After reading some of the thoughts expressed on another thread...I am curious what you guys think it takes to build a football dynasty from the ground up? I'm talking about schools like Boyle who go from mediocre to powerhouses, almost overnight. What is more important: the right coach, a committed administration, an active but not obtrusive booster organization, etc.? I know in an ideal world all of these exist. But what does it take to build it where it doesn't exist? What are some specific examples of things successful programs have done to elevate their programs?

After reading some of the thoughts expressed on another thread...I am curious what you guys think it takes to build a football dynasty from the ground up? I'm talking about schools like Boyle who go from mediocre to powerhouses, almost overnight. What is more important: the right coach, a committed administration, an active but not obtrusive booster organization, etc.? I know in an ideal world all of these exist. But what does it take to build it where it doesn't exist? What are some specific examples of things successful programs have done to elevate their programs?

Build a feeder program and pump as many kid into it it as possible. The more kids start early the more talent is revealed and more interest you build in the kids and in the community for that football program.

 

I strongly believe that every school has Jims and Joes, but many of them are walking the halls and not running on the feild. I also believe that you can't just throw these kids on the feild if they have no interest regardless of how much talent they have. The difference in dynasties and not dynasties is that it is "cool" to play football there. If you get the kids involved early it will build there interest in football, then from there the sky is the limit.

What feeder system works best: a community based little league or school teams?

What feeder system works best: a community based little league or school teams?

 

Depends on what you can do. Ft. Thomas is large enough in a small enough area to pull it off. Rural Counties probably don't have that convenience factor. You need to do something to instill your high school's philosophy on how football should be played.

Good players.

Good players.

 

That always helps.

Talent, brought on by a program.

Talent, brought on by a program.

 

A program can turn average players into better players, but you can never manufacture talent. You can't make a kid go from being 5'5" 140 pounds with a 6 flat 40, into being 6' 200 pounds with a 4.5 40.

Obviously all of the factors play a hand in making a program in to a dynasty. That is the only way a true dynasty is created.

 

If I had to point to 1 of the characteristics that is most important, it is from the head coach that is able to administer over all the aforementioned aspects and has a clear vision and committment of how to accomplish theses goals. Chuck Smith did that.

A program can turn average players into better players, but you can never manufacture talent. You can't make a kid go from being 5'5" 140 pounds with a 6 flat 40, into being 6' 200 pounds with a 4.5 40.

 

 

How many 6' 200 pounders that can run a 4.5 40 are you aware of? I don't know if we've ever had one of those at Highlands.

How many 6' 200 pounders that can run a 4.5 40 are you aware of? I don't know if we've ever had one of those at Highlands.

 

I am using those examples to prove a point. Not using specific players!

These days you need facilities to support a weight program. I agree that you can't change that 5'5" 140 into 6' 200 with those 40 times but you can develop that kid into someone who can contribute with proper training. If that kid is 5'5" as a 9th grader you never know what he'll develop into.

 

You need the belief in a system and the courage to stay with it when things are bad. I have heard SO MANY times "that's not the way we do things" and continue to do things my way. I EXPECT to win in Morgan County.

 

Community support for the program is imperitive when building a program. You can do things much quicker if you have that support.

Edited January 13, 200917 yr by bugatti

Bob Beatty. Mike Glaser. Dennis Lampley. Bobby Redman.

Players that are willing to listen, believe, and trust in one another. "Players"...these are the studs. Every school I have seen that I would consider a dynasty has players and then "players". My other two would be a supportive admin., and great assistant coaches.

In order...

1. excellent coaching

2. devoted and talented players

3. supportive boosters/fans

 

The rest all comes in due time as you build on success after success. As a team builds it's winning tradition, more people come on board, because people want to be part of a winning tradition. As more people come on board, more money comes into the program, which can buy facilities and equipment and pay better coaches more money. This all atracts young athletes who want to be part of the program, and work long and hard to maintain the winning ways.