Bill Ramseyer is a retired coach now living in South Carolina. A coach with a reputation for turning programs around, Ramseyer did so at both the high school and collegiate level. At Firelands High School in Ohio – a school that did not have a winning record until Ramseyer’s arrival – he guided them to a 24-2 record during his tenure.
On the college level, Ramseyer led Wilmington College to a 114-58-4 record. Prior to his arrival, the school had accumulated only 28 wins in 15 years. He then completed his career as the first-ever coach at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. Ramseyer produced back-to-back 10 win seasons, the first program to accomplish this feat in its first six years of existence.
Winning Football is the culmination of Ramseyer’s coaching career. It includes chapters on what is needed to be successful, personnel and position assignments, planning practices, a complete conditioning program, and details of offensive, defensive, and special teams play. It is a must for every young coach. Winning Football is available through Human Kinetics at www.humankinetics.com.
Coach Ramseyer sat down with GS to talk about his career and what the priorities should be for a coach.
GS: What has been your basic philosophy of coaching over the years?
BR: Being positive. That is, not just in football, but in life. I remember an encounter with a player who said to me, ‘I can’t do it.’ I told him the word ‘can’t’ is not in our vocabulary. I think it’s extremely important for all coaches to be positive even under the most adverse conditions. Both players and assistant coaches take on the demeanor of the head coach.
GS: What should your priorities be when you’re new to a program?
BR: Surrounding yourself with successful people. As a head coach, you must have both capable and loyal assistants. And the loyalty must go both ways – you have to be there for them so it’s not a one-way street. Organization of everything you do is also critical – from the detail of practices to issuing of equipment – and must be buttoned up. Football is a 12-month a year program and each phase must be organized.
I think discipline is an essential priority as well. You can go to a practice and after five minutes determine the level of discipline a team has. You can see it in facial expression and body language. It shows itself on the field during games – how do the players react when they’re behind late in the game by a touchdown?
GS: What are the essentials in building a consistently successful team?
BR: As I mentioned earlier, being and staying positive is crucial. Having your team in the best possible physical condition is also extremely important. You always want to be in a position to ‘win’ the fourth quarter. You also have to continue to find new ways to motivate your kids – you will have new players every year and you have to continue to keep them motivated. You also have to be flexible based on the talents of your athletes and make sure coaches and players alike are all going in the same direction.
GS: What are your thoughts on implementing your offensive and defensive schemes?
BR: In dealing with Xs and Os, don’t try to be all things to all people. By that I mean, what are the attributes of the talent you have? Stick to the basics whether you run a wing-t or a shotgun spread formation. Take a small package – both offensively and defensively – and teach it effectively. Practice the basics over and over – you’ll be more effective and efficient that way.
GS: What is the most overlooked part of today’s game?
BR: The importance of special teams. Many games are decided by special teams play and it is not practiced enough. I would routinely take one-third of our practice time and devote it strictly to special teams. Each phase is critical. A blocked field goal or punt return for a touchdown makes the difference in many games. Why not practice special teams as much as you do your offense and defense?
You also have to make players and coaches accountable for special teams play. An idea might be to give each assistant coach the responsibility for a phase of special teams play and then practice daily game situations. As a coach, you need to develop a different mindset towards special teams.
About the author: Greg Christodulu played at both Syracuse and Delaware and has coached at Albany, James Madison, and Susquehanna. Christodulu was also the offensive coordinator at Gloversville High School (NY) and is currently an assistant coach at Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park (NY). He can be reached at chrigrep@shenet.org