Foreigner Concert- October 2015

Once again, my wife knew exactly what to do and it was great. Outside of taking care of family concerns after my Dad passed away and coaching our team, I can barely tell you what is going on in the rest of the world, outside of watching the Mets beat the Cubs Tuesday night with Trosper.

Stephanie bought us tickets for the Foreigner concert at Centre College last night. It was really good. Those guys did a great job. I was very disappointed they did not do Headknocker - Foreigner (click this link to hear one of the greatest songs of all time),  my favorite Foreigner song, but it was still great.

As it worked out, I watched the Boyle County Rebels practice Wednesday afternoon before the concert. Jeff Hester, their DC, mentioned he had been to see Foreigner in 1982. Of course, he also had me show Coach Mike Settles the picture of Jeff and I from the opening game of 1982 for Garrard & Mercer. Jeff was a captain for Garrard and I was a captain for Mercer. We were both skinnier back then and we had hair. Don't ask me who won. I would rather not discuss that.

A few thoughts from the concert:

1- Those old guys with long hair, playing their guitars, singing, playing the drums,  reminded me of Coach Roger Gruneisen. If he had not been a football coach, I believe he would have been a great rock star. Roger would have loved the concert and worked it into a pregame speech today.

2- John Combs & Caroline were there. JCB learned to love this old music, riding with me to school and practice when he was growing up.  I am glad he loves the same music I love and that is a bond we will always have.

3- I couldn't help but think of growing up in Harrodsburg/Mercer County, playing HS football here, and of course my Dad, as I listened to those old Foreigner songs from the late 70s and early 80s.  Paris & Maysvlle/Mason County were great and I would not trade those experiences for anything, but I am really glad to be home and it was time for me to come home.

The kids in our lockerroom right now are having a great HS football experience. Going from 0-5 to being undefeated district champions and hosting every playoff game in November is a tremendous accomplishment for those guys they will remember the rest of their lives.  Our guys came off of losing 13 of 15 games over the past two seasons to win a district title. An incredible accomplishment and a testimony to their toughness and perseverance, and to their coaches as well.   I am excited about the remainder of our season. I am also glad these kids will always be able to look back on this season, be proud of what they did, and use this experience to help them always believe they have better days ahead of them as long as they continue to fight and do their best. I am thankful I get to experience this with the guys that play football in my hometown.

My wife Stephanie always knows what to do and she is the one that keeps the wheels on for our family. She was the reason I was at that concert last night.  I can't imagine anyone married a better person than I did, and by far the only person that would choose to put with me and have the ability to deal with me on a daily basis.

If you hear a good Foreigner song on the radio today, try to imagine Jeff Hester and me with hair.  :)

John William Buchanan- Obituary

John William Buchanan- Obituary

Life on this earth will never be the same. We had my Dad's funeral today. He has been the rock and the steady presence in my life for 50 years. My first and happiest football memories were with him when he coached HS football. I will miss our times together and especially our conversations. But, I am relieved and happy for him that his suffering is over. Because of Jesus Christ, I will be reunited with him and I look forward to that day.

Two old coaches- 40 years ago

Here is a photo from 1975. Mark Huffman brought it in to me. My dad is on the left and Coach French is on the right. Coach Shope got me in the old equipment room today. Going in that equipment room was like stepping into a time machine.

Between getting ready for Coach French's team on Friday and constant reminders of my dad's time here 40 years ago, it's sort of an emotional/tough time, but also a time to count my blessings.

I would certainly include the kids and coaches I was on the field with today in those blessings. It was hot, but there was a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Our guys practiced today like they are going a hundred miles an hour to get to the good things we have ahead of us. I am proud of them and thankful to be there coach.

I think the two guys in this picture would enjoy coaching this group of kids and working with our staff. Surrounding yourself with great people has always worked in the past and I know it will work this time as well. Times may be tough, but it is still a GREAT TIME to be a Titan. God Bless the Titans and thank you to these two old coaches for what they mean to me and what they have meant to so many. 

Colossians 3:23

Catching Up- a great time of year and thankful for the great people God puts in your life

Not surprisingly, it has been several days since I posted this blog. We have our 1st Sunday staff meeting after church today and I will work this in before our family goes to church.

Thank you to Rex Lardner for publishing in the latest issue of American Football Monthly, LONG HOURS, HARD WORK- Do You Spend Your Time Doing What Matters the Most?  Anytime my work can be associated with Rex Lardner and AFM I am very pleased and proud. Rex is first-class. He has been great to me and my family.

We had our first scrimmage at Mercer County versus Louisville Waggener, coached by Jordan Johnson, who was a freshman defensive lineman my first season at Mason County, 1996!  Jordan had his guys ready and is doing a great job. He also took them on their college weekend trip. He goes above and beyond to help his kids. I could not have been more proud of him the night we scrimmaged.

Another former Royal, Scott Stamm, made the trip to Harrodsburg with his family. Scott and his wife Sarah run the little league at Mason County. He was a sophomore my first season as a Royal, so he and Bulldog are teammates. What a great reunion!

