in September, estimating its debt is between $10 million to $50 million. The company connected brands to thousands of high schools throughout Ohio and the U.S. It is the parent company

Police said TicketRoar sold tickets over the summer, but the school has not been paid in excess of $12,000. The Solon School District said in a statement: “There are many Northeast Ohio schools that are similarly affected. We are evaluating all options to protect and preserve our legal rights and recover the funds.” BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

A GROUP OF TALLAHASSEE, FLA., WIVES OF FOOTBALL COACHES CREATED A

Of the 36,000 coaches in Texas public schools, 6,000 are leaving the profession each year, according to the Texas High School Coaches Association. A growing shortage of coaches has prompted the coaches association to launch a mentoring program that will begin in March 2020 that THSCA officials hope will keep more coaches coaching instead of looking to start new careers in other professions. Besides the economy, the biggest factor contributing to the coaching shortage is the Alternative Certification Program.

Plainedge Red Devils (N.Y.) coach Robert Shaver was suspended one game by Nassau County after leading his team to a 61-13 victory over the South Side Cyclones. Nassau County has an unusual policy designed to prevent lopsided results in football games: If a team wins a game by more than 42 points, the winning coach must explain to a special committee why such an outsize margin could not be avoided. The committee determined that Mr. Shaver should have pulled his starters when he had a big lead at the start of the fourth quarter.

conference to honor each other for being CEOs of the family business. The On Point Retreat was headed up by Dr. Tammy Barnett, wife of Florida State defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Harlon Barnett. The On Point Retreat was a three-day empowerment event for women married to a collegiate or professional coach, a pro athlete or sports administrator. It took place in October in Tallahassee. Scheduled activities for the weekend included panel discussions, seminars, team apparel social, workout session, vendors and a silent auction.

TRENDING TOPICS @FNFCOACHES Unpopular opinion. It’s OK as a coach to have interests outside of football during the season. I spend time with my little man, train, run an online business, and hunt. I get my job done and the world doesn’t come to an end. Take time for yourself! @COACHDEESMITH Woke up this morning for two reasons; 1. To eat breakfast, 2. To WIN a football game. *I’m already done with my breakfast! #TimeToGetThatW @COACHKURTHINES Coaching Tip: Impacting lives has to be just as much of a priority to you as winning games if you want to be as effective as you can be. Players lay more on the line for coaches who they feel care about them and their well being. #Ap2w @DUKECOACHDJ Mentally Tough Athletes: Learn from failure Never give up Limit distractions Make wise choices Face adversity Put team 1st; self last Compete Easily hit their “reset button” Have internal motivation Never give up Have passion & drive Start fresh after mistakes/losses @COACHJONBECK ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

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PROCOM IS ONCE AGAIN REVOLUTIONIZING

the headsets market. Beginning January 2020, the X12A All-in-One headset will be available. The X12 series by ProCom is the only line of headsets to allow you to mix and match both traditional beltpacks as well as All-in-One headsets allowing each coach to choose what style suits them best… all without a base station! The X12A will have more features than any other All-in-One headset on the market. 500mW output power is the highest output power allowed by the FCC. 900 Mhz frequency eliminates the worry of outside interference. The X12A also works seamlessly with our XMR Helmet Receiver allowing coaches to not only talk Coach to Coach but also Coach to Player without the need for a separate system. PHONE: 724-337-1400 WEBSITE: procomheadsets.com

Product Spotlight THE CLIP BY PORTA PHONE Coach To Player communication made affordable. If “simple is better,” then check out THE CLIP, Porta Phone’s new teaching tool that provides wireless Coach to Player communication. At the heart of all CLIP systems is the CLIP itself, a miniature speaker that can be worn either on the athlete’s jersey or placed elsewhere ie. soccer, hockey, or lacrosse goal netting. Coaches talk hands free through their headset with the ability to mute their voice automatically. Setting THE CLIP volume allows coaches to talk to single player or a larger group huddle. What makes THE CLIP receiver unique is that because it is worn external of protective headgear such as football, lacrosse and hockey helmets they are simple to share among players without concern for hygiene. Complete Coach to Player football systems feature a Porta Phone GOLD series wireless headset and start at $795. Standard systems with a lightweight EDGE headset cost only $345. And since these systems are field programmable adding additional CLIP receivers can be done at any time at minimal cost $130 each. Rechargeable batteries, charger, and a padded soft side case for convenient storage and transport included.

p to u p e e K e h t h t i date w f high world ofootball school g coachin m o c . s e h c a o Visit FNFC

VISIT: PORTAPHONE.COM CALL: (800) 233-1113

USA FOOTBALL’S 2020 NATIONAL CONFERENCE Louisville, Kentucky, February 21-23: Hone your ability to teach effective and proven techniques while connecting with coaches from across the country at USA Football’s National Conference. From an immersive live field to in-depth X’s and O’s sessions, you won’t find this attention to detail anywhere else. NEW BONUSES THIS YEAR: Registration includes new resources for paying attendees this year. ■■ One year of access: Advanced Tackling System ($99 value) ■■ One year of access: Contact System ($99 value) ■■ New Advanced Contact Certification ($49 value) Register at nationalconference.usafootball.com/fnf to see the speakers and agenda.

LEGEND RINGS Legend Rings is North America’s leader in Custom Championship Rings. We pride ourselves on being the best in the industry, ensuring that our service is as Legendary as the teams we work with. If you think that comes with a high price tag, you’re mistaken – our pricing beats the competition every day. Once you choose Legend Rings, you’re part of our family. From complexity to simplicity – our designers will turn your dream ring into reality. From production to delivery we will make the process simple and when you wear your ring, wear it with confidence knowing every one of our rings is guaranteed with a lifetime warranty. When you’re looking for a partner to trust in creating your Championship Rings, choose Legend Rings.

r u o y n Read o puter Com ile or Mobice Dev

COACHING LEGENDS

a Military Sensibility WISCONSIN COACH SINZ PREACHES ACCOUNTABILITY Edgar High School (Wisc.) head coach Jerry Sinz, one of only two coaches in the state to win 400 games, has brought corporatestyle evaluations of his players to the offseason program. Now, young student-athletes in the upper Midwest U.S. have an idea how those things work in the real world. BY DEREK SMITH

The Jerry Sinz Profile AGE: 69 SCHOOL: Edgar

(Wisconsin) High School YEARS AS HEAD COACH:

44 (1975-present)

COACHING RECORD: 419-83 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 7 RUNNERS-UP: 5 CONFERENCE TITLES: 25 2018 RECORD: 13-1 PROFESSION: Technology

and math teacher

FAMILY: Wife, Barb; sons,

Jason, Jeremy, Jordan and Justin; 9 grandchildren

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Let’s review. It’s time for your yearly evaluation with your boss. The day before, he asks you evaluate yourself and bring the findings to your meeting with him. He will also have reviewed your job performance over the year, and the two of you will compare the results. Then, the two of you will set goals for improvement in the future. Football players coached by Jerry Sinz face similar scrutiny each spring, not unlike what they may later encounter in life after graduation. “We talk pretty serious about accountability,” he said. The Wildcats are required to stay in top physical shape throughout the year and must participate in a summer fitness program. During the month of March, Sinz calls all of his varsity players to his office for an offseason interview. Captains are elected at this time, and they continue to meet with Sinz once a week in April and May. The Wildcats individually fill out evaluations and rate themselves in a bunch of categories, Sinz says. Those are compared with evaluations from the assistant coaches on each player. They are judged on 30 characteristics and qualities. They set personal and team goals, assess strength and weaknesses, and find areas to improve. Sinz asks about their future plans, monitors their GPAs and

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queries them on their home and school life. The coaches stress to the Wildcats that they prioritize their lives – God, family, education. “Basically, we put football about fourth or fifth,” Sinz said. “If your best athletes aren’t your best citizens and your hardest workers, you’ll usually have some chemistry issues. It all comes back to the leadership qualities of the kids.” The Wildcats’ assistant coaches keep track of the players’ progress in the offseason by coaching other sports, too, because many of the kids play more than one sport at the small, rural school. “I’ve managed to get it worked out now that every head coach in a boys’ sport (except cross country in the fall) is an assistant football coach,” including track and baseball, Sinz said. Overseeing a year-around program which emphasizes teamwork, chemistry and leadership has led to tremendous success for Edgar High School and Sinz since he became head coach in 1975. He entered the 2019 campaign with 419 wins, including 17 undefeated seasons, seven state titles and 12 championship appearances. Sinz has won state championships in four different classifications in Wisconsin – Divisions 4, 5, 6 and 7, the smallest class. In 2018, the Wildcats finished 13-1 as Division 7 state runners-up.

17 undefeated regular seasons; only the second football coach in Wisconsin history to reach 400 wins; recognized as the National High School Coach Association Football Coach of the Year in 2010; named the Green Bay Packers High School Coach of the Year in 2008; Class of 2006 University of Wisconsin-Stout Athletic Hall of Fame; inducted into Wisconsin Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2003.

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ROAD TO THE RINGS

Champion Coach: Find Out Which Players You Believe In Each month, Legend Rings sponsors a Q&A with a champion high school coach. The supplier of custom championship rings has worked with many championship teams over the years, outfitting coaches and players with keepsakes following memorable seasons. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

■■ Minnesota State coach Todd Hoffner

Todd Hoffner has led Minnesota State to a record of 92-21 over the last nine seasons. As of mid-November the Mavericks were riding a 34-game regularseason winning streak. Under Hoffner, the Mavericks have won five NSIC Championships (2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018) and seven NSIC South Division Championships (2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018). FNF Coaches recently caught up with Coach Hoffner to talk about his program’s sustained excellence. At what point in the season do you start to know you have a championship team? “I think the No. 1 thing is recruiting. That’s the first sign – if we’ve attracted gifted and talented student-athletes who are not only good people and great students, and also great football players. That’s a part of setting the foundation for a successful program. When I first took over the job in 2008, it took until 2011 for the first championship after an 18-year drought.” Once you get the recruits on your team, you have to balance running your scheme with playing to your most talented players’ strengths. How do you do that? “When I took over in 2008, we signed a recruiting class late. We didn’t sign Adam Thielen for $500 until July of 2008. We never gave up and continued to add talent all the way up to the late report date. Once we had the talent, we needed to try to put players with certain skill sets

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in position to make plays. That’s the No. 1 thing I ask of my coaches. Recruit every day, and put the players in position to make plays. That 1-2 punch has led to championships.” Do you keep the same weekly schedule during the playoffs? Or do you do something different to make sure your team is peaking? “I’d love to play outside our conference just as a barometer and measuring stick. When it comes to the postseason and the playoffs, you are who you are. We try to be the best team we can be. One of the things that is really important throughout the year is figuring out what players we believe in. What are our bread-and-butter plays? That’s what the regular season is all about. Once you’re in the one-and-done portion of the season, you have to be sharp and find a way to get the best players the ball a lot. And you have to play great defense. If you can do those things, you can win playoff games.” What is the key to repeating as champions? Do you have to forget about the previous season? “Our experience is the culminating factor in establishing a tradition. People understand what’s expected. We need to capture all of our experiences and lessons. People talk about reloading. One thing we love to do is compare our standards of excellence. We have goals for numbers of points allowed, big plays, positive plays, etc. We always compare to those things. When we talk about a new season, we try to meet or exceed those standards of excellence.”

