Table of Contents

1. Commitment To Excellence
2. Football Mission Statement
3. Vision For The Football Program
4. Educational and Coaching Philosophies – Academics
5. Success
6. Balancing Academics and Athletics: What is Truly Important
7. Program Organization
8. What a Head Coach Should Expect From His Coaches
9. The Lombardi Rules
10. What You Can Expect From The Head Coach
11. What You Should Expect From Our Coaches
12. Football Staff Hours
13. An Approach To Successful Coaching
14. Approach To Establish Your Football Drills For Both In-Season and Off-
Season
15. Practice And Drill Development Considerations
16. Approach To Practice Sessions The 150% Factor
17. Developing Our Intermediate Programs
18. Expectations From Our Coaching Staff
19. What Constitutes a Good Coach
20. General Coaching Axioms
21. Staff Relationships
22. Staff responsibilities and Duties
23. Staff meetings
24. Theme Of The Week
25. Commitment Coaches
26. Weekly Preparations
27. Half Time Organization
28. Off-Season
29. Goal Setting With Our Athletes and Families
30. Attitude
31. Dealing With Parents
32. Offense, Defense, and Kicking Game Philosophies
 Commitment To Excellence

“One Heart Beat”

Creates Excellence
“Where We Go One, We Go All”

Excellence is never an accident. It is achieved in a “Team” only as a result

of an unrelenting and vigorous insistence on the highest standards of
performance. It requires an unswerving expectancy of quality from the
coaches and players.

Excellence is contagious. It infects and affects everyone on the team. It

charts the direction of the program. It establishes the criteria for planning.
It provides zest and vitality to the team. Once achieved, excellence has a
talent for permeating every aspect of the life of the team.

Excellence demands commitment and a tenacious dedication from the

leadership of the team. Once it is accepted and expected, it must be
nourished and continually reviewed and renewed. It is never ending process
of striving and searching. It requires a spirit of mission and boundless
energy. It is always the result of a creatively conceived and precisely
planned effort.

Excellence inspires. It electrifies. It empowers every phase of the

organization’s life. It unleashes an impact, which influences every program,
every activity, every player, and every coach. To instill it in an organization
is difficult: to sustain it, even more so. It demands adaptability, imagination
and vigor. But most of all, it requires from the leadership of the “Team” a
constant state of self-discovery and discipline.

Excellence must be our “Teams” lifeline. It energizes a stimulating and

pulsating force (One Heart Beat). Excellence as an athlete is important….
Because it is everything.
 Football Mission Statement
To build confidence and self-esteem and a feeling of contribution within each player

Give every player a feeling of importance and unified in purpose

Encourage open and honest communication between staff and players

Focus on solutions rather than problems

Respect dignity and faith of each person in our football program

Commitment to team unity and strong leadership, trust each other

Create an environment for innovation and growth

Must believe each and everyone will overachieve, if even the opportunity

Above all else, our student athletes will be athletes of character

Vision For The Football Program

“To make sure that the football program will be respected as one of the best football
programs in the state”

“Where we go one, we go all.”

 Academics
One thing can be said: “You can take football from me, but you can never take my education away”.

The talk of getting an education will always take precedence over athletics. I believe that athletics and
academics can and should work hand in hand. There is no reason that we should not strive to be champions
in the classroom, as well as champions on the playing field. Discipline in the classroom means discipline
on the playing field.

In order to ensure that our student athletes understand our belief in academics, we will adhere to the
following policies:

1. Academics shall and will be made a priority, discipline and winning starts in the classroom. As
the head coach I will make this evident to players and coaching staff. The coaching staff will
assume responsibility of motivating their respective players and monitoring their success, as an
example making use of 3-week progress reports.

2. We will continually monitor the academic progress of our athletes to ensure that they are striving
for the best possible education that they can get presently but also in the future.

3. We will work in conjunction with the school faculty and administration to provide study hall,
tutoring and an open line of communication with parents and all those directly and indirectly
involved with the football program..

It is very important to see athletics as a part of the total educational program. It should both compliment
and contribute to the overall educational process. For many students it is the most effective climate for
learning the invaluable lessons of personal integrity, determination, self-confidence, and proper mental
attitude. Individual and group responsibilities along with the desire to achieve high goals should be basic
objectives of any sound educational system.

The following credo on success was obtained from Texas A&M University and I feel it applies to our
everyday existence. Success must come from communication, support and a pro-active approach for
interaction between teacher and student.
 Success
I often wonder what brings one, more success in life and what it is that brings mediocrity or failure to his
brother. Their difference cannot be in mental capacity; there is not the difference in our mentalities
indicated by the difference in performance. In short, I have reached the conclusion that some men succeed
because they cheerfully pay the Price of Success, and others, though they claim ambition and a desire to
succeed, are unwilling to pay the price.

What is the price of success? It is simply…

To use all of your courage to force yourself to concentrate on the problem at hand, to think of it deeply and
constantly, to study it from all angles, and to plan.

To have a high and sustained determination to put over what you plan to accomplish, not if circumstances
be favorable to its accomplishment, but in spite of all adverse circumstances that may arise… and nothing
worthwhile has ever been accomplished without some obstacles to overcome.

To refuse to believe that there are any circumstances sufficiently strong to defeat you in the
accomplishment of your purpose.

Hard?? I should say so! That’s why so many men never attempt to acquire success they answer the siren
call of the rut, and remain on the beaten paths for beaten men. Nothing worthwhile has ever been achieved
without constant endeavor, some pain, and constant application of the last ambition. That’s the Price of
Success as I see it.

I believe every man should ask himself; am I willing to endure the pain of this struggle for the comforts and
the rewards and the glory that go with achievement? Or shall I accept the uneasy and inadequate
contentment that comes with mediocrity? Am I willing to pay the Price of Success?

