Coaching Reminders For Fall Camp:
1) You won’t be as good as u think after Day 1
2) You won’t be as bad as u think after day 1
3) An underwear Superstar will shrink the moment he puts pads on…It’s your job to “Unshrink” him… Find a way to give him courage ( Even going to the “wizard of oz” if necessary…And if all else fails simply have him do things that don’t require courage
4) You will hit a “Lull”… great coaches know it’s coming and are prepared…Respond accordingly with Pattern Interrupts ( Movie instead of practice/ Watermelon instead of overtime period/ Coaches putt putt match O vs D… Anything to disrupt the pattern….Then be thankful for the Lull because it’s a great teaching opportunity to self and team…Be prepared on how to break the lull during a game ( Gimmick play… temper tantrum… etc)
5) Injuries are a 100% certainty…Do everything humanly possible to prevent as many as u can ( remove obstructions … water coolers in corner of end zone… helmet left on sideline … etc) Coaching plays a role in injury limitations. You will be a better coach when your players are playing not in training room … Never have an injury because of neglect of duty
6) Find a role for EVERYONE! Then define the role and make it clear to each human what their role is…Third team right tackle/ equipment assistant on GameDay… OL coach game day eyes…DB coach responsibility when fight breaks out…Take what every human in your organization can do to help the team win and make certain of 3 things A) they know their role B) They accept it and feel appreciated and valuable for executing their role C) They know there are consequences for not performing their role to their best capabilities
7) Never forget OL can develop and grow from gangly awkward to capable sometimes simply with 1000 reps and time. Dont ever quit on an OL.
8) Control the egos of your staff…and of yourself…Uncontrollable egos have destroyed more good teams and coaching staffs than all the bad players combined…Be competitive but celebrate the wins by your teammates and coaching mates
9) Walk thru the locker room and make certain there is NEVER bullying or sexual harassment taking place
10) Never take for granted that any human understands what u meant…Be clear in your actions and intent
I’ve consulted over 1000 coaches and schools as well as coached middle school, high school, Power 4 and Group of 6 College D1, and Professional Arena.
Ive been a DB coach, defensive coordinator, offensive coordinator, running back coach, receiver coach, OL coach, and Head Coach and General Manager.
I’ve won on the last play, been beaten with Hail Mary and 50 yard field goals as time runs out.
I’ve been praised. I’ve been fired. I’ve been attacked for every human flaw from poor play calling to being fat and dressing poorly, and been given more credit than I ever deserve.
As a player I’ve been injured and had surgery to end a season and I’ve fumbled on the last play of the game to lose the game and I’ve been named player of the game and received honors for being a good player.
I’ve buried many of my closest friends and mentors in this business (players and coaches).
In other words I’ve lived a full life and have seen, felt, and experienced the good, the bad, and the ugly of this game and this profession.
And if I could describe the value of the entire experience it would be summed up in these points:
1) I never loved the game…But I cherished, respected, and grew from what the game provided for me and the countless players I’ve been fortunate to coach
2) Not all coaches are good humans. Some are horrible evil men, just as some lawyers, doctors, and military leaders are horrible humans…and I don’t give them a pass for winning and being fun and having power… and I don’t give myself a pass for the harm I’ve done either
3) The good coaches are incredible teachers, have empathy for other humans, have a deep desire to impact young people in a positive way, realize they aren’t perfect, work smart more than work hard, ask for forgiveness when they wrong someone, and are willing to lose their job in order to protect the lives and psyche of the young people they coach, master their craft, coach everyone the same until they “know them” then coach everyone different according to their skillset and learning preference, keep their cool when everyone around them is losing their cool, takes the blame for failures of their team or group and praises others when success lands upon them, and have built lifetime relationships with humans they coached, mentored, and guided…regardless of the success as a player that human had.
4) The best most impactful coaches aren’t transactional with the humans they have influence over. They deal firmly but humanely regardless of what that human can do for them
As the season of 2026 nears and the drums of football beat louder than ever…Choose to be a good man, a good human, a good teacher, a good friend, a good mentor.
Your influence is forever.
Don’t take it lightly
NEW: The NCAA Oversight Committee has proposed a 10-day transfer portal window starting January 1, 2027, down from the current 15-day period.
https://t.co/dnK7smP42j
BREAKING: The NCAA is officially adopting the age-based eligibility structure, giving players 5 years to play 5 seasons from either when they enroll or from the season they turn 19 (whichever comes first).
The Division I cabinet was unanimous in their vote for the new model.
🚨STAFF UPDATE 🚨
We are elevating Coach Taylor Dollar (@coachtdollar) to be our new Offensive Coordinator ‼️
Coach Dollar is a Metter Alum that brings A LOT of juice, energy and knowledge of the game to the table!
🟠⚫️🐅
#gotigers / #chasingGREATNESS