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    • Alabama high school football coaches do more than just teach the sport
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    Alabama high school football coaches do more than just teach the sport

    Madoc Meredith Posted on

    High school football coaches have a lot to do and must take on many different tasks.

    That’s especially true on game days, when coaches can be pulled in a hundred directions, all leading up to the three hours or so they’re actually being evaluated. Before that, though, a lot can happen and be asked of them. To learn more about what coaches have to do on game days, the Gadsden Times followed Sardis coach BJ Brooks to his first game of the season and talked to several coaches in the area.

    Coaches have to take on many different roles throughout the week. They have to be groundskeepers to get the field ready for play, psychiatrists to make sure players are in the right shape to play and balance each player to fit the team, and event planners to handle all of the logistics. They also have to constantly try to raise money for the school’s program and athletic programs. Mechanical issues and other problem-solving issues are always present throughout the season.

    Michael Davis of Geraldine does more of the non-football-related tasks that are part of coaching than actual coaching. He finds ways to be there for the players and see them improve, making a hard job worth it.

    “I find myself doing everything other than coaching football on a regular basis,” Davis said. “There’s so much in it, kids have problems or difficulties that they need help with. There’s so much in it, I find myself often dealing with problems or being there for kids. I’d rather be doing anything for them than coaching football, but that’s the point.”

    None of these responsibilities even come in addition to their day job. Most coaches in the Gadsden area who are not full-time retired and contracted either teach or work in an administrative capacity at the school or system. They cannot devote all of their time to football as they must still teach and handle all of the associated duties during the school day.

    “I don’t think everyone realizes that. I was taking driving lessons up until a few years ago, so that was even further removed from the football world than weight training. That responsibility is just as important as teaching. Now I’m lucky enough to have a few hours to plan,” said Boaz coach Jeremy Sullivan.

    Preparing to play football

    At Brooks and Sardis, the field is painted the day before and there is a team of Lions staff that takes care of the field throughout the week. Other places like Boaz have switched to artificial turf fields, which means they don’t have to mow or paint lines, but the field and other practice fields still need to be maintained throughout the week. Most coaches have repeatedly stressed that the most important thing is relationships with the players, staff, administration and community. These relationships make the job easier.

    REMARKS: Gadsden Area High School Football: What We Saw in Week 0 as Gadsden City Made a Statement

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    Both Boaz and Sardis have groups that take care of the team’s meals and help with many other activities, such as getting the stadium ready for game day. Coaches have to help round up officials and make sure their accommodations are ready. When they’re at home, they have to make sure the visiting team is ready, and there’s always a lot of planning to do for away games. Whatever relationships a coach can build to get a task taken off his hands is critical to the job.

    “Relationships are the key to success. The ones you mentioned, the players, the assistant coaches, the trainer, our doctor. We have so many people in the community that do things for us, from washing our uniforms to providing meals for our kids to donating money to our program,” Sullivan said. “You have to build those relationships and you have to maintain those relationships.”

    TOP TEAMS: Alabama High School Football: Ranking the top 10 teams in the Gadsden area for Week 1

    PREDICTIONS FOR WEEK 1: Alabama’s best high school football games in the Gadsden area in Week 1 – and our predictions

    What do match days look like for a coach?

    There’s a lot to do on game days. The day starts as a teacher and, depending on the schedule, could include attending a pep rally. Last Thursday, Brooks had to participate in a dance portion that the teachers were asked to take care of. Then they can move on to coaching, with all that that entails.

    The teams go through final walkthroughs and rehearse any situations they might face later in the game. Brooks meets with his quarterback, Brian Chapman, about three hours before the game to go over the audibles and his thoughts on the plays. Brooks also met with some of his younger players to calm any nerves before the first game and review some key plays.

    Brooks finds time for himself and time to take on his most important role – being a father – before heading out for warmups. At the last minute, they plan the game and discuss important points. After the game, they analyze the game and go over certain tasks that they review on film for notes.

    Despite everything that is asked of coaches, it is a rewarding job, especially when you see players succeed. Brooks was able to bring in Hudson McDaniel for the team and he became a key player on the defensive line. In Week Zero, he made a sack and the whole team celebrated like it was their own. In other cases, you see players make an impact on their own families off the field. Brooks gets to see another side: One of his assistants is a former player from his time at Etowah and recently surprised him with another former player coming to town.

    Brooks leans on his support system and thanks them for getting him through the job, saying that in the end, all the work is worth it when you see the relationship between his players and daughters.

    “It’s 2000% worth it. To experience moments like that, to see the impact you have on these kids, and then to see the impact they have on our own kids, it’s just priceless,” Brooks said.

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    Madoc Meredith
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