"This isn't a football practice. It's an Ice Cream Social!"- Coach Larry French Stories

 

Mrs. Connie Christopher French, Christi, Steven & their wonderful family

John Combs got in the car with his Mom after MS football practice one day. He looked down at another team having a practice, and told his Mom, "That's not a practice. That's an ICE CREAM SOCIAL!" 

It didn't take long for Coach Larry French to influence young people and how they think/speak. John Combs had just spent a week with him being the manager for the East All Stars. JCB's number one job was to get Coach French his ice cream all week at lunch & dinner. And, it always went the same. Coach French would get his ice cream, look at it, look at JCB, and then say, "Is this all I get?" We wondered if John Combs was getting instructions from Mrs. Connie French all week.

Coach French was the DC for my Dad at Mercer between 1974 & 1977. They were across town from Harrodsburg High when Venus Meaux, Henry Parks, and Nick Yeast were players. One night, my Dad looks out on the field and says, 'Larry, we have 12 guys on defense." Coach French responded, "Coach, they have been out there the entire drive. We still can't stop them."

I was in the back seat for this one. We were opening up with Owen County, who was very good. The Cochran brothers were on the team, playing for their Dad, and were headed to the University of Kentucky on scholarship. We pull into a gas station in Owenton. My Dad is driving and Coach French is a passenger. Coach French rolls down the window & says, "We're with the Lexington Herald. When does Owen Co. scrimmage? We want to do a story on the Cochran brothers." I really don't remember what the guy said next, but I do remember the Cochran brothers were the difference and the Rebels won the opener. 

I loved Coach French. He was a groomsmen in our wedding. But, not every experience was fun. August of 1982, I am not playing well. He makes it very clear to me that I am not the starting quarterback. It made me mad, but he was right. He made me take my prep, focus & execution to another level. Our 2nd scrimmage was at Woodford County. We played much better. I played much better. That life lesson has helped me my entire life. If you don't like how things are, don't like the result or your circumstances, look at yourself in the mirror and invest in the endeavor until there is no doubt. 

In 1982, I was going to be the starting QB. In 79, 80 & 81, the Mercer QB was a lead blocker on our 28 Toss play. So, in practice, we run 28 Toss and try to get out in front to block. I get back to the huddle. Coach French tells me, "After you Toss the ball, you stand back here and cheer."

Another time in practice, it is a called pass play. No one is open. I tuck the ball and run the ball. I get back to the huddle. He says, "Did you feel the earth shaking under feet?" I say, "No sir." He says, "Then I don't want you to run the ball."

When I coached with him, one July night, we are going through the roster and assigning everyone a position on defense. I notice that everybody that is bad, he puts them at defensive end. Finally, I ask, "Is this how I ended up at Defensive End." He says yes. We were super thin in 1982. I was the defensive end to the offense's right, which is where most teams ran the ball. If I didn't know better, I would say every play Harrodsburg, Boyle, Lincoln & Estill(Winkler, Covey & Jones...very good) ran that season was off-tackle right at me. 

1982

I loved playing for Coach French. But, as soon as we would get the lead(which was rare), we were done throwing the ball. One night, we were  5 for 5 in the air, 198 yards and Alan Hendren caught 3 TD passes. We won18-13! I always wondered.... how many points could we have scored? But, I trusted my old coach. We did what he said. Now, we did have one tendency at Mercer County in 1982 that was 100%. If someone got hurt, the next play was going to be either 32 pass or Power 27 pass.  When Coach would walk the injured player off the field, I got us in the huddle, called the play, and we were at the LOS by the time he made it to the sideline. 

That Estill County team was good in 1982. They kicked our tails in the Choo Choo Bowl. I still remember this well.... as we are walking up the hill to our locker room, Coach French turns to me and says, "Go get that trophy." It was the runner up trophy for the bowl. Miserable. Coach French kept that dang trophy on his desk and had a name for it that I will not share here. But, he did say often, when we would have visitors, "See that trophy? We go that when David played,"

After the 1982 season, I am a senior in HS, and our Principal, Jim Gash, called me to his office. He asks me, "What is wrong with our football program?" I make it abundantly clear to him, Coach French is an excellent football coach. He is not the problem. I am pretty straight forward with him in regards to what needs to be fixed. He listens and the administration made the changes needed to get better. I don't care how good the coach is... you better have an administration that wants a program. The Mercer administration fixed the problem and it paid off, big time.  Over the years, I have had mixed feelings about a Principal calling in the quarterback for that type of conversation. But, Mr. Gash had a good relationship with my Dad. He also knew that I loved Coach French. Between my background as a coach's son and having just played four seasons in our program, maybe he thought I could help him figure it out. The final result was a good one.  Looking back on it, I am really glad we had that conversation. 

