Brent Steuerwald, a legendary high school coach in Clifton Park, New York, retired after the 2011 season. He coached for 54 years with 44 of those seasons being the head coach of Shenendehowa High School. Steuerwald had an overall record of 319-88-4. He received numerous local, state, and national coaching honors and led his team to three state championships.
Among the many accolades Steuerwald received in his near half century as a head coach was the Power of Influence award from the American Football Coaches Association in 2010. Coaches who receive this award are recognized for their impact on their team and players as well as the legacy they leave with their school and community.
A frequent contributor to both American Football Monthly and Gridiron Strategies, this issue of GS includes the first of a three-part series on his philosophy and strategy in teaching football. He discusses the priorities of being a coach. Among the topics he includes are to never stop learning, adapt to change, embrace today’s technology, and the importance of having a detailed practice plan.
Steuerwald became the first head coach at Shen in 1968 when they first began a football program. Now, in retirement, he wants to continue working with coaches and helping them in any way he can. “I want to continue to teach coaches that it isn’t what you know about the sport but everything else that’s associated with coaching that matters most.”
This issue of GS also includes a clinic on “Teaching Turnovers” by Josh Homolka, the defensive coordinator of Ottawa University, “Drive Concepts in the Spread, No-Huddle Offense” by Rich Hargitt, the offensive coordinator at Ashbrook High School (NC), and “The Inside Zone and Drills to Perfect Your Zone Mechanics” by Chase Harp, the new offensive coordinator at Arkansas Tech.
We hope you enjoy the entire issue and welcome your feedback.
Sincerely,
Rex Lardner
Managing Editor