Saving Time... Practical advice from an old coach

Most of us spend bowl season picking up ideas from the ballgames we watch. Here's an idea that is not real exciting, but it does make life a little easier and save time.

Yesterday I marked our practice field. First, I scalped the lines so the paint would stay. Then, painted the lines. It only took 4 aerosol cans because we only mark the 10's for practice and it takes less than 30 minutes. Because grass is not growing, the lines last alot longer. Inseason, we have to mark it at least once a week. 

We will do our spring practice some time in March. Keeping it marked, I won't need to stretch lines to get it ready for the spring.... which is very time consuming. After the spring, I will let it go so we will have straighter lines in July when it gets restrung. 

I've been around HS football my entire life. If there is a young coach out there that needs help on how to complete mundane, time-consuming tasks as quickly and efficiently as possible, email me at coachdavidbuchanan@gmail.com.

Happy New Year!

Going into 2019... NO bad days, and MOST will be fun!

As hard as I try to stay positive, some days it is a battle. To help in that fight, I decided in December of 2017 that I would chart every day in the 2018 prep season ( I hate the expression "offseason". We have to improve on a day to day basis throughout the year.)  If it was a good day, I would list the date with a "+". A bad day would get a "-".  A great day would get "++".  Those results are listed at the bottom of this blog and there were no bad days!

I know Coach Cox and Coach Harris got tired of it, but I really enjoyed showing them periodically how we were doing.

So what was a good day?  It was a day when we improved, gave a good or great effort, held our guys accountable, and on a personal level I could look in the mirror and know that I had given my best effort to serve others and ultimately my Savior, Jesus Christ. (Colossians 3:23)

Can you have a good day and make mistakes?? Absolutely! I made a ton of mistakes this year, even on great days. There is a real simple way to eliminate 100 % of your mistakes... do nothing.

The purpose of this exercise was to give me some documentation that we were making progress. Sometimes due to circumstances, you absolutely "feel" like you are not making improvement and what is the point of all of your efforts. Those feelings are false. I wanted something concrete to see that would help me realize that in actuality we were getting better and we were productive.

When the season started, we were still having "good days." But, we started 0-3. That is not fun. And, then the "feeling" begins to creep in .... this is not fun... there is never an enjoyable day.... every day is a struggle, etc. And, many days there was truth to that feeling.

So, I began to chart everyday with either a P (Purpose) or F (Fun & Purpose).  Maybe a day was not fun. But, if I had served others and my Savior that day to the best of my ability, I had fulfilled my purpose. I am coaching football in my hometown which I love. My 2018 seniors were the first in school history to have the same head coach for four years.  It has been and continues to be a struggle to get us where we want to be. But, "purpose" is through the roof!  For the kids I coach, the old Hogs, Dogs & Titans in my hometown, my own son who will be a sophomore, making this program the best it can be is absolutely worth doing and giving it everything I have. And, we are making significant progress.

Even if a day was not "fun" , I took satisfaction in giving all that I had to the task at hand on a one day  at a time basis. Seeing those "P's" reinforced that I was serving God and making a dent in what had to be done.

Interestingly though, I realized that most days do have some fun! It might only be for a short while, and only one moment but there was something that I enjoyed. As I charted my days, I realized more and more days were being marked fun. In the beginning, most days had a P.

I am fired up for 2019. We just finished our best December, ever, in terms of guys working on their own. We have had them doing extra in the weightroom, on the turf in the complex, on the field, etc. Our guys are working to take our level of commitment and program to another level.

I will not be charting good days and bad days in 2019. They are all going to be good days. That CHOICE is up to us.

On Fun versus Purpose.... I will either continue to chart that, or decide that there WILL be something fun each day, and look for that moment, no matter how short it may be.

If all of this seems excessive, insane, etc. that is ok with me. The top priority (Matthew 6:33) of this is a desire to serve my Lord and Savior everyday who sacrificed His life for me. I don't want to let HIM down. Part of this also is that I HATE losing.... more now than ever before. I can handle it better on the outside but on the inside it is tougher than ever. And, I want to do all in my power to help our kids win, help our community win,  & bring honor to the great players and coaches from the past at old Harrodsburg & Mercer County HS.

I would also stress, I am not the Lone Ranger! God has a GREAT plan for all of us! What can be better than to invest our all into serving Him for 2019 to be all that He has called us to be, to glorify Him?!

