A Pep Bus for a 1-8 Team?

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 traveled to the game. Alan Hendren (#82) 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!

Any play where I had the ball instead of #82 was probably not a good one. 

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. 

Lombardi: Great coaches know what they want, and when they see it, they recognize it.

Lombardi: Great coaches know what they want, and when they see it, they recognize it.


Leadership Building Block #12:

Never too late to get better....planning spring, preseason, and prepping for game #1

One of the reasons I stay in coaching football is I believe this is my best chance to be good at something. I have been around it my entire life and a head coach for 25 years. Today was one of those days that I think I FINALLY figured out how I want to do something.

I like to plan ahead and have everything ready, as much as possible, so that we can coach on the field and not make decisions that could have already been made.

Going forward, I believe this is the best order of preparation as we go through the spring up until our first few games:

1- Do a preliminary scouting report on every opponent for the upcoming season. (winter)

2- Prepare a preliminary game plan for each opponent. (winter)

3- Plan spring practice and allow the preliminary game plan for opponent #1 to influence what and how you practice.

4- After spring practice, do the game plan and initial offensive script for game # 1.  By this time, you are more familiar with your personnel, their strengths & weaknesses, etc.

5- Plan preseason practice and include the offensive script for game #1 in those practice plans.

It has taken me a long time, but I think this is finally the right order. As I began working on our preseason practices a few weeks ago, as I got to the end, I realized I needed our offensive gameplan for game #1 to make it exactly as it should be.

Football is a great game. I want to enjoy the game, my coaches and players. Some times all that goes with being a head coach can take away from the fun. Planning as much as possible ahead of time makes the actual coaching much more enjoyable and significantly more effective.

Leadership Building Block #11

Nick Saban: Choices

Nick Saban- Choices

Mental Toughness.....1992

 I was really excited to see this today. When I became the head coach at Paris in 92, I knew I had a great group of young men, but mental toughness was an issue for us. We had this sign made, placed it over the door, and smacked it every Friday night. These guys went on to be a mentally tough team. Two of my highlights, trailing with less than 2 minutes vs. Bellevue, facing 3rd & 27, we got the 1st down, scored & won a first round playoff game. The week before we won a district title stopping Raceland's 2 point try with no time left on the clock. I'm very happy the current Hounds have this in their locker room. It meant a lot to me to see it today. I will always love the orange & black! 

I miss those cold, early morning, November practices.... Leadership Building Block #10

Leadership Building Block #9

HE IS RISEN..... the Ultimate Leader

HE IS RISEN!

What are the characteristics of a great leader?

I have spent the last few months writing about great people and football coaches. I have learned a lot from those guys. But, my ultimate role model for coaching never played a down of football and never carried a whistle.

I will acknowledge there are many different models for leadership. For me, the 10th chapter of John’s gospel is the best blueprint for the right leadership model and that ultimate leader is Jesus Christ.

When I was growing up, one of my dad’s books I read frequently was Wes Neal’s The Handbook on Coaching Perfection. The purpose of the book is to explain how Jesus would coach a team and how a Christian should coach a team. It seems hard to believe now, but when my dad was growing up, he asked my grandmother, is it possible to be a football coach and a Christian?

In 2014, there are over two billion Christians in the world. At the time of his crucifixion, Jesus had 11 living disciples. They were terrified.

How did 11 cowards grow into two billion people? They saw the living Christ after the crucifixion. But, it was a lot more than just that he rose from the dead, it was that he did it for them.

In the 10th chapter of John, it says the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. I don’t know about you, but I am compelled to follow leaders that put my best interest and the interest of others ahead of their own. Those leaders motivate me to give my all and to give my very best effort.

Self-centered leaders, and I have been around a bunch of them, usually motivate through fear and intimidation. And that can work, but usually only in the short term and often the end is a crash and burn. I can tell you this, it doesn’t work well with me or the guys I work with.

As a leader, it is great that you put your people first. But, the leader has to be competent and capable. Christianity falls apart if there is no resurrection. It would have meant that Jesus had great intentions, but that is where it would end.

But human leaders are not perfect. How is a human leader able to follow this model? Even a competent and capable leader will make a ton of mistakes.

Surprisingly, the Christ-like leader has a lot of freedom. That freedom comes from phrases like the following:

“I am sorry.”

