I always drunkenly promise, but have never delivered...a thread for an account of me coaching a small-enrollment HS team in So. IL. Here's a thread to hold me accountable. I might not be able to provide full accounts...but record updates, short stories, etc...can be posted here. Make me tell you what's going on, several of you have indicated to me that you are VERY interested.

Feel free to ask any questions... I'll try to give an answer...but, once again, I've found that writing is a helpful diversion.

what the hell is a bearcat?

you guys have no idea how promising this is.

How is this year's cheerleader crop looking?

I would like to see this thread catch on but if the title of this thread doesn't get changed, I'm afraid everybody is going to assume it's about Cincinnati football and nobody's ever going to open it.

What offense does your team run? How did you end up choosing that offense? Do you ever wish you could run something more complex?

Repeat questions for defense.

Do you ever recruit from other schools? I know it's against the rules, but I know it happens from time to time.

1. Our base is a straight-T, full house backfield. I'd say we'll be in that about 40% of the time. Last year was my first year and we were pretty limited in what we could do. Another 40ish% of the time, we'll run out of the shotgun with a back on each side, like WVU....and yes to your final question about running more complex things.

2. Our conference features a wide array of offensive sets...so we adjust week to week. We have a defensive coordinator...he does a lot of good work. We'll sit in a 5-front most of the time, though.

3. No on the recruiting. It does happen, but we're much to small to do it even if I wanted to, and I don't.

Link

Because of your small enrollment do you have a "weaker" crop of players? If so does this keep you from creating a "smash mouth" power running type offense and force you to try to be more finesse?

Heading into this year at what position is your best returning player?

If you could hypothetically have a team of all average players and have one awesome player at what position would you like that player to be? [offense and defense].

Would you consider yourself a conservative or aggressive play caller? What would you consider your pass to run ratio in any random game.

That's all for now, I will have many more.

come to ohio and play in the herbstreit classic.

that way, you'll know how 'real' high school football is played.

1. The athleticism at our school is very cyclical. You'll have some very athletic classes, some completely non-athletic classes, and many, many in the 4-6/10 range. I'd say, if anything, if forces us to be a smash-mouth offense...when we're limited athletically, we try to control the ball and move it 4 yards at a time...when we're better we try to get our athletes in space.

2. We have a RB coming back that was all-conference last year. He's huge in our conference for a RB (about 6'- 220lbs) and is also about our fastest player. He can be good just on being bigger than the others...hopefully he makes the decision to be great this year.

3. QB/MLB

4. Pretty conservative...see question #1. I'd say we were 75% run last year. We had a lot of trouble finding someone to throw....hopefully we can find more balance this season.

Ty for the answers.

How about the opposite of question #3, if you were all average players but 2 horrible players [1 on offense, 1 on defense] where would you put them?

This will be a good thread, but it needs to be renamed immediately. Something about you being a coach of this HS team needs to be in the title to catch the eye. I thought this thread was going to be about Cincinnatti college FB and opened it only to see why it wasn't locked yet.

"Coaching a HS football team in 2008" or something like that. You will get a MUCH better response.

Actually the assumption that this was about the U of Cincy was precisely the reason why I DID open this thread.

Me too. I opened it just to see why the hell anyone would make a thread about UC football.

This is a much tougher question. I'd say having one bad RB or TE wouldn't be a disaster. On defense the question is even tougher...I guess I'd choose DE.

Tom - UC isn't such a bad team anymore. However, a Big East football thread seems far more appropriate.
If we have a thread for UC football then I'm making one for Miami (Ohio) football!!

how is the kid who "done blowed out his knee"?

Actually I assumed it was Anderson County High School Football...

Graduated.

How much of a priority in the kids' lives is football?
Ditto parents?
Ditto random middle aged men in town?

Got anyone who'll get a scholarship?
Is coaching your only job?

1. Varies wildly...some live it, some just want to put on the uniform in front of the girls.
2. See above, except the uniform part.
3. On average, probably more important.
4. Doubtful...we have some kids that might play at a small school. I'd say our kicker might get some help to play somewhere.
5. No, I teach social studies, and am also the track coach.

Freshman camp starts Monday....very exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.

Also...if some mod would like to switch the name of this thread to 'ask me about being a HS football coach,' or something..that's fine w/ me if some of you think it's for the best.