How excited are you about this upcoming season? It will be fun because I enjoyed the 3rd Brigade and everybody on Kelley Hill, but this year they’re going to expand it to everyone on post, giving me the opportunity to meet more people. I like the discipline of the Army, I like the structure, I like everything about it and I’m looking forward to doing it again.
What are your expectations for this team? From what I hear, there’s more talent on base because we’re going to draw from everywhere on base rather than just 3rd Brigade. I’m expecting more talent, but we’re also playing tougher games.
Why did you want to coach this team? I had a great time last year. I like coaching outdoor football, too. I’m really an outdoor football coach coaching arena ball, not the other way around. I love 11-man football and a true football guy enjoys fall football outside.
What are some challenges you will face this season? Putting together a team as fast as we can to get ready for a game on Oct. 2 against a university. That’s only 20-something days, 13 or 14 practices. That’s not a lot. Bringing a bunch of guys together will be tough.
How much time and effort will it require on your part? More time than I have. I don’t just show up for practice at 5:45 and coach for two hours and go home, and that’s the end of it. The preparation and planning is twice as long as the practice itself. If I have 10 hours per week of practice, I have 20 hours per week of planning. What will be required on a Soldier’s part to be on this team? Commitment, honesty, discipline, things they should already have by being in the Army.
What will training this team be like compared to training the Lions? It’s the same concept: Be honest with people, demand the best and work harder than anybody else. It’s just like any other job. There are more positions, more coaches, more people. In arena ball, I’ve got 20 guys on the entire roster. Now we’re doubling the roster and doubling the coaching staff, so you’re doubling the work. There’s more special teams involved in outdoor football. In the outdoor game, there’s a lot to prepare for in a lot less time.
Would coaching special teams be the biggest challenge in that? We’ll play smart football. Outdoor football is about field position and playing defense. What we’re going to have to do with the Doughboys is play solid football and not turn the ball over and make somebody earn everything they get — offensively or defensively. I thought last year the special teams played pretty well. We had a great kicking game and punting game. We put a lot of time into it. We spent practice time making sure everyone understood special teams was a priority. Special teams has the word “special” in it for a reason. You have to be special to be on it.
Since Soldiers are doing this on their own time, how will you work with the players to make it convenient for them to practice and train? I’ll cross that bridge when we get there, but not to say this in a rude way: I made a commitment to this two months ago to do it. That means I’ve got to do it. I can’t say, “Hey, I’ve got this to do tonight, I can’t be there.” It’s not going to work that way. If they can’t make the commitment, don’t be here. If something comes up at their job … I understand that.
What is your vision for this team? Win every game, that’s why we suit up.