Credo of Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas

 Balancing Academics and Athletics: What Is Truly Important
As the head football coach, extra-curricular athletics must always be viewed as a supportive activity to the
primary mission of any educational institution. The primary mission of any educational institution must be
academic and personal development of its students. In public education, the integrity of the academic
mission can never be compromised, the future of our students and out society as a whole demands that the
molding of the intellectual capacity of all students and is central to personal student success. The role of
extra-curricular athletics involves providing opportunities for extended character development through
structured athletic competition.

This philosophy is supported by a study conducted by the University of Washington. This study projected
the likelihood of a high school varsity athlete receiving an athletic scholarship to a higher educational
institution and later moving on to the professional ranks. This study illustrated the following statistics.

1. 59% of all high school varsity football and basketball players have the belief that they will receive
a college scholarship upon graduation.

2. In actuality, 98 out of 100 varsity high school athletes involved in all sports will never play in the
college ranks.

3. Also, only 1 out of 12,000 college student athletes will ever have the opportunity to become a
professional athlete in any sport.

4. For the sport of football only 1 in every 5,200 college players will have the opportunity to become
a professional in their sport.

5. At present, 67% of all players in the National Football League (NFL) do not possess a college
degree.

6. Currently the average playing career in the NFL last only 3.5 years.

The message from these results are clear. The academic mission is of greatest importance to all students
regardless of their god given athletic talents and playing field accomplishments. Additionally, of all “Top
10” ranked academic students at the high school level, 98% of both boys and girls are involved in 2 or more
extra-curricular school activities, annually this points to the importance of extra-curricular activities being
in support of positive academic success.

From a personal perspective, I can honestly say that we as coaches need to be committed to the academic
success of our student athletes and feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work with them. Whether it be
team study halls, peer tutoring, academic release time from practice and competition, the future success of
the individual student-athlete and the team rests with the academic integrity of the program.

To quote one of my former coaches who inspired me:

“When you are 40 years old it will not matter how many yards you’ve gained or passes completed. What
will matter is what you can provide for yourself, your family and your community as a productive member
of society.”
 Program Organization
Coaching Philosophy For Developing A Successful Football Program:

I believe, irrespective of the time element involved, an athletic program has little chance of succeeding
unless the following “Musts” are adhered to:

1. As a head football coach we must have a definite plan in which we believe in, with no
compromise on our part.

2. The head football coach must have the cooperation and support of the administration, who must
believe in the head coach, his staff, and his plan.

3. The coach must be mentally tough and dedicated to football but at the same time understand the
feelings of others.

4. If applicable the head coach must be able to select and coordinate coaches at the intermediate
levels such as the freshman and Jr. Varsity programs and see that the head coach at each level
adheres to the philosophy of the varsity head coach. The future of any program lies in the success
of the lower level programs.
“Winning Breeds Winning” at any level.

5. The head coach must organize the football program to operate at maximum efficiency.
 What A Head Coach Should Expect From His Coaches
To be the very best classroom teacher and on the field coach that you can be.

Never use profanity and never allow our players to.

Never use tobacco around school at anytime.

Don’t worry about what your fellow coaches are doing. Just do your job and do it well. Don’t keep score.

To be on time for all staff meetings and practices.

To be a positive role model.

To sell and defend the program.

To do everything you can do to develop a winning attitude.

To study and work hard to make yourself a great coach. Educational growth is a must for any coach in
order to maintain, sustain and develop new innovative ways of coaching, new teaching techniques, and
better ways to improve teaching.

To be professional in attitude, responses, work and personal appearance.

Never involve your spouse in the coaching situation in a negative manner.

To be sincerely interested in the success of our players and other members of the coaching staff.

Never give up on a player. He can always change and likely will if given the chance by you.

To be positive and never doubt that we will be successful.

To be loyal.

To be creative and have the ability to think on your own and apply gained knowledge of the game.

To be on the same page with each other when taking the practice or game field. Never take your
disagreements to practice.

Don’t get complacent as the season goes on. Don’t let the little things slide in the discipline of our players.
These will lead to bad habits.

Have a plan for everything. Be organized.

Do not choose favorites. Work with every player on the squad.

Always be optimistic. The glass is half full.

 The Lombardi Rules
Teaching, Coaching, and Learning
Be Authentic
Act your integrity. Be predictable. Make amends when you foul up.

Earn Trust Through Investment

Use your authority to build the organization’s trust in you.

Use Your Mission

Define the goal. Pursue the goal.

Create A Shared Vision

“We can do better” is a good place to start.

Align Your Values

Bring exposed values into congruence with practices

Know Your Stuff

When the time comes, show that you know it.

Generate Confidence
Set the stage psychologically, and give people the tools they need.

Chase Perfection
Settle for excellence along the way.

Live What You Teach

And live what you coach. Sell what you teach and coach.

Strike The Balance

Be as close as you can be-and as far away as you have to be.

Build Team Spirit

This means common goals, complementary skills and mutual respect and accountability.

Be Proud To Be Humble
Strike the balance. Flex your ego, but share the credit.
 What You Can Expect From The Head Coach
To be accountable for all actions.

To deal with all situations with honor and integrity.

To run an organized program so that we will be able to function efficiently.

To maintain an atmosphere that is conducive to work.

To listen to your suggestions.

To give you responsibility and authority.

To work and provide leadership to win.

To treat you like a man with dignity and respect.

To be totally concerned about you and your family, regardless of what problems confront you.

To be very loyal to you and do everything a head coach can do to help you grow professionally.

To sell you to our players, the community and other coaches.

To let you coach on the field within your personality.

To let you know privately when you have been derelict of duties.