Yesterday I moved my son, John Combs Buchanan, into Centre College. He will be helping with video and I appreciate Coach Andy Frye allowing him to be part of the team. It has been tough since he played his last snap of football in October of 2014, but I am incredibly proud of how he handled the entire situation. As I mentioned in an earlier column, when you coach your son, he becomes your right arm because you are always together. It will be a tough adjustment for me... he will do great!  But, I am thankful for the great time we had when he was growing up, we have many more great days ahead of us, and I know God has much bigger plans for my son than hanging out with me the rest of his life. And, to be honest, ever since Caroline came into the picture, his time with dad has decreased dramatically!  :)

Finally, Happy Birthday to the first and the real "Coach Buchanan", John Buchanan, my dad. One of my dad's former players, Mark Huffman, is on my new staff at Mercer. I enjoy hearing the old stories.  I am very proud of my dad.  He was the first head coach at Mercer County to have a winning season, and he did that twice. That was pre-merger!

My dad in his first football uniform and picture, on the first football team at London HS, in London, Ky, 1958.

My dad and Robert Allen Yankey on the sideline at Centre College, where JCB will go to college. It was 1969 and they were defeating the Danville Admirals, 8-6.  The two guys in this picture have inspired, motivated me, and been a role model for me my entire life. Everyday, I want to be the man that Robert Allen would have been, and that my Dad is daily.

Good luck as the 2015 season gets going. Put the kids first, this is THEIR time!!


 Colossians 3:23

Crossing Paths with a Giant.... the Impact of Great People......Coach Bill Arnsparger

With John Combs & Coach Arnsparger after he spoke to our 2005 KY All Star Team. One of the greatest honors, ever, for our family, was when John Combs played the piano for Coach Arnsparger's funeral. 

30 years ago it was the summer of 1992. I was a first year head football coach at Paris HS. Stephanie and I had just been married that May. Our summer days were to get up and leave Lexington every morning and drive to Paris. I would work til dark and she would look for a house. I was replacing a very popular head coach and my former boss in Roger Gruneisen who had just become the head coach at our rival, Bourbon County HS.  We had around 25-29 kids in grades 9-12. To say I was on edge would be an understatement.

In late July/early August we were getting ready for the Greyhound Hall of Fame Banquet. Bill Arnsparger was in town and I got to meet him for the first time.  During those few days, he came by our fieldhouse and practices. I had the incredible opportunity to visit and talk with the greatest defensive coach of all time.   

I can't remember all that we talked about, but I do know this.... I was in a much better frame of mind after our time together. It was a couple things. One was that the way Coach Arnsparger treated others, he could inspire confidence. He certainly did that for me. The other thing it did for me was it reinforced how special it was to be a Paris Greyhound.  Coach Arnsparger being around our kids those few days helped all of us appreciate even more that we wore the orange and black.  For lack of a better term, the positive vibe he brought to the fieldhouse and our football program right before the season was a difference maker for all of us.  Bill Arnsparger was a Greyhound. We were Greyhounds. 

After a 1991 season of 2-8, the 1992 Greyhounds were 7-4.  We had some big victories with a team of mainly sophomores and juniors.  We had very good teams in 93 & 94 as well.

I can't imagine how the past 30 years would have gone without the start we had in 1992.  Coach Arnsparger was a huge part of helping me and our program believe we could do it. I think he had that kind of effect on most everyone that came into contact with him. 

In the summer of 1995, we were getting ready for a primarily defensive practice. I notice a car parked off to the side of Garrard Park. Paranoia is my best thing... I walk toward the car to see who is spying on us. As he emerged from the car, I said, "Hello Coach!" It was Coach and Mrs. Arnsparger!! Coach was kind enough to speak to our team before we began our work. He then watched our defensive practice that day. Here is the BEST defensive coach in the WORLD watching us practice defense... our fundamentals, reads, terminology, drills, etc. Forget about nerves for a ballgame, that was about as big as it gets when it comes to coaching.  But, what a GREAT experience for a young coaching staff and a HS football team! I will never forget that day and will always be thankful that it happened. 

Coach Arnsparger has gone on to be with His heavenly Father, who he loved and served on this earth. Hard to believe it has been seven years since he passed away. But, one thing that I am 100% sure of..... the positive impact and the way he touched the lives of others will live on and cannot be measured because of it's magnitude.

I thank God that I was one of those people that crossed paths with Coach Arnsparger.  Thank you coach and God Bless the Arnspargers.

Colossians 3:23 

The greatest book written on defense, by the great defensive football coach in the history of the game. 

Made My Day!!!

I got a great surprise yesterday when I found out Jonathan Thomas, Erica, & Keshaun were going to be in Harrodsburg. I got to show them our Sports Complex and facilities. 

Jonathan played for me, we coached together, and he is the new head football coach at Mason County HS.  

It was cool getting a picture of Keshaun in the football office in front of the article naming his dad as the head coach at Mason County.  

Trosper & Keshaun had fun getting to play and hang out together again. 

I am very proud of Jonathan and am I so glad he is the guy that replaced me. He loves Royals football and those kids. He is doing a great job already running the program!

I like the article with Jonathan, Keshaun in his ragin royal, my 94 Paris seniors, and the Mercer Titan hat, all in the same picture. To me, this is all one big family!

Miami Herald- Miami Dolphins defensive icon Bill Arnsparger dies at 88

A great man and coach has gone on to be with his Heavenly Father. God Bless the Arnspargers.

Miami Herald-Former Miami Dolphins defensive icon Bill Arnsparger dies at 88