NORTH AMERICA’S LEADER IN CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS LEGEND RINGS IS

North America’s leader in custom championship rings. They take pride in being the best in the industry and ensure that their service is as legendary as the teams they work with. If you think that comes with a high price tag, you’re mistaken – their pricing beats the competition every single day. Once you choose Legend Rings, you’re part of their family. From complexity to simplicity – their designers will turn your dreams ring into reality. From production to delivery they will make the process simple and when you wear your ring, wear it with confidence knowing it’s guaranteed with a lifetime warranty. When you’re looking for a partner to trust in creating your championship rings, choose Legend Rings.

COLLEGE COACHES’ CORNER

Q&A with smu coach sonny dykes BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

THE

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onny Dykes returned home to Texas in 2017

to become the head coach at SMU, following in the footsteps of his father, Spike, who was a legend in Texas coaching circles. Sonny Dykes, who had previous head coaching stints at Cal (2013-16) and Louisiana Tech (2010-12), has swiftly put SMU back on the map as a legitimate college football program. In his second season at SMU this fall, Dykes led the Mustangs to a 7-0 start – the program’s first 7-0 start since 1982 and its first top-25 ranking since the program incurred college football’s only “death penalty” in 1987. Dykes recently joined FNF Coaches for an exclusive interview. When did you start to get the sense that you wanted to get into coaching? “My dad was a longtime high school coach who later got into college football. For me, just like most young kids, I wanted to do something different than my dad. When I got to college, I thought maybe I’d go to law school or go into aviation. As I started to finish up college, I couldn’t imagine not being a part of a team or being around young people. That feeling of self-sacrifice for the greater good doesn’t always happen as much in the real world.” What did you take away from your experience of coaching at the high school level at the start of your career? “I started coaching high school for a year, and then I spent two years as a graduate assistant. Coaching is teaching. Instead of doing it in a classroom, it’s on a field. It’s about finding ways to connect with students and presenting material they’re interested in. You want them to see that when they learn it, it will make them better somehow. That’s coaching – finding a way to reach your players. I’ve always believed in telling them why they’re doing something. I used to do that as an English teacher. I’d say, ‘We’ll read Shakespeare, and this is why it’s important.’ We do the same thing as coaches. Here’s why we’re doing it, here’s why it’s important, this is how it will make us successful and help the team win.” What did you learn from your two previous stops as a head coach at the college level?

“At Louisiana Tech, there were strengths of being in Ruston, Louisiana, and there were weaknesses. It’s a very small town. We had to figure out what players would come and be happy. First, we figured we’d recruit all these kids from Dallas and Houston because I had connections there. We’d bring them to Ruston on a visit, and they liked everything about it, but they weren’t comfortable in that small town. We had to change our recruiting focus. “When I went to Cal, we went into rebuilding mode, and we were not very good early. We won a Bowl game in our third year. At that point, it’s a real test. We had to get them to work even though they’d experienced success.” What are some of the keys to rebuilding a program? “The most important thing is deciding who to surround yourself with. Everyone in the organization is so important, and you need a consistent theme. Sometimes as a coach, you go someplace new after you’ve been successful, and you think you can apply the same style. Every school has unique strengths and weaknesses. You have to figure out what you have to do to be successful. Will we recruit better, or will we think outside the box? “We did a good job of bringing in good people to help as a coaching staff. It sets the expectations for the program. Players sense it when they see coaches working hard. It puts pressure on them to do the right things. You also have to empower your coaches to be successful. Have a distinct plan on offense, defense, and special teams. You may have to adjust it, but come up with a long-term plan. You have to get better every day and constantly evaluate yourself.” What new technology is your team using? “The good thing for me about coming up with Leach and Mumme was we always thought outside the box. As a result, we were always on the cutting edge offensively. We didn’t have a lot of contact at practice – even 22 years ago when other teams were

beating each other up every day. “Now, we monitor load every day at practice. We spend time every day talking about when to push more and when to back off. There’s always a fine line, and we have those conversations every day. We look at the GPS tracking to get input, and we also talk to the players and coaches.

A PROSPEROUS COACHING TREE JUST THREE YEARS OUT OF

college in 1997, Dykes landed a graduate assistant position on the University of Kentucky coaching staff. That proved to be the most formative stretch of his career, as he learned under Air Raid architects Hal Mumme and Mike Leach. “I was lucky,” Dykes said. “Hal Mumme was the head coach, and Mike Leach was the offensive coordinator.

“Another thing is we believe heavily in analytics. We analyze every decision we make in-game. We go for it a lot on fourth down. We play aggressive, and we believe in our players. We have confidence in them, and that makes decisions easy when you feel you can execute at a high level.”

I was Mike’s graduate assistant. I saw them put together the Air Raid. They had started to put it together at Iowa Wesleyan, but this was the first time they’d run it in a major college football conference. I learned major lessons.” Dykes said the key to Mumme’s Air Raid offense goes far beyond X’s and O’s. “It wasn’t just the scheme; it was how he practiced, how he devised drills to address specific needs. We developed drills that helped us do the

things we needed to make our offense successful. Those drills were the basis of our offense, those details and nuances. Football is always evolving – from the triple option to the Air Raid to the emphasis on RPOs. Everybody runs the same plays, but you have to run them better than anyone else to be successful. We spend a lot of time on fundamentals, more than anyone else. That’s what enables us to be successful, executing basic plays, making routine plays.”

INNOVATOR’S SPOTLIGHT

MVP Mobile Virtual Player THE SPRINT MAKES HS FOOTBALL SAFER Each month, FNF Coaches selects a product that makes the game safer or more enjoyable for players, and allows a representative from that company to share the benefits of the product. For the this edition, we feature the MVP Drive Sprint. BY RYAN MCMANUS, MVP DRIVE DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING

Robotic dummies now a fraction of the cost in order to maximize usage amongst levels where injury and participation concerns are highest. With concussion concerns increasing and sports participation at the youth and high school level declining, Mobile Virtual Player (MVP) — the company that introduced football’s first robotic tackling dummies to the NFL, revisited the drawing board to redesign their robotic tackling dummies to lower the cost in order to increase accessibility and, overall, reduce the maximum number of injuries and player-on-player contacts that occur during football practices. After months of researching, sourcing new components and redesigning a new drive system, MVP is excited to announce the limited release of their newest model, the MVP | SPRINT ($3,450). MVP completely sold out of the SPRINTS and is now taking orders for Spring Ball 2020. Among youth football athletes, 46 percent of concussions occurred during practice, according to the study published by JAMA Pediatrics in 2015. The concerns over injury have also led to the unfortunate decline in participation, which has fallen nearly 30 percent in the last five years among kids ages 6-12 (Washington Post). In order to combat the alarming injury and participation rates, MVP’s team of engineers did a full redesign of their existing robotic tackling dummies with high school and youth budgets in mind. By redesigning and sourcing consumer electronic parts, the MVP team was able to successfully create a robotic dummy that was durable, less than $4,000, and that had increased performance on grass and the rougher field types that high school and youth programs often practice on.

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MVP DRIVE SPRINT MVP’S ROBOTIC TACK-

ling dummies were specifically engineered to replicate the performance and size of a skilled player, enabling teams to get game-like reps in a safer, more effective way. “The applications we are quickly finding are endless,” said Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. “It never gets tired, and it runs at an appropriate football speed. In today’s NFL, with player safety the focus, I think it’s going to provide opportunities to improve without the hand-to-hand or man-to-man combat.” The SPRINT is now available for order at mvpdummy.com.

The SPRINT is the budget-friendly remotecontrolled, self-righting, mobile tackling dummy designed to replicate an in-game experience by simulating the size, speed and agility of an elite player. Weighing 165 lbs. and reaching speeds up to 16 mph, the SPRINT enables teams to reduce player-on-player contact during practices while also providing a great teaching tool for athletes that are learning and perfecting proper technique. Now, more teams will be able to train like the pros with the latest technology. “Protecting athletes is critical and the very reason MVP was developed,” said Dartmouth head coach Buddy Teevens, whose Ivy League program was among the first in the country to eliminate full contact and use MVP technology. “It’s a solution that will allow youth, high school, collegiate and professional players to fully execute a tackle, eliminating player-on-player contact during drills, while maintaining the level of challenge associated with tackling a live person.”

THE 2020 USA FOOTBALL NATIONAL CONFERENCE

MORE THAN JUST A CLINIC KICKING OFF FEBRUARY 21-23 IN LOUISVILLE

■■ USA Football Senior Manager of Education Andy Ryland leads a demonstration on the Live Field.

f you are looking to double down on improving your team’s technique

this offseason, you should consider attending USA Football’s 2020 National Conference. Most coaches are satisfied when a clinic experience delivers one or two nuggets of worthwhile information. For experienced coaches, this often comes in the form of a new way to teach a technique or a drill. That’s why, this year, USA Football is ensuring that classroom and live field sessions don’t just deliver on X’s and O’s, but also the importance of building better techniques. Here’s a sneak peek of what coaches can expect to experience in Louisville, Kentucky, from February 21-23:

LIVE FIELD USA Football continues to deliver a premier live field experience for high school coaches, where they can see top-tier coaches illustrate technique, fundamentals and proven drills. At this year’s National Conference, coaches can expect to find application of the Advanced Tackling System and Contact System to specific schemes. Programs who have interest in seeing the application of these premium systems can discover how to apply them throughout the season. (Topics are updated consistently and may change. Please visit nationalconference. usafootball.com/schedule for the most up-to-date schedule.) For the Contact System, you can expect to see application to specific run blocking concepts, like inside and outside zone.

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Fitting and tackling versus perimeter screens will also be featured on the live field, featuring concepts from the Advanced Tackling System. Coaches can expect other live field experiences as well, from quarterback development to scheme implementation.