A great learning experience for me was going to scout with my Dad for Coach French when I was an assistant in 1986 & 1987. I invested alot of time in those scouting reports. Using black, blue, red & green ink, I would color code formations, down & distance, hash marks, etc. One particular time, walking into the office, very proud to turn in my scouting report, having reinvented the game of football,  with a huge smile on my face, anticipating wonder and awe at the greatest compilation of data he had ever seen, he threw my meticulous paperwork on the desk and said, "Where are your Dad's notes?"

Coach French was super to me, but just like the scouting story, I am not sure I ever grew past 8 years old in his eyes. The summer of 1987, we are prepping for Harrodsburg. By far, their best pass play is the wing coming all the way across the field. Our scout team killed us with it all summer. It had me torn all to pieces. Coach French ignored me. Half time of game one, they have hurt us with the wing pass. He turns to my Dad and says, "How do we stop this wing pass?" We coached the 1998 All Stars together when Chuck Smith was the head coach for Kentucky.  Coach French made it clear, it was my job to make sure his cones and practice equipment was ready everyday. And, of course, I didn't argue. 

Also that summer of 1987, he and Coach Johnson had a battle trying to hide their scrimmages. Coach French won that battle. I won't say he lied, but he bent the truth so bad it was unrecognizable. The Harrodsburg staff was waiting for us out by 127. We slipped out Bohon Road to Willisburg to go scrimmage North Bullitt. We knew Harrodsburg would scrimmage the night of the KHSAA rules meeting. Coach French told me to skip the meeting and go scout the Hogs. The longest walk of my life was down that hill and Coach Johnson stared a hole through me. I thought I was dead. Coach Johnson was a tremendous competitor on the field. But, I am not sure there was a kinder man or anyone more willing help someone than Alvis & Rosetta Johnson. The Mercer - Harrodsburg rivalry was intense. But, Coach Johnson & Coach French had a lot of respect for each other and that grew through the years. 

No one loved to get video in the middle of the week more than Coach French. I think it was a Wednesday. We all load up in the car, after practice, and head to John Nochta's house in Lexington to get a video. Steven is with us. We are starving. Coach French is in the house talking to Coach Nochta. Finally, out of frustration, I say, "Coach French, get your butt out here so we can go get something to eat!" We get to his house. Steven is in his room, and yells out, "Mom, get your butt in here!" Coach tells Mrs. French, "You can thank David for that."

1987- carried off the field by Chris Slone & Brian Sims
photo by Larry Vaught

In 1987, we are getting to play the Danville Admirals, and they are really good. In 1986 & 1987, we were pretty good and had reached the point that most Friday nights, we felt really good that we were going to find a way to win. When I get to the office, I tell him, "Coach, I don't feel good about this one." He said, "David, just be glad you are not playing Quarterback tonight." That Danville team went on to win a state title. 

By 2005, I got to be the head coach of the Kentucky All Stars. And, of course, I had to have him on the staff. My Dad was also, thanks to the kindness of Jimmie Reed. As you can imagine, Coach French was not really sold an 8 year old could be the head coach of that team. One time in particular, I got really frustrated with him and said, "Would you put on your Coach's shirt??!!" He responded, "If things get bad, I am headed to the bleachers!" We won that game 41-27. 

Over the years, it became fun when Coach French would change jobs. One of my favorites, I got a call from Pulaski Southwestern while I am teaching at Mason County. I knew the guy on the other end of the phone, very well. He says, "Do you think Coach French would be interested in our job? Will you call him and ask him for us?" I agree to do so. But, on the surface, I am thinking, "There is no way he is going to leave Boyle." So, I call him and ask him, "Coach, I just got a call from Southwestern. They want you to be their head coach. Are you interested?" He says "David, any time a job opens up and they call us, aren't we ALWAYS interested?" Sure enough.... he became the head football coach at Pulaski Southwestern.