2019... make it all good or great days (your CHOICE), serve God and others, and have FUN a long the way!



2018 Prep Season Chart:

W 1/3: ++
Th 1/4: +
T 1/9: +
W 1/10: ++
TH 1/11: +
TH 1/18: +
F 1/19: +
M 1/22: +
T 1/23: +
W 1/24: +
TH 1/25: +
F 1/26: ++
M 1/29: +
T 1/30: +
W 1/31: +
TH 2/1: ++
M 2/5: +
T 2/6: +
W 2/7: +
TH 2/8: ++
M 2/12: +
T 2/13: ++
W 2/14: +
TH 2/15: +
T 2/20: ++
TH 2/22: ++
M 2/26: +
T 2/27: +
W 2/28: +
TH 3/1: +
M 3/5: +
T 3/13: +
W 3/14: ++
TH 3/15: +
F 3/16: ++
M 3/19: +
T 3/20: +
W 3/21: +
TH 3/22: ++
F 3/23: +
W 4/4: ++ Xenith
TH 4/5: ++ OL breakout
M 4/9: +
T 4/10: ++
TH 4/12: +
M 4/16: +
T 4/17: ++ (Xenith)
TH 4/19: +
M 4/23: +
T 4/24: ++ (intervention)
W 4/25: +
TH 4/26: ++
F 4/27: +
M 4/30: +
T 5/1: +
TH 5/3: ++
M 5/7: ++
T 5/8: +
W 5/9: ++
TH 5/10: +
F 5/11: +
M 5/14: ++
T 5/15: +
TH 5/17: +
F 5/18: +
M 5/21: ++ max out
M 6/4: +
TH 6/7: +
M 6/11: +
TH 6/14: +
M 6/18: ++
TH 6/21: ++
SA 6/23: +
SU 6/24: +

Exit Interviews- 2018

After each season, we have exit interviews with our guys so we can gather feedback and continue to improve our program. It is good to vary the approach a little each year.

We have wonderful young men at Mercer County but we are also trying to elevate our thinking.  During the season, we gave our guys the "Mercer Football Championship Plan" to fill out. Here it is:

After they filled these out during the season, I made an additional copy of each player's plan. This year's exit interview is to review this plan. We talk about their vision for November of their senior year... is there anything that needs to be changed?  Is there anything that needs to be made more specific?

We look at the two lists at the bottom of the page. Which item is a strength right now?  Which one is a weakness?

We sign and date my copy and the player's copy. The player is to put his copy some where that it will help him see it and focus each day on becoming a champion and HELPING his TEAM become champions.

Our meetings have been productive and this plan is another piece in building our culture. One day at a time, we are working to build a championship program.  I believe our guys are growing and they are beginning to elevate their thinking.  I am excited to start year five as a Titan!

Coach Roger Gruneisen's thoughts on Black Shoes & White Shoestrings

Coach Roger Gruneisen with our 2018 Freshmen team during his visit this fall

 

We were fortunate to have Coach Roger Gruneisen with us for a practice at Mercer County this fall. Coach Gruneisen was my boss at Paris HS. He also won two state titles as the head football coach at Trinity HS in Louisville, KY.

Here is what Coach Gruneisen said about Black Shoes & White Shoestrings:

  I loved it because it is real, not a reality show!

I had the privilege and pleasure of having David on my staff for four years at Paris High School from 1988-1991.  His love for the game of football was never in doubt.  He grew up as a coaches son and eventually was smitten.  His book reflects, in print, his respect and admiration not only for the game but for the men who coach it.  Every coach takes bits and pieces from other coaches to help them form their own philosophy.  Coaches also enjoy sitting around talking football in general.  David’s book brings you inside the football office with the men who have inspired him, who he has borrowed ideas from, and men he has sat around with and talked football.


Again, what David writes about is real people coaching a real game played by real young men!

You can also read about Coach Gruneisen in the book. The buy button is at the top of this page. Put it under the tree for the football fans in your family!

Xenith... the helmet & shoulder pad of the future

2019 will be my 28th season as a head coach. One of the best decisions for our teams, both at Mason & Mercer County, has been our choice to go with Xenith helmets.

Xenith operates with a shock absorber system as opposed to a padded system. The fit is outstanding and the protective qualities of the helmet are exceptional.

