10 Steps to Starting a Successful High School Football Program

• Perhaps the most important role in sport is the role of the High School Football Coach.  No other position has a greater affect on his or her team’s success.  A great coach can turn around a struggling program and lift the community in ways many other things cannot.  The hiring of a head football Coach is a huge decision and often times an exhausting lengthy process, with good reason.

  Many area teams will kick of the season with a new Coach at the helm(6 at last count). With that, I thought I would post something I found written by Dean Colbert.  He spent many years as a successful Head Football Coach and as an Athletic Director, in the state of Texas.

  These are his 10 steps to starting a successful football program.

  1. The Written Five-Year Plan

  I began by developing a
  five-year plan and I put it in writing. I realized starting a football
  program would be a process and I felt it was important to have a written
  plan as a reference to monitor the process.

  Within this plan, I think it is important to have the following items:

• Program Philosophy
• Expectations for the Program
• Mission Statement
• Vision Statement

The
plan should include a brief summary of “How We Will Win” and an
offensive, defensive and special teams philosophy. It is important this
plan can be communicated clearly to assistant coaches as well as to each
member of the team. There will invariably be peaks and valleys during
this process.
During the adverse times, it is good to have a
common reference (written plan) everyone understands and values. This
should help in re-establishing the positive progress within the program.

2. Accountability

Accountability
within the program is very important. Accountability is obtained by
having a sound disciplinary policy and by enforcing it consistently.
Fair treatment of all players is vital; from the Division I prospects to the players who may never see the field.
Any
favoritism or unfair treatment will be noticed by other team members.
This can prove to be devastating in starting a program and the
credibility of the coach will likely be damaged.

3. Quality Coaching Staff

Assembling
a quality coaching and support staff is extremely important. It is
critical each staff member at the youth, middle and high school level
understand the overall philosophy of the program. Hiring coaches and
support personnel with a similar background or “pedigree” (as the head
coach) should help, especially during adverse times.
Establishing a
family atmosphere among the coaching staff at all levels is important.
It is beneficial if everyone within this family feels a sense of
ownership. The mutual feeling that “we are all in this together” should
help in the process.

4. Coaches’ Wives And Family

It is
very important to have a positive relationship with the wives and family
of each coach and staff member. Keeping the wives informed as active
participants is critical to helping maintain a positive morale within
the coaching staff.

At the beginning of each August, I provide
each family with a calendar for the entire season. This calendar enables
the coach and his family to plan their schedule throughout the season.
The calendar will list the details regarding practice, meetings and
scouting responsibilities. I have found if the wives are happy, the
staff is also likely to be happy. On the first Friday in August, I host a
luncheon at a local restaurant and invite each staff member and their
family to attend.

We call it the “Kickoff Luncheon.” At this
luncheon, the wives get together and set the schedule for the “post-game
celebrations.” Post game celebrations and socials where the families
can eat and have fellowship with one another is a great way to establish
a true “family atmosphere.”

5. Positive Parental Involvement

Positive
parental involvement is important. Keeping parents informed about
important dates and events by email or the postal system will be
appreciated. A relationship built on trust can be established by
effective communication with the parents. When problems with their child
occur, the parent may be more understanding since a prior network of
communication had been established.

Home visitations are the best way to develop a relationship of trust
with parents. A home visitation packet complete with game schedules,
NCAA academic requirements and the program philosophy seems to always be
appreciated.

6. Community Service

Community service and
involvement can be another beneficial aspect of starting a successful
football program. This can be performed by the coaching staff as well as
by members of the football team.
Visits to local churches,
retirement homes and elementary schools are great ways to demonstrate
you truly care about the community. Other methods are hosting youth
football camps, hosting clinics for youth football coaches and being
visible at sporting events other than football games.
7. Quality Off-Season Program
 A quality off-season program is
extremely important. In starting a football program, the first season
will likely be tough. Whether successful or not, the first off-season is
critical.
I have found that Championship Training School followed
by a “boot camp” is effective to establish a positive start to the
off-season. Championship Training School, or CTS, takes place in a nice
auditorium. Each coach will provide a 10-minute presentation to the team
on what it takes to be a champion. Some of the topics discussed are:
mental and physical development, leadership and character.
After
CTS, we start our boot camp or “Camp Paradise.” This is an intense,
regimented mental and physical daily workout that typically lasts
3-4 weeks. We sell to the team that “Camp Paradise” is comparable to a
Marine Boot Camp. We end with a perfect day and provide the team with
T-shirts as a reward. It definitely sets the tone for the rest of the
off-season.

Other important phases include
strength and speed development, voluntary after school work outs,
competing in a second sport (preferably track and field), spring
football practices, spring football game and the summer strength/speed
camp. It is critical each member of the team voluntarily participate in
the summer program.

8. Practice Organization

Practice
organization is extremely important. A normal practice can be completed
in 90 to 105 minutes if they are organized well and the team moves with a
sense of urgency. As game day approaches, the time can be cut even
more. It is important not to go beyond the times that have been
communicated to the team and parents. By adhering to the posted times,
the coach will likely create trust with the parents and team members.

Posting
a practice plan and constantly going beyond the times that are posted
may create morale problems for the team. Some parents may also not
appreciate their sons arriving home later then they expected.

Practices should also be demanding yet interesting and enjoyable.
Competition in drills is an effective way to make practices enjoyable. A
change of routine is also an effective way to make practices
interesting. It is important the players go home daily with a good
feeling, eager to share with their parents the positive experience they
had in practice.

9. Promote The Program

Promoting the
program in a positive light is very important. This should be done
often, however and whenever the opportunity presents itself. Public
celebrations that include the feeder program, parents and the community
can be extremely effective.

Events such as scholarship signings,
banquets, cook outs and socials are great ways to promote the program.
The recognition of improvement of the program, progress of the program
or achievement can also be beneficial.

In 2008, The Atascocita
Eagle Football Program was awarded the “Sportsmanship Trophy” by the
Houston Chapter of Football Officials. This award was significant
because it represents how the team and coaches conducted themselves on
the field in a winning or losing effort. I promoted this award to our
administration, faculty and feeder program as a huge positive step in the development of our program. We were able to house this trophy
for a year. This trophy is about five feet tall and is very noticeable. I
made sure it was situated near the front of the school. I was amazed at
the positive impact this award provided for our program.

10. Formal Evaluation Of Program

The
final step is the formal evaluation of the program. A formal evaluation
is conducted at the conclusion of the football season as well as at the
end of spring football.

During this time, I will have a
one-on-one meeting with each staff member and we will discuss strengths,
weaknesses, goals, personnel and suggestions for improvement. I also
have each staff member provide me with what they feel we can do to
strengthen our program. I also want to know their personal short and
long term goals. I want each staff member to realize I am concerned with
their advancement in the coaching profession. I want each staff member
to know I will assist them in as much as possible to achieve their
personal goals.

Each (returning) team member will submit a self-evaluation and goal
sheet for the spring, summer and upcoming season. This provides the
coaching staff with feedback from their players so they can monitor
their progress. Film evaluation is also critical. It is important as a
staff we know what has been effective and not effective in terms of our
offensive, defensive and special team scheme. This will assist us as we
plan for the future.

If you choose to accept the challenge of
starting a football program, there will definitely be times of pure
frustration, discouragement and defeat. However, I truly believe the
permanent benefits and self satisfaction that come from starting a
program will far outweigh any temporary negative emotion.