A few Decembers later, the rumor begins to spread that Coach French is headed to Middlesboro. I call him and ask, "Coach, Are you going to Middlesboro?" He says, "Well, David, I have been to Middlesboro. I can tell you how to get there if you need to go there." That was the Christmas that Stephanie said, "Tell NORAD, no one cares where Santa is. All we want to know is, 'WHERE IS COACH FRENCH?' "

Another time, the rumor was that I am leaving Mason and headed to Mercer. Coach French calls me from his office at Boyle County. He has Jeff Hester and Chris Mason with him. He says, "David, are you taking the Mercer job?" Lying, I say, "Yes. And, at Sundown, Coach Johnson and I are going to meet you, Hester & Mason at the Boyle County-Mercer County line." He responds, "You and Alvis are fine. But, don't bring Becky (my little sister)! I am scared of Becky!"

A few weeks before he became the head coach at Boyle, he called me. "David, I want the Boyle job. But, I heard you want it. If you want it, I am not going to pursue it." To make a long story short, I told Coach French, that he needed to go after that job. But, that was Coach French being who he was everyday of his life.... thinking of others ahead of himself. And, especially for his players. There is nothing he would not do to help a young man that played for him. 

381 wins. 2 state titles. 48 Years as a Head Coach.

Lives changed / impacted for the better... more than you can count. 

Colossians 3:23 

Thank you Coach. 

Who knows, maybe in heaven, we can have an Ice Cream Social, AFTER we run ONE MORE PLAY. 

"One More Play" : Why We (his players) Love Coach Larry French

June 2005 after we kicked Tennessee's tail by 2 TDs

"He loved you." - Zach Massengill, April 9, 2026 

Coach French had a gift for helping young men become the best they could be.  For those of us that played for him, often, the first time that we were the best version of ourselves, we were with him. He helped us get there. He could make us as tough as we could possibly be. He could make us be the most unselfish we had ever been in our lives.  He could help us do our jobs, better, than we had ever done them before. When we became men, husbands & fathers and needed to be tough, unselfish, and do our jobs well, we knew what that looked like because on a practice field or on a Friday night, he had helped to make us that guy we needed to be in that moment as an adult. We no longer wore a helmet. But, our old Coach continued to make us the very best we could be, and when we needed it the most. That is why we loved him. 

How did he do it?  

Ultimately, I really can't describe it.  I do know that he set a tremendous example in regards to being tough, being unselfish, and doing your job at a very high level. But, he had a way of making his example come alive in your heart and between the ears like no other. 

Ironically, I am not sure how much credit he can take for his special gift in transforming lives. I really just think God wired him that way. He had an innate love for people, especially kids. His ability to see the best inside of you and bring it out was enigmatic. His method of communicating and getting you to look inside and examine yourself was inexplicable.  When success would follow, his reaction would lead you to believe that he knew it was going to happen all along. In his own unique way, he would convey the message, "Of course you won. That is who you are." 

It would be super cool to be Boone Goldsmith. Coach French's QB, 4th and goal and to score the game winning TD in the state championship on the last play of the season!

I am the EXACT opposite.  I was Coach French's QB at the lowest point of his career, 1982. I absolutely love my hometown. But, I can tell you, it is TOUGH to be the head football coach or quarterback @ Mercer County when you are WINNING. When you are not winning?  Eat your Wheaties.  

photo by Larry Vaught

But, I am beyond thankful that I was the Quarterback that was playing for him during the darkest times. The energy & intensity between the two of us on a Friday night was through the roof. We poured our guts into that moment and that team, regardless of the circumstances or results. We had an old school loyalty to each other that was worth its weight in gold and would live on for the next 44 years.  That season we passed through the Fire of the Refiner, together. Much of who we would be over the next four decades, was forged in that time.  That shared experience and the challenges we faced, together, formed a bond between us that only got stronger as the years passed. 

