As a young coach, how important is guidance from a mentor? When faced with choices, what is the best career move? Is it better to continue to serve as an assistant coach in a comfortable situation or test the waters and apply for a head coaching position although the circumstances may not be ideal? What effect would a change have on you and your family?
In this issue, a young coach – Jared Van Acker of Grafton High School (VA) – offers his thoughts on what should be considered when a coach wants to ‘climb the ladder.’ Van Acker, now in his early 30’s, has been an assistant coach at one high school and head coach at two different high schools. He is now going into his third season at Grafton, a team that has made the Virginia State Playoffs the last two seasons.
One of the five factors Coach Van Acker discusses in this issue (Part II will be published in the next edition of Gridiron Strategies) is the importance of a supportive administration. It can make or break a young coach and it’s an element of the job that cannot be controlled. An administration that may have been supportive upon your hiring may change their opinions or be replaced by another one that is not as supportive. It’s a factor that should be researched before the job of head coach is taken.
This issue also includes articles on an ‘Off-Season Power Program for Defensive Linemen,’ a clinic on the ‘Spread No-Huddle – The Methods Behind the Madness,’ and a detailed look at ‘Defeating Press Coverage.’ In the press coverage article, Morehead State Coach Tom Duffy offers a detailed clinic on the fundamentals of stance, foot fire, and specific release techniques. Coach Duffy includes a step-by-step process to release vs. the jam, vs. a leveraged defender, vs. a defender giving ground and both the push by and push off techniques.
We hope you enjoy this issue of GS.
As always, we welcome your feedback.
Respectfully,
Rex Lardner
Managing Editor