Mindset: Turning a Football Program Around

Down 17-0 @ half/ 24-12 with 5:41 to play; 27 yards rushing.... and WON

This time of year, most KY teams are getting into district play. In some of those districts, the teams at the top seem permanent. Those looking up at them can feel like they are facing insurmountable odds to get over the hump and beat those teams. And, the feeling is understandable. Beating those teams, some times, for the first time ever, is TOUGH!

When we got started at Mason County in 1996, there were three really good teams in our district... Russell, Newport & Erlanger Lloyd. Mason County had never beaten any of the three.  I definitely picked up on this mindset.... everyone else on our schedule, we can beat. Those three.... never and no way. 

Confidence comes from preparation and hard work. Without those pieces, the chances of success drop dramatically. 

But, in addition to the physical work, the proper mindset goes a long way in doing things that have never been done before. 

One day in the locker-room, I asked a scary question that no one wants to truthfully answer. "How many of you believe we can beat ______________ (Russell, Lloyd, Newport...fill in the blank)?"  They tried to look through the tops of their eye brows, but heads pointed down, and a few hands, slowly went up, because they thought that was the right thing to say.  A few were honest and never started to raise their hand. 

I said, "Ok forget that question. How many of you think we can win ONE play?"  They sat up and looked straight ahead. You could tell the wheels were spinning. Eventually, slowly, all hands up. All heads up. It was unanimous.... the answer was, YES!

 I told them, "Great. Don't even think about winning the GAME. That is too big for us. Just focus on winning, one play at a time.  After we win that play, get ready, and let's win the next play.  If we can keep stacking plays together that we win, the rest of it will take care of itself. "

The other phrase that I used with them often, I told them, "We are going to MAKE you do it right, over and over again. Some night, no matter how hard you try to screw it up, we are going to win ANYWAY!" 

I thought that perspective was important. I KNEW that even when we would finally win those big games, we were going to do some dumb stuff during the game. I wanted the thought to go through their mind, "Coach said we would screw up, but we are still going to win."

And, I wanted to give them some CONTROL of the situation. When you face teams that historically are much better than you, there can be a feeling of hopelessness that no matter what you do, you are going to lose. By saying that we are going to do what we do, over and over again, they now know there is a direct link between their effort/reps in practice everyday and winning on Friday nights. 

In some of those early, big wins, it would look like we were trying to throw the game. Our guys, at times, were overwhelmed by the moment and they lost their focus on doing what they were coached to do. But, eventually, the overwhelming amount of reps kick in and your guys begin to execute. 

Why do some programs turn around and others don't?  The ones that turn it around are stubborn and they keep doing what they do. They get good at what they do. Are adjustments and tweaks part of the process? Absolutely. We had several of those that paid off big time. But, the overall plan, the base offense, defense, etc. remain a strong foundation. 

In 1996, we lost to all three of those good teams. In 1997, we beat every one of them in tough, close, ballgames. There are no quick fixes (legal ones, within the rules). But, the proper mindset will get you on the right track. And, that mindset will pay off for them as adults over and over again because they will no longer view any task or problem as impossible. 

After we won those three games, our guys never doubted that they could win. Now, that brought on a whole other different set of issues.  But, I'll sure take that over the alternative. 

The right mindset can go a long way in helping anyone do something they have never done before, no matter how big the challenge. 

The LAST Third Down

Ernie, Stephanie & Trosper celebrating the 2011 victory over Tennessee from section 232

My father in law, Ernie Trosper,  has been a UK football and basketball fan his entire life. For football games, he spent almost 50 years of Saturdays in Section 232(before the renovation & now, Kroger Field) of Commonwealth Stadium. The 232 crowd could get pretty vocal when things were not going well.  He would get just as angry as anyone else. 

When my father in law got frustrated, he started making bets on 3rd down. He would always bet a quarter and he would bet that the CATS would not get a stop or they would not get a 1st down. Now, he was FOR the CATS and wanted them to win. But, when he would hit the wall, he started making those bets. He would get out his quarter and smack it down on the ledge right in front of his seat.  

This past Saturday turned out to be his last UK game, but we were watching it on TV. I am not sure how much he was aware of what was going on, but the best we could, we were trying to do normal things, and watch the UK football game together. The CATS were facing a 3rd & 7 on the Youngstown State 16. Sitting next to him, I said, "Coach, I will bet you a quarter they get it. " Sure enough, Will Levis hit Tayvion Robinson across the middle for a 1st down. I told him, "Coach, not only did I win the quarter, they almost scored!"

That turned out to be one of his last 3rd downs. He died just a few moments later. He has had a rough road but fought a great fight. My wife Stephanie made every 3rd down taking care of her Dad, and he knew that. He never bet a quarter against her. 

I am not sure how heaven works, but I can picture him and my mother in law eating Kettle Corn and watching the 2nd half from 232, Saturday afternoon. No more smacking quarters on the ledge. 

My Father In Law, 1st All American @ Union College... great shooter

Early Season Struggles... why?

Often times when the season starts, especially with a loss, the common question for everyone is what went wrong? I've been there too many times to count. 

Here are some common issues to early season problems:

1- Their legs are shot. During those hot August practices, we over did it, and our guys have not recovered. I hate to admit this, but I have cost our teams wins in the early part of the season because we didn't have our legs under us. And back in the old days, to make it worse, we said, "our guys are not in shape!" and we ran them some more!  Once you hit August, if your guys give a solid effort in practice, run to the ball full speed, block the sled full speed, run drill work full speed, etc. I am not sure how much "conditioning" you need after that. 

One week at KY All Star, as our coaches(from all over the state) were sitting around talking, comparing notes, we all realized we were killing our kids for those early season games and needed to do better.

It took me 5 years to figure out how to navigate the two bowl games on Saturdays at Mercer. The final plan...during the bowl weeks, Thursday was a stretch, walk through, lift, hydrate, video day. Friday was a normal "Thursday" practice... on script and fast... a simulated game. Once we went to this format, we played MUCH better in the bowl games. 

The Monday after bowl games, going into the Anderson game, was also a walk through, lift, hydrate, video day. Tuesday was normal. Wednesday was our first 6 am practice of the season which was BIG in helping us play better. First of all, 6 am in September is much cooler. Our practice was much more productive. Extreme heat leads to fatigue. Fatigue leads to injury. Plus, your guys get an extra 12 hours of recovery for their legs and bodies from the last contact practice of the week.  2019, we do NOT upset Anderson County or CAL without the Wednesday morning practices.  

2- Relationships. If a team gives a poor effort, or acts like they don't want to play, I question the relationships we have as coaches with our players. One time after a very uninspired performance, my staff said our guys are not tough and they are not in shape. Can we be tougher... sure! But, I would notice the other team played their tails off for their coaches.  As coaches, we can be quick to blame the kids.  Whenever things go wrong, my first look is in the mirror.  No coach WANTS to own a loss. But, you sure do grow more as a person, leader, and coach, if you hold yourself accountable before anyone else gets blamed for anything. 

3- Dehydrated.  We became more intentional about extra Gatorade after practice and making sure everyone got one about an hour and a half before game time.  

4- Special Teams Details. We start every practice, all season, with special teams. The first thing we do on July 10... snap, kick, punt, and catch punts. If I had a nickel for every time Seth Faulkner said on a Thursday or Friday, "You never know when one point will win or lose you a game," I would be a rich man.  Preseason, you have to evaluate your special teams daily, just like you would after a loss. 

Early season games are stressful because we are never sure what to expect. If we can protect our kids bodies, keep them hydrated, build relationships, and be meticulous with special teams details, our chances of success improve dramatically.