Much of Kentucky loves Larry French after 381 wins and two state titles. I loved COACH French the night we got on the bus to go to Berea (his alma mater) and we were 1-8 in 1982.

photo by Harrodsburg Herald
#42 (Gordon Hensley) & #44 (Brian Arnold)

To Mrs. French, Christi, Steven and their entire wonderful family, thank you for sharing him with us. The world is a different place because you allowed him to be our Coach. The sacrifices you made are immense. His ministry was absolutely, YOUR MINISTRY. 

If you hear an echo over the next few days, don't panic. Coach French now has an eternity for "One more play." Thank you Coach. Love you. 

My Dad (John Buchanan) & My Coach (Larry French)

If we had any "guts"....1985 National Championship @ Rupp

It was a Monday, probably around 5 pm,  and we were having dinner in Cowan (Centre College).  I was a sophomore that spring. The weather was perfect. While we were eating, our conversation was dominated by what would become a landmark event. 

The NCAA National Championship Game  was going to be played at Rupp that evening(April 1, 1985). Patrick Ewing, Coach John Thompson & the heavily favored Hoyas of Georgetown were going to take on the Villanova Wildcats, led by Coach Rollie Massimino & Ed Pickney. 

As the conversation continues, it just seems incredible to us that the game is going to be played less than 40 miles from where we are sitting. I look at my good friend, Chris Bowling, and say, in so many words, "If we had any 'guts", we would jump in the car, drive up there, find a way to get tickets, and watch that game!"

That statement from a 19 year old male, pretty much guarantees, "We are going to Lexington!" 

We sprint out of there and make arrangements to get to Lexington. Our quest for tickets is primarily in the outside area in front of and between Rupp & the Hyatt. The weather was great, the sun was shining, and the atmosphere was over the top. 

Finally, it looks like we may have found some tickets. 2 seats on the FRONT row of  upper arena! We begin negotiations to purchase these tickets. We are in the ball park, but the sellers think they can get more money than Chris and I have with us. We hang in there. We sort of didn't have a choice. All we had was what we had. And, for this event, we didn't have much. 

These sellers are getting edgy. They are not getting what they thought they could get or what they wanted. And, we all had to be careful because scalping tickets was illegal. It was exciting, stressful and a test of nerves. Strangely, it sort of felt like playing quarterback on a Friday night! It was chaotic, and I was having a blast. 

Every time I am in the Hyatt, I remember that night in 1985

Finally, maybe a minute before tip off, we reach an agreement. $50 each! What a phenomenal reward for hanging tough up to the bitter end. To complete the transaction, we go into the restroom of the Hyatt. It is wall to wall with people doing ticket transactions. We hand the guy our money. He barely looks at it. He hands me our purchase. I am just praying that I am really buying a ticket. When I finally get out in to the open, it really is a ticket for the front row of upper arena! We are going to the game!

We sprint to our seats and get there right as it starts. We saw an incredible basketball game. Villanova had to play virtually perfect to have a chance. They did that. Georgetown played well and they never went away.  In the final minute, the outcome was still in question. Could Villanova really continue to play the perfect game? Or, surely, Patrick Ewing and Georgetown were finally going to take the lead and win. How could they not win??

It turned out to be one of the biggest college basketball upsets ever. It was also an exceptionally well played game by both teams. That alone would make it historic. But, it was also the last college basketball game played without a shot clock.  I really don't think Villanova wins that game with a shot clock. 

Our seats. Front row, upper arena. Perfect view. Wow!! 

The next time a big opportunity presents itself, it might be worth it to gather up your "guts" and go for it. No question, April 1st, 1985, sitting in Cowan, we absolutely made the BEST decision. 

"Nobody's Gonna Come": Getting to work, TODAY

2021 Mercer County Titans

Saturday, April 4, 2015. I had just become the head coach at Mercer County HS. I asked to meet with Drew Davis and D Smith. I had coached Drew's Dad (Dennis) in HS and now he was my Boss as the Superintendent. D's Dad (Donald Wayne) had been a friend for a long time. We played HS football against each other when he was at Harrodsburg and I was at Mercer. 

Drew was going to be our Quarterback, as a senior. D was going to be our Tailback and a DB as a junior. I had never met them, but I felt like, "If I have got Dennis' and Donald Wayne's sons on my football team, those guys are going to be winners!" I was right. 

D Smith, 2016

As we discussed preparation for the 2015 season, I asked them, "Should we do a traditional spring practice in May, and an install in June? Or, do we make spring practice install and do a June mini camp?"