CLASSROOM SESSIONS USA Football boasts in-depth X’s and O’s sessions in classrooms and chalk talk areas and will deliver the same quality of speakers as in years’ past. While speakers are still in development for 2020, the conference has boasted sessions led by high-caliber high school and college coaches. Here’s a list of some coaches who showcased their knowledge, film or used the white board last year: ■■ Herb Hand, University of Texas ■■ Noel Mazzone, University of Arizona ■■ Van Malone, Kansas State University ■■ Kevin Carberry, Stanford University ■■ Steve Specht, St. Xavier High School (Ohio) ■■ J.T. Curtis, John Curtis Christian School (Louisiana) The 2020 conference will showcase a similarly talented group of winning coaches. Be sure to see the latest speaker lineup at nationalconference.usafootball.com/speakers.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS National Conference is more than just a clinic, and one reason why is the elite keynote speakers that show up year-after-year. These coaches deliver terrific talks that cover a wide variety of topics, from culture to program building to defending trips sets in various ways. Here’s a look at some of the keynote speakers from previous years: ■■ Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers ■■ Jon Gruden, Oakland Raiders ■■ P.J. Fleck, University of Minnesota ■■ Jeremy Pruitt, University of Tennessee ■■ Mike Singletary, Pro Football Hall of Fame Linebacker and Former Head Coach You can see Mike Tomlin’s 2019 keynote session at nationalconference.usafootball.com/tomlin. Make sure to check out the website to see the 2020 additions.

■■ Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin

BONUS ACCESS At National Conference, you’ll master technique, drills and scheme through keynotes, live field and classroom sessions. But your opportunity to get better in Louisville is just the beginning. Paying attendees will get also online access to USA Football’s Advanced Tackling and Contact Systems following conference. Here’s what you’ll get with those systems: Advanced Tackling System: Your defense is only as good as each tackler. Equip your staff with a standard language and progression for teaching and evaluating every tackle. ■■ 28 In-Depth Lessons ■■ 23 Focused Drill Videos ■■ 5-Step Progression ■■ $99 Annual Value Contact System: Fuel your team with a proven approach to blocking and defeating blocks. Train every player to generate maximum force with maximum control. ■■ 49 In-Depth Lessons ■■ 26 Focused Drill Videos ■■ 4-Step Progression ■■ $99 Annual Value To learn more about how access works, visit nationalconference.usafootball.com. EVEN MORE VALUE: Advanced Contact Certification: National Conference will be the first opportunity for coaches to earn the most advanced certification focused solely on blocking, defeating blocks and shoulder tackling. Paying attendees will be among the first to earn this one-of-a-kind certification, which is valued at $49. Attendees who attend a variety of specific sessions will earn their Advanced Contact Certification onsite – no test required. This hands-on experience will help coaches learn, master and prove their ability to teach effective and safer techniques for shoulder tackling, blocking and defeating blocks.

PLAN YOUR TRIP Take the next step and plan your trip to the 2020 National Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, by visiting nationalconference.usafootball.com/fnf.

PLAYBOOK presented by Setting the Front in Match Coverage MAN FREE WITH ZONE PRINCIPLES

Y-OFF 2-BY-2

DIAGRAM 1

Y-OFF 3-BY-1

DIAGRAM 2

BY ROB EVERETT

Being a primarily zone coverage defensive coach my entire career, I found match coverage to be exactly what we needed when looking for a man free coverage. Match coverage is similar to the popular Rip/Liz concept with a few important distinctions. This article will focus on the finer coaching points of this coverage as well as address common ways offenses attack it. In part two, we will investigate the front structure paired with the coverage in the even as well as run fits.

Match Purpose Match coverage is an all-down call for us. It will be called on first and second down in normal territory. It gives the defense clear switch rules for man defenders and will still have one or two defenders with their eyes on the quarterback to protect the hole. Match coverage gives a defense a strong six-man box (no matter even or odd) with multiple second-level players keying the running back, a force player inside of the No. 2 receiver reducing the field and a post player closing the middle of the field. It is paired with a four-man rush and is adaptable to every formation with easy tweaks, including the increasingly popular Y-off offensive sets and empty. The goal with all defensive calls is to get your players aligning quickly and reacting fast. Match coverage keeps the same player in the post no matter the offensive alignment and asks the linebackers to adjust while giving them support. Every defense has vulnerabilities and match coverage forces offenses to look for favorable match ups because the scheme is balanced and sound. Displayed here are the base alignments against one-back 2-by-2 (diagram 1) and 3-by-1 (diagram 2) sets.

Key Adjustments and Coaching Points Tight Dividers: Against 3-by-1 alignments, match coverage leverages inside of No. 3 and outside of No. 2, which makes a natural switch situation for those defenders. This call is “buddy” and it is automatic for the Mike and OLB in 3-by-1. Bunches, stacks and tight splits are common weapons offenses use against man free concepts. This version of match aligns and fits against these route combinations in the base rules. Communication is key for defenders who want to buddy against No. 1 and No. 2 receivers (including if No. 2 is in the backfield), as the leverage will be changed for the inside defender. Any stem away

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from the defenders leverage before 3 yards will be passed off and switched. Anything beyond 3 yards will be locked. If a running back is involved in a buddy, the other defender responsible for the running back will hear an “alert push” call, which says he will take anything inside fast. Against the tight dividers on both sides of the center, the defense should make a “tight, tight” call, which alerts everyone to the threat of the mesh concept. Offenses are making this concept even more stressful by sending the running back on a wheel route. Tight splits on both sides will make a three-way between the two outside leverage players on the No. 2s and the inside linebackers relating to the running back (No. 3). Essentially, the outside leverage players will take first out or first vertical, passing anything fast

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Y-OFF 2-BY-2

Y-OFF 3-BY-1

DIAGRAM 3

DIAGRAM 4

inside. Because the running back is involved in the buddy, there will be an alert push, which will tell the inside linebackers to pass the shallow drag starting from his side. Vertical Stem by No. 3: Putting the Mike on No. 3 with inside leverage is the matchup most offenses will look to exploit in the pass game. The immediate inside is protected by the hole player (other inside linebacker or weak safety) and the immediate outside is protected by the buddy (rules outlined above). It is the vertical corner route by No. 3 that presents the biggest challenge for this linebacker. Superior technique to funnel will help make this throw difficult for even the best quarterbacks. The Mike begins playing with inside leverage, but when No. 3 threatens vertical, the Mike should slice to the outside hip and trail the route. This will provide body presence and force a higher throw allowing the help to arrive. If you are really concerned about No. 3, spinning the safeties and keeping the linebackers in the box is a good adjustment. The free safety plays the same rules as the Mike, inside leverage on No. 3 with automatic buddy. We avoid this is possible because of wanting to keep the post player the same and adjusting on the second level. Weak No. 1 Help: It is not lost on a hardened defensive coach that in man free coverage, the weak-side receiver in a 3-by-1 alignment is left one-on-one. Any quality defensive coach will say that the best cover corner is placed

into the boundary and that he will be able to hold up. Even so, match coverage has an answer to “remove” the weak No. 1 should the situation arise. As previously stated, the coverage is paired with a four-man rush and therefore has an extra defender deployed in the short hole. With a “double” call, the extra defender addresses the weak-side receiver, leaving the inside linebacker solo on the running back. While the call is double, the coverage is not true double coverage, which would be redundant because of the post player. Rather, the weak safety plays (and carries) the fast inside slant allowing the boundary corner to play with outside leverage to remove the fast out. This adjustment removes the underneath routes that this personnel matchup may be vulnerable to in man free. Once the receiver declares vertical, the weak safety gets eyes back to the quarterback. Y-Off Adjustment: The Y-off alignment out of 11 personnel has been becoming more frequent at all levels of football. It gives the offense the power of a three-man surface while having the threat of adding that gap to the other side center by slicing the Y-across. When we make the match call against these sets (either 2-by-2 (diagram 3) or 3-by-1 (diagram 4)), we merge rat principles with two high safeties relating to the offline tight end. The two safeties are responsible for the tight end and the post depending on the release. If the Y goes away from you as a safety, you dig to the post. Every other player on the defense remains consistent in assignment, including the two inside linebackers.

Conclusion The best advantage for man free concepts is that assignments are easy, which allows the defense to play fast. In addition, defenders know where the weaknesses are. Pairing zone principles to man free concepts with match coverage allows you to have answers for the vulnerabilities inherent in man free. In part two, we will discuss setting the 3-technique in an even front to remain sound in the option game.

PLAYBOOK presented by Soft Sky

OVER ZONEY (BOSTON) DOUBLE OUT

DIAGRAM 1

HOW PETE CARROLL DEFENDS FOUR VERTS FROM MIDDLE OF THE FIELD CLOSE BY MATTY BROWN

The NFL has improved to be far better at dissecting single-high defenses that were popularized by the successes of Pete Carroll. For that reason, and after the season-ending injury rangy free safety Earl Thomas suffered, the Seahawks head coach decided to call more match quarters. Yet Carroll still wants to primarily run Middle of the Field Closed, especially out of his 4-3 base. From the dominance of the Legion of Boom to the present, Carroll’s pass defenses have never been vanilla Cover 3. Various checks and reads are built into the spot-dropping to make the coverages far more match-like. Today we’ll be looking at “Soft Sky.” The coverage still allows Carroll’s teams to play with speed and free of the paralysis of thought, but it compensates for one inherent weakness of 3 deep, 4 under concepts. It also attacks the tendencies offenses lean on when faced with single-high looks. It’s football 101 that the Cover 3 MOF safety is put in a terrible bind by two seam routes, leading to four verts being a successful call. Similar to how how Nick Saban uses Rip-Liz to match four verticals into a four-deep structure, Carroll has an answer to save his safety: “Soft Sky.” He too uses the down safety to remove a second seam. After a pre-snap “zebra” call (a seam alert), a Soft Sky check can be called or it’ll be built in. It’s most often seen against 2x2 formations out of an over front, particularly versus an in-line tight end.

Soft Sky’s strength In week 4 of 2018, Seattle experienced difficulties against the Carolina Panthers’ attack. The orbit motion option game caused conflict for Seattle’s buzz defenders (Apex players, frequently a SAM linebacker and the strong safety). Then Bradley McDougald baited Cam Newton into throwing a pick that would prove a turning point. Carolina aligned with 12 personnel on 1st and 10, leading 13-10 (diagram 1). Newton, thinking McDougald was a ‘hook curl; buzz to flat’ player, must have turned giddy when he saw deep safety, Tedric Thompson, cheat to the boundary. After McDougald was drawn up by the run fake to Christian McCaffrey, Newton chose what he thought was an open seam. But the two Seahawks safeties were merely executing Soft Sky. Thompson shaded his middle third zone 60/40 over to the opposite side of down safety McDougald. Thompson’s task, following the seam

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N W

SOFT SKY VS. 21 PERSONNEL

DIAGRAM 2

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T M

alert, was to stay over his boundary seam and prevent any post. Newton thought McDougald was going to stop in a hook. To the quarterback’s surprise, McDougald dropped with the seam into his Soft Sky and intercepted the ball intended for Chris Manhertz.