“I was wrong.”

“Your way is better than my way.”

“You know more about this than I do.”

“I could have handled that better.”

I have had to say those phrases often over the past 22 years as a head coach. If you never say those things as a leader, you have no credibility.

Everyone that follows you know you are not perfect. To pretend otherwise is foolish.

I can follow someone who will admit when they are wrong. If they can’t do that or won’t do it, they are not a good leader and following them would be a poor decision.

In 1 John 4:19, it says, “We love each other because he loved us first.”

It reminds me of Coach Sharpe on that mountain in the summer of 1986. For your team to love each other, he said, “You love them first!”

Can you lead without loving the people you lead? You can. I have seen it done but I don’t believe it’s the best way.

I don’t think it is the route to go for sustained success. I don’t want to lead that way.

Chuck Smith, Larry French, Steele Harmon, Bill Arnsparger, Vince Lombardi, Blanton Collier, even my own dad have been great men, coaches and role models for me. The list is much longer but it wasn’t a guy in black shoes and white shoestrings that had the best blueprint for being a high school football coach.

It was ultimately a carpenter from Nazareth that knew what was best to do when there is a whistle hanging around your neck.

• Click to print (Opens in new windo

Leadership Building Block #8

Do you want success, or for everyone to tell you how good you are?  There is a difference.

Maybe it was 10 carloads that September Saturday night in 82

Since my blog post on getting chased out of Danville, I have heard several names of formal Rebels that got after us that night. Today it was Steve Bramel. Back in 1982, Steve played football for the Rebels. In 2017, Steve has become "Will's Dad." Will Bramel will be a senior lineman for Boyle County this fall and has already received numerous scholarship offers.

The close up is of Steve in the same picture below. He is getting ready to put his facemask in my ribs. I told him that a facemask in my ribs was better than than a punch in the mouth on that previous Saturday night.

In looking back on that night, Steve said. "We were bada...es in that parking lot for about 3 seconds."

I am happy for Steve. At least he was a tough guy for 3 seconds. I've never been a tough guy!

And, seriously, it may have been 10 carloads, or more. I didn't count them. I will tell you this, there were a bunch. That's for sure.  If I live to be an old man, the rest of my life I will have former Rebels telling me they were one of the guys that ran me out of Danville. I will enjoy that and I am looking forward to it.  Just like Steve was a tough guy for 3 seconds, maybe we can be HS football players for just a few seconds. That would be good.

Leadership Building Block #7

The task of endless repetition leads to a choice.... sloppiness or PERFECTION.

JCB is 21

Happy 21st Birthday to my son, John Combs Buchanan!

Photos by the Maysville Ledger Independent & Cheri Johnson

Excerpt from Black Shoes & White Shoestrings:

It’s a great experience, as a dad to get a good look at the man your son will become. For me, that first moment came the Friday night at Highlands in JCB’s sophomore year.  We had been 1-7 over the past 8 weeks, stretching from 2011 to 2012.  That night in Fort Thomas, we were facing one of the best programs in the nation. 

Early in the season, I had decided that I did not need to choose captains or weekly awards any more because my son was on the team. That job would go to our assistant coaches. Moments before we would take the field, our coaches told me our captains for the night & one of them was JCB.

It was ironic they picked him because he & I were both in the doghouse with his mom and the rest of the family that night. They were not at the game and had hit the wall with me and my preference for making a tough schedule.  I will admit I had made a mistake. The perfect storm had hit and the schedule had taken a toll on our team, players, coaches, and my family.

As we walked to midfield, I can’t describe the emotion of getting ready to face the challenge before us, together. That game had been talked about over and over again in our house during the past year.  It struck me as we walked out for the coin toss JCB’s poise, confidence, excitement, and eagerness to face the challenge.  He played very well and our kids did great. We didn’t win, but we played very hard and our kids were not intimated.  After the game, JCB talked at length about how much he had enjoyed the total experience of playing the Bluebirds on their turf. That was his first night of being the man that God has called him to be- I could not have been happier or more proud.

Old Coaches.... Help the Young Coaches

Billy & Boone Goldsmith after Boone's QB sneak on 4th & goal for a state title

This past Thursday after UK's practice,  Trosper & I invited our good friend, Coach Boone Goldsmith, to go eat lunch with us. Trying to help out a young guy, I bought him a cheddar burger at Charlie Brown's. He said he would have to get me a meal next time. I said, "No." I told him, "when you are an old coach like me, help out a young coach and buy him a meal."