What You Should Expect From Our Athletes

To give their very best effort towards receiving a quality education.

Do right.

Always give their best effort for the team, teammates, and themselves.

Treat others the way you want to be treated.

To be prompt.

To hustle, give the best effort possible.

To know their assignments, be students of the game.

Abide by team and school rules.

Sacrifice for the team, each individual is only as good as the team.

Be the best person that they can be, be a role model for others.

To play with Character – “Play as well as you can for as long as you can.”

To play with Pride – “Know that you won’t quit when it gets tough.”

To be Mentally Tough – “Accept discomfort and live with it.”

 Football Staff Office Hours
The basic rule is to work long enough, to get the job done. Should not get caught up in busy work, coaches
need time to themselves during the season and off-season. A coach needs to be flexible, but understand that
this is not an 8 to 5 job, but a profession. Do what it takes to get the job down; don’t shortchange the other
coaches and or our players.

An Approach To Successful Coaching

When taking the field know where you belong, be waiting for your players.

Utilize time before and after practice. As a rule of thumb I use the “15 minute rule” if I arrive 15 minutes
before the scheduled meeting time then I’m on time; if I arrive 10 minutes early I’m 5 minutes late; if I
arrive 5 minutes early then I’m 10 minutes late; and if I arrive on the scheduled time then my players are
waiting for me.

Have something to say after each effort. Remember, this is coaching and “don’t coach out of frustration.”
Don’t just tell an athlete what he is doing wrong, show him how to correct it; this builds credibility.

Stay alert for players with injuries or heat problems. Refer to trainer.

Strive to make your group the best on the field, take pride in your work.

Do not experiment with drills during practice, have your work thought out, and make sure it fits the
scheme.

Never lose your poise or confidence, coach those things that you know how to fix.

As a position coach expect to be talked to if something avoidable goes wrong.

Our practices must be organized; talk in meetings not on the field, repetition is the most important key,
repetition instills learning. Don’t hold clinics on the field.
Players must perform on the practice field with extreme quickness, hustle is the key ingredient.

Pay strict attention to the scheduled time segments.

Don’t relax during any segment. All segments are very important, or they would not be included.

Breed confidence into your team.

Gain the respect from your players, don’t demand respect, you must earn it.

Coach our players all year long, “talk football”. Encourage them to “hang around”, to work on a position
specialty skill, and to work in the weight room.

Talk the importance of classroom demeanor, doing well in class, staying current on all classroom
assignments and homework.

If you get tired pray for strength, because as a staff we are only as strong as our weakest link.
 Approach To Establishing Your Football Drills Both
In-season and Off-season
“A good coach makes better players out of border line athletes and often makes good players out of
mediocre ones. A good coach emphasizes their abilities – enables them to make the most of the latent
talents – gives them the best chance for success by putting the right player in the right place.”
Robert Zuppke

As a coach we make our greatest contribution in the construction, planning and administering of drills.
More important than what system of offense and defense we run, its how we teach our style of football.

We must be very selective in the drills that we use. They should:

1. Cover considerable ground in a short period of time.

2. Be well planned and administered.
3. Be known by name to the players so that they do not require re-explanation after the first two
or three times the drill has been run.

Most drills should have a secondary movement. Almost all actions in football are based on carrying out a
secondary movement, after an initial one.

Do not make drills too elaborate; keep them short, snappy, crisp, and positive.
The preparation for drills must be made in full detail before hitting the practice field. The coach
conducting the drill should see that his drills are prepared in advance, including any necessary teaching
aids, such as balls, cones, practice bags, etc. Be certain managers are informed in advance of what
equipment is needed, and if we have no managers, then you as the coach conducting the drill must get to
practice early to have your stations set and ready to go.

Basically There Are Five Types Of Drills:

1. Fundamental Drills – these are to teach all the skills of tackling, blocking, stance, etc.

2. Reaction Drills – primarily for developing quickness, balance, and agility. These should be
included briefly in almost every practice.

3. Conditioning Drills – once the season has begun these will be almost entirely running drills.

4. Toughening Drills – the primary purpose here is to develop and encourage the desire and ability
to utilize the physical contact aspect of the game of football. These drills should be used only to
the extent so as not to dull the desire for further contact.

5. Fun Drills – used to lighten the practice load late in the season or as a morale booster.
How To Win Football Games:
1. Don’t get out worked.
2. Don’t get out hit.
3. Don’t get out hustled.
4. Eliminate the turnover.
5. Eliminate the long run and long pass.
6. Eliminate missed assignments.
7. Eliminate foolish penalties.
8. Have a great kicking game.
9. Win the battles on the goal line.
10. Always believe that it can get done.
11. Make half time adjustments.

Morale is the catalyst that turns offense, defense, kicking game and goal line into victory. It is not
something you can buy; it is something that comes from enjoying success, success breed’s success. There
must be a need on a player’s part to desire success and wish to work for it. This is where coaches play an
important role in determining whether pride will grow and flourish.

Practice And Drill Development Considerations

The following information is basic practice and drill development considerations each coach should
remember when installing and developing his position players and for developing general points for
establishing a practice plan.