Soft Sky’s weakness The weakness of the design is the lack of a buzz defender to the Soft Sky side. Seattle relies on strong rallying to the flat in such instances. After San Francisco and the inexperienced Nick Mullens struggled in week 13, Kyle Shanahan persistently manipulated Seattle’s Soft Sky coverage two weeks later in an overtime victory. One play was a gorgeous inverted veer play-action. Coming out in 21 personnel to face base defense on 1st and 15 (diagram 2), Shanahan gave Mullens a triangular read structure from a deep dig that occupied the MOF safety to a seam. Observing Delano Hill continue back with the seam in Soft Sky, Mullens knew his tertiary read in the flats was open.

W FS

He attacked and found Matt Breida to pick up the first.

Applicable to any MOFC defense The interchangeability at the peak of Thomas and Kam Chancellor is oft-overlooked. The Seahawks rotated the pair and checked into most coverages seamlessly. In the new era of their defensive backfield, when Seattle ran cover 3, Thompson was mainly relegated to a seam/ post defender in more typical deep thirds. His athleticism and tackling weren’t trusted. However, Soft Sky proved a nice changeup. If a two-seam pattern doesn’t transpire, then the offense is none the wiser as the down safety plays a regular hook. Yet, against common four verts designed to target Cover 3, it transforms into a quarters-like trap that gets offenses off schedule and tempts them into throwing a closed seam. The coverage concept fits most defenses. Indeed, Carroll runs it via nickel and dime packages. For instance, it’s applicable to a 4-2-5’s three-safety system.

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Alternative ShortYardage Strategy BY KEITH GRABOWSKI

Conventional thinking on the goal line is to get your line foot-to-foot and wedge forward with all the force that can be generated. The cliché is, “If you can’t get a yard, then you don’t deserve to win.” Of course, this counts on your big guys beating their big guys to get the necessary push to get the running back or quarterback over the goal line. In reality, some teams are just not wellsuited to do that. Some of the best offensive teams in football rely on a different strategy to get the last couple yards or to convert a third and short situation. It boils down to a numbers preference. Do you want to pack all 22 players into a small area and see who gets the better push in what becomes a scrum, or do you want to make the numbers and leverage a little more favorable? The Rams and the Patriots have shown the ability to do the latter when necessary. They move their wedge play from right over the ball, packed in tightly, to out on the edge with more space to defend and fewer numbers to defend it. The execution relies on specific footwork and timing from the quarterback and receiver. If the offensive line can’t allow penetration, then that’s all the blocking necessary because the ball will be out in about .7 seconds. Just about any offensive line should be able to do that. This play must be set up according to the throwing hand of the quarterback.

If he is right-handed, the ball should be thrown to the left. If a lefty, throw to the right for maximum efficiency. The play starts with a motion in by the receiver (diagram 1). This is not window dressing as it serves a specific purpose both technically and tactically. From a tactical standpoint, the motion in loosens the defensive back over the motion player. This is effective enough to make him a non-factor in the play. The ball should be snapped with the motion man about a yard outside the No. 2 receiver. On the snap he should continue towards the quarterback catching the ball in between No. 1 and No. 2. The ball should be from middle to upfield on his frame, allowing him to plant off his back foot and get vertical immediately toward the goal line. From a thought process, he becomes the dive back on wedge looking to get into the tight lane being created by the receivers. While it may be intriguing for him to look for space inside or out, he needs to have a straight-ahead fullback mentality. The quarterback will get the snap and step backward one step with his throwing-side foot. He will open his opposite hip and throw to the middle to upfield half of the receiver. The two blocking receivers are looking to take on the lane half of their defenders. They want to offset them slightly with the outside receiver getting his outside eye to the defender’s inside eye while the inside receiver gets his inside eye to the defender’s outside eye. They should close the space quickly coming to balance, keeping the cleats in the ground with a good base and gaining leverage with the hips driving the hands.

DIAGRAM 1

TAKE PRACTICE TO THE

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An Offensive Revolution? KEITH GRABOWSKI

Wake Forest was one of the best offenses in the country as described in this article. Watching video of that offense operate in 2017 compared to what they are doing in 2019 on the surface appears to be the same when looking at diagrams of the play, but the video shows something distinctly different. This is visible in the mechanics of their handoff. While the Deacons would ride their mesh in 201, the ball handling and timing is much slower and deliberate in 2019. The first thing that almost anyone will notice is that the quarterback and running back literally walk to the line of scrimmage as they make the decision of who is getting the ball and where it is going. A typical zone read mesh takes about 1.3 seconds from snap to decision. Charting a game full of plays of the Deacons shows an average of 2.06 seconds from snap to decision, with the mesh taking as long as 2.5 seconds on some plays. For reference, 2.5 seconds in the drop-back game allows a quarterback to get through three receivers in his progression, allowing for one or two hitch steps before throwing the ball and making intermediate routes like digs and comebacks a possibility. The interesting part of this is when the movement of the offensive line is examined. The line is not passive in any regard. When they fit on a defensive linemen, they are working hard to distort him and help create the running lane, but they are not taking lead steps off of the line. They are using brace-pop or scoot footwork (John Strollo technique). They work to cover up the defensive linemen and let gaps be declared. Level one is distinctly being taken care of and the offensive line will not chase up to level two until level one is secure. They let level two (or three) come to them and get their punch underneath the defender. From there the hips are definitely engaged and they are moving defenders. Watching the video shows the offensive line in strong postures with leverage

on the defender. Notice that it’s not about made level as much as it is hip level and those hips being fully engaged in the block. Because the line is not running off the ball, the quarterback and running back can take their time getting to the line and see the running lane opening before them. This technique is used with all of their inside runs. These plays are tied into the RPO, and the quarterback can pull and throw at any time. Because he is taking longer, it’s common to see a receiver from the outside running a speed dig into a window. The ball is being thrown to the receiver at 10 yards. Because of the line’s technique, having an ineligible downfield is not a concern. The other interesting aspect of this is what happens if there is an unblocked defender sitting in the running lane. If this is the case, the quarterback will pull and get behind the running back who becomes a lead blocker. This can be seen on several of their short-yardage plays. In some instances the QB uses the old Jim McNally “butt block” technique. He still executes the slow mesh while looking over his shoulder and mantains the illusion of an RPO threat. The linebackers stay at level two because of it. As the safety gets near he releases the ball to the running back and butt blocks the safety and shields the ball carrier from being tackled. Offensive coordinator Warren Ruggerio and offensive line coach Nick Tabacca have done a great job utilizing this strategy on inside zone, power and wrap schemes. The running lanes are clear and distinct, and their run game has proved to be an efficient part of what is currently the No. 4 offense in the country. It will be interesting to watch how this strategy continues to develop. Many of the techniques utilized by the offensive line can be found in our contact system. Wake Forest does a great job of engaging their hips and getting displacement and distortion of the defensive line. The system can be accessed at footballdevelopment.com.

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r u o y n Read o puter Com ile or Mobice Dev

IN MEMORIAM

My First Practice LEGENDARY COACH JOHN MCKISSICK BY DAVID PURDUM

ld high school football tales are great and John

McKissick definitely has a bunch of them. In 1952, McKissick had just been named head coach at Summerville High School, a South Carolina powerhouse that won consecutive state championships in 1949 and ’50. He called his former coach, Lonnie McMillan of Presbyterian College, to tell him the news and ask for a favor. “I said, ‘Coach, how about helping me a little bit with practice?’” McKissick recalled. “He said, ‘You don’t know how to practice.’” McKissick laughed off his coach’s snide remark and met with him to map out a plan. Days later, McKissick arrived for his first practice as a head coach at the little practice field behind the Summerville stadium that is now named after him. He had 32 players, all in full pads, and no assistant coaches. “That first practice, I looked out there and saw we had this big-ole kid. I said, ‘Man, that’s a big-ole guy.’ I look back at it now and he was 6-foot-2, 190 pounds. He was an offensive and defensive tackle,” said McKissick, who turns 88 in September. “There’s a lot of teaching that goes on in the first practice. But, first of all, you have to let the kids know they’re out there to have fun.” Sixty-two years, 613 wins and 10 state championships later, it’s pretty clear McKissick knows how to practice. But things have definitely changed. McKissick remembers practices being more fun for the kids in those days. Most of his players were from area farms and loved to get away from their field work to come to practice. No one ever missed a practice. Parents would complain to the venerable coach, “You’re ruining me, coach.” His first practice lasted 2 ½ hours. He coached the offense, defense and special teams on his own. The practice opened with calisthenics and included a punting drill and a full-speed, one-onone tackling drill. “Back then, you were looking for the ones that would stick their heads in the briar patch,” McKissick said. “You wanted the kids who wouldn’t turn their heads when they hit. We’d never do that stuff these days.” High school football’s all-time winningest coach, McKissick is looking forward to his 62nd season. “I’ve always enjoyed getting up and going to work, looked forward to it; never dreaded going to work one day of my life,” McKissick concluded.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: John McKissick, longtime football coach at Summerville High in South Carolina, died Nov. 28 at the age of 95. With a record of 621-155-13 as the football coach at Summerville, McKissick is the winningest coach at any level of the sport. McKissick was featured in FNF Carolinas Magazine in 2014 before his last season as a high school football coach. This is a reprint from that edition.

