TPJ, where is this?

--Dave

We moved to Whitfield County, Georgia, this summer. This is for our local rec center. I prefer to coach rec ball because I take pride in making a 10% kid 90% better.

After talking with the director, it will be almost impossible for me to become a head coach with the way things are currently structured. I respect the process, but I really don't like it. It punishes experienced coaches just because they're not from here. 

I don't think I could ever be an assistant coach because I couldn't stand not being in control of the blocking scheme. The answer for most coaches is always "on" blocking. That's great when your OL dominates, but when you have 149 pound Terry Johnson against 265 pound future NFL players in Jeff Saturday or Ricky Sutton, you need to generate more force by angle blocking, trapping, and pulling. I've been told that it's hard for kids to do it, but it took me all of two practices to teach my sons how to do it when they were both 7.

Sorry for the digression -- just passionate about O-Line play.

Anyways, that offer still stands. You guys have all been super helpful... I'd really like to return the favor.

Posted by: @terrypjohnson

We moved to Whitfield County, Georgia, this summer. This is for our local rec center. I prefer to coach rec ball because I take pride in making a 10% kid 90% better.

After talking with the director, it will be almost impossible for me to become a head coach with the way things are currently structured. I respect the process, but I really don't like it. It punishes experienced coaches just because they're not from here. 

I don't think I could ever be an assistant coach because I couldn't stand not being in control of the blocking scheme. The answer for most coaches is always "on" blocking. That's great when your OL dominates, but when you have 149 pound Terry Johnson against 265 pound future NFL players in Jeff Saturday or Ricky Sutton, you need to generate more force by angle blocking, trapping, and pulling. I've been told that it's hard for kids to do it, but it took me all of two practices to teach my sons how to do it when they were both 7.

Sorry for the digression -- just passionate about O-Line play.

Anyways, that offer still stands. You guys have all been super helpful... I'd really like to return the favor.

Wouldn't becoming an AC help the process to become a HC? 

@mahonz - Unfortunately not. This is such a great program, that kids usually start at age 5 and work their way up with the same coaches. I think he said the coach for my oldest's team has coached them all the way since then. Unfortunately, I can't go to another district that needs coaches.

I will try it again when my youngest turns 5.  

Posted by: @terrypjohnson

After talking with the director, it will be almost impossible for me to become a head coach with the way things are currently structured. I respect the process, but I really don't like it. It punishes experienced coaches just because they're not from here. 

--About 7 years ago, I lived on the South Carolina/Georgia border.  I tried to get a youth header position everywhere I could.  The few orgs in the area remarked that while I was more experienced than the coaches they had, they preferred to have dads as headers.  One org did offer me the opportunity to train all of their coaches, but without the opportunity to be a HC.  I was also interviewed by a middle school coach, but after talking rings around him in regards to scheme, he didn't offer.  I eventually accepted a high school offer, but their new header resigned a few weeks after I was hired and as seemed to be common practice, I was not retained.

I don't think I could ever be an assistant coach because I couldn't stand not being in control of the blocking scheme.

--Bingo.  This ^ X 100.

I've been told that it's hard for kids to do it, but it took me all of two practices to teach my sons how to do it when they were both 7.

--As I've said a bazillion times, it isn't "hard for kids to do."  What's hard is base blocking a dude who's bigger, stronger, wider, etc.

--Dave

Posted by: @terrypjohnson

@mahonz - Unfortunately not. This is such a great program, that kids usually start at age 5 and work their way up with the same coaches. I think he said the coach for my oldest's team has coached them all the way since then. Unfortunately, I can't go to another district that needs coaches.

I will try it again when my youngest turns 5.  

To be more specific...would coaching as an AC on your oldest sons team help familiarize the Board with you so you move to the front of the line for the 5 year olds? 

Same deal in our League....a Header starts out with the Super Smurfs and says with that team until the go off to HS. So it can be tough to break into the "club". 

Sitting in the stands as an armchair OL coach will drive you nuts. On the field as the Assistant to the Assistant Dummy Holder will at least give you a voice...eventually. 

The vast majority of all Headers are not so ignorant that they will turn their backs on experience(s). 

I think you're right about that and actually volunteered to help. Unfortunately, neither of my boys coaches wanted me to help because their staffs are all set. Out of respect for them, I'll make it a point to not second guess anything. I'll save that for college football.

The only thing I don't like was that I never got a chance to explain why I was qualified. I had parents and my old administration ready to give references. It was just "no".

Oh, well, I'll settle for being a consultant this year. It worked out for Butch Jones...

Posted by: @terrypjohnson

I think you're right about that and actually volunteered to help. Unfortunately, neither of my boys coaches wanted me to help because their staffs are all set. 

Stoopid...

--Dave

Posted by: @terrypjohnson

I think you're right about that and actually volunteered to help. Unfortunately, neither of my boys coaches wanted me to help because their staffs are all set. Out of respect for them, I'll make it a point to not second guess anything. I'll save that for college football.

The only thing I don't like was that I never got a chance to explain why I was qualified. I had parents and my old administration ready to give references. It was just "no".

Oh, well, I'll settle for being a consultant this year. It worked out for Butch Jones...

Wow. 

I got a call most every year from the Director asking me if I have a spot for a coach he couldn't place. I have hired two of them. One has coached with us for a number of years now but has no kids in the program. I first met him at a camp I was running and loved his energy so I did have a heads up on who he was. 

But just....no? Odd. They must have a waiting list. 

@mahonz - I think a lot of it is that it's a rec league. They're not about winning games, they just want it to be fun. I'm pretty certain they prefer dads rather than coaches. It's good to know that now (e.g. it's not a good fit) because I'd like to coach long after my kids have moved on. Just feel called to do it...

Posted by: @terrypjohnson

@mahonz - I think a lot of it is that it's a rec league. They're not about winning games, they just want it to be fun. I'm pretty certain they prefer dads rather than coaches. It's good to know that now (e.g. it's not a good fit) because I'd like to coach long after my kids have moved on. Just feel called to do it...

I'm having a really hard time understanding how one thing has to do with another. So dad coaches make it more fun? My experience shows the opposite tends to be true.

If they're not about winning games . . . do they keep score? Are there standings? Playoffs?

Speaking as a guy who hasn't had a kid on the team for about 14 seasons now.

@gumby_in_co - I can't say for sure... just guessing. I'm really trying hard to believe that there's a good reason behind their decision. As I mentioned to them when I signed up, I have experience, multiple certifications, and references. They never even requested them.

Posted by: @terrypjohnson

I have experience, multiple certifications, and references. They never even requested them.

Which tells me they don't value any of the three.

--Dave