After that question, there was silence. They looked at each other and just stared. 

I said, "Guys, what's wrong?'

One of them said, "Coach, nobody's gonna come."

My response was, "Well, let's get to work and see what happens."

I got a couple lists. Guys that had played that said they were not playing. Guys that were not playing that were good athletes. I had meetings with a bunch of those guys. 

Fortunately, we made both spring practice and June, happen. Now, we were super thin. We only had 6 seniors and 30 total on the Varsity roster (grades 10 thru 12). We added two kickers in November... and that is a whole other story....thank goodness for those two young men (Garrett Dean & Nick McClain). 

And, the start was rough. We started 0-5. My Dad was dying and died after our first win. Two of our players lost their Dad during those 5 games. 

Then, this happened and I still am not sure what to think about it. After starting 0-4, one of our assistants walked in on Sunday and told me, "If Wayne County gets a running clock on us, I am quitting." My response was, let's get to work. 

As it turned out, we ended up winning 6 games in a row after the Wayne County loss*, which was good enough to win our district and a first round playoff game. Drew scored a TD in round 2 but the officials made a mistake, or we would have made it to the quarterfinals.

Drew Davis, 2015

By 2019, we were averaging 70 guys on the total roster, grades 9 thru 12. We were playing much better football and competing with and beating some of the best teams in Kentucky.

When things look hopeless, thinking is ok, but getting to WORK and doing what you already know how to do is what will move the needle. Once the work begins, you will see how to tweak and adjust going forward. But, thinking about how bad things are or how the ultimate results are going to be seemingly impossible to reach....WASTE OF TIME. 

2017 Quarterfinals

When you hit Monday, there may be a big mountain in your way. There is nothing wrong with that. Get to work. One day at a time. Whatever is the best you know to do in that moment, DO IT. Sure, you will tweak and adjust as you move forward. But, if we all wait until we know 100% what to do, we will never get started and get to work. 

Who knows... maybe someone will show up. 

2021, Southwestern's only losses were to Mercer & Frederick Douglass

*After the Wayne County loss, my OL Coach, a young Charlie Cox, approached Stephanie and wanted her to meet his fiancé, Chelsea. Stephanie said, "Charlie, do you want Chelsea to marry you?" He said, "Absolutely!" She said, "Then you need to keep her as far away from me as possible right now!"

Henry Boone: Maysville's TOUGHEST Bulldog

Henry Boone, Maysville HS QB- 1968 (photo: Ron Bailey)

If Homer Goins says you are tough, you are TOUGH. That is exactly how he described his old QB from Maysville HS, Henry Boone, and I found out real quick, he was 100% on target. 

Henry and I became life long friends and coached football together when I went to Mason County HS. We raised our families together as well.  I would have to think Angie and Stephanie felt like they had alot in common, being married to crazy old guys that coached football and had an edge that most folks tried to avoid.  Henry and I, a couple old HS QBs, thought we were still STUDS because we had these young,  beautiful wives. And, we were right!    :)

Henry and I talked frequently in those early years because his son, Justin, was on my team. Justin was rougher around the edges than his football coach or his Dad. Of course, I would never strike or cuss Justin. But, I had free reign from Henry to grab him, get his attention and be as loud and as confrontational as necessary.  One fall day, my knuckles got bloody on that mesh jersey because Justin tried to get away from me and I would NOT let him leave practice. I will never forget that moment.  But, even after playing football was over for him, Justin and I continued to have a great relationship. When Justin would come to the house to do work, Trosper would follow him around. Justin was a celebrity at our house and I was always thankful for how all of that turned out.  Our love and appreciation for Justin was something Henry and I had in common. We both saw an awful lot of GOOD in that young man. 

On a Friday night, Henry and I could get after each other, but it never hurt our relationship. 1999 at Bath County, we are winning big at halftime, but we are lackadaisical. I bark at Henry and say, "Can you go get the kickers' legs loose!? They're just sitting here!" He takes them out to get them loose. I find them and get mad, "Coach you are going to wear them out!" He goes right back at me, "Do you want me to get em loose or not?!"  I shut my mouth after that. 

