Coronado High School Football
GENERAL PHILOSOPHY
Our objective is to make football a positive experience for both the players and ourselves.
To do this, it is imperative we win every game we are capable of winning without compromising sound moral principal.
I expect the same level of behavior from players and coaches. Be on time, doing what you are supposed to be doing, when you’re supposed to be doing it. Be accountable. This program will be based on one thought, “No Excuses.” Be a professional in your behavior and approach to winning.
Our program will be based on the principal of honesty, hard work, and fairness. Demand excellence in all your dealings with players and especially yourself. The program must be bigger than the individuals within it.
It is my managerial style to never ask you to do more than I am willing to do. If you can keep up with the pace I am going to set, we will be successful. If you are willing to do more, be creative, never care who gets the credit and always be positive, we will be champions.
Assistant coaches do not belong to the head coach. I have hired you because you have special talents and I am confident that you can make a difference in our program. Loyalty to me is not bestowed by you; rather it is earned by me. I will treat you with respect and I will earn yours.
We must be loyal to each other and never let anything come between us as coaches and friends. We will never confront or yell at each other in the presence of our players. If we have differences, we will iron them out of practice. Never leave the coaches’ locker- room mad. If you have something to say, say it, and come to some resolution of the problem. We are in a tough arena and we must “circle the wagons” against negative influences.
Build team unity, do not create dissention. Don’t punish the group for the failings of one player. Rather, drop one wind sprint at the end of the practice because a player was really hustling and point that out to all the team. Players will respond if we refer to them as “men” and not “boys”. I believe we should strive to make our players behave and perform up to the level we expect of them.
Coaching is intense teaching. Be a great teacher. Yelling is not teaching. Nagging is not teaching. You will at time have to raise your voice to make a point, but I believe that if you tell all the time, players will shut you out and not hear your message.
Critique a player’s performance, not the player. Don’t call him a chicken because he didn’t tackle properly. Correct his technique and see if he gets better. If he can’t tackle, coach someone else!
Treat all players with respect regardless of their level of ability. Make all people associated with the program feel like they are an important part of the game plan. We will always get more out of practice if everyone feels a part of the process of preparation.
The field is our classroom. The “F” word and taking the Lord’s name in vain is not appropriate and will offend many. The players will respect you for not having to rely on swearing to get your point across.
Negativity breeds negativity. It is a monster that feeds off itself. We will have staff meetings, not gripe sessions. If you feel your players are not good enough, coach them better. Complaining will not make them better.
Convince the players they are better than they actually are and they may surprise you and play up to those expectations. Convince the players they are special because they are part of a very small fraternity of people associated with Coronado High School football. Tell them that it is their turn to make history and achieve what many other teams have already done – become champions.
Organize your individual practice plans daily so players know what to expect and keep your teaching style consistent. Our system can be somewhat complex, but if you are organized in your presentation with key words and phrases, you will be readily understood. Players like simplicity, but they like to think they are in a complex system. We can accomplish both.
We will practice to win and play to win. In preparation for a team, we will emphasize what we are going to do to win the game, not keep from being embarrassed by the opponent. We will never brag about our success, but we will never enter a game with thoughts that we cannot possibly win.
Going for it on fourth down and other risk-taking decisions are my prerogative. I’m willing to take all the heat if they don’t work, but my decisions will be based on many factors including your input. I will always take into consideration the timing, the momentum, and the consequences of these moves, but I don’t expect to be second-guessed by my staff in public.
Whatever we say in staff meetings, hear from the players; see at practice, etc. will never leave our locker room. We are family, and to that end we will defend each other, love each other, and remain loyal to each other throughout our time together as coaches.
Don’t hesitate to tell the player or fellow coaches that you love them and appreciate their efforts. During a long season, we will have our moments of depression. It is at those times that encouraging word is like a ray of sunshine.
Thanks for taking part in the magnificent sport of football.
IN PURSUIT OF
“EXCELLENCE”