1. Give each player a chance to succeed and be positive. We’re only as good as the last guy; so how
good will that player be? How important will you make him feel?
2. Push players to their full maximum efforts.
3. Make your “Drill Atmosphere” full speed.
4. Teach at the top position skill level, don’t coach down.
5. Correct all techniques and assignment and assignment errors “Immediately.”
6. Maintain positive discipline – control action – stress execution.
7. Teach high percentage repetitions with low percentage group discussion, develop position skills.
8. Skills are perfected by “Repetition” – move players fast through drills.
9. Begin new practice segments as fast as possible – predict effort.
10. We as coaches must continuously teach blocking and tackling, proper pursuit and contain.
Emphasis first key reactions.
11. Teach the easiest way to complete the assignment – learn from repetition.
12. As a position coach stress basic skill techniques, the game is secondary.
13. Instill a practice work ethic – force your players to “Practice Hard.”
14. Be persistent in demanding that techniques are performed correctly.
15. Coach at near game like player reaction.
16. Plan and only use position drills that relate to specific position assignments.
17. End practice segments on the whistle – start new drill as soon as possible.
18. Always bring practice schedule with you to practice.
19. When working with other groups (example OL vs. DL) get your group ready quickly – do not wait
for the other group – reps most important thing.
20. Be sure to set your equipment up prior to practice this helps from wasting time.
21. Recognize fatigue and be ready to adjust your drills.
22. The most important point to remember is; your coaching image can change the football life of
your position players.
 Approach To Practice Sessions
Nothing is more important to success than the time we spend on the practice field. The important thing is
how we utilize this time. The time we spend preparing for practice is as important as the actual time you
spend on the field. The only way we can determine whether our practices are organized or not is by what
we accomplish on the field during our allotted time. We’ll win during the week on the practice field, in
other words we’ll play like we practice. “Must Practice Like Champions.”

During two-a-day practices, we must get our team fundamentally sound. We must attempt to prepare our
self’s to play a game the week prior to the opening season. Compile a “must list” and make certain every
situation is covered on it. Conduct a game like scrimmage and do not conclude it until every situation that
might arise during the season is covered.

Practice Philosophy and Guidelines For Coaches

The 150% Factor
Utilization of practice time is of utmost importance. We must have practice segments organized to the
minute. Each segment should last approximately 5 minutes but not longer than 10 minutes in duration.
Each segment should be coached to its fullest potential and once the period is over then you must proceed
to the next period, no exceptions. By sticking to this routine, it forces us to coach hard and to near game
like situation.

Coaches are to get as much “talking” done as possible before going onto the field. We do not want to slow
down the tempo of practice. Enthusiasm is a vital role in a good practice. By standing around and
“talking” to our players will sometimes slow down their intensity. Players need to know that when they
step onto the grass they must be a 150% player as well as the coach being a 150% coach to his players.
Our practices should be sharp, enthusiastic, with lots of hustle. This can only be possible if we have “A
Unified Coaching Staff” demanding the same style of play. Be Positive … Coach up and make our players
the best that they can be, each player should be made to feel important to the overall success of the
program.

As a staff we must stress to your players the importance of a great work ethic. If your opponent runs 10 –
100 yard sprints then we must run 12. It is my belief that if we are going to change the attitude of our
players then we must change the attitude for what it takes to win. The little Things Make The Difference,
Never Compromise Your Beliefs, and The Way You Practice, Is The Way You Will Play On Game day. If
we are to win on Friday night, then we must prepare Monday through Thursday as players; and Monday
through Sunday as coaches. We must want to practice the basic fundamentals of football everyday. You
must want to be fundamentally sound, physically and mentally tough.
 Developing Our Intermediate and Lower Level
Programs
Lower Level Teams: The backbone of our program. We will want to spend the majority of our time
working on the fundamentals of football and the basic program core elements of play. As coaches we will
want to teach technique, toughness and discipline. Prepare them to be varsity players. This means keep
them in the program, keep them out for football, Keep them eligible firm but fair (keep the game fun).

The lower level program, which includes the freshman and Jr. Varsity programs if applicable, should expect
the following from the Head Coach as well as all those involved in the football program at the High School.

1. Workout suggestions for off-season training including lifting routines.

2. Offensive and Defensive drills that fit the philosophy of the varsity program.
3. Techniques for specific positions.
4. Complete playbooks with installation procedures for offense, defense, and kicking game.
5. Program rules and regulations.
6. Any literature that might helps promote educational growth and knowledge of the game of
football.
7. Standing invitation to all in house clinics.
8. Study hall suggestions for those students needing assistance.
9. Attendance at Intermediate school pep rally’s, etc.

Expectations From Our Coaching Staff

1. Coaches are expected to be dressed and in the locker room before players report.

2. Get drills ready – cones, dummies, etc.

3. Work with every player that comes on the field. Don’t allow players to go unnoticed.

4. Be properly dressed; look professional, look like a coach.

5. Do not use foul language, grab or argue with a player, if he is unbearable, send him to the
head coach.

6. If you jump on a player hard verbally, be sure that before he leaves after practice you have
talked with him.

7. After practice make sure you go through the locker room and say something, if not
acknowledge each of your position players or any player you felt good about that day.

8. Don’t allow anything to lie around the athletic area, which includes the locker room.

9. Don’t run off right after practice, pitch in there’s always something to do.

10. Don’t expect anything less than perfection in every aspect of the football program.

11. As a program we control our own destiny. Whether we win or lose should be determined by
us, not by your opponents. We must spend a great deal of time with fundamentals. We must
get better everyday by working very hard on blocking and tackling. We should try and cover
every situation that might arise in a game and instill in your players the proper way to react
with poise and confidence.
12. One of the most important ingredients necessary to win is to associate our self’s with coaches
and players who love football and can’t live with losing. If we have players who don’t like
football, we will constantly find ourselves compromising our beliefs in order to keep them
from quitting.

13. It is the athlete’s responsibility to please the coach and not the coaches place to please the
players. Our job as coaches is to run a top-flight program that will eventually lead to
continued success. As coaches we have an obligation to run a disciplined program that will be
successful in the long run. To do anything else is unfair to the athletes who want to win.

14. We as coaches have an obligation to place our athletes in a first class environment and to
improve on our facilities each year.

15. In coaching, you at some point will be faced with adversity; you must be prepared for it.
Don’t sit and wallow in self-pity, face it head on.