Our kids are already fired up about the new Xenith Shadow that will come out in 2019. You can see a preview of it here:  Xenith Shadow

Ron Tanner is our Xenith rep. Ron played on Urban Meyer's Ohio State National Championship Team and he brings that same standard of excellence to Xenith on a daily basis.

As coaches begin to make purchases for 2019, please contact Ron at rtanner@xenith.com. You will be impressed with their helmets and shoulder pads. They have also developed some bells and whistles that will appeal to players in the 21st century.

If I can answer any questions, email me at coachdavidbuchanan@gmail.com.

Check out Xenith.... it will be great for your kids and your program!

John Buchanan: Remembering 16 mm film and those gold helmets

Robert Allen Yankey & my Dad, 10-10-1969. Photo by Danville Advocate Messenger, Bill Vaught

John Buchanan: Remembering 16 mm film and those gold helmets

Of all the coaches who have influenced me in my lifetime, without a doubt the coach that had the biggest impact was never my coach, but he is my dad. My dad is John Buchanan and I continue to look up to him and want to be like him just as I did when I was a little guy.

My first memories of my dad coaching football are from his days at Lafayette in Lexington where he was an assistant. When I was four years old he became the head coach at Boyle County in Danville. One of my strongest memories was being with him in the equipment room one summer night when he passed out gear to his new team.

In 1967 and 1968, Boyle County did not win a football game. In 1969, my dad’s first season, the Rebels finished 9-1-1. My two strongest memories of that season are going to Greensburg for the first game and win of the season and the victory over Danville at Centre College’s Farris Stadium. To this day I carry a piece of the 16 mm film in my billfold and every now and then will put the old film on the projector and watch it like we did on Saturdays and Sundays on the living room wall.

In 1970 the Rebels were ranked among the top teams in Class A. But on September 25th, football was not real important anymore.  That morning, the day after the Rebels had won at Mercer County, their quarterback, Robert Allen Yankey, drowned in an accident on his family's farm. Only five years old, I was overwhelmed by the sadness and the tragedy of losing Robert Allen. He was a very good quarterback, a great person and very much like a son to my dad. I will always remember those gold helmets with the number “11” on all of them the remainder of the season -- like we wear our numbers on our helmet.

We all have events in our life that we never understand or can make sense of. For me, this one is at the top of the list.

The next three years at Boyle were tough ones. In 1974, my dad became the head football coach at Mercer County. His first two seasons were the first winning seasons in the history of the school.

In watching my dad all those years, on the sidelines, at practice, in the locker room, etc., I saw over and over again that people come first over winning or personal gain. He enjoyed football, but his players were the most important to him and he put their well being first every time.  When I would be concerned about recruiting kids to our football program, he would always tell me to treat the kids in my program right, and the rest will take care of itself. He is not what people think of as a “player’s coach," but without a doubt that is what drove him -- his players and what was best for them. Whenever he would talk about his friends and other coaches that he admired and respected, he always talked about how much that coach loved his kids and would do anything they could to help them.

The other thing about my dad that stands out is his toughness. I have seen him go through so many tough times and be successful in very tough situations. I’ve seen him keep going when his heart was broken beyond words. As I look back on it now, I understand better than ever that his toughness was driven by his love for his family and players, and his trust in God.

One of his best stories and life lessons was when he told me that he considered staying at Boyle, just to teach and coach the wrestling team when he was forced to resign as football coach. I asked him, “How would you walk in that building and look at those people every day?"

His response was, “They have to look at me every day.”

I’ve used that story many times to encourage my friends in coaching who felt like their back was to the wall and no one was on their side, and it has helped them to stay tough and strong when they felt like the walls were caving in.

When you grow up a coach's son, your dad’s words are always spinning between your ears, especially on a Friday night. His beliefs and philosophy are ingrained in you. The best example was in the 2003 semifinals at Highlands on the goal line. The play call was “Slot Left Sam, Dive Check.” As the slot went in motion, I realized Chris Lofton would be wide open on a slant route. But I immediately heard my dad’s voice in my head: “If you can’t run the ball in on the goal line, you don’t deserve to win!”

So, we still planned to run the ball. But, we got lucky -- we jumped offside. Now it is on the 7-yard line. I am off the hook. We called the slant route, and it went for a touchdown.  After the game, my dad says, “Why didn’t you throw the slant to Chris on the goal line -- he was wide open the play before?” I told him it was his fault and just shook my head as I shared with him what was going through my mind.