FUNDRAISING

5 Unique Fundraisers That Worked Fundraising is as fundamental to coaching as game-planning and calling plays. Sometimes the most creative ideas result in the most successful outcomes. Upgrade your team’s facilities or equipment – or raise funds for charity – through a unique fundraiser. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

Most coaches have wants and needs beyond the school’s athletic budget, and for those coaches, fundraising is a great way to make ends meet. While most of us don’t have a background in fundraising, marketing or promotion, we can use the resources we have to drum up community support. Here are five examples of high school football teams doing just that. Washington Community High (Illinois). Reserved seat season tickets in the new home bleachers at Washington Community High School’s Babcook Field were sold as a fundraiser for the 12th Man football booster club. The one-year season-ticket pilot program for the four regularseason varsity home football games included two caveats: a ticket purchase limit must be established and it must be made clear that tickets cannot be resold. Season-ticket sale proceeds will be used to buy a machine that will clean the artificial turf at Babcook Field. Season tickets were $75, with $16 of the purchase price going back to the high school (game-night tickets are $4). The 250 reserved seats — 10 percent of the 2,500 seats in the bleachers — are in 14 rows in the middle section of the bleachers below the press box. Brainerd High (Minnesota). Brainerd has found a creative way to raise money by encouraging the community to support local Minnesota businesses, while also increasing fan attendance at sporting events. Charlie Campbell, Brainerd High School Activities Director and former President of the Minnesota State High School Activities Directors’ Association, introduced a new program that combines an All-Sport Event Admission Pass with a Local Deal Access Card. Since introducing the new program, Brainerd High School has been able to increase revenue and engagement for school activities. The new program was designed so the community gets access to great local deals and local businesses get deserved recognition for their support of high school activities. Clarkstown South High (New York). Around 300 people attended the fourth annual Tommy McGuire Turkey Bowl, a fundraising flag football tournament on his behalf, at Clarkstown High

■■ The Clarkstown South High (N.Y.) football team hosts a fundraising flag football tournament each year.

School South. McGuire, 26, played quarterback for Clarkstown South’s football team. But in 2016, a swimming pool accident injured his spinal cord and left him paralyzed. Since then, McGuire has gained limited range of motion in his arms and feeling in his upper chest, and recently stood upright for an hour with the assistance of mobility equipment. Brockton High (Massachusetts). Brockton High alumnus Ken Buckley, who won a football championship with the high school team 47 years ago, donated his 1929 Mercedes-Benz Gazelle kit car to support his alma mater, with a fundraising raffle that provided 100 percent of the proceeds to the Boxers via the Brockton High School Alumni Association. Buckley said about 350 tickets were sold at $50 a pop, and some people donated cash without getting in on the raffle. About $15,000 was raised for the football program through the unconventional fundraiser, which culminated with a drawing held Thursday at Marciano Stadium. Oak Ridge High (Tennessee). Oak Ridge High hosts a live auction, parade, cookout and bonfire each year on Homecoming weekend. “Big items” that were donated for the auction included: Queen-size Temperpedic Mattress set from Bed R Mattress; an orthodontic visit with Justin Trisler (up to $3,000); one-of-a-kind Oak Ridge items; jewelry from Karen’s and Peters Jewelers; Nike personalized clothing; and gift cards and tickets to local attractions.

COMMUNICATION

8 Tips for Communicating Your Goals Communication is so important in coaching because players have been proven to perform better when their expectations are aligned with reality. The best coaches communicate clearly and efficiently so that players are rarely surprised by coaching decisions. Do not assume players know what you’re thinking; share it. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

SETTING EXPECTATIONS FOR CHIMPS DR. ANDERSON

Dr. Justin Anderson has a wealth of experience working as a sports psychologist with collegiate, Olympic and professional athletes. He is also a former quarterback at University of Minnesota-Duluth. He founded Premier Sports Psychology in Minneapolis, Minn. He is a licensed psychologist who specializes in high performance psychology and leadership. Over the last 20 years, he’s had the opportunity to work with the best of the best in sport and in business. He’s helped countless professional, Olympic, and collegiate athletes gain an advantage in their mindset and mental preparation. He recommends the following tips for coaches who are looking to communicate goals to players, parents and the local community. Set expectations. “One of the things we’ve seen over the years is that managing expectations is one of the best things we can do,” Anderson said. “Psychology has taught us how distressed an individual can get when their expectations aren’t aligned with reality.” Put it in writing. “The best coaches communicate goals in a number of different ways. Set it up through the written word in a playbook or manual for the season. These are the standards of the program. Put them down on paper.” Repeat it verbally. “Do this a number of different times. Provide examples of what you’re looking for through your experiences. Speak to it

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in a preseason meeting, pep rallies, interactions with the media … any chance you get.” Address potential conflicts. “One thing to include is an explanation of how you’ll make decisions about playing time. What is the process if a parent is unhappy about playing time? How should they communicate to you?” Make yourself available. “What type of feedback are you willing or not willing to take? Most coaches get parents calling all the time to say their kid is not getting enough playing time. When are you available to take those calls? It’s better to face those issues head-on as long as it’s on your terms.” Preempt any uprisings. “At the beginning of the season, parents are much more agreeable. Once you get into the season with a few losses, parents get distressed. When you’re trying to impose your standards midseason, you get a lot more pushback.” Follow through. “You’ve got to hold everyone to your standard. Don’t make the standard so high that you don’t have flexibility to make the best decision for your team.” Explain your decisions. “If your standard punishment for missing a practice is for the player to sit out the first half, you have to hold everyone to that standard – best players included. If you share that decision with your players and explain why it’s the best decision for the program, then it works.”

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shared the findings of a psychological test on chimpanzees that shows how animals become distressed when expectations are not set properly. In the experiment, chimpanzees were marched in front of a glass window that had food on the other side of the glass. First, the chimps were shown one of their favorite foods – bananas. They were then ushered into a room with the bananas, and their stress levels remained low. In the next experiment, they were shown lettuce – one of their least favorite foods. When they marched into the room with lettuce, their stress levels remained low. In the third experiment, they were shown bananas, but when they were marched into the room, the bananas were replaced by lettuce. The chimps’ stress levels were high, and they ended up trashing the room. Finally, they were shown lettuce before being marched into a room with bananas. Despite the fact that they prefer bananas to lettuce, their stress levels again increased, and they reacted in anger.

NETWORKING

Take advantage of networking opportunities Networking opportunities allow coaches to share the type of information that helps teams win. Meet with other coaches to get a new perspective on high school coaching, and share the knowledge you’ve gained over the years by becoming a mentor for other coaches. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

■■ Glazier Clinics offer coaches opportunities to listen to presentations from experts in the industry.

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR COACHES

1 Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh has an expression that summarizes the coaching profession quite well. “If you don’t like change, you’re gonna like irrelevancy even less,” Harbaugh says. Even the top NFL coaches understand that in order to stay at the top of the profession, they must evolve. A coach must constantly update his strategy and find new ways to connect with players. Once you think you know everything there is to know about football, the next new trend emerges and leaves you feeling like you’re chasing your tail. That’s why it’s so important to find networking opportunities. There are many organized, structured clinics for coaches – such as the USA Football National Conference, Glazier Clinics, FCA Football Camps, Sideline Power #PoweredUp Clinic, and many more. Sign up for as many of these clinics as your athletic director will allow and reap the rewards when you’re stuck in a coaching rut. And if your athletic budget won’t bend to include these visits, reach out to college coaches in your area and schedule visits on your own time. “When you get in the season, and there’s an issue you’re not quite sure how to solve, you need someone to call,” said Glazier Clinics CEO Chris Coughlin. “Maybe you see something on film you haven’t seen before. You’re not going to call your competitors. You’re looking for people you can have a reciprocal relationship with.”

Clinics like the USA Football National Conference or Glazier include 100 to 150 breakout sessions for position coaches, motivational speakers, and experts in technology and safety. “Football stands on innovation and perpetual learning, which comprise the heart of our National Conference,” USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck said. Glazier Clinics will host 33 football clinics across the country in 2020. At each clinic, there might be as many as six speakers presenting in various locations at the same time. For that reason, Coughlin says coaches tend to find their tribes – offensive line coaches with offensive line coaches, defensive backs coaches with defensive backs coaches, and so on. “Football is different from all other sports because of the strategy break after each play,” Coughlin said. “There’s more coaching going on in football. Every one of the coaches is making decisions and coaching constantly during a game. If they’re not on the cutting edge, it’s tough to win.” Coughlin said one of the perks of networking is also creating support systems so other coaches can pick you up when you go through a down period. “People who’ve been in it a while have had those low moments and bad decisions,” Coughlin said. “Most people understand what you’re going through when you’re struggling, and they’re willing to lift you up.”

USA FOOTBALL NATIONAL CONFERENCE. The 2020 USA Football National Conference will be in Louisville, Ky., from Feb. 21 to 23. Sign up at nationalconference. usafootball.com/fnf. GLAZIER CLINICS. With 33 football clinics across the country in 2020, there are ample opportunities for coaches to participate. Visit glazierclinics.com. FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN ATHLETES FOOTBALL CAMP. It’s not technically a networking opportunity for coaches, but several coaches responded on Twitter to say they’ve done networking at this conference. Visit fcacamps.org. COLLEGE VISITS. Reach out to college coaches in your area. You’ll be amazed how receptive they are to requests for collaborative film sessions during the summer months. #POWEREDUP CLINICS. The 2020 #PoweredUp Coaches Clinic will take place in two locations – one at La Vista Conference Center (Neb.) on Feb. 21 and 22, and one at Embassy Suites (Rogers, Ark.) on March 20 and 21. Website: poweredupclinics.com.

4 5

More Than a Game There are times when a football team needs its local community to rally around the coaches and players to provide support during a difficult team. There are also other times when the football team can provide outreach in the community to lift a family in need.

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The relationship between football team and community is not a transactional relationship. It’s more than that. We as coaches rely on the local community for more than gate receipts, fundraising contributions, and tax payments. We rely on our neighbors to lift us up after difficult losses, bring us into homes and restaurants to feed us, and perhaps most importantly, be there to lift us up when tragedy strikes. During this holiday season, we reflect on a few instances when a local community rallied around its high school football team to provide support – or even a shoulder to cry on – during a difficult time. We also show an example of a football team rallying around a family in need to lift the spirits of its youngest football fans. At its best, the relationship between a football team and its local community is reciprocal. You give to us, and we give back to you. Sure, we want to exude strength and confidence, but there are times when we need others to help lift us and get us through a tragedy. Be cognizant of this relationship and look for ways in which you can lift others. Because you never know when you might need a lift. Football is family.

■■ Players from Dixie Hollins and Northeast High (Fla.) lock arms before a game during a moment of silence for former Northeast senior Jacquez Welch, who died suddenly after collapsing on the field during a game.