16. I believe its better to have great coaches than great athletes. You can’t win without athletes,
but you can lose with them and this is where coaching becomes a factor.

17. You shouldn’t care what a good coach is paid; it isn’t enough. Anything a poor coach gets
paid is too much.

18. Enthusiasm is nothing more than being positive. It is impossible to be negative and be
enthusiastic.

19. Everyone associated with the football program needs to feel that they are important to the
success of the program, which includes administrative staff, parents, teachers, players,
coaches and community.

20. Players like discipline. They do not like harassment. Discipline breeds success. Harassment
breeds contempt.

21. Championships are decided on the little things. Thus, meticulous attention must be paid to the
seemingly “Little” aspects of the program.

22. Simplicity should be one of the greatest guides in helping your selection when it comes to the
technical aspects of the game.

What Constitutes A Good Coach

1. He has thorough knowledge of all fundamental techniques employed concerning offense,
defense, and kicking game.

2. A good coach makes a thorough preparation for carrying out his responsibilities at each and
every practice session, off-season and in season event. He personally assumes the
responsibility for preparing any necessary charts and drill situations to accomplish smoothly
and efficiently the teaching expected of him on and off the field.

3. A good coach is constantly probing his own thinking in order to assure that he is covering
effectively all phases of the game for those players over whom he has direct teaching
responsibility. Check lists and related forms are essential to carry this out.
 4. A good coach comes to the practice field in a great frame of mind, which indicates he really
enjoys coaching. This means an attitude, which reflects cheerfulness, and an attitude of
patience toward the correction of mistakes made by his players.

5. A good coach will constantly seek to improve his own teaching methods.

6. A good coach is willing to devote his time tirelessly to all phases of the program, with the
realization that winning football results when these items are controlled. A coach realizes that
to gain that extra amount of excellence, much time and effort is required, but that herein lays
the difference between the champion and second best.

7. A good coach is willing to personally assume responsibility for thinking out an assignment,
and for creatively attacking problems in all phases of the program. The average coach acts
only on a direct assignment, waits for an exact spelling out of the assignment and functions
only to the extent that an assignment is literally spelled out.

8. A good coach is intensely loyal, honest, and sincere.

Once again, the integrity of our coaching staff will be built around the following criteria.

Is he trustworthy?
Is he a dedicated coach?
Is he dependable?
Is he energetic?
Does he care deeply about the finished product?
Does he have a good sense of direction?
Does he have a good sense of humor?

General Coaching Axioms

Each and every coach in our program has an obligation to push his athletes in order to achieve things they
never thought possible. An athlete and or coach can become whatever he thinks he can be, but he must be
willing to pay the price with effort and dedication.

Not everyone can be a coach and or player. One must pay the price to be apart of a successful football
program. Any organization that is easy to be a member of generally isn’t worth being apart of.

Dress For Success During The Season

And The Off - Season.
Dress neatly at all times, especially when meeting parents, administrators, attending professional clinic
(coaching school) etc. It’s my belief that this is where some programs fall short, I know that not all
programs can afford coaching attire but through fundraisers, etc. this should be a priority. Two possible
scenarios exist here, with one being that if you can’t afford to pay what you consider adequate stipends then
provide good coaching attire make coaches feel good about whom they represent. Secondly, Look the part
and act the part of a professional coach. Assistant coaches usually will feel grateful and feel as though they
are important to the program and to the head coach.
 Chain Of Command
One should not be impressed with the title of head coach, but grateful to have the opportunity. Everyone on
his staff should be made to feel that his voice and opinion matters. However, someone has to have the final
say. A head coach should take all blame for lack of success, but willing to make the necessary changes to
insure future success. If the football program develops a problem and you, as the position coach can’t solve
it, bring it to the head coach and give him your recommendations for a positive solution. A head coach
should expect his assistants to look for problems before they become big one’s, lets eliminate them, if
possible.

Hard Work
While the head coach’s time is not more valuable than yours, neither is yours more valuable then his. Be
prompt in completing all your assigned duties and be prepared to discuss duties performed. Be a self-
starter and make a personal commitment to excellence. Get the job done regardless of the hours involved.
If you love your job, you will never count the hours. Accept responsibilities, accept duties, make personal
sacrifices, improve your knowledge of football, and constantly strive to exhibit to your players your
commitment to the program and to them.

Loyalty
Be loyal to the school, administration, squad, head football coach, and fellow coaches. This means you
must openly and freely be able to discuss all differences of opinion in regard to theory, ideas, and team
policies in staff meetings only. You must be willing to listen and change if the staff is going to be
successful. You must defend and hold each other up at all times. Never discuss anything but good qualities
about the staff and the program. Because loyalty is a two way street, it should be pointed out that if the
head coach is to be loyal to you, then you need to be loyal to him.

Unity
Our staff can’t be split between offense and defensive staffs. No-second guessing. It must be understood
that we will win together and or lose together. All disagreements and problems should be handled in
private. Don’t take your disagreements into the community and or onto the field; parents and kids pick up
on this fast.

Staff Relationships
1. There is only one Head Coach.

2. Be prompt for all meetings and practice sessions, follow the fifteen-minute rule.

3. Techniques of offense and defense must conform to the head coach’s philosophy.

4. The head coach should approve or reject all game plans.

5. The head coach should control the substitution of players if need be, but should trust his
assistant’s professional judgment in this matter.

6. Assistant coaches should be held accountable for their positions players and coaching styles.
Each coach should be held responsible for the offense, defense, and kicking game; if you
don’t understand something specific to your position and duties ask. A staff is only as good as
each other.
 Staff Responsibilities and Duties
The following information will be used as a guide for determining our staff duties and responsibilities. The
examples provided below are geared to a full compliment of coaches, but can be modified to fit our
particular situation. Along with responsibilities this section provides a typical weekly of in season work
schedules for coaches.