Coach French & Coach Gruneisen bought me more than one meal. My first two years at Paris, most nights I ate a bowl of cereal or ramon noodles. On a good night, I ate a 99 cent pizza. When I started dating Stephanie, her mom would cook for us on Friday night. I would knock out the rest of the cornbread and butterscotch or chocolate pie around 10 pm. Her mom loved it. She had never seen anyone eat like me before. I sure can't eat like that now or I would be gaining weight like crazy.

Stephanie & her wonderful mom, Jan Trosper. I had the best mother in law, ever.

So.... old coaches.... we need these young guys. Our profession, these kids in our programs, need these young coaches. Buy them a meal and help them out. Young football coaches don't make much money.

Young guys.... when you are old like me, remember these thin times and help out a new, aspiring coach.

Now.... don't ask me about the cake that Jack Robertson got me for my birthday one year.  I need to keep this blog rated G. But, if you see Big Jack, make sure you ask him about it.

We may not make much money, but we do have alot of fun.

Another opportunity to learn- UK Spring Practice

This week Trosper and I were fortunate to attend two UK Wildcat spring practices.  I appreciate Coach John Schlarman making that possible for us this week. I have known him since he played for Coach Tom Duffy at Highlands back in 1992. John is an outstanding coach and person. He and the UK football staff are generous in allowing HS coaches access to their program during the spring.

Trosper has been a big fan of QB Walker Wood for a long time

Most days, it is a fight to get Trosper out of bed. But, to catch the early morning meetings and practices, he was willing to wake up at 4 am. He enjoyed those meetings and learned by hanging on to every word that Coach Gran and Coach Hinshaw shared during the video sessions.   What a great experience for a young quarterback.

As always when I watch a quality staff and program, it was a great time of learning for me. Again, I picked up some good special teams drills. As best as I could without getting in the way or asking too many questions, I was especially intrigued by the expansion of RPOs in the Wildcat offensive scheme.  We started messing around with RPOs at Mason County in 2012.  We are still ironing out many of the details. Coach Hinshaw and Coach Gran do a great job with the details and how they fit into their offensive system.

At both Centre & UK I was impressed with the demeanor of their players. They were polite, personable, and wonderful ambassadors for their programs & schools. As a head football coach, it is important to me that our guys represent our team well.  Centre & UK both hit a home run in that department.

I got to see Georgetown practice at the FCA clinic a couple Saturdays ago and was also impressed with their coaches, program, players & practice. Area football fans should be excited. 2017 will be a season of very strong college football in this area!

"We need you at Kick Off" and my only good off the field story from HS

Several of the guys in black & gold had been in Harrodsburg a few days earlier. September 24, 1982

Stephanie says I only have one good story from high school, but I have been able to get some mileage from it over the years.

One Saturday night in early September, 1982, myself and three friends went to see a movie in Danville. You may not remember Fast Times at Ridgemont High but I bet most of us old guys do remember Phoebe Cates.

After the movie, our driver decides he wants to meet a girl he saw in the theatre. We drive out to the bowling alley in Danville to find her. Our first time through the parking lot, a few of the guys out there yell stuff at us. Undeterred, my buddy continues in his quest. A few minutes later, we go back through the bowling alley. But, this time, about 8 car loads of guys jump in their vehicles to chase us. I knew it was serious when one of them passed us & did a donut at the intersection of Maple Avenue & Lexington Street.

At this point, we are getting back to Harrodsburg as fast as we can. We make it to Beaumont Plaza and all the guys that have chased us, circle their vehicles behind what use to be Long John Silvers.  We are in good shape now, because we have the numbers. In particular, we have Woody Holt & the Elliott brothers. Woody became my brother in law, great friend, & a wonderful uncle for my kids. Woody rides his motorcycle into the circled cars and says. "I hear you want to fight some boys from Harrodsburg. I'm from Harrodsburg!" Our visitors began to get back in their cars. Many of the guys in the cars turned out to be some of my friends from Boyle County. They told me later that a KNEE came to the door of one of their cars. That would have been one of the Elliott brothers.

