ChiefSmoke

When Rudy Tassini was at Lloyd, they looked like the Steelers. When Coach Lucas took over , they looked like the Pitt Panthers.Both coaches had some very good teams.

We got us a good one!

Not yet.

Corrected.

Correct... my bad. If you hit reply, it goes to everybody.

It is called.... the " Ray Graham rule.".... do NOT hit reply to all! Lol. I can say that. Ray & I have been friends for 40+ years! Great man.

1. For me, the fine line is are we legislating protection to the point we are making it tougher to prepare our kids, from a SAFETY standpoint, for the first game? At some point, they have to hit and they have to get acclimated to heat. I am not big on meat grinder practices. Once we hit summer practices, our guys rarely hit the ground in live action. But, I still believe our guys were more prepared for the first game when we had 3-a-days and therefore safer in the first couple games. For safety reasons and to protect the game, I still believe backing up the season toward cooler weather would make a difference. 2. My number one job as a head coach…. Keep my assistant coaches happy. They are very good and have many demands on their time as husbands, fathers, teachers, and finally coaches. The best thing I can do for my players is provide for them great men/coaches for their position coach. 3. We have been ones to give our guys the entire month of June free…. especially if we got out of school in early June. I wanted June to be for other sports and our players to attend camps. We had been lifting since July 10(11 months) so a break was needed. Some times we would bring in our bigger kids to make sure they kept some conditioning. At the end at Mason and now at Mercer, we are lifting & conditioning 3 times a week. No more than an hour total for each session. Baseball & basketball are not required to attend in June but they are welcome. The biggest reason June workouts have merit for me…. Gives me a chance to keep an eye on my guys that may be at loose ends during June. But, if they have other opportunities in June or vacations, that is great with me. I saw the “law of diminishing returns” referenced earlier. I am an economics major and thought that was a great point and relevant. I hate wasted time and inefficiency. Regardless of the time of year, I want things streamlined and we value the time of our players and their families. 4. At Mercer, the adults really want their kids to play football. That may sound bad, but I think it is good because most kids want to be football players, but they need that encouragement when they don’t feel like showing up. We all have days we feel like quitting. It is good that the adults here appreciate the value of football and get their sons to continue to play on the days they feel like hanging it up. I have had a bunch of kids say they regretted quitting. I have never had a guy play football and then say it was a mistake. Just last week, the leading 3 point shooter in SEC history told me that he wished he could play wide receiver one more time. 5. Small college football is like all endeavors…. A lot of great opportunities and also instances where the fine print may be an issue when it comes to student loans. Overall, there are many more positives. I need to do better as a head coach in helping a family navigate the financial agreements. What we have started doing more of is have our staff that played college football give our kids a realistic view of what they are getting themselves into. The experience can be worth every dime that is spent. But, incoming freshmen don’t always understand the physical and financial sacrifice that may be required to achieve success in college football. I think it is always a wake up call when they arrive on campus and realize…. these division 3 players or NAIA players are really good!

I don't think it is dying, but I do think we have to be proactive to make the game as safe as possible. We need to be aggressive in promoting the many positives of the game. I don't take for granted that most schools will offer football in 30 years.

We always try to play a freshman schedule. It can be tough to do, but my experience is that if you don't have a freshman team, your numbers begin to decrease. When I was at Paris, I had no choice. We had to keep all 4 grades together because our roster was so small. At Mason and now at Mercer we are in a Frosh/JV conference. We play Frosh/JV doubleheaders every Monday but quarters are only 6 minutes long. That keeps everyone available for Friday night and they play against the most similar competition. It was an adjustment at Mercer when I wanted non starting juniors to play JV. But, over the years, most of my juniors that played JV contributed or started as seniors. The junior JV QB at Mason one season never threw an interception in 7 varsity starts as a senior. In our program, everyone in grades 9-11 should be playing games, and of course the seniors that play a lot. Playing the freshmen games is an important part of our overall plan to develop players. Since going to Mason, I have let my freshmen practice separately with their own staff and it has worked very well. There is a big difference in a freshman and an upperclassmen. I don't want my young kids getting beat up and discouraged. Some day I may have no choice, but I will fight as hard as I can to play a separate freshman schedule as long as possible.

http://www.biggerfasterstronger.com/uploads2/13_mayjun_16.pdf http://www.biggerfasterstronger.com/uploads2/13_JulAug_14.pdf Here is some good stuff from our time at Mason. Of course, it always helps to have talent and great character.