Offensive Coordinator, Offensive Line:

1. Offensive Coordinator, offensive line coach

2. Responsible for goals, direction, and techniques that the head coach expects from the offense.
3. Responsible for offensive scouting report.
4. Breakdown opponent’s video.
5. Responsible for offensive playbook.
6. Assist in off-season coordination.
7. Assist with Special Teams.
8. Assist with study hall.
9. Recruiting Coordinator

Defensive Coordinator, Inside Linebackers:

1. Defensive Coordinator, Inside Linebackers.

2. Responsible for goals, direction, and techniques head coach expects from the defense.
3. Responsible for defensive scouting report.
4. Breakdown opponent’s video.
5. Responsible for defensive playbook.
6. Off-season coordinator.
7. Power lifting.
8. Special Teams.
9. Organize and assist with supervision of study hall.

Varsity Special Teams Coordinator, Secondary Coach:

1. Special Teams Coordinator, secondary.

2. Responsible for goals, direction, technique that the head coach expects from special teams.
3. Responsible for special teams scouting report, assist with defensive scouting report.
4. Breakdown opponent’s video.
5. Responsible for special teams playbook.
6. Assist in off-season football.

Varsity Outside Linebackers:

1. Outside linebackers (Sams and Rovers)

2. Assist defensive line coach with input of defensive data for tendencies.
3. Assist with defensive scouting report.
4. Breakdown opponent’s video.
5. Help call defense for JV teams.
Varsity Running Backs Coach
1. Coach Running Backs.
2. Assist with scouting reports, charts, boards, etc.
3. Breakdown opponent’s video.
4. Input defensive data for tendencies, scouting reports.
5. Call Offense for JV team.

Varsity Defensive Line Coach

1. Coach Defensive Line.
2. Assist with scouting report, charts, boards, etc.
3. Breakdown opponent’s video.
4. Input offensive data for tendencies, scouting reports.
5. Call defense for JV team.

Varsity Quarterbacks Coach

1. Quarterbacks Coach.
2. Responsible for quarterbacks notebook.
3. Help call offense for JV team.
4. Breakdown opponent’s video.
5. Input data for self-scouting and tendencies.
6. Assist with offensive scouting reports.

Varsity Receivers Coach

1. Coach Receivers.
2. Scout opponent’s secondary coverage’s.
3. Assist quarterbacks coach with JV offense.
4. Breakdown opponent’s defense, computer imput.
5. Help with self-scouting reports, boards.

Staff Meetings
It is always important to remind all coaches to be at scheduled meetings on time, if there’s going to be a
problem let someone know.

As a kick-off to each scheduled coaches meeting I will ask each coach on a rotating bases to give a
motivational message to the rest of the staff during the season. This should be a time where each coach can
share with the rest of the staff those things that might be on his mind and should be keep in a positive light.
Each presentation should be no longer than 5 minutes in length. Head coach can set the order of
presentations.
 Theme Of The Week
I will suggest that we develop a theme of the week bulletin board; a possible location for this board can be
outside or inside the varsity locker room. The theme of the week should be rotated through and maintained
by the coaching staff, with each coach assigned a topic. The theme of the week should last through the
entire season and on into the play-offs if applicable. The information provided below is examples of the
theme of the week ideas.

Week Topic
One Character
Two Leadership
Three Commitment
Four Attitude
Five Pride
Six Excellence
Seven Integrity
Eight Effort
Nine Adversity
Ten Winning
Eleven Courage
Twelve Perseverance

Commitment Coaches
Each week you should assign coaches to take care of the week’s needs. These assignments can be on a
rotating bases or a permanent one depending upon your philosophy. Some of these things are:

1. Take care of the all conduct running for tardies, missed workouts, meetings, etc.

2. Inspect dressing room after workouts.

3. Start laundry after evening workouts.

4. Any other duties that may be assigned by the head coach.

Set a schedule for commitment coaches, after all coaches have completed there assigned duties we will start
back at the beginning.

Laundry
If our school has the capabilities of doing laundry after practice we might consider assigning certain
coaches to this task. Commitment coaches put all laundry in.

Dressing Room Supervision

All coaches upon the completion of practice and assigned duties should be expected to be in the dressing
room. Don’t hang out in the coaches’ office.
 Study Hall
Study halls and tutorials will be implemented into our athletic program and organized by coaches’
availability if at all possible. Study hall should be mandatory for all those students who are border line and
or failing in any subject area. Study hall should be made available for any and all student athletes that wish
to attend.

Rules for study hall management:

1. No visiting or talking during the period without permission.

2. Take roll, no show – See commitment coach after practice.
3. If going to tutorials, must bring note from teacher. Time must be indicated.
4. Study hall is not a social time.
5. If study hall is mandatory, can only get out if passing.

Weekend Preparations
Saturday A.M.

1. All coaches for staff meeting 7:00 a.m.

2. Review goal chart, grade film.
3. Prepare game awards for players, helmet stickers, etc.
4. Injured players to trainer if applicable by 8:30.
5. 9:30 weights – All coaches present.
6. 10:30 review film with position players.
7. 12:00 players excused. Coach break down opponent’s video.
8. Approximately 2:30 or 3:30 break until Sunday, return 1:30 p.m. all coaches.
Sunday P.M.

