Clemson Tigers: 1981 & 2015/2016

Watching the Tigers right now in the National Championship semifinals. The last time Clemson won the National Championship, I saw that team play at Commonwealth Stadium in October of 1981. They defeated Kentucky 21-3.  My Dad took me. I have a bunch of great memories and experiences because of my Dad. 

Happy New Year. 

My two favorite #71s , their Lord & Savior & the Hallelujah Chorus

During my Dad's last few days, I would play some of his favorite music on my phone while he was in the hospital. His all time favorite song was Sally Go Round the Roses. It always reminded him of a big win against Illinois Wesleyan when he was in college.  During those last few days, we listened to some Mama's & Papas; Peter, Paul & Mary, etc while in the hospital.  I guess my Dad was a closet hippie. If you got to know him, you could see that side of him in his care for others. 

On the Thursday night he passed on, I was in the room with all 3 of my kids, as well as my sister and brother in law.  Early in the evening, we joked that we would appreciate it if the two #71s (Dad & John Combs[my son] )would be nice to the two #10 sissy quarterbacks ( me and my other son, Trosper). John Combs(JCB) and his granddad were always proud to be the men of the family, playing linebacker, defensive line, & offensive line. 

A little before 10 pm, my 3 kids left my Dad's room.  I think once they left, he felt like he could also.  I guess in his way of saying that us #10's are ok, when we saw him take his last breath, it was 10:10. 

Earlier in that evening, I had wanted my Dad to hear JCB play the piano in addition to the music we had listened to previously. Stephanie had JCB playing the Hallelujah Chorus on her facebook page from a performance with the Mason County HS Choir. I found that and played it for my Dad. JCB was a 1st Team All State Linebacker and he plays the piano at the same level of skill.

As I listened to my son's performance, it hit me that very soon my Dad would be in the presence of his Lord & Savior unlike he had ever before. The victory in that moment as I listened to my son on the piano was overwhelming. My Dad had fought the good fight, trusted his Lord & Savior, and was at the doorstep of his reward.

At this Christmas season, many of us are missing loved ones. I am sharing JCB playing the Hallelujah Chorus with the Mason County HS Choir for you. We may miss them, but the victory has been won because of our Lord & Savior. Celebrate His birth with JOY & HOPE.  God Bless you & Merry Christmas.

Hallelujah Chorus- John Combs Buchanan

My two favorite # 71s. Photo by Cheri Johnson

Always the right name..... always the right answer

Steele & Lynn Harmon shared with our family this Christmas season, On this Holy Night, The Heart of Christmas.  Included in the book was a chapter written by David Jeremiah on the name of Jesus.

In the process of getting my Dad's bills paid and helping my mom after Dad died, I had to know some security questions for his online banking. I got two of the three right. The easiest one was "Who would you most like to meet?"  The answer was Jesus. 

As I read David Jeremiah's chapter this morning, it reminded me of what Mike Voigts, my Dad's Pastor at Centenary Methodist in Danville, shared at the funeral about their first meeting.  My Dad had been a HS football coach, involved with FCA, and started an outreach ministry ("Tailgate Sunday") for the Boyle County and Danville football teams. My Dad told Mike, "It has never been all about football. Yes, I love football. But, it has always been about using football to tell young people about Jesus Christ."

It is common for people to remember their loved ones this time of year.  And, especially for me this Christmas, I think often about my Dad and how much I miss him.  

But, I am reminded of the ultimate answer to the important questions..... how can I handle the problems I am facing today?  How do I know I will see my Dad again?  The list goes on.

But, the answer is the same.....JESUS.  Merry Christmas. 

Me & my Dad!

My dad giving me one of my first haircuts.

Coach & Lynn Harmon, with my mom, finding time to celebrate my Dad's birthday during football season, August 16th. This is probably #30 in 1973.

Leadership Workshop

If you have a team or group that would be interested in leadership training, please contact me at coachdavidbuchanan@gmail.com.  Thank you to Monnie Berger from Mercer County Senior HS for allowing me to present to her group:

The leadership workshop lead by Coach David Buchanan for our High School GT students was great.  Coach Buchanan worked to engage students as he talked about the importance of being a leader who serves others. He also talked about the importance of looking for the positives and not dwelling on the negatives.  He encouraged the students to decide what type of leader you want to be and work hard to become that type of leader.  This was a great session for our students and they were challenged to think about themselves and how to improve themselves.