2003, it is about 7:22 pm (kickoff @ 7:30 pm) and Henry meets me at the lockerroom door as we are getting ready to play Boyd Co at home. It is the first night of the dvd camcorder and it is not working. He is trying to shove it through the door to get me to fix it.  I am getting mad at him and telling him, "I can't fix it! You are going to have to figure it out!" I shove it back at him and he heads to the pressbox. The next week at Ashland, we are getting stuff ready before the game, and Henry lets me have it, " Are you going to whip my A_ _ tonight over the camcorder?!" 

I have to think that was one reason Henry and I got along so well. Alot of folks, our personalities, we have to be real careful and can't really be who we are. With Henry and I, not only could we be ourselves, I think we respected each other even more because of our intensity and honesty.  And, when we were coaching, that intensity and honesty came from a place of wanting what was best for the guys we coached, and helping them be their very best. 

I know one thing, they should have given Steve Appelman an extra stipend for being the middle man between the Mason County Schools Central Office and Henry / me, especially in a faculty meeting. I think Henry and I shared alot of positive qualities. But, knowing when to shut our mouth was probably not one of them.  I sure do appreciate Steve. That was tough to navigate. But he hung in there and did the best he could. Being my Boss and Henry Boone's boss takes a special person. 

Bradley & John Combs were in the same grade all through school and I was really glad they could be teammates. Those guys won alot of games together and had a lot of success. Bradley is now the HFC of the Royals and invited JCB out to talk to the team during Pr1de time this past season. That gesture meant alot to our entire family. 

2014.  JCB is #71. Bradley #19. Glad they were teammates. photo credit: Cheri Johnson 

Probably the BEST time our families ever shared together was December of 2016.  Maddie Boone & the Lady Royals were playing the Lady Titans at Mercer, about 1/4 mile from our house in Harrodsburg. I was coaching football at Mercer. Stephanie made a great meal and our two families had a blast. The toughest part, Angie was sick and we knew our time with her was running out. But, for that visit, we laughed and had a great time together. I will always be thankful for that night. It was absolutely a special gift from God. 

Now, once we got to the game, Coach Boone was himself and the Mercer folks really didn't know what to think of him or do with him. Getting agitated with the officials, he got kicked out of the game. I felt bad for him. But, Henry being Henry says to me, "Dave, you guys are awful sensitive around here!"  

Just a few days ago, Trosper tested positive for Flu A, Flu B, Covid & Pneumonia. I was shook, bad. When I got him home, I got a spoon and shoved a container of jello down his throat. I didn't ask him if that was ok. I just did it. I got after him pretty good, made him sit up, drink fluids, and do whatever had to be done so he could get well. Stephanie was not impressed with my bedside manner and she let me know that. But, Trosper needed his DAD in that moment, not me being nice. If Henry had been here, he would have been on my side for sure. 

TOUGH LOVE... THAT was Henry Boone. Nice is good. LOVE is BEST. 

Henry w/ his oldest son, Clay. We gave Henry that jacket when he retired from coaching football. It meant alot to him and he wore it, often. Frequently, he made a point to tell me that he really appreciated us doing that for him. 

Christmas Lessons from the Dark Side of the Moon

This Christmas season began at a funeral in Maysville. Steve Ullery, wonderful man and the father of one of my best friends/coaches, Chris Ullery, had died unexpectedly. As I am writing this, one of my favorite coaches/friends, of all time, Henry Boone, is fighting it out in the aftermath of a severe stroke.  Yesterday, Trosper was so sick, that when I went to pick him up in Lexington (unable to drive), it really shook me up. An hour later, found out he had Flu A, Flu B, Covid & Pneumonia. Scary sick. There is so much illness in our family right now, we will not be getting together this week in order to protect our grandchildren who are so young and especially vulnerable.  My kids are pretty disappointed right now that they will not be together at Christmas. It gets tougher to pull off each year, and that certainly adds to the disappointment. 

It was an honor when Chris asked me to speak at his Dad's funeral. In the days leading up to it, I noticed the family using Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon on their social media in remembering Steve. Ironically, one of the few times I got to spend an extended time w/ Trosper was the afternoon we drove to Pikeville this past May for a QB camp. We spent the drive breaking down that album. I had no idea at the time that God was preparing me for Steve Ullery's funeral. 