1. Coaches report 1:30 for staff meeting.

2. Develop Personnel, offensive, defensive, and kicking game plans.
3. Prepare all scouting reports.
4. Bulletin boards and motivational information done.
5. Discuss Monday practice schedule.
6. Scouting reports must be ready to hand out Monday morning.
Weekend Duties
1. Film cut-ups done.
2. Opponents Bulletin board done.
3. All goal boards completed.
4. Game statistics done.
5. Tackle charts done and updated.
6. Scout teams; offense, defense and kicking game cards completed.
7. Defensive Data Input for computer printouts done.
8. Offensive Data both self-scout and opponent input completed.
9. Scouting reports all coaches.
10. Grade Friday night film – all varsity positions.
11. Freshman coaches assist JV and Varsity coaches in film breakdown.
 Gameday Responsibility Check List
1. Pre-game meals (collect money).
2. Transportation.
3. Issue Uniforms and equipment.
4. Clean visitor’s dressing room.
5. Ice down drinks.
6. Film exchange.
7. Equipment kit for repairs.
8. Clean referees locker room, cokes.
9. Practice balls for game.
10. Game balls for officials.
11. Official game time.
12. Field organization, coaches designated field positions for individual warm-up.
13. Kicking tees and net.
14. Head sets.
15. Video equipment.
16. Ball boys.
17. Clean towels.
18. Towels for wet balls.
19. Player supervision – all coaches.
20. Call sheets.
21. Express any trick or unusual plays with officials.

Half Time Organization

Things that must take place during half time:

1. Players must be given time to rest.

2. All injury and equipment problems taken care of.
3. Staff must analyze the first half and make plans for the second half.
4. Players must be re-motivated to play the final and most important part of the game.

Halftime divided into four periods:

1. First period (four minutes).

a. Staff meetings.
b. Team rest.
c. Injury and equipment care.

2. Second period (four minutes).

a. Offense and Defensive position coaches meet with assigned groups.

3. Third period Offense and defensive Coordinators meet with their entire offense or defensive
squads. (Four minutes).

4. Fourth period (four minutes)

a. Head coach meets with both offense and defense as a team.
b. Return to field for warm-up.

In order to stay on schedule you might want to assign a staff member or parent to keep meeting times
on schedule. One coach or manager should be responsible for keeping the time as well as letting the
head coach know how much time is left before the start of the second half.
 Period One – Half Time Organization
The first period is a critical one for the staff. At this time you should be involved in an analysis of
what has taken place during the first half and deciding what your plan of attack will be for the second
half. The information that you should consider includes:

1. Offensively
a. Fronts by down and distance.
b. Secondary by down, distance, and formation.
c. Short yardage and goal line defenses – stunts.
d. Your play selection by success and failure.
2. Defensively
a. Plays by formation.
b. Plays by down and distance.
c. Pass routes.
d. Your defensive calls by down and distance.
3. Kicking Game
a. Has there been any assignment breakdown in any phase of the kicking game.
b. Is the fake punt possible?
c. How is the kick-off coverage and punt coverage?
d. Should you punt, block or return, etc.
4. General
a. Personnel adjustments because of injuries or other reasons.
b. Any possible playing conditions such as wind, rain, and so on, affecting the play.

From all points listed above, your staff should arrive at a second-half philosophy. This philosophy will be
based on how your opponent is attacking you both offensively and defensively and how you feel they will
adjust to you during the second half. All blocking adjustments, route changes and theory of attack is
decided offensively. Also, any front adjustments, coverage, or force adjustments are made to stop the
opponent defensively.

While your staff is actively involved in second half strategy, your players should be getting ready
physically for the second half. All incidental injuries and equipment problems are taken care of in their
designated assigned areas of the locker room. Liquids, towels and other needs are brought to the players.
This allows them to rest and prevents a lot of moving around. You should try and keep this initial period to
approximately 4 to 5 minutes.

Period Two – Half Time Organization

The second period of your halftime is for each coach to meet with the players of his position. During this
period, you hope to do two things. First, you quiz your players as to what is happening to them on the
field. Your staff should be made to feel that it is extremely important to have open communication with
their players. Many times you will find that one of your players will come up with information that turns
out to be very helpful the second half. Also, the coach needs to know, for instance, if a receiver can beat a
corner on an out route or a streak, or if an offensive lineman can reach a down defender on outside plays.

Period Three – Half Time Organization

As soon as each position coach has met with his players, both the offense and defense meet with their
coordinators to tie the schemes together. You should allow 4 to 5 minutes for this period.
Period Four – Half Time Organization
With about 8 minutes remaining the person in charge of keeping time will give a 5-minute warning. At this
time your coaches with press box responsibilities and your team captains should leave the locker room for
the field. The head coach will take control at this point and the offense and defense join together for final
instructions. It is the job of the head coach to finalize all strategy and goals and to motivate the squad for
the second half. This time period lasts usually not more than 3 to 4 minutes. The team then departs for the
second half.
Off-Season
Main objectives of an off-season program should be built around the following examples:

1. Mental Toughness – this can be developed and expected.

a. Learn to deal with pain and to never except defeat. Do all the little things right all the
time.
b. Defeat all negative thoughts. “When your body says no – your heart says go!”

2. Physical Strength and Quickness

a. Weight Room – Benefits, this is where Championships are Won.

b. Agility and Mat Drills.

3. Intensity – Must teach the 150% attitude

a. Everything is done with a high level of enthusiasm and competitiveness – Push each
other.
b. Never be satisfied.
c. All out effort – All the time – 150% effort every minute, accept nothing less.
d. Expect more from yourself as coaches and players.

4. Unity – Only as good as the last coach or last player with the least role in the program.

a. Always talk “Us” and “We”, not “I” and “Me”. Make being on the team the greatest
experience of their life’s.
b. Hard work together equals Unity of Team. Encourage each other to work harder – the
harder you work, the harder it is to surrender.