But that event got my attention. Twenty years from now when my kids hear my voice in their head, what will I be saying? I hope it will be worth hearing.

Rough start... what do we do now?

Normally I am not in the mood for a blogpost when we are struggling. Besides, when you are struggling, no one wants to hear how you operate. We only want to copy what we see working.

So... what do we do now?

We stay positive AND keep our standards high. We may TWEAK what we do, but we do not CHANGE.  If you continually change your offense, defense, & special teams, you never get good at anything. We will keep doing the things we know will work and have worked. We just have to keep getting better at what we do. We are moving in the right direction. We just have to work hard and with urgency to get where we want to be as fast as possible.

In 27 years as a head coach, we ALWAYS emerge from the tough times.... sooner or later.  I trust God, our staff, and players. The best is yet to come. 

Starting Year 27.... still growing and learning

This is my first blog post in a long time. I've been so consumed with doing on a daily basis what needs to be done, I have not felt much like writing and have not had much to say that was different.

But, I am pleased to report that after beginning July 10, I like where our team and program are right now.  We still have much to do, but I like the direction of our team and I do think our investment in building and improving our culture is paying off.  The best way to describe it, it seems like the players and coaches say more of the same things and the right things, more often.

Hindsight is 20/20, but I definitely underestimated the difference in being in the same program for 19 years versus starting all over. We are in year four at Mercer, and the best way I can describe it is that each day seems more "normal".  Or, we have more normal days each year, if that makes any sense.

On some very practical notes, our guys are definitely more comfortable running our stuff. We have been timing inside and outside drill and almost never use the same formation twice. We have very few plays, but have the capability to use hundreds of formations.  We continue to become more efficient in practice and running our offense.

Another difference is that my level of patience with our team has decreased. When I got the job at Mercer, our 2015 team was the most beat-down bunch of kids I had ever coached. I felt bad for them. We pushed them but I also knew I had to be smart in how I handled them. I knew getting use to me and how we practiced, our offense, etc. was a big adjustment for all of our kids and coaches. I am so proud of the 2015 team.  Those guys had very little confidence and we started 0-5, but they finished with six straight wins and a district title.

Now, we are in year 4. There are no excuses. Everyone knows what is expected and I have communicated this to our kids.  I still try not to be too over the top, but I don't have to bite my lip as much now.  And, I am definitely more comfortable coaching them. One huge positive is that our seniors are the first Titans in school history to have the same head coach for four years. 

Another tough thing for me, especially returning to my hometown, I am learning that I can say the right things and that is still important. But what makes the biggest difference is showing up everyday, DOING what is right, and doing the best I can.  Ultimately, trust must be earned, and it is a one day at a time process. I am not a patient person, so that part has been tough for me. But, there is no substitute for doing what is right and doing your best on a daily basis.... starting with caring about your players and coaches and what is best for them.

Champions win championships. If we can work and practice like champions, the success that we want will follow.

Staying connected.... Lombardi's Run to Daylight

My first favorite football team was Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers and their QB was my favorite player, Bart Starr. When Lombardi left the Packers, I became a Fran Tarkenton, Minnesota Vikings fan. But my earliest memories of football are the team with the gold helmets, like my Dad's Boyle County teams wore.

One of the ways I can stay connected to my love for the game of football is reading Vince Lombardi's RUN TO DAYLIGHT every summer.  It is the diary of a week from the 1962 season as they prepared to play the Detroit Lions.  I enjoy reading the names of great Packers and Lions as they prepared that week. Names like Herb Adderly, Jimmy Taylor, Paul Hornung, Willie Davis, Ron Kramer, Jerry Kramer, Fuzzy Thurston, Forrest Gregg, Will Wood, Alex Karras, Joe Schmidt, Night Train Lane, Milt Plum and many more.

Reading the book, you can imagine Lombardi saying the words on the pages. It allows the reader to see more of how  Lombardi interacted with his players and those around him. Yes, he was very tough. But, he also listened to others and was much more thoughtful in how he dealt with his players than the typical way that Lombardi is portrayed in popular culture. Bottom line, it is really cool to feel like you are having a conversation with Coach Lombardi.