Welcomed Addition: Mercer’s Faulkner makes successful jump to football By Jeremy Schneider Email the author Published 4:13 pm Friday, October 7, 2016 Everyone knows Trevon Faulkner, the basketball player. If Mercer County football coach David Buchanan is right, many more people are going to know Trevon Faulkner, the football player. Faulkner, a star on the Titans’ basketball team who averaged 18.6 points and 5.9 rebounds last season, joined the football team three games ago, and his impact has been immediate. The 6-foot-4, 180-pound junior leads the team with three interceptions from his free safety spot, where Buchanan called him the best he’s coached in 16 years. “When he’s a free safety, I’d think twice about throwing the ball between the hash marks. He can cover that much ground,” Buchanan said. “He’s that good in what, just three games. He’s a doggone good player. He can cover a lot of ground.” The decision to play football was influenced by the Titans boys basketball team’s coaching change. While Faulkner said former coach Josh Cook didn’t forbid him to play football, it was discouraged. “He didn’t want me to, he didn’t want to risk it, didn’t want me to get hurt,” Faulkner said. Faulkner isn’t scared to get hurt, and new basketball coach Kurt Young isn’t concerned, either. He’s completely on board with Faulkner playing football, even with the risk of injury derailing the basketball season. “You don’t want to see any kid get hurt, but he could get hurt playing a pickup game or going through a workout on the basketball court,” Young said. “… I think it’s going to be great for Trevon. Yeah, you want to be greedy and have your kids do your sport 24/7, but I think we’ve lost a lot because of that. He’s going to gain a lot because of this. “When he comes back, I think he’s going to be hungry, along with the other football kids. Our job is to peak at the end of the year, to peak during tournament time.” Up to now, Faulkner’s athletic future appeared to be in basketball; he’s already picked up scholarship offers from Wright State in Ohio and Middle Tennessee State. But Buchanan believes the ceiling could be even higher in football, saying Faulkner, who played football in middle school and as a freshman, could be a BCS-level recruit with his size and skill. This is the first time in his career Buchanan has allowed a player to join the football team in the middle of the season. He made the exception for Faulkner because of a variety of reasons, including giving college coaches a chance to see him this season. The impact Faulkner has had on the football team hasn’t just occurred on the field, according to Buchanan, who brought up the quality of character and his experience winning at a high level. The coach said this adjustment and late addition wouldn’t have worked had Faulkner not been a positive personality. “I thought the right thing to do was to allow him on the team, and he’s made it the right decision because of his actions,” Buchanan said. “He’s worked his tail off, he’s got a great attitude with his teammates. He’s hit a home run with his teammates. Yes, he’s a very talented young man, there’s no question about that, but he’s just really been a guy I’m glad I’ve got in our locker room. He’s made it work because of his attitude and work ethic.” In addition to the members of the football team who won a state track title last year, Faulkner has success in basketball. The Titans were ranked No. 1 in the state for much of the season and finished 33-2 with an appearance in the state tournament. “Winning a state title or region championship, that’s not an overwhelming idea for our kids,” Buchanan said. “They see that all the time in our school.” There are benefits in his basketball game from Faulkner playing football. An increased level of toughness, the extra competition he experiences in a live-action sport and working with teammates through another team-sport season are just a few reasons Faulkner could come into the basketball season better than before. Young, who has spent 20 years coaching in the college ranks, has seen certain skills disappearing from high school athletes as more of them focus on one sport. The thought is athletes like Trevon will gain different skill sets from other sports they couldn’t get by only playing basketball, such as hand-eye coordination from baseball and the ease of catching a basketball after catching a football. Plus, there’s the issue of becoming tougher. “He’s going to learn how to make plays through contact, hopefully a lot more contact than he’ll see on the basketball court,” Young said. “There are so many positives to it.” Buchanan brought up Chris Lofton, a Mr. Basketball winner at Mason County who also happened to be a first-team All-State football player for Buchanan before going on to a successful career at the University of Tennessee and then the NBA. He said Lofton didn’t play football to make him tougher or better at basketball but only because he loved the sport. And he sees the same with Faulkner. There are also skills he brings to the football field which remind Buchanan of watching a basketball game. “They can anticipate a pass and they break on it and react, and the next thing you know they’ve got it and headed the other way,” Buchanan said. “… Those guys are used to playing in space, they’re used to anticipating a pass and where the ball’s going, they already know the angles. There are things built into playing the secondary that go along with being a good basketball player. That’s why I always want my skill guys to play basketball, there’s a lot of carryover.” Other than remaining injury free, the biggest issue facing Faulkner’s decision to play football is getting back on the court. The Titans’ final regular season football game is exactly one month before the basketball team’s first game, and that can be blown up if the Titans win a few games in the postseason. However, missing time on the court doesn’t concern Faulkner. “If we make it deep in the playoffs, that’s something I want, that’s why I came onto the football team, to get a championship,” Faulkner said. “It really doesn’t bother me. I’ll miss it, but at the same time it really wouldn’t bother me because I’m still doing great things for the football team.” Joining the football team a couple of weeks into the season and playing his first game in Week 4 wasn’t ideal, and Faulkner admits he had to play catch up. But he’s already made it clear — there will be no catching up next year. He’ll be back with the football team from day one. And that’s a decision Faulkner, Buchanan and Young can all live with. Welcomed Addition: Mercer’s Faulkner makes successful jump to football | The Advocate-Messenger