5. The Difference Between Them and Us.

a. We do work harder, 150% effort all the time – Outwork the 110% opponent.
b. Discipline – must live with it, must expect it, must do right 150% of the time.
c. If a 150% effort equals hard work then we can accomplish it.
d. As a team we will sweat the small stuff. The little things we do will make us
Champions.
e. Our Success – Our Attitude – Our Work Habits are things we can control, choose to be in
control of our destiny. Never allow our opponent to dictate our destiny.
 Goal Setting With Our Athletes
Each and every coach will be asked to sit down with their position athletes and set goals with their players
for the next season both short and long term. Once the goal setting meeting has been completed then a
home visit should be set up with their parents to share their son’s goals and desires with them. By doing
the home visit you as a coach can start to build a personal relationship with the parents that will keep them
better informed with the programs goals and overall objectives. The following information is what I have
found to be very effective when setting goals with my athletes.
 My Goals and Pledge
Players Name:_____________________ Date:_________________

To be a member of the Football Team is an honor and a responsibility. I am no longer an individual; I am

apart of a family. Within the family is a brotherhood (name by position example offensive line). Being
apart of this brotherhood has its costs and responsibilities. I make my commitment to uphold and protect
the legacy of my family and my brotherhood.

I pledge the following:

I will give my very best effort towards receiving a quality education.

I will strive to be a complete player.

I will conduct myself in a manner that does not draw unwarranted attention to my family, my school, my
team, and my position players.

I will when on campus and in the classroom, cause no problems for myself, my teammates and or my
teachers.

I will be the best possible student that I can be and to make sure that my grades will not jeopardize my
good academic standing. If grades are in doubt I will make every attempt to make all study hall sessions
and get help from my teachers and attend all tutorials.

I will follow all rules and regulations laid out by the football program.

I will treat others the way I would want to be treated.

I will work towards knowing all my football assignments and become a student of the game.

I will play with Character – “Play as hard as I can, for as long as I can”.

I will play with Pride – “Know that I won’t quit when it gets tough”.

I will be mentally Tough – “Accept discomfort and coaching and learn to live with it”.

When I walk out onto the football field I represent:

1. My School.
2. My Teammates.
3. My Family.
4. Myself.

I know that when I take the field I represent the Integrity of the football program and the colors of my
school and all those that will come after me.

Now it is my time in history. I pledge that before I leave, history will remember me as a champion both on
and off the field of play.

I Promise To Follow These Vows:

Players Name: _________________________ Date: ___________

 Position Players Goals and Expectations
Anticipated Goals By Start Of Football Season:

Height: __________ Weight: _________ Vertical Jump: __________

Bench: __________ Squat: __________ Dead Lift: ___________

40 Yd. Dash: ______ Shuttle Run: ________ Power Ranking: _________

Players Immediate Goals Players Long Term Goals

1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.

Coaches Comments and Expectations Players Home Phone Number:

1. Street Address:
2. City and Zip Code:
3.
4.
5.

Players Signature:

Parents Signature:

Coaches Signature:

Date Home Visit:

Remember: We only pass this way but once, lets make the best of it. We will only be as good as the
last guy, so, how good will you be.
It is my belief that everything mentioned in the above information will never succeed or transpire with out
the proper attitude towards life and commitment as spelled out below by Charles Swindoll.

Attitude
The longer we live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me is more important than
facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures,
than successes, than what other people think or say and do. It is more important than appearance,
giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company… a church… a home…(a football program). The
remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We
cannot change our past… we cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one
string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90
percent how I react to it. And so it is with you… we are in charge of our attitudes.

By Charles Swindoll

Last but not least, the success of any program is ones ability to communicate; and realize that in order to
run a top-notch program requires the input off all those involved and the willingness to share in the success
and failures, the ups and downs of those who sacrifice the time, and provide the internal commitment to the
future of this country, our young people

Dealing With Parents

Developing constructive relationships will more than pay off the time it takes. This is a great place to use
the home visit for building the program and discussing their sons objectives and goals both short and long
term. When dealing with parents and developing close relationships with them, don’t let the friendship
compromise fairness to your players or coaching objectivity. Never play a boy because his parent is a
friend, must discuss with them their sons role on the team. The following are several guidelines that many
coaches use in building consistency in their football program.

1. A parent with a complaint would usually rather talk on the phone than in person. The best
approach to an irate parent is to talk to that person face to face. Do not make and “enemy”. Turn
them into a friend of the program.

2. Do not hesitate to refer parents to the head coach, but first inform the head coach fully of the
situation.

3. Never comment negatively about another squad member in front of a parent or visitor.
 Offensive, Defensive and Kicking Game Philosophies
The following information shall be the guide for hanging our hats on.

Offensive Philosophy:

“OFFENSE WINS GAMES” The basic offensive philosophy is based around spreading the defense
and using formations and motion to control the box and coverage’s. We will live by the pass. We will
also use our gun option to set the passing game, which in turn will allow the offense to our zone
blocking schemes.

We must be able to challenge not only our own learning curve as coaches, but
challenge our athletes to play at the next level, the 150% effort or that space out in the
area of the unknown. We as coaches will want to teach to near game like situations at
practice; repetition is the key.

Defensive Philosophy:

“DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS” our defensive philosophy will be built

around an attacking multiple 8-man fronts. A defense must be flexible enough to
accommodate all the different offensive schemes that we will face throughout the
season with a basic understanding of adjustments and alignments. A defense should
bend but never break. Pressure defenses should be the norm, pressure offenses into
mistakes, think turnovers, and get the ball back into the hands of our offense.

Kicking Game Philosophy:

The kicking game preparation philosophy will be one of game breaker, momentum
change, field position, and scoring opportunistic approach. Do things when our
opponent least expects it, think turnovers. The kicking game is 1/3 of the game and
thus, will receive that type of time priority in its installation weekly. Make things
happen.