I learn something new every time I read his book and it always makes me a better coach. What I learn would probably bore many people. And, writing about all of those insights would turn into plagiarism..... MOST of the pages in the book have either turned down corners or particular passages highlighted.

All of that is beneficial, but not the reason WHY I try to read it before every season.

Reading Run To Daylight keeps me connected to my original love of football.

When I was a little guy, I always wanted to be around my Dad's players at games and practices. Hard to believe now, but one of my best memories was after a Boyle win at Anderson County, I got to ride the bus home with the team.  My love of bus rides has diminished significantly.

I also watched every bit of college and pro football on TV. And, then, of course, would have to go outside to BE those guys that I had just watched with my Dad.

I enjoy being a head football coach.  But, there is a bunch of stuff that goes with the job that have very little to do with football. A bunch of that stuff is not fun either.   If I don't make a conscious effort to prevent it, that "stuff" gets bigger than the game of football and can take my focus off all the things I enjoy about football, our coaches, and especially being around our players. 

Just this morning, we had a scouting rep at our workout. He couldn't get over what a great indoor facility we have at Mercer. He was very impressed. It really struck me how much I take for granted and that I don't always appreciate we have an indoor football field with grass and lines!  If I were 5 years old, my Dad wouldn't be able to get me out of there!

Today is our last workout day until July 10th. I am excited about the season. Lombardi's book has reconnected me to a bunch of great memories of my Dad and first experiences with the game of football.... to the point that I can't imagine that I could ever walk away from coaching.  And as for me and Lombardi, at least I can say I like hamburgers and probably eat as many as he did. :)

Year 27.... still plenty of room for improvement...trying to get better everyday... Wes Neal

Each season, I try to review Wes Neal's HANDBOOK ON COACHING PERFECTION. My Dad had a copy of this book and it is a great resource for how to run a football program in a Christ-like way.

Because of the violent nature of  football, my Dad asked my grandmother in the 1950's... "Can you be a Christian and be a football coach?"  Fortunately there have been hundreds of GREAT examples to prove that yes, Christians can coach football. But, it is also an insight into some coaching methods that are not consistent with being a follower of Christ. From some perspectives, Wes Neal's book would be considered radical. I am ok with being radical , especially for the right reasons!

This year and for the first time ever as a head coach, I prepared a questionnaire modeled after the one in his book. I have modified it to fit into a public school. I don't hide my faith, but I also believe God wants me to obey the law.  I also know that my actions and how I treat others are the most effective and appropriate way to share the Good News in a public school setting.

In 2018, part of the reason for this questionnaire is very practical. Already in June, I have talked to several coaches that will have fewer players than they expected this season. That is true for us at Mercer County as well. This questionnaire will be a concrete way that myself and our staff will be able to make a better connection to our kids and improve our relationships with our players. 

Going into year 27, I need to be especially vigilante in evaluating everything I do as a head coach. We don't want our approach to become stale. We want our kids to get better everyday. The head coach needs to get better everyday as well!

Scout Team QB Part 2- Andre Turner, Chris Hull, Sparky, and the Tooth

Andre Turner- #64, 2003 Recreation Bowl
Photo by Terry Prather of the Maysville Ledger Independent
It was a tradition/ honor at Mason County for really good players to wear #64

Andre Turner is in the conversation of the very best football players I've coached, ever, as an assistant or head coach.  He played defensive end and offensive guard at an extremely high level. He could run well, very strong, coachable, and tremendous motor..... a very physical football player. 

In 2003, we had an outstanding football team. Exceptional. Once again, I was the scout team quarterback.  One day in practice, we are running the reverse and I am about to hand the ball to Chris Hull (also a good football player) as a scout team wide receiver. I didn't know it, but Chris sees that Andre is about to drill him. Andre is doing exactly what he was coached to do..."trail as deep as the deepest back" when flow goes away from you. One reason we played it that way was to stop the reverse. 

Chris decides, and I don't blame him, "I would rather run into Coach Buchanan than Andre." I agree completely. Andre once cracked a teammate's sternum in practice, with his bare forearm. I wouldn't want to run into Andre either. The only problem was that Chris hit me square in the mouth with his helmet and knocked out one of my front teeth. 

Well... no one is bigger than the team and that certainly applies to a tooth.  We move practice down 20 + yards and continue to practice. I ask some of the guys in the back to look for my tooth while I continue as the scout team QB.  They find my tooth. I ask one of them to go in the football office, call Stephanie, and ask her to call our great friend and awesome dentist... Sparky McDowell.  She does and Sparky sends back instructions.... get the tooth in milk and come see me after practice. 