When I arrived for the funeral at Trinity United Methodist Church, I was surprised to see "The Great Gig in the Sky" would be part of the service.  That song does not usually appear on a funeral program held in a Methodist Church. 

But, on this day, at this time, in this place, with this group of people, it was absolutely appropriate.  On the album, the music expressed a truth that in Trosper's vernacular would come out as , "Man! This aint it!"

Pink Floyd & Trosper agree.... what the world tells us matters the most.... wealth, status, accomplishment, etc. ULTIMATELY don't matter.  And, in the END, if we put our hope in what we THINK may be important, it is all DARK.  Theologically, Pink Floyd was on target in describing the hopelessness of man's pursuits & wisdom. 

So, what DOES matter? 

Does it matter that Chris Ullery is facing his first Christmas without his Dad? Yes. Alot.

Does it matter that Henry Boone is fighting the toughest battle of his life right now? Yes. Alot. 

Does it matter that my kids will not see each other at Christmas? Yes. But, not nearly as much as what the Ullery & Boone families are facing. 

Does it matter that we have to get Trosper well and protect our grandchildren? Yes. And, way more important than missing out on seeing each other. 

For ALL of us on Christmas Day, we need to remember what matters the MOST. 

God loves us so much, that He sent His only Son as a baby to be born in a manger who would ultimately grow into a man and pay for our sins on the cross. Jesus Christ rose from the dead. He will return to earth, but not as a baby. He will be on a white horse with eyes "like a flame of fire."

You see, the end doesn't have to be DARK. Jesus has paid the price for our sin. He has provided the ONLY way to eternal life. (John 14:6)

When HE returns, ALL that will matter is what He did for us, and do we have a relationship with Him or not. 

I enjoy Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. Great music that shed's light on the problems of mankind.

Here's some music to CELEBRATE how much God loves us and what HE has done for us. 

Overture : Handel's Messiah

Merry Christmas!

Tough Lessons, SQR, Duality & Let It Rain : Year 33 into Year 34

 

photo by Bob Rose

Tough lessons are often the best ones, and that is what I am counting on. 

While Bearcat Football continues to improve, the results have been disappointing. And, as is the case when you are the head coach, the first place to look when the results are not what you want, is in the mirror. My two biggest mistakes going back to April of 2023:

1- I overestimated how much offense we could handle.

2- I underestimated how much structure we need.

We are already addressing both to make us better going forward. We are restructuring our offense to be simpler and to build off the things we do well and fit our skill set.  We are putting together program standards for the weightroom, classroom, workouts, practices & pregame. I realized in October of this season both mistakes I had made. We didn't wait until 2026 to start to address them. We started taking steps immediately and we are already better for it. 

One constant that has continued is the daily battle for the proper mindset. When my mind is on the process  and what I need to do today, to do NOW, I am in good shape. I enjoy what I am doing. When I think about the results.. not so much. I read Bill Walsh's book, Finding the Winning Edge in the spring of 1999. In 1998 we had started the season, 1-6, finishing 4-6. The book changed me as a coach and was a huge boost to my mental health. I realized there were alot of things that were under my control and it was up to me to do those as well as I could with my best effort. 

One area that continues to grow as a positive is I love football, kids & coaching more everyday. ACHS is alot like Boyle Co. HS, September, 1970. If I were to mix old Boyle, old Mercer, old Paris & old Mason County, it would be the building I walk into each morning.  Of the four, it feels most like old Boyle... but there are things that remind me of each school. I am thankful to coach in a great place with wonderful people.  I still cannot imagine a day that I will NOT want to coach football. I am hoping my body & mind can hold out until I reach that day. 

The daily mission to help others be the best they can be still gets me fired up each day. One of my favorite challenges.... honest conversations, that most people don't like to have, but are necessary for growth.... how can I do those conversations in the best way possible? In the most Christ-like manner? The more I have those conversations, the better I get at doing them well. And, the feedback of a young man, looking you in the eye, accepting the constructive feedback with a true desire to be their best...one of the greatest moments a coach can have. 

