without any MAJOR flaws.

Other than that he bailed on you.

Maybe someone with (supposedly) lesser "leadership" qualities might be just the thing.

I am a first year head coach, and I got a phone call from a parent today, and he has choose to move his child up to the next division. Now, normally, this would be no big deal, however I have spent money sending this kid to a camp, spent half a year this offseason training him. He was my only decent prospect at QB without any MAJOR flaws.

Now I am stuck at a crossroads. The first day of practice is in a week. I know these players pretty well, and don't have anyone who can throw the ball consistently. Of those who have a decent arm, they're not very competitive, don't have a high work ethic or leadership qualities, don't know the playbook.

So should I take the time to develop a QB, or scrap the system (a modified youth spread offense) and move to something that requires less passing to set up the run?

What would you have done if you'd never met this child?

What would you have done if you'd never met this child?

I would have spent the last 6 months getting someone else up to speed. I know, put all your eggs in one basket this is what happens. Lesson learned. But I am where I am. Gotta move forward for this year.

Other than that he bailed on you.

Maybe someone with (supposedly) lesser "leadership" qualities might be just the thing.

It wasn't the child it was the parent. No way that kid wanted to move we had a good relationship

Why did he move him up a division? I hate when kids move up.

Why did he move him up a division? I hate when kids move up.

I'm taking over a group of kids that have really struggled in the past. The group ahead of us was a bit more successful. The parent said it was because of the size of the team, and he was worried about having such slim numbers on the sidelines (were at 18, I'm okay with it but it's the minimum for our league).  I'm pretty sure it's just because I'm younger than most of the parents so some of them don't respect it? I'm not sure.

I just found out yesterday that the HS for the youth team that I coach will be allowing 6th graders to play Jr. High. I'm not even going to get into why this is a really bad idea, but I found out from my director that one of my kids is going to jump. According to the director, his father thinks that he is too good of an athlete for our level. Keep in mind that this kid is relatively small and has a propensity for injury. Against the biggest and most physical team we played last year, he ended up getting a  concussion and missing the last few weeks of the season. Plus, he has had other dings along the way that has limited his playing time. Hopefully, the dad will get some common sense before we start up in 3 weeks. However, as far as I'm concerned, I won't lose any sleep over it.

I am a first year head coach, and I got a phone call from a parent today, and he has choose to move his child up to the next division. Now, normally, this would be no big deal, however I have spent money sending this kid to a camp, spent half a year this offseason training him. He was my only decent prospect at QB without any MAJOR flaws.

Now I am stuck at a crossroads. The first day of practice is in a week. I know these players pretty well, and don't have anyone who can throw the ball consistently. Of those who have a decent arm, they're not very competitive, don't have a high work ethic or leadership qualities, don't know the playbook.

So should I take the time to develop a QB, or scrap the system (a modified youth spread offense) and move to something that requires less passing to set up the run?

It happens
It's a bad deal for you- but you have to look at it from the parents eyes
When you are playing for a team that consistently loses- it gets depressing for the kids and sometimes dangerous
I get it- not your fault- you didnt coach the team in the past- but the hand is the hand
Guys that are coaching perennial losing teams- take note- this is really commonplace stuff
That worst to first 8th grade team I took in Reno- 2 of the teams we played had 4 of the best kids on each team who USED to play for our team- but were easily recruited away because that team stunk so bad- getting beat by 30-40-50 almost every week
Its always easier retaining and recruiting to a winning program

18 kids running spread- when that is your leagues minimum- and now no apparent QB- might not be the way to go

I found out 2 weeks ago that I lost my starting QB- he is moving to Arizona
He came along slowly last year- but did really well- winning the last 4 and throwing at a 50% clip in those games
He would have had a great season this year- in his 2nd year of tackle football
We had plans to throw a bunch this season- now maybe not as much
But that's why I dont  run a QB centric offense- it might make sense to consider running something else
Best of luck

I am a first year head coach, and I got a phone call from a parent today, and he has choose to move his child up to the next division. Now, normally, this would be no big deal, however I have spent money sending this kid to a camp, spent half a year this offseason training him. He was my only decent prospect at QB without any MAJOR flaws.