MORE THAN A GAME

ale Caparaso has a pre-game ritual. It’s part of his game plan. On Sept. 27, the longtime

Tampa (Florida) area head coach threw that game plan out the window. Before his Dixie Hollins Rebels kicked off against Northeast in a game between neighboring schools in St. Petersburg, Fla., Coach Caparaso did something he never does. “I went up to each (Northeast) player to express my sympathy,” Caparaso said. How do you mourn the loss of life, a young life, a young life taken way too soon on the football field? The Rebels and the Northeast Vikings did what came naturally – they played football. That game against Dixie Hollins marked the first time Northeast set foot on a football field for a game since one of their seniors, Jacquez Welch, died. Welch went down during a routine play and never got back up. Rushed to the hospital, the senior running back/middle linebacker had bleeding on the brain and was diagnosed with a condition that caused arteries in the brain to rupture. He was removed from life support and his mother donated his organs. Number four, Welch’s jersey number, took a new meaning. The number four was everywhere. On t-shirts, posters, on a new tattoo Northeast coach Jeremy Frioud got to honor Welch’s final high school carry – a 60-yard touchdown run. Unfortunately, this has been commonplace for Northeast. Welch’s death wasn’t the first time the Vikings have dealt with tragedy. Early on in Coach Frioud’s tenure at Northeast, one of his defensive lineman Leshawn Williams suffered a knee injury that resulted in an amputation. And just three days before Welch’s incident on the field, former Vikings captain Marquis Scott was shot and killed while riding his bike. In fact, Northeast was honoring Scott at the game where Welch went down. He helped celebrate the life of the fallen Viking by holding a framed photo of Scott during a pre-game ceremony. There’s nothing in the playbook for what Coach Frioud’s been forced to navigate at Northeast. But he’s gotten through it and he’s helped his players get through it. He started a buddy system for players to check up on each other. And they weren’t the only ones.

■■ Mourners pay their respects at the funeral for Jacquez Welch in September.

■■ Northeast High coach Jeremy Frioud (center with dreadlocks) stands in the center of a collection of players from Dixie Hollins and Northeast during a moment of silence.

The football community showed up in droves with support. From meals for the players to money raised for a scholarship in Welch’s name to the countless texts and emails, a collective hug was thrown around the Northeast Vikings. “We’ve had so much outreach,” Frioud told Spectrum Bay News 9. “To all the people who have bought us food, all the people who have sent well wishes and prayers, to all the people who have sent me a text message I couldn’t respond to cause I got too many, it puts my heart at ease to know that these boys are going to make it in the real world because they have true character and true accountability. “They haven’t missed one workout; they haven’t felt sorry for themselves. Yes, they’ve grieved. We’ve all grieved together. At the same time, they’ve been able to stand up and stand strong.” Football is a tough game for tough people, but the grieving process is a real and necessary process. Coach Frioud let his players know it’s OK to cry. He showed them it’s OK by crying often. “Jeremy was in a different place after the death,” Caparaso said. “He handled it very professionally and with great compassion.” Honoring Welch became an integral part of the healing process. Football is a fraternity and one of their own was gone forever. And the ones left behind were suffering. So before the start of the game between Dixie Hollins and Northeast, players and coaches gathered at midfield, linked arms and bowed their heads in a moment of silence for Welch. “The game was secondary that night,” Caparaso said. “Once the whistle blew, both teams played their hearts out.” And it wasn’t just the Northeast players who were learning some tough life lessons. “It was a great, eye-opening experience for all of us,” Caparaso said. “Two communities, two schools, two teams and two coaching staffs coming together as one to honor the memory of a young man.” Every week since Dixie Hollins played Northeast, when the Rebels tried to help in the healing process, Coach Caparaso has touched base with Frioud. It’s that coaching fraternity. “Relationships and family transcend football,” Caparaso said. “He does what he does for the right reasons, as I like to believe i do the same. “I love that man and now love those players and their families.”

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Kentucky team dedicates season to coach A Kentucky team was dealt a devastating blow one week before its opening game when Caldwell County head coach David Barnes died after falling ill at a scrimmage. Opposing teams and the Caldwell community helped support the Tigers all season. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

WHAT OTHER SCHOOLS DID FOR CALDWELL COUNTY EVERY SCHOOL IN ■■ Caldwell County (Ken.) coach David Barnes (center) died suddenly a week before the start of the season.

Caldwell County interim football coach Waynee McGowan never imagined his first duty as head coach would be providing grief counseling. But that’s the way it played out when McGowan gathered his players in late August, on the same day that previous head coach David Barnes died after falling ill at a scrimmage. Doctors diagnosed Barnes with Parkinson’s disease back in 2017. Despite his battle, he continued to coach and serve as Athletics Director at Caldwell County. “That was a devastating start to the season,” McGowan said. “As coaches, we had to rally around these players and give the kids something to play for.” Barnes positioned himself in the bleachers for the scrimmage against Hopkins Central on Aug. 16, before moving to the press box for the second half. The other coaches in the press box called EMS after the head coach fell ill. Barnes died at a local hospital the next morning. McGowan called a team meeting at the field house that Saturday. A couple of local pastors spoke, as did some Caldwell County football alumni. “We kind of took the players away from everyone else,” McGowan said. “We just wanted to be a team and be by ourselves for a while.” McGowan said Coach Barnes’ death was particularly devastating for the coaching staff

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because the head coach’s son, Will, has been a Caldwell County assistant coach since 2017. “That was something else to deal with – a man losing his father, best friend, mentor and coach,” McGowan said. “It was a really tough situation, and we started the grieving process that day. I knew the days ahead were going to be tough.” Barnes’ funeral was held in the high school gym in the week of Caldwell County’s first game. A couple of local churches also invited the football team for supper. A week after the scrimmage in which Barnes fell ill, Caldwell County kicked off its season with its first win in six seasons over rival Christian County. McGowan leaned on his seniors for leadership throughout the course of the season. However, that leadership was not as prevalent as the 2018 team that went 8-4 with 20 seniors. This year’s team had just six seniors. “The kids were pretty resilient,” McGowan said. “They had to really grow up this year. This senior class endured quite a bit. We got through that first week, and everything was surreal for a few weeks.” The 2019 team matched its win total from 2018 with an 8-3 record. “We were riding lots of emotion,” McGowan said. “A lot of it is a blur. We would turn around, and it’d be Friday night – time to play a football game.”

Caldwell County’s conference – the Western Kentucky Conference – took part in a fundraiser benefitting Parkinson’s disease. Coaches and players from around the league wore black t-shirts with a ribbon representing the fight against Parkinson’s. The shirts said “Coach Barnes” on the back. “On film, we’d see other coaching staffs wearing these shirts in games against other teams,” McGowan said. “It wasn’t just when they played us.” One rival school, Crittenden County, brought in a mobile Jumbotron for its game against Caldwell County. The video screen showed highlights of rivalry games and interview with Coach Barnes. Emergency AreaVac helicopters also flew into the 50-yard-line before kickoff and presented Barnes’ wife and son with a game ball. “Every team had a moment of silence for us,” McGowan said. “It was gratifying to see so many people reaching out. It turned into a really good season.”

Community Rallies Around Team That Lost Fieldhouse to Fire A November fire in the field house at Petersburg High (W.V.) caused over $200,000 in damage just two days before the football’s team season-finale on Senior Night. As the coach and players watched the building burn, they started to receive offers to help from rival schools. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

Petersburg High athletic director Travis Liller didn’t even have time to consider cancelling his football team’s last game as he stood and watched the field house burn with the players’ equipment inside it on Nov. 6. First, he breathed a sigh of relief as two players and a trainer jumped through the fire to exit the field house, giving him assurance that all coaches and players had escaped a blaze that started when a can of paint sitting by a furnace caught fire. “We were seconds away from it being a very different story,” Liller said. “My first thought after that was, ‘We have a game in 48 hours. What can we do?’” As he stood and watched the Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department fight the fire, he got his answer. The power of social media had taken over. “Luckily, I didn’t have to ponder it for too long,” Liller said. “I started getting phone calls from surrounding schools. ‘Let us know what you need. We’ll get you anything you need to play.’” A local rival coach, Moorefield’s Matt Altobello, offered to let Petersburg host its season-finale against East Hardy on his team’s home field.

THE DONATIONS TO PETERSBURG SEVERAL SCHOOLS

and businesses sprang into action following the fire at the Petersburg High field house. “It’s a testament to having some good faith in humanity,” Liller said. “It’s still out there. The power of social media took over, and there’s a positive side to that too.” The donations to the Petersburg football team included: ■■ Keyser High donated helmets, shoulder pads, chin straps and thigh pads. ■■ Pendleton County High donated helmets. ■■ Moorefield High donated its field and helmets. ■■ Roane County donated black uniform pants. ■■ Summer Bank of Moorefield donated concessions to all fans. ■■ Final Touch provided over $4,500 worth of Viking apparel. ■■ QH Design sold “Viking Strong” flying V stickers. All proceeds went to the equipment and field house rebuild account.

The Keyser High School football team supplied helmets, shoulder pads and other equipment to Vikings players for the Friday game. Several other local schools and businesses supplied helmets, uniform pants, concessions and fundraising items for Petersburg to put to use at the season-finale. “It goes to show what sports can do for people and how it can bring people together,” Liller said. “Some of the schools that donated had been through worse tragedies.” The Roane County football team was one of those schools. Less than two months after Roane County football player Alex Miller collapsed on the sideline of a game and later died in the hospital, coach Paul Burdette hand-delivered black uniform pants to Petersburg. Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bobby Funk said the fire was accidental in nature and estimated the property loss at $150,000 to the building and $60,000 in contents. The fire occurred as varsity football team members were getting ready for practice. More than two dozen volunteer firefighters from Petersburg, Moorefield and Maysville responded to the scene following a 911 call to the Grant County Communications Center just before 4 p.m. The incident also prompted the support of Gov. Jim Justice. “We understand that much of the team’s equipment was damaged and can’t be immediately repaired or replaced,” Justice said. “However, we’ve been told the response from many schools across the region has been incredible and [allowed] the Vikings to suit up and finish their season.”

INSPIRATION

Ohio Team Brings Halloween to Family in Need When an Ohio team hosting an annual Halloween trick-or-treating night for children heard a local girl with a congenital heart defect couldn’t muster the strength to attend, they brought Halloween to her and her family. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

Heath High (Ohio) coach Tim Ward has a philosophy for moments like this. “When I took over three years ago, I decided we’d always try to implement ourselves into the community,” Ward said. “I want people to reach out to us when they have needs.” The Whisner would certainly qualify as one of those families. Maci Whisner, now 3 years old, was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome at 20 weeks in utero. She was given just days to live. Although she has put up a brave fight for more than three years, she was going through a bit of a down stretch around Halloween, when the Heath high football team hosted its annual Touchdowns, Tackles and Treats. “I heard about Maci through a neighbor of mine,” Coach Ward said. “I heard she wasn’t strong enough to go to our Halloween night, so I made an offer to the players.” Ward didn’t require it, but he asked any player who was willing to accompany him to the Whisner home after the Touchdowns, Tackles and Treats. Forty football players – and just as many cheerleaders – visited the Whisners. Most of the cheerleaders set up in a room with Maci, and her younger sister, Everly. The football players packed into a room with Maci’s older brother, Jake, and played legos.

