Breaking the Cycle/Building a Program

Right now, most Head Football Coach positions in KY are pretty tough. 

How do you break the cycle of replacing your head coach, often? How does a coach find a place that he can stay and build a program?

For the School: 

Look for a good football coach who will STAY/MOVE to your community. Often, if you can find a good young coach with a young family, he will want to raise his kids in one place. Or, find an old guy that is a good football coach who would want/be willing to stay or already lives pretty close to your school.

Find a guy that LOVES football. Building & rebuilding a football program is like drinking water from a fire hose on full blast. To do all the things you have to do and do them well, you have to love it. If it is WORK....you are in trouble. 
 
If you can't find this guy....KEEP LOOKING. If you have to, raise the stipend, diminish the teaching duties, etc. You will be glad that you kept looking to get the RIGHT/BEST available candidate. 
 
Word of caution: Blue Blood programs have some EXCELLENT young coaches! No question!! But, if you can find a guy that has been part of BUILDING  a program, he is not going to get as frustrated as quickly. And, he will be familiar with the obstacles a struggling program will face. 
 
For the New Coach:

Once you are probably going to be offered the job, spend an extended time with your new administration to make sure you are on the same page. Divide up who will handle each area and what has to happen to begin the process.

At Anderson, we did this and it was very effective after a very long meeting of details that had to be addressed.... I made a google doc and shared it with my Superintendent and AD. We color coded who would do what. For about a year and half, we kept up and documented when each item would be completed. Now, we don't even refer to it anymore. My bosses did what they said they would do. I did what I told them I would do.

The results have not been very impressive yet. But, the improvement has been significant. And, the foundation is being set for success now and into the future as well.

At Mason, Fred Hester interviewed me all day before offering the job to make sure we would fit. To get this piece right, it takes time, effort & paying attention to details. 

Does this mean you will win a state title in 5 years? NO. But, it is your BEST shot to make your program the very best it can be in the shortest amount of time. And, getting the right pieces in place will give your school, community and kids their best chance at winning a state title down the road. 

Hope this can help someone. Of course, I want to see the Bearcats win a state title. BUT, my Dad was on the first football team at London HS in 1958. He coached at both Boyle & Mercer. KY HS Football has been a life changer for me and my sons. I really want to see KY HS FOOTBALL be the best it can be for all kids across the board. Best wishes to all the coaches, players and administrators that love their community, kids and football!

Edited February 10Feb 10 by theguru
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