A huge benefit from the tough times the last 3 seasons has been a more proactive mindset in regards to what I anticipate each day. When I was a young head football coach, I use to HOPE we would have a good day and get mad when we did not. Now.... I KNOW we will have issues and problems to address. I know that is true for every HS football program across the country. The separator will be how we handle our problems. Now, I try to anticipate the problems we will have and how to address them, in a calm, cool, productive manner. When something comes up that surprises me, that is an obstacle that can make me better... even at 60 years old! It has become a challenge that some times I even will enjoy. And, I am committed to handling our issues better than anyone else can handle theirs. 

The podcast with Chuck Smith has helped me  be a much better coach and continue to grow & improve. It gives me  access to excellent coaches. The Tough Topics give me accountability for how I run our program and force me to think through what is the BEST way....not just, "this is how we have always done it. "

One practical change from the 2025 season I copied from my good friend, former EKU OC & Ashland Tomcat HFC, Leon Hart. I use our video and Hudl to take notes on the defense we just played while it is fresh on my mind. I save those thoughts in a playlist and add them to the next season (I created the 2026 season on Hudl in August and added that game for next season, each week,) This past season, all of those were completed by the following Monday. Previously, I did those in December. Now, I can move on to other tasks in December. And, the content is much better when it is prepared so soon after we played. I have also found that what I need to remember is much simpler than what I had been preparing in the past. 

Our November followed a similar format from the past two seasons but with an important tweak. We took one week to clean up. The next two weeks were devoted to SQR... Stacking Quality Reps. I sent the assistants home. They needed a break and we will hit it hard in January. Myself and some of our players that lead their position were in charge. In those two weeks, we were able to stack over 18,600 quality reps. All voluntary.  We are better now than when the season ended. That number (18,600) actually helps me sleep a little better. I can't handle a November moping around and pouting because we are not in the playoffs. The response to unsatisfactory results is a better plan and more quality work. We answered the bell and are well on our way to having a better football team in 2026. It was also great on the structure part that our guys needed. They had to do the same reps, fundamentals, over and over, and do them well...or it did not count. It is ok for young people to learn that they don't have to be entertained to do what they need to do and do it well. The SQR sessions were four of the best days, ever, as a football coach. 

The best way for struggling programs to close the gap with the top programs... continuity with quality &  consistent hard work. Most powerhouses had a stretch w/ the same coach or coaching tree for an extended period of time.   The more quality days we can stack at Anderson County HS, we will significantly increase our chances of extraordinary success in the future.  I hope when I am 70, 80 years old, I am still coaching football. Selfishly, my best chance of success, ceteris paribus, is that I am still at Anderson Co. and we are still on the same page, working together. 

Each day possesses a duality that makes moments more meaningful and bigger as I experience them.  Even if I am fortunate to coach until I am 80 (big & TOUGH goal), I know the end is near and that is not good. But, knowing that makes me appreciate what I am doing now and enjoy it more than I might otherwise. That duality makes a day on this earth at 60 more of an "event" than each day might have seemed when I was younger. I walk in each day with the sensation, "This is incredible! I still get to do this!"

This summer I was working on the podcast and went digging through some old pictures. I found this one, and remembered a bunch of these guys. 

photo by Larry Vaught

They were good to me and I am thankful they played for my Dad at Boyle County. As I am trying to figure out what music to put with this picture, I kept going back to 'Let It Rain" by Eric Clapton. A great song, but not one that I listened to often. Since that time, I have enjoyed listening to that song over and over. It makes me feel like it is an August day in central Kentucky, on a grass field, practicing football. Sort of weird, I have not been able to get that song out of my head all fall. Finally, after weeks of this tune playing between my ears, I looked up when that song was released. August, 1972. The photo, August, 1972. Crazy to me that the picture & song were connected somewhere in my brain from 53 years ago, but it was still there. And, I am glad they were. One of those moments that makes me feel connected to so many people I love from these past 6 decades. And, of all those people, the connection with my Dad is the best part. Good grief I miss him. And, I think that connection is one reason I don't want to walk away from this incredible experience called HS football. When I am at that HS, locker room, field, coaches office, with my players or coaches... it sure does feel like he is close by. 

It may not have the same effect for you, but.... give it a listen..... Let It Rain- Eric Clapton . Hope it works for you. I know this... a hot August day on grass, practicing football in central KY is a great place to be.  I have had a lifetime of days on those fields. And, I am not ready to see them come to an end. Not even close.