■■ The Heath High (Ohio) football team visited the Whisner family for Halloween.

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THE THANK YOU NOTE MACI’S FATHER, JOSH

Whisner, posted to Facebook after the Heath High football team hosted his son, Jake, on the sideline of a lateseason victory against Johnstown. Here’s what he said. “… Before the first drive of the second half Jake told the quarterback and running back to score a touchdown for Maci, they both said that they would. That same drive they went down and scored. Both players came over and told Jake that they scored for Maci, and the quarterback said he guaranteed a win for Maci next. Heath came back and won 17-13, and after every big play they came over and made Jake part of their celebration. After the game, our neighbor Kaden, who is part of the team, lifted Jake up and had him ring the victory bell. After Jake rang it, Kaden turned him around to show Jake the crowd of players and fans celebrating. The look on Jake’s face absolutely made my day.”

“We invited Jake and his Dad to the next football game,” Ward said. “The rest is history. They’ve been on our sidelines, in the locker room, in the coaches office.” Ward, a Heath High alumnus, believes his team’s community outreach is the least it can do to give back to a community that embraces high school football. “I graduated from Heath, I live here, I love everything about it,” Ward said. “I bleed orange and brown. That stuff was instill upon me by the previous coaches. Those guys taught us to give love to the community. I always knew I wanted to be the coach here, and it makes sense if I love this so much that I’d want to give back.” Ward feels that many high school studentathletes have an unfair reputation for being unwilling to give back and seek out ways to help in the community. Each summer, the Heath football team does a team-wide challenge. The team is split into eight groups for daily competitions. Community service is one category, and many players help neighbors with lawn care, or volunteer at retirement homes. “I think it falls in the same category,” Ward said. “It’s the feeling of knowing what’s right. Our players learn that, and they take it with them for the rest of their lives.”

Many of the best football coaches and players provide inspiration to the people around them on a daily basis. We often present quotes from former players/coaches on Twitter @FNFCoaches. The following quotes received the most buzz from our followers.

First there are those who are winners, and know they are winners. Then there are the losers who know they are losers. Then there are those who are not winners, but don’t know it. They’re the ones for me. They never quit trying. They’re the soul of our game.” –Bear Bryant I’ve never known a really successful man who deep in his heart did not understand the grind, the discipline it takes to win.” –Vince Lombardi

LEADERSHIP

Leadership, like coaching, is fighting for the hearts and souls of men and getting them to believe in you.” –Eddie Robinson

We’re going to believe in each other, we’re not going to criticize each other, we’re not going to talk about each other. We’re going to encourage each other.” –Bo Schembechler

INCLUSION

I try to make every player on my team feel like he’s the spark keeping our machine in motion. On him depends our success and victory.” –Knute Rockne 33

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■■ The 2019 #PoweredUp Coaches Clinic

2020 #PoweredUp Coaches Clinic A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR COACHES BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

ideline Power will host two #PoweredUp clinics in 2020 – one in La

Vista, Nebraska, in February, and one in Rogers, Arkansas, in March. The #PoweredUp clinic will offer Midwest coaches freebies, technology information, coaching advice, and opportunities to expand their networks. Sideline Power LLC specializes in outfitting teams with headsets, end zone and sideline cameras, drones and portable sound systems.

In 2020, Sideline Power will look to improve on the clinic experience it provided for coaches through the inaugural 2019 #PoweredUp Coaches Clinic. The 2020 #PoweredUp Coaches Clinic will take place in two locations – one at La Vista Conference Center (Neb.) on Feb. 21 and 22, and one at Embassy Suites (Rogers, Ark.) on March 20 and 21. The clinics will feature a host of guest speakers from the professional, collegiate and high school coaching ranks. Coaches will also have an opportunity to test the products and take home freebies among the allotment of products Sideline Power offers customers. “We’ve taken feedback from coaches on what makes up a great clinic,” said #PoweredUp Coaches Clinic director Brett Davis. “We focus ourselves on customer service, and we’ll really try to make this a great experience for coaches. It’s an opportunity to do some networking through small group sessions. We’re custom-fitting our clinic to meet coaches’ needs.”

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The confirmed list of speakers for the Nebraska clinic currently includes: ■■ John Stiegelmeier: South Dakota State University ■■ Ryan Gottula: Lincoln Southeast High (Neb.) ■■ Michael Huffman: Bellevue West High (Neb.) ■■ Kody Morgan: North Dakota State (N.D.) ■■ Guy Rosenberg: Elkhorn South High (Neb.) ■■ Steve Martin: Wichita Northwest High (Kan.) ■■ Shannon Moore: University of Wyoming ■■ Chad Fox: Wahoo High (Neb.) ■■ Reed Manstedt: Waverly High (Neb.) ■■ Seth McClain: Freemont High (Neb.) ■■ Conor Riley: Kansas State University The confirmed list of speakers for the Arkansas clinic currently includes: ■■ Andrew Shanle: Cypress Ridge High (Texas) ■■ Aaron Danenhauer: Bentonville High (Ark.) ■■ Casey Dick: Fayetville High (Ark.) ■■ Nathan Foster: Tulsa Union High (Okla.) ■■ Jacob Gill: Shiloh Christian High (Ark.) ■■ Sean Riley: Southwest Assemblies of God University (Texas) ■■ Loren Montgomery: Bixby High (Okla.) ■■ Jeff Conaway: Shiloh Christian High (Ark.) ■■ Justin Kramer: Missouri State University ■■ Adam Gaylor: Jenks High (Okla.) ■■ Missouri State Coaching Staff There will be chalk talk sessions that provide coaches opportunities to talk X’s and O’s in small groups. Champion coaches from around the Midwest will be filling the speaking slots. There will also be special sessions for 8-man and wing-T coaches. “More than anything, this will be about the speakers,” Davis said. “Will we inform coaches about our products? Sure, we will. We’ll set up sound systems, sideline headsets, and show them how to use end zone cameras. They’ll be able to see the products in use. We’ll give them opportunities to do some hands-on things that they wouldn’t get at other clinics.”

2020 #POWEREDUP COACHES CLINIC PRESENTED BY SIDELINE POWER What: A clinic for Midwest coaches looking to become stronger leaders, gain access to the latest technology, and learn from the pros. When: Feb. 21-22 (La Vista Conference Center, Neb.); March 20-21 (Embassy Suites, Rogers, Ark.) Where: poweredupclinics.com Cost: $70 per coach through Feb. 12; $350 for an entire staff (six- coach limit), $500 for unlimited staff Questions? Call 1-800-496-4290

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Headsets are the most used and most abused of all of the coaching communications and tools. From constant mic boom flipping to straight up getting thrown to the ground in frustration, headsets can MATT STARR take a beating. But when that FOUNDER AND CEO, beating starts to take a toll SIDELINE POWER on the effectiveness of the system, many coaches look to raise funds for replacements, which can be a long and expensive proposition. Instead of with your brand of headsets. Does the replacing equipment that has seen better company just tidy things up, or do they days, look into reconditioning programs. also perform minor repairs? How do Headset reconditioning is a great way they know what minor repairs need to get a good system back to its best to be done? Look for a company with a operation. You can always contact the functionality inspection checklist. This manufacturer to see about fixing broken ensures that the company has taken components, or you can look for a third the time to figure out what is and isn’t party reconditioning service. With a working, and also shows they know reconditioning servicer, you want to how to fix what isn’t working. look for a few different benefits. What about software upgrades? First and foremost, make sure that the You want your headsets back in peak service provider actually has expertise performance, so make sure the service

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company offers to check the software, ensuring it is upgraded to the newest version. Equally important, does the service company support their work? Find a company that offers 24/7 inseason support to back up their work. It proves reputability and gives you peace of mind that if something happens, they are on-call to help get it fixed. Headsets are an expensive investment. With a little care and a yearly headset reconditioning program, you can extend the life of your current system almost indefinitely. For more information on how the Sideline Power Headset Reconditioning Program can help your program get #PoweredUP, visit sidelinepower.com/ headset-reconditioning-program or call us at 800-496-4290. SIDELINE POWER, LLC: The No. 1 choice in Coaching

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FNF COACHES TALK

The Best Excerpts from FNF Coaches Talk FNF Coaches Talk is a daily post on FNFCoaches.com that shares all of the top stories that coaches are talking about. We dig up creative play calls, explanations of how to out-scheme an opponent, articles from strength trainers on seasonal programs, tips from veteran coaches, funny videos, and more. Visit FNFCoaches.com daily or follow @FNFCoaches to keep up with the daily feed. Most of the buzz on coaching chat boards this month revolved around the start of the playoffs, game-planning and in-game adjustments. We shared those stories in our daily Coaches Talk posts. Here are some of the more popular posts from November.

Create a Position for a Technology Coordinator ■■ USA Football

Most of us rely on assistant coaches or parents to help with the technological aspects of coaching (i.e. headsets, video replay, editing software, etc.). Greenwich High (Conn.) coach Anthony Marinelli has created a position of Technology Coordinator to handle all of those responsibilities. He’s found it creates a clear role for one member of the coaching staff so that other coaches can focus on their day-to-day responsibilities. DJ Furano was added to the Greenwich (Conn.) High School staff in the Technology Coordinator role. Furano fills multiple positions for the Greenwich team and is now an essential part of their daily operations, providing an excellent example of what a technology coordinator can provide on your staff daily.

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T@lk Podcast Furano joined Keith Grabowski on the Coach and Coordinator podcast to share exactly what he does for his high school’s football squad, detailing his week from Saturday morning through Friday night. “If it’s a Saturday morning, we probably had a game the day before,” begins Furano. “I would be intercutting the film, which would be intercutting the press box and endzone camera, making sure it’s all been assisted by Hudl. Once that’s done, I share it with the whole team and then we start working on stats.” All that gets done before 9 a.m. the morning after the game. Following the off day on Sunday, players come in on Monday prepared to

watch film as a team. Furano also sets the technology up here. “I’m hooking up all the TVs,” says Furano. “We have a TV in one of our locker rooms, a projector in the other and a TV in the coaches’ office … If anything goes wrong at that point, I’m here in the center of it.” For Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, although the players are on the field, Furano joins the team managing the GoRout technology so that players can track their movement. As the team proceeds through walkthroughs on Thursdays, Furano is beginning preparation for filming on Friday. ■■ What is your team’s process for setting up the technology you need for game preparation?