Sparky does his magic and gets the tooth back in. But, unfortunately a few months later, John Combs and I are wrestling at the house and he knocks it out again.  Stephanie put an end to that and Sparky once again made the repair.

Finally, the tooth disappeared for good in a potato skin at DeSha's. We had the blue-white scrimmage the next day so I had to go to practice before I could get it fixed. Josh Harris(also in the conversation of best ever for me to coach) use to get his game face on about Tuesday every week. But, that Friday morning, that may have been the biggest smile I ever got out of him when he saw his coach and that tooth missing in the huddle for the first time.

That afternoon, Sparky BUILT me a new tooth in his office. The man is the Rembrandt of dentistry.  He did such a good job, no one can tell which tooth was fake and which one is real. 

After that, I wore a mouthpiece when I ran the scout team. Next time you see me, try to guess which tooth is fake. Bet you can't tell. 

I'm still trying to catch my breath...THE HIT.... November 2000

2000 Mason County Royals were the EKC Champs & these guys made all conference:
Wade Cloyd, Matt Gilbert, Mitchell Thomas, Nathan Myrick, Harry Lewis (player of the year), Adam Zeigler, Bryan Purcell & Justin Merrill

Today I was in Maysville visiting my Mom and saw a bunch of good people, including Justin Merrill in Pasquales. Justin started at outside linebacker for us on a very good Mason County team in 2000.  He went on to play football at Union College, get his degree, and then became a member of the Maysville Police Department.

I am very proud of Justin but there is one memory of him that stands out more than the others. In November of that season we were getting ready for a playoff game. I was running scout team quarterback and Shawn Thompson, our defensive coordinator had called a stunt to blitz Justin on a pass rush.

Normally, you don't destroy the scout team QB, especially if it is a coach and he is not wearing any pads. Justin takes off on his blitz, plants his facemask in my chest and flattens me on the practice field. I hit the ground so hard it took my breath... which is much more painful when that happens AND you do it from landing on your back!

When I finally could speak, I said to Justin, "What were you doing? Thinking?" He said something like, I don't know coach.... I just went... I wasn't even thinking about it.  The kids and coaches were stunned but you couldn't help but laugh!

As it turned out, I got up and finished practice running the scout team. But, to this day, I make sure if Justin Merrill is around, I know exactly where he is and I keep my eyes on him!   :)

May of 1988... two legends...30 years of football & blessings

photo by Fort Thomas Schools

photo by Paris Schools

Here is the first column which turned into the book, Black Shoes & White Shoestrings.  The past 30 years of football have included 4 years at Paris HS as an assistant, 4 years at Paris HS as head coach, 19 years at Mason County HS as a head coach, and getting ready to start year four at Mercer County HS. 

30 Years Ago, May of 1988

One of the best days of my life was the day I got to interview with Tom Duffy(Highlands) and then Homer Goins(Paris). 30 years later, they are still two of the greatest football coaches to ever walk the sideline in Kentucky. That has not changed. 

Who do we sound like.... act like???

1974 Mercer County Scotties

Coaching HS football in your hometown, and following in your Dad's footsteps, can be pretty cool some times.

We went to eat lunch this afternoon in Harrodsburg. A gentlemen says to me, "Are you the football coach?" I say, "yes sir." He says, "What is your name?"  I tell him. 

He goes on to tell me that he played for my Dad and that he was on the first two teams in school history to have winning seasons at Mercer County. He says that my Dad worked them very hard but they wanted to do it for him.

I knew exactly who he was! And, I could call him by name. He still looks the same as he did in 1975.  Some times when I see those old players I leave them alone. I realize not everyone wants to talk about HS football from 40+ years ago.... even though I could talk about it all day.  I was really glad he brought it up.

The part that got my attention was after we finished talking and I was leaving. I was about to walk out the door and he ran and grabbed my arm. He says, "I had to ask if it was you. You talk just like your Dad. You sound just like him."

People say that to me alot. Although it makes me feel good to hear that, it also makes me really want to hear my Dad's voice one more time. I know I will again someday because of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.

Today's incident gave me more to think about.  I do sound like my Dad and that is good. But, more importantly, do I treat people the way he treated them? Do I have the character that he had?

