One HS Football Coach's Response to the Coronavirus

Sent this screenshot to my kids/families earlier today....prep for 2020 Preseason

Even though I am an old coach, and the son of an old HS football coach, this Coronavirus has been new territory. Our spring practice came to a halt after three days. We had three GREAT days and I am thankful we got those days. We may be the only program in the state that had any days at all.

It has been crystal clear to me where my thoughts and focus should be. And, this fits me and my personality. I would never judge any Coach for doing what he thinks is best for him, his family and football program. 

For me, as a HS head football coach, I am trying to do two things right now:

1) stay connected to my kids/players, families and coaches.

2) Prepare for the preseason.

Through email, instagram, facebook, twitter, remind app, phone and text, I've tried to keep communication open between myself and our football family. Today, our Chaplain, former Titan, D Smith, reached out to our families as well. Our families have responded well to D making that effort. 

I've been very clear with our kids and families that what our guys are doing NOW will impact our team and performance this fall. If my expectation is that all of our guys are working to prepare for the preseason, I need to do the same and at a very high level. 2020 should be the best planned and organized preseason that it can possibly be.

I also know this, I want all of us to "OWN" our response and the consequences that go with it. If I show up for the first workout unprepared, I can't say..."I would have been prepared if it weren't for the Coronavirus." No, if I show up unprepared, that is my fault. I can't blame that on the Coronavirus. I owe it to our guys to prepare NOW so they can get the very best when we are back together. 

One confession.... when this is all done.... I will certainly appreciate our players, coaches, workouts, practices (especially at 6 am!) , bermuda grass, indoor facility, etc. and much more.  I am embarrassed at how much I have taken for granted. 

If any coaches have ideas on staying connected with your team during this time, please email me at coachdavidbuchanan@gmail.com. And, if you want to talk football, shoot me an email as well. 

Football WILL be back. When that happens, we will be ready!

Curci, Collinsworth, Wayne Peace & Chuck Smith- November 15, 1980

One of the best memories with my Dad was the cold November day we saw a great game between the Wildcats & Gators at Commonwealth Stadium.

I was a sophomore in HS.  Our football team had been selling something.... I think M & M's.  I sold the most M & M's and the first place prize was Coach French's tickets to the UK-Florida game.

It was freezing cold, but a great game. My Dad and I sat in the south endzone. Back then, that is where many of the coaches tickets were for KY HS football coaches. In the old days, every KY  head football coach was mailed a book of two tickets to all the UK home games. That was a great perk, and there were not many perks!

 As it turns out, one of my best friends is on the field. Chuck Smith, former Boyle HFC, is playing linebacker for Charlie Bailey's Wildcat defense. I didn't know it at the time, but Coach Bailey's defense would be the foundation for our defense when Chuck came to Mercer County in 1983. Subsequently, Bailey's defense became the blueprint for our defense at Paris, Mason County, Mercer County and so many programs across the state of Kentucky that were connected to Larry French and Chuck Smith.

UK has played a great game and winning, 15-14, late in the 4th quarter.  Wayne Peace is the Quarterback for Florida and his top WR is Cris Collinsworth. Florida is driving the ball into the endzone where I am sitting with my Dad. The UK bench is to our left.

The play I will never forget.... Peace throws a pass to Collinsworth right in front of the UK bench. It looks like he is out of bounds. Coach Fran Curci sure thought he was out of bounds. He was so mad that he did a flip on the sideline. I know.... it sounds insane. But, I have had others tell me the same thing. If he didn't do a flip, it sure looked like it enough that others have told me that yes, Fran Curci did a flip on the sideline in protest of that official's call.

The Florida drive continues. The Gators kick a field goal and win 17-15.

It wasn't the outcome we wanted, but my Dad and I had enjoyed a great football game and the time we had together that cold November Saturday.

Curci and his flip, Collinsworth, Peace & Chuck Smith... four guys I'll never forget.

* After sending this to Chuck Smith, here is his response:

“I remember that game. I broke on that throw to Collinsworth and he had to tippy toe to stay in bounds. I thought he was out as well. That was the key play as we would have won without it. “

God being God.... Snow, Palm Trees & the Triple Screen

In December of 2007, several of us were standing in the hallways between classes at Mason County HS. It was finals week, just a few days before Christmas break was suppose to start. The weather was miserable, cold & windy. While standing out there, I get a phone call from my good friend, Chuck Smith, who at that time was coaching linebackers at the University of Kentucky. We are freezing, but Chuck is in Florida, enjoying GREAT weather on recruiting.

One of the guys I am standing with in the hallways is our head basketball coach, Chris O'Hearn. He is pretty excited. Our basketball team, lead by future Mr. Basketball, UK Wildcat, & NBA player, Darius Miller, is getting ready to fly to Hawaii to play in a Nike Tournament for the best basketball teams in the country.

I casually make the comment... "Yeah, all the good coaches are going to enjoy some great weather. The bad ones, like me, are stuck in the cold."

The bell rings and I return to class.

My classroom phone immediately rings.

The voice on the other end says, "Coach Buchanan, this is Travis Davis with American Football Monthly. We would like to do a video on the Triple Screen and some other areas of football with you."

I am stunned but really excited.

He continues, "We will fly you to West Palm Beach, Florida, to do the videos."

He continues to talk. My classroom phone is right next to my door.  I am on the phone, checking caller ID, and then sticking my head out the door. This has GOT to be a joke. I am looking around, up and down the hallways for the likely culprits... Coach O'Hearn, Steve Appelman, Fred Hester, Chris Ullery, Seth Faulkner, Larry Harris, Kent Moore (probably just hung up the PA from singing Christmas Carols).

I check caller ID and ask again... "Please, now who is this?? Where are you? What is this for?"

I really can't believe it and don't believe it. But, it turned out to be legitimate!

So, one January morning, when the temperature was below 30 degrees and the wind had blown the kids basketball goal up next to the house, I jumped in the car and headed to the airport in Cincinnati.

When I arrived in West Palm Beach, the temperature was in the mid 80's and it was sunny. I was sitting in short sleeves, looking at palm trees.

I met Travis and then spent the next 24 hours working with Rex Lardner, filming the videos. This was insane... I was in West Palm Beach, Florida, doing football videos, in late January!

I enjoyed working with Travis and Rex. Really good guys who are exceptional in the work they do.

For me, the moral to the story is God can do anything He wants to do when He wants to do it. It was a really cool way for God to show me that He loves me. It definitely got my attention.

That event has also made me pay closer attention each day as different things happen. God communicates His love to us often through the day. If we are not paying attention, we may miss that.

Because of my faith in God,  nothing seems too little or too big. When God chooses me to serve Him in the smallest,  most menial, humble ways and in a way that would be beneath others, I am good with that. I am serving Him and working for Him. When God chooses big ways, extraordinary ways, even situations that I would be in over my head in my own abilities, I trust Him with the outcome.

I don't know what the future holds. But, big or little, I will be content to serve God in whatever way He chooses.

And, if He decides to throw in some palm trees here and there, they will just be a great reminder of the incredible phone call that cold day in December of 2007.