It's not "hogwash" with all coaches. Yes, some pay lip service. But many, including me and most of the successful football coaches I know, want their kids to play other sports. We think it is beneficial and their time to be a kid. Your son choosing to only play basketball is great. These conversations come from the coaches that persuade/pressure guys to play one sport....not in cases like your son who only wants to play one sport. The "football folks" you are referring to must be fans. It is no one on our staff. As the football coach, it is my responsibility to make kids aware of their football opportunities and I do that to the best of my ability. But, each student-athlete is supported in doing what fits them best and what they desire... and that is EXACTLY how our programs have been run for 25 years. Do adults pressure kids... of course. But, please do not say that pressure to play collegiate football is coming from our football program. That is not true. You said football "folks".... so I know that does not necessarily mean our staff. But, I wanted to make that clear. You are good to me and our program and I appreciate that. Thank you!

I was in Berea this weekend and stopped by the Berea HS football field. One of my happiest memories in HS was on that field in October of 1982. Early in the game, as I let go of the ball, I got a facemask in the back and hit the ground. But, with my face in the dirt, I hear cheering from our fan section that had travelled to the game. Alan Hendren had caught the pass and was headed to the endzone. We went on to win that game, doubling our win total for the season. And, yes, there is a big difference in 1-9 and 2-8! The most interesting part of that game was that we took a Pep Bus full of students. Can you imagine having enough fans to follow a 1-8 football team on a cold October night? I am proud to say that at Mercer County HS in 1982, we had that many loyal fans/students. And, it was cold. Greg Brown was a sophomore on that team and he told me that was the coldest football game he ever played in. Greg does our video for us at Mercer and it has been fun remembering these old stories. What I had always remembered as 4th & Richmond that night at Berea, Greg remembered the details. One night this past season, he said to me, "Do you remember the night we had 4th & 49 at Berea?" He told me on the 3rd & 17 I got in the huddle and told the guys we were going to get the first down. Later, Coach French told me that I had played well except for taking the sack to get 4th & 49. When I got home, my Dad told me I played well and the best play of the game was taking the sack and not turning the ball over.  In 2017, Pep Busses are not as common, even for good teams. To think we could have a Pep Bus for a 1-8 team on a very cold night says a lot about our school spirit back in those days. Whenever I remember that game, I always think of those students that rode the Pep Bus. I know there had to be at least one teacher on that bus with them. I really appreciate them being there and it still means a lot to me. Photo at: Black Shoes and White ShoeStrings: A Pep Bus for a 1-8 Team?