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HS football players surprise birthday boy dressed as superheroes

accomplishment are you most proud of your team this season?

Coaches — We know that not every season is going to end in a championship, but we still often hold that as the barometer of whether the season is a success. Until you read a story like this one. It really helps put things in perspective. Winning isn’t everything. Players from Lake Stevens High in Texas surprised a 4-year-old boy whose parents are in a bad way at the moment. Grayson’s mom and dad, Alicia and Aaron, are having a rough go of it. Alicia was already dealing with multiple sclerosis and now she’s dealing with cancer: A rare form of lymphoma. Money has been hard to come by lately. But they wanted somebody to entertain Grayson on his birthday. “I just posted on Facebook, like Stevens mom’s, and asked if one of their high schoolers would be willing to dress as a superhero. I’d buy the costume for $20,” Alicia said. Coach Jim Lussier brought Grayson an arm-load of presents to make the day extra special. “I threw a text message out to the coaches and immediately within five minutes everybody said, ‘We’re all in, what do you need?” Coach Jim said. ■■ Of what off-the-field

Arizona high school football coached resigns after accusations he ran up the score

■■ KOMO News

■■ High school radio broadcasts are among the lone radio broadcasts with staying power.

■■ Fox News

Here’s a ridiculous story about an Arizona coach who resigned from his position from parents after being accused of running up the score in a 60-0 win on Friday night. Devin Dourisseau was the head coach of La Joya Community High School in Avondale when the team defeated Glendale Cooper Canyon 60-0 on Friday. Dourisseau told the Arizona Republic he stepped down after he was accused of “wrongdoing.” “I was threatened to be removed from the sideline for our (upcoming) game against Valley Vista if we scored another point (in the Glendale Cooper Canyon game),” he told the newspaper. “The AD and principal had a meeting with me this morning and basically told me I was in the wrong.” “We had one special teams score and two defensive scores in the second half. My first team only scored once and we ran the ball with my 2nd and 3rd team running back and scored.” He added: “Per the conversation, I stepped down because I was accused of wrongdoing and running up the score.”

Clearly, the athletic director and principal lacked any appreciation of the nuance of a game in which the coach benched his starters in the second half. What direction was the coach supposed to give the defensive players who scored touchdowns? Take a knee after you force a turnover? Should the special teams unit allow their return man to get blown up? La Joya has three wins on the season. The school defeated Phoenix Alhambra 63-7 in its last game. The team has two losses: A 75-35 defeat to Scottsdale Chaparral and a 47-7 loss to Chandler Basha. I wonder if the coaches of those other lopsided wins got criticized after their games as well. ■■ What measures do you take to prevent your team from running up the score when the talent differential is significant?

High school football radio broadcasts among last surviving pieces of Americana ■■ Courier and Press

This is kind of a light story for a Friday afternoon, but one we can all relate to. No matter where you are on Friday nights, there’s still one way to follow all of the high school football games that’s been around for nearly a century. Listen on the radio. Whether you have earbuds in at the game, are in the car flipping from station to station or are tuning into an online stream from across the country, broadcasters continue to deliver the word’s-eye view of what’s happening. You may be able to follow highlights of big plays and track live stats via social media and other services — or keep tab of all scores in one place. Some games even have video live streams, an entirely new venture. Yet, as so many traditions of nostalgic Americana have gone by the wayside, people continue to tune into high school football on the radio throughout the Tri-State and beyond every Friday night like they’ve done since the main form of entertainment was gathering around the home radio. And going to the games, of course. ■■ What does your local broadcast of high school football games mean to your community?

THE HOLIDAYS

Healthy snacks help players maintain weight during holidays The holiday season offers a difficult challenge for football players. The food is plentiful – and doesn’t always offer the healthiest options. It’s also the time of year when the biggest playoff games are played. Prepare your players so that they can make healthy choices and fuel for performance. BY DAN GUTTENPLAN

Most athletes are busy juggling work, workouts, family and life. They likely eat meals and snacks on the run, grabbing an energy bar here, a frozen meal there, and a protein shake to go. They can easily fuel with highly processed foods that are ready to heat or ready to eat. While they can choose a nutritionally well-balanced diet when eating on the run, they should pay attention to the amount of ultra-processed foods that sneak into their meals and snacks. Ultra-processed foods can have an impact on weight and health. What are ultra-processed foods? Cooked eggs, canned beans and dried raisins are all considered processed foods. Technically speaking, a processed food is one that has been altered from its original form. The foods have been cooked, dried or canned in a way that’s safe for your health. Ultra-processed foods include fast foods, sugary drinks, chips, candies, sweetened cereals, etc. They span the spectrum from minimally processed foods that are prepared to make them edible (bran flakes) to industrial formulations with five or more ingredients (Cap’n Crunch). Ultra-processed foods

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commonly have added flavors, sugars, fats, preservatives and ingredients that you are unlikely to have stocked in your pantry, such as sodium benzoate. These foods are designed to be convenient, ready to eat, palatable, affordable and welcomed as replacements for freshly prepared meals and snacks. What happens if you eat ultra-processed foods? A diet rich in ultra-processed foods has been associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and stroke. While these foods might not cause those health problems, people with the health issues are more likely to consume a fair amount of ultra-processed foods. We need more research to determine if these easy-to-overeat foods are the problem, or if their high caloric density makes them easier to over-consume. How do ultra-processed foods affect a player’s weight and waist line? Ultra-processed foods tend to be high in simple-to-digest sugar, with a low thermic effect. They also tend to be low in fiber. Fiber calories are not readily accessible to the body. Almonds, for example, reportedly offer 170 calories per ounce (23 almonds), as written on the food label. The reality is, your body can access only 130 of those calories (3). Fiber-rich plants foods can be better for your waistline (and your overall health). Processing changes the food structure (matrix), and this impacts satiety, the feeling of fullness that persists after eating. The more a food is processed, the lower its satiety, likely related to its higher glycemic response (rise in blood glucose). Simply put, devouring 500 calories of 10 (ultra-processed) Oreos is far easier than chewing through 500 calories of almonds (70 almonds)—and is far less satiating. What does it mean? At this time, we have no data to confirm that ultra-processed foods cause obesity, but they are certainly associated with obesity. Common common sense tells us that for weight management, our best bet is to snack on whole grains, fresh and dried fruits, nuts and other minimally processed foods. Limiting ultra-processed foods may be an effective weightmanagement strategy.

NANCY CLARK MS, RD, CSSD ■■ Nancy Clark, MS, RD counsels casual and competitive athletes at her office in Newton, Mass., (617-795-1875). Her best-selling Sports Nutrition Guidebook and food guides are available at NancyClarkRD.com. For her online workshop, visit NutritionSportsExerciseCEUs.com.

BACK IN THE DAY

CAREER CHANGE: COACH GOES FROM CITY BOY TO COUNTRY BOY BY JOHN SCANLON

attended Logan Elm High School in rural

southern Ohio. As the football doormat in a rinky-dink conference, the Braves’ trademark was posting a 1-9 record year after year after year. Every season, the Braves’ only victory was against their hapless, cross-county rivals, the Westfall Mustangs. Over the winter of 1973 to 1974, the Logan Elm Board of Education totally cleaned house—replacing the entire football coaching staff. The new head coach was a Mr. Perry Griffith. He was a graduate of Worthington High School, a Triple-A powerhouse in a wealthy suburb of Columbus. Somehow, the Logan Elm Board of Education had lured him away from a lucrative coaching job at Bexley High School, in another well-to-do Columbus suburb. Now here he was, 30 miles south of the big city. How would Mr. Griffith fare amongst the corn and pigs of Pickaway County? Likely, he’d be forced to make a few coaching adjustments, going from city boys to country boys. * * * “Go touch the corn!” Two-a-day practices in the summer of 1974 introduced us to Mr. Griffith’s first adjustment.

■■ Coach Perry Griffith

There was a corn field about a quarter of a mile away from our practice field, and that phrase was Coach Griffith’s punishment to a minor infraction or a mental error. For example, if a defensive lineman jumped offside, Mr. Griffith would blow his whistle, point to that field, and yell, “Go touch the corn!” At which time, the defensive lineman would have to run down, touch the corn, and return. And no player was immune. If an offensive lineman made a false start… TWEEEEET! “Go touch the corn!” If a running back fumbled… TWEEEEET! “Go touch the corn!” I don’t imagine there were too many corn fields up in Bexley. * * * Then the third Wednesday in October rolled around. In 1974 it happened to be October 16, when school was the last thing on every student’s mind. That’s because nearby Circleville—the county seat—held its annual “Pumpkin Show” beginning on that day and running through Saturday night. This unique agricultural street festival has its humble beginnings in October of 1903, when Circleville’s mayor conceived the idea of setting up a small exhibit on West Main Street. Corn fodder and pumpkins were the principal decorations, and were thus responsible for it being dubbed “The Pumpkin Show.” Now touted as “The Greatest Free Show on Earth,” the Pumpkin Show hosted an annual four-day attendance of over 300,000 people. But upon first hearing of it, I’m sure Mr. Griffith’s initial reaction was, “The Pumpkin what?” Thus, Mr. Griffith was forced to knock off practice early on Wednesday so his players could watch the Miss Pumpkin Show parade at 8 o’clock. Then on Thursday afternoon, Mr. Griffith held the usual light practice with no pads in order to rest his players

for Friday night’s game. However, the football team took advantage of Thursday’s early release to support the Logan Elm High marching band in the 8 o’clock parade of bands. * * * All four Pickaway County school districts conveniently scheduled parent-teacher conferences for Friday of Pumpkin Show week; thus, no classes

were held on that day. For students, it was a dream-come-true to spend the entire Friday in Circleville. But football games were still played on Friday night, so Mr. Griffith banned his players from attending the Pumpkin Show on Friday. Surely, he couldn’t expect a boy to play football when he was stuffed with cotton candy and pumpkin doughnuts. By the end of Pumpkin Show week, I’ll bet a frustrated Mr. Griffith thought, “Hey! In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m tryin’ to coach a football team here!” * * * Mr. Griffith showed up to teach on Friday, November 15—only to find half of the boys missing from his classes. Mr. Griffith furrowed his brow and scratched his head. Then he was told that every year in the state of Ohio, November 15 was the first day of hunting season. All across the Buckeye State, fathers and sons were tramping across the country side in search of rabbit, pheasant and quail. Mr. Perry Griffith could only shake his head. Thank God football season was over, and he had no more adjustments to make.