- Monnie Berger, Mercer County Senior HS Gifted & Talented

The blonde headed kid in the back of the church

When Stephanie and I were married back on May 30, 1992, we had a videographer record the event, including video facing the guests sitting in the sanctuary. In the back, you can see this little blonde headed boy, pretty restless, standing up in his dad's lap, I guess trying to see.... or, trying to leave the wedding!

About 7 years later, that same little boy and his dad drove to Maysville. That little boy, his dad, Dustin Grutza, Ty Sargent & myself, all went to this quarterback camp in southern Ohio. None of these guys were in HS yet. As it turned out, this little boy, Ty, & Dustin all became very good quarterbacks and football players.  They are also three of the best guys you could meet and vey successful adults.

Then, in 2005, that SAME little blonde headed young man was the QUARTERBACK for me when I coached the Kentucky All Stars versus Tennessee. It was sort of weird, because the year before, Dustin Grutza(who I had coached at Mason County) had been the Kentucky QB versus Tennessee. Like Dustin, the little blonde headed boy lead us to a win over Tennessee. But, what I remember the most, was standing on the field with him and our offensive coordinator, Chris Pardue. It was a timeout near the end of the game and we were ahead 41-27.  I said, "Let's run the clock out and make sure we win." The little blonde headed guy says, "I want to score again."  We finished the game with a bench-clearing near brawl. I hate to admit it, but it was sort of fun.

Well, that little blonde headed kid in the back of the church just won his first state championship as the head football coach at South Warren HS.  And, he is still really young!  His name is Brandon Smith. He played QB for his dad, Chuck Smith, at Boyle County.

Now, Chuck is still a GREAT football coach and a legend. But, I think it is safe to say,  everyday he becomes less and less, Chuck Smith, and is becoming BRANDON SMITH'S DAD. And, my guess is that Chuck is ok with that.

Congratulations to Coach Brandon Smith. Looks like that little guy in the back of the church turned out pretty good!

Congratulations Chris McNamee & Pikeville Panthers: STATE CHAMPIONS

Congratulations to Coach Chris McNamee & his Pikeville Panthers on their 2015 Class A State Championship victory over Beechwood!

Chris is one of best guys in coaching. We have been friends for a long time and coached together in the 2004 KY-TN All Star Game as assistants to Coach Tom Larkey. 

Chris frequently brings his QBs to my camp in February or June. It always means alot to me that he makes that long drive on a Saturday to help his kids and to help me and my family.

Most importantly, Chris is a committed follower of Jesus Christ.  I am thankful for those kids to have Coach McNamee as their leader.

God Bless the McNamees and Panthers. 

Merry Christmas!

Colossians 3:23

September 1970- Boyle County Rebel article in the Courier Journal

Trosper and I have been going through my Dad's old articles and putting them into scrapbooks. He had 5 copies of this article which was in the Louisville Courier Journal 4 days, before Robert Allen Yankey played his last game. That game was at Mercer County on September 24, 1970.  

He was proud of these guys and his team. He was proud of all of the guys he coached.

Happy Thanksgiving. 

Happy Thanksgiving to the Old Greyhounds, Royals, & Titans

My former Paris players have enjoyed commenting on an old picture of me and our QB, Cory Dumphord, that he posted on Facebook.  I am very proud of those teams and the guys I was blessed to coach.

Here is the message I sent to all of my former players:

Trosper and I have been working on scrapbooks since my Dad passed away on October 1st. What you are looking at here is 40 years of football, 1969 thru 2009. I started living with the digital collections finally in 2010.

These scrapbooks go Boyle to Mercer to Paris to Mason. It even has some KY-TN All Star stuff in there.

I just finished my 24th season as a head coach, almost a quarter of 

a century. 4 at Paris, 19 at Mason, and 1 at Mercer.

They will have to scrape me off the gamefield or practice field someday. I am addicted to football, practice fields, Steeler Left, and 11 guys running to the ball. I have been blessed beyond words to be with the players and coaches in black, orange, blue & red. If any of you guys ever want to come by a practice, workout , or game, I can promise you that your old coach will be very happy to see you.