Berea had a nice stadium in the 80s.

http://bluegrasspreps.com/ky-football-high/a-parents-guide-343760.html Hope this helps!

Coach Brian Washington showed me the new Paris HS Training Facility. Impressive. Brian played WR at Paris when I was his position coach from 1988-1990. I am really proud of him and the Greyhounds have a GREAT setup to be the best they can be!

Coach Huff would be an EXCELLENT candidate, but I know for a fact the job has not been offered to anyone. Coach Smith will take his time to find our kids the best possible coach. David Buchanan

Dylan did a great job here last year as a Titan. I am really happy for him. Congratulations!

Congratulations Coach Jaggers!

Call me a bad guy, but these were our most productive preseasons and we were ready for the heat on Friday night. We did these on Wednesday, Thursday, one practice on Friday, then came back to these the following Monday & Tuesday. 9 am - 10 :30 am defense (full pads) 10:30 20 ounce Gatorade 11- Noon special teams (helmets or helmets & shoulder pads- shorts) Noon : lunch 1:30 20 ounce Gatorade 2:15- 3:45 offense ( adjusted gear as necessary, but full gear if allowable) 4:00 20 ounce Gatorade Water was always available through practice, anytime they wanted it. Fewer heat issues than we have had the last 10 years. It was a big challenge for our kids to stay focused in the afternoon and be productive. That challenge helped get our kids ready. Friday nights seemed much easier. I do agree you need a smart, experienced staff to do this and you have to have kids that have been conditioning for an extended period of time leading up to these practices. But, I am telling you it worked extremely well and I would argue was safer for our kids. One night we scrimmaged a much larger school that was going to extremes to stay out of the heat. They took 5 kids to the hospital. Our kids felt great. **During that time, Pepsi was donating a boatload of cases of bottled Gatorade to us for each preseason. Without a doubt, their help made this set up possible. Kids will drink alot more Gatorade than they will water and having the bottles made it very convenient to get it to our kids efficiently and fast.

When we did 3-a-days, we kept them there and fed them, and that was in a small county (Mason), geographically. Mercer is larger and that does impact some of our decisions in planning practices & workouts.

We did 3 - a - days. Short practices but in the heat of the day. We kept our kids full of gatorade and tried to be smart. It was tough, but on the first Friday night in August, we were ready. We have gone to a one a day 3 hour practice. I don't like it, but it is the best way for us to keep track of the rules and staying in compliance. I don't think we are as ready for the first game as good as we used to be. The positive is that it forces us to play more kids. I would be for backing up the season one week.

Final

Showing up at 8 am will be fine. Look forward to having you!

I read your earlier post and that is a fair question. Part of the motivation behind this is the shortage of football coaches in our state. Over the last couple years, I have had schools call me wanting help to find a head coach. Not many guys are getting into coaching football anymore. I don't want to get into listing the negatives, but the list seems to grow. We are doing this clinic at a very low price to encourage & support the guys that want to give it a shot. We want to better prepare them to be head football coaches. It is common for assistant coaches to aspire to be head coaches and we want to help them in that regard. If anyone else has questions, please ask them. We think the clinic will help young coaches and we are excited about it. I include Chuck Smith and Donald Wayne Smith when I say this. Both those guys love kids and they love football in this state. We are getting old and want to see HS football grow and improve long after we are done coaching. KY HS Football has been very good to us and we want it to have a bright future.