What about my Heavenly Father?  Do the words that come out of my mouth sound like something He would say?  Are my words pleasing to Him?  Can you recognize who my Heavenly Father is? Or, would people be shocked to know I have a relationship with Jesus Christ?

The tough answer is that I often fall short. God's grace is sufficient, but I still want to do much better serving Him. If I am going to SOUND like John Buchanan, the content of my words and character should be such that would make him proud and also please our Heavenly Father.  

Colossians 3:23

Job Descriptions, Closing the Gap.... Trying to listen better

This is the time of year that job descriptions are prepared for all of our staff. I am trying to do a better job of listening and then also following through on the ideas we discuss, especially their input.

In the picture above is game duties, practice duties, & job descriptions of every staff member, going back to my first season at Mercer, 2015.  In our preseason & postseason meetings, I take notes and write them down on my copy of their job description. I keep those notes and keep adding one year to the next so that I have a running picture of those conversations. 

Going into 2018, this will be the fourth season for most of us working together. The job descriptions have changed a little but not much. One way to help us focus and get the most of their abilities... we have a very strong staff.... 2018 will have a tweak tied specifically to each coach's strengths and a unique way they can help make our program better. 

If you have ideas on staff organization that are unique or especially effective, please send those to me at coachdavidbuchanan@gmail.com.  If these documents would help someone else, email me and I will send them to you. 

In 2018, our seniors will be the first Titans in school history to have the same head coach for all four seasons. We are making progress and the continuity will  help us also.  We are proud of the progress made these past three seasons, but there is still much room for improvement. Hopefully these adjustments to our job descriptions will continue to help us close the gap between where we are and what we are working to become!

Practical Advice for Sharing God's Word

Here is an insight from something a football coach experienced this week:

While counseling one of my players, I knew of Scripture that would help my player, but, I was not sure where to find it. Finally, I googled the part of the scripture I knew, and the rest of it popped up for me to share with this young man!

Thanks for sharing this and hopefully it will help other coaches in the future as they help their student-athletes!

Leadership Training....productive day!

We had a very productive day for Leadership Training(25 Building Blocks of Leadership) and received some good feedback to make the next session better! This training also provides 6 hours of EILA training for KY School Administrators. If your team, staff, or school needs better leadership, we can set up a training specifically for your needs. For administrators and coaches, one of the objectives is to leave the session with less work to do.  Leaders will leave better organized around the priorities that will make their team or a school a success. Contact me at coachdavidbuchanan@gmail.com for more information.

More effective leadership.... more efficient.... serving & helping others

 Interested in a Leadership Training Session that you leave with LESS work to do? Would you like to be more organized and better prioritize what you do each day? May 3rd is the day. Contact me for details at coachdavidbuchanan@gmail.com.

How did the Mercer County Titans become the 1st Xenith Elite Football Program.... ever?

A few weeks ago, Ron Tanner with Xenith walked in my office at Mercer County HS.  After talking a little bit about his days as a Buckeye for Urban Meyer, Xenith helmets, etc. he presented the Xenith Elite program for Mercer County HS. I was stunned. It was a great deal for our program and kids.

I had to ask.... Why Us?  One reason was Xenith knew I was a big fan of theirs because all of our Mason County guys wore their helmets during my time as a Royal. But, the other reason he said was our social media presence. They were impressed with what they saw from Titan Football.

In the summer of 2016, Gabby Banks & Morgan Reed became the digital presence of Mercer County Football. Charlie Cox & Raegan Long have continued that level of excellence.  Here is how it all got started.... and another GREAT example of how surrounding yourself with good people makes all the difference. If the Titan Head Football Coach were in charge of our social media, the only offer we would get would be to wear leather helmets.

Here is how it happened:

21st Century HS Football for Old School Coaches

Alvis Johnson at HIS field

I enjoyed getting to visit with Coach Alvis Johnson today at the Heart of the Bluegrass Track Meet. It is not often you get to talk with a coach at the field that is named after him! Coach Johnson was the king of getting numbers on both sides of the ball. 

Defensively, it was his Tell City Six with blitzing and man coverage. On offense, his Single Wing gave him what is now called the "+1 Run Game."

Read about Coach Johnson in BLACK SHOES & WHITE SHOESTRINGS.... "BUY" button is at the top of this page.