Gradually, I began to realize many of these guys were my friends from when I went to Boyle County and also from going to Centenary in Danville. John Key( a good friend, played football for Boyle) told me just a few weeks ago, he didn't realize until I yelled his name that he was not going to get his "tail" kicked.  John, and several of those guys and many my friends, would return for our game when the Rebels would play at Mercer, just a few days later.  Todd Bryant was with those guys also that night and now we are both at Mercer together.

It ended very well, with everyone standing around talking. My buddy that wanted to meet the girl, yes, he was talking to her while the rest of us tried to sort out the mess that almost got started.  And, as you might have guessed, AFTER everything had calmed down, we had several more that were ready to fight if needed... bless their hearts.

The first time I shared this story with my team was on a Thursday, in the locker room, before we played at Rowan County in 2010. In 2009, we had beat Rowan in a close game at home. They had everyone back, expecting to have a GREAT team, and had made arrangements to get our 2010 game televised. No one plans on televising a game they will lose. They had scored 71 points the week before on Fleming and they were foaming at the mouth to get us.

I told our guys that we needed them at Kickoff from the very beginning, like Woody Holt. Woody stuck his nose in there for us when we needed him the most, right at the beginning. That night in Harrodsburg, we had a lot of guys ready to fight, AFTER Woody and the Elliott brothers had put out the fire. I have seen a lot of football players like that over the years. AFTER the game is determined, they are ready to be the heroes. But, when the bullets are flying early, they want no part of it!

Our team doesn't really need guys for after the outcome is determined. We need guys that will fight and play hard from the opening kick off. You can win championships with those guys.

I will give my 2010 team credit. Those guys played their tails off and played one of the best football games we played at Mason in my 19 years there. It was a wild dogfight from the beginning and our guys answered the bell and won that televised game by two touchdowns.

I don't advocate violence & fighting. Usually there is a better solution and I am glad things worked out for us that night in September of 1982. But, I am thankful for Woody Holt & the Elliott brothers. And, those old Phoebe Cates movies are still pretty good.

Leadership Building Block #6

https://twitter.com/ChiefSmoke10/status/848932956332797952

Bermuda- magic grass for a football field

Yes! Our Bermuda grass is coming back! Bermuda is the most low maintenance/cheapest, uniform playing surface you can have. It is highly likely no reseeding will be required. The biggest issue is spring frost. We have our irrigation set for each morning to protect the grass. If we are smart, we have the best surface at the cheapest possible price. Yes, I get fired up about Bermuda grass and football fields. When my kids were growing up, for entertainment we would drive out to check the grass. And, yes, I am cheap and don't like to spend money.

Two Years as a Titan

Trosper in his first game as a Titan, September 2015

Two years ago today, April 2nd, we made the decision to leave Mason County after 19 years and return to my hometown, Harrodsburg, to coach the football Titans at Mercer County. 

It was a tough time and a great time all at once. It seemed a little overwhelming when we jumped into it. But, because of great staff, players, bosses and a wonderful family, we have been able to make substantial progress in two years time. I am very proud of how far we have come to this point, but also realize we have a long way to go.

I miss my Mason County family, but I talk to those guys several times a week. I am very proud of them. It also confirms for me that it was time to move on and get out of their way.  Those guys have done a great job with those kids and program.  I enjoy hearing about what they are doing and it means a lot to me when they still call and get my thoughts. I also call to get their thoughts.  Those guys know their stuff and are very good at what they do. 

I drove over 6,000 miles from the time I took the job at Mercer until we finally moved in July. I am really glad I am not facing that travel this spring.  It makes me tired just thinking about that. 

The weather turned out to be a foreshadowing of the trials ahead. When I called to accept the job, we were in the middle of a hail storm in Maysville. The night of the press conference, there were tornado warnings around Harrodsburg.  I had no idea that we were facing an 0-5 start and that my Dad, who was not even sick when I took the job, would die of cancer in almost exactly 6 months.  Or, that two of my players would also lose their father. But, as a program, staff, family & team, we took care of each other.  God's hand and protection continue to be present. 

One of the constants for me in 25 years as a head coach is that we have had success because I always choose to hitch my wagon to great people. The bottom line in all of this.... THANK YOU to my players, staff, family & bosses that made this work and continue the effort required to make Titan Football the best it can be.