[Hoot Gibson]

When I lived in Indiana, I had the privilege of meeting one of the top football coaches in the state and to see first hand a few of the things that he did away from the field to build a strong football program. I was just wondering what, if any schools, do the same kind of things. The coach's name is Rick Wimmer, who has led two different teams to state titles. His most recent title was with Fishers High School in 2010, which won the 5A (then the state's largest class) state title over Lawrence Central. He also led Zionsville to a state title in 1987. When I met Coach Wimmer, he was in his first season of rebuilding Greenwood Community High School's football program.

These were the top two things that impressed me most about Coach Wimmer off the field:

1. Every week of the season, Coach Wimmer and his staff hosted a spaghetti dinner. A local business provided the pasta but every parent of a football player was asked to bring a side dish. Video clips of the previous week's game were played and awards for Offensive, Defensive, Scout Team Player of the Week, etc. were announced. Coach Wimmer would then give an overview of the upcoming opponent's strengths and weaknesses. Then he would introduce the offensive and defensive coordinators who would present a high-level scouting report and explain in general terms Greenwood's game plan.

I thought the weekly team dinners that brought players, coaches, and parents together were great. Wimmer kept tight control over the presentations and I don't recall any parent whining about his or her kid's lack of playing time. Also, having assistant coaches participate in the weekly presentations was great experience for them, IMO.

2. For any player who expressed an interest in playing football in college, regardless of their skill level, Wimmer and his staff began assembling videos for DVDs in their sophomore year. They also made sure that the players understood the college entrance tests that were required and steered them to resources to prepare for them. What set Wimmer apart in this area, IMO, is that he treated the most talented players the same as the guys at the end of the bench. If the player had an interest in playing D3 or NAIA, then Wimmer and his staff worked to make it possible, the same as they did to make it possible for a D1 prospect.

One of the players on that team, sophomore A. J. Edds, later played LB at Iowa and was a fourth round NFL pick. He was signed and later released a few months ago by New England.

The season that my son played for Coach Wimmer, Greenwood posted a very unexpected perfect record in the regular season.

What about your school's team, do they have pregame dinners? What do they do off the field to build team cohesion and community support?

[Granny Bear]

Wow, I love the idea in #1.

Think I'll suggest that next time I have the opportunity. Coach Larkey is always down for free food!!

[Pick6]

Host youth camps during the summer that serve as spring practice for feeder teams and training for youth coaches. Interact intimately with the Booster organization to communication activities such as fund raising and team events.Visit youth program games and practices to show support for youth development. Coordinating training and development activities and seminars for the coaching staff.

[Granny Bear]

^^
We do that, too. Still like Hoot's idea in #1 to add.

[Hoot Gibson]

Wow, I love the idea in #1.

Think I'll suggest that next time I have the opportunity. Coach Larkey is always down for free food!!

The dinners were a lot of fun and very informative, Granny. Of course, getting everybody back to the school would not be nearly as easy at a place like Harlan County of Johnson Central - but maybe the dinners could be scheduled after giving the players time to clean up and their parents time to stop by after work. The free pasta might be a little harder to come by too. At Greenwood, Bucca di Beppo supplied all of the pasta.

[Granny Bear]

In a back woodsy place like it is here Hoot, with the economy down the toilet; you would be surprised at the amount of support the local businesses give the football team. I know I was!! I am very grateful for some of these local family businesses that give as they do.

[Hoot Gibson]

In a back woodsy place like it is here Hoot, with the economy down the toilet; you would be surprised at the amount of support the local businesses give the football team. I know I was!! I am very grateful for some of these local family businesses that give as they do.

Businesses in Johnson County have also been very good to the football and other school programs. The big difference in getting people together in county schools in eastern Kentucky is travel time. Greenwood is a small city with a population of about 30,000 a few miles south of Indy. Every imaginable national chain restaurant and store is represented and the largest mall in the Indianapolis area is located there. Considering the population and number of businesses, JC and HC probably receive more support from local businesses than Greenwood and Center Grove (a large 6A school) do.

I know that it took Wimmer's staff some effort to prepare for those weekly dinners, but parents really seemed to appreciate the effort and recognizing players in front of their families and teammates was great too.

During the time that I have spent working on a military base, I have learned that the Army does much the same thing as Coach Wimmer does. There is at least one retirement, promotion, or awards ceremony every week in my building. The Army does a great job of publicly recognizing uniformed military, civilian employees, and contractors for their achievements. Those ceremonies also serve as great training for officers who preside over them.

[Jacket4Life]

At Williamsburg we have a team meal every Thursday. Our parents also provide side dishes and our booster club provides the protein for the meal. It is a great tradition that allows the coaches and players to eat as a family. It is one of my favorite traditions and I so enjoy getting to be there each week to serve the meal. Afterwards we also have a Bon Fire where the kids from school socialize and at the end the cheerleaders cheer and coach talked about the mission before them.

[Daddycat27]

Sounds like a good old fashioned pep rally! A great time and tradition! I love all of these ideas!

[Pick6]

I would like to know how all you folks have time and energy left for weekly pep rallies. With practice over at 6:30 pm and having to get up for school at 6:00 am, that's not much of a window for academic responsibilities. Plus, speaking for myself, I'm wore out by Thursday!

I would also like to say that I appreciate our program because of the boosters, coaches, supporters and the district support that resulted in upgraded facilities that are better than most. I know what it is like to be in a program w/o that support and it is not fun.

[dns]

Good post Hoot , but what happened in the off seanon? Lets say from november til the start of the next peactice season.

[RunItUpTheGut]

You must find a millionaire alum to pay players

[FreightShaKer]

Sounds like a lot of schools work their tails off to strengthen team relationships

[washed up]

Visit Huntington

[Hoot Gibson]

Good post Hoot , but what happened in the off seanon? Lets say from november til the start of the next peactice season.

It's been a long time and I don't remember Greenwood doing anything special during the summer (running, weight lifting, agility drills, etc.) and I was not around during the winter and spring. Their facilities were nice but nothing out of the ordinary. According to my sons, they had a nice weight room. The field was fairly old and not nearly as nice as the newer fields in eastern Kentucky like Johnson Central's. Wimmer left Greenwood after a few years and became the first coach at a new 5A (now 6A) school, Fishers, where he won his second state title. In his first year, Fishers finished 1-10 in 2006. In 2010, Fishers won the 5A state title and finished 14-1 over Lawrence Central. The man has a system that has worked everywhere that he has been.

[dns]

K thanks!