For what it is worth, this Thanksgiving, your old coach is thankful for you. God Bless the old Greyhounds, Royals & Titans. - Coach Buchanan

Danny Weddle- Felici Felice No Excuse Award, 2015

Trosper making a silly face at his mom while Danny and I talk on the radio, Monday, 8/26/13. Danny is the one on the left with the hair. 

Congratulations to Danny Weddle on receiving the Felici Felice "No Excuses" Award tonight at the Mason County Royals Football Banquet. Danny has done the Monday McDonald's Radio Show every Monday during football season since 1998. He also came out to see me every Thursday for 19 years to do the pregame show as I am sure he did this season and the seasons before 1996. He does  a great job with his play-by-play and has got me through more rough post game talks than I can even begin to count. Danny is professional, polished, and highly-skilled at what he does. Congratulations Danny Weddle!

Finishing a Tough Season, A Good Season- Remembering my Dad

After starting the season 0-5, we finished the season with 6 straight wins including a district championship and two home playoff games. I was very proud of the toughness displayed by our kids and staff.

During the season, three of us lost our Dads. It was a brutal time but we fought through it together.

I really appreciate these two pieces that were done on my Dad. The first is by my long time friend, Larry Vaught. Larry's Dad, Bill Vaught, was the Sports Editor when my Dad was the head coach at Mercer County & Boyle County.  My Dad was crazy about Bill Vaught as a writer and friend. Larry has done a great job walking in his father's footsteps. 


The other piece was by Dorian Craft at WLEX.  Dorian did a wonderful job, like Larry, of communicating what it has been like to lose my Dad during a time I am following in his footsteps like I have this past season. 

Both Dorian and Larry are exceptionally talented and I am very appreciative that of all the things they could cover, they chose to tell this story about my Dad.  Dorian's story is at the end of the Sports segment that is on this link.

Larry Vaught's column

WLEX Sports- Dorian Craft

Happy Thanksgiving and make the most of the time you have with your family.

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

Terrence Commodore , new position with EKU basketball

Congratulations to Terrence Commodore and his new position with EKU Men's basketball. In the fall of 2001, Terrence intercepted a pass at Fleming Co. to seal the first football region title in school history. Then that spring, he intercepted a pass against Montgomery County at the Fieldhouse to win the first basketball region championship in several years.  He is a champion on and off the floor/field.  Congrats T!


http://courtsidewithdannyweddle.blogspot.com/2015/07/terrence-commodore-named-director-of.html

Corey Jett- NASA!

One of my former players is living in Huntsvulle, Alabama, working for NASA! Corey Jett played WR at Mason County and was a part of the 2003 Region Championship team.

I asked him for details and got this reponse:


 I am in training currently but I will be overseeing and managing the flow of data up to the International Space Station and the flow of data back down to Earth. 


Congratulations Corey!

Getting focused to start the season: A Yearly Ritual

Coaches-

I always like to start the season by reading a book through the preseason to help me focus on the coming season, what things are most important, and why I coach. The two books that I usually read are Vince Lombardi's Run to Daylight and Wes Neal's Handbook on Coaching Perfection.

Because it is about GREAT coaches, Black Shoes & White Shoestrings might be a book that would serve the same purpose for some coaches. Here is a description of the book:

This book was written by a HS football coach, who"s father was also a HS football coach. It is a collection of football and life lessons learned from a variety of coaches at the HS, collegiate, and professional level. Leadership, the RIGHT kind of leadership is also addressed through out the book.

Bill Arnsparger, Blanton Collier, Chuck Smith, Dale Mueller, Mike Archer, Bill Walsh, Ed Rall, Vince Lombardi, Larry French, Ivan McGlone, Alvis Johnson, Tony Dungy, Steele Harmon, Joe McDaniel, Raymond Webb, Tom Duffy, Sam Harp, ShaDon Brown, Corky Prater, Ted Purcell, Jack Eicher, Ray Graham, and Leon Hart are some of the coaches included in this book.

Boyle County Rebels, Highlands Bluebirds, Centre College Colonels, Mason County Royals, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Kentucky Wildcats, Paris Greyhounds, Danville Admirals, Ashland Tomcats, Russell Red Devils, Harrodsburg Hogs, Mercer County Scotties.

You can purchase this book with the buy button at the top of this blog. Enjoy the great game of football this season!