Now I am stuck at a crossroads. The first day of practice is in a week. I know these players pretty well, and don't have anyone who can throw the ball consistently. Of those who have a decent arm, they're not very competitive, don't have a high work ethic or leadership qualities, don't know the playbook.

So should I take the time to develop a QB, or scrap the system (a modified youth spread offense) and move to something that requires less passing to set up the run?

First I question why you would pay to send a kid to camp instead of the parent.

2nd what if he got hurt in the first game you need a backup anyway.  Can't depend on one kid for the whole team.

3rd run something not so dependant on one player but you can plug in different kids and still be competitive

Side not story.  A few years ago our organization added a tiny mites and junior midget team they didn't have enough players for junior midget so they moved up some Peewee players then moved junior peewee to cover Peewee then moved up some Mighty Mites to cover junior peewee when all was said and done we had all smaller teams the end result was other than tiny mites all the other teams lost I'm a big proponent for keeping kids down as long as you can let them be a big fish in a little Pond instead of a little fish in a big pond.

My question is, what blocking scheme are you going to use?

MB

Before scrapping your system think things through. When we ran "Spread" with 10's the primary focus was running the ball,
with just enough passing to keep the defense honest.

Do you have a legitimate TB?

What Blocking scheme are you using?

Do you have a player who is a FB?

You need to answer these questions before changing anything. IMHO it all starts with the O Line. If you have the line that can handle the splits & the combo blocks then by all means run the Spread. If not understand what they can do. We always had ways to run the ball.

Joe

I would have spent the last 6 months getting someone else up to speed. I know, put all your eggs in one basket this is what happens. Lesson learned. But I am where I am. Gotta move forward for this year.

If you were that set on running your preferred system, then continue to do so with the player talent you have.  Even if you spent 6 months trying to get a player up to speed, that doesn't mean you'd've gotten the same results.  So I gather you wanted to run what you wanted to run, period.  If you're that committed mentally, a variation in skill at the position you think is key should not be enough to sway you from it.  You can install something else as an emergency plan, but you won't be happy with it, and your lack of enthusiasm for it will be felt and affect your results, no matter how you try not to let it show.

The only other alternative I'd suggest would be to put one of your ACs in charge of the offense, and let him install and run whatever he wants.  You can still help with all his drills teaching the basic skills, and you can have total charge of the defense if you want.  However, I would not recommend your personally installing an offense you don't have at least some enthusiasm about.

yeah, my first reaction would be to junk the spread.

but like MHcoach says, if you really know the spread, you can run like crazy out of it.

we have even incorporated some 'spread' formations in out UBSW in youth in an effort to disperse defenders.

coach, this stinks for you, no doubt about it.  two years ago we lost our FB in preseason.  he was our best tackler, best blocker, best inside runner, and absolutely vital to our spin series, which was our most effective weapon.

it's just like any other situation where something devastating happens: you must adjust and play with what you have. 

my thoughts would be, maybe look to find a runner who you can build around.  then, find your next best passer and teach him two or three throws that will complement what you are doing on the ground.

finally, i'd look at what mahonz has done out of wide split Beast formation as a good fall back position.  you may grow to love it.  and i bet he'd help you, he's a good dude.

but i don't know what you have, those are just ideas that may or may not work.  but the point is, instead of focusing on what you lost, you have to focus on how you will replace it.

finally, make sure you can block.  it doesn't matter what you run.  you gotta block it effectively.

I am a first year head coach, and I got a phone call from a parent today, and he has choose to move his child up to the next division. Now, normally, this would be no big deal, however I have spent money sending this kid to a camp, spent half a year this offseason training him. He was my only decent prospect at QB without any MAJOR flaws.

Now I am stuck at a crossroads. The first day of practice is in a week. I know these players pretty well, and don't have anyone who can throw the ball consistently. Of those who have a decent arm, they're not very competitive, don't have a high work ethic or leadership qualities, don't know the playbook.

So should I take the time to develop a QB, or scrap the system (a modified youth spread offense) and move to something that requires less passing to set up the run?

Dump the system and send this guy a Bill.