One of the major pulls of us taking this job was to try and change this football program. Not all of these boys have a life that we’re accustomed to and they really deserve a change. I honestly believe that Michael, and I’d like to think myself, are going to make this happen for these boys. Coming into a program that has no where to go but up, me and Michael knew that the first thing we had to do was make these boys know that we love and care about them, basically give them a reason to play for Michael and in turn, learn to love the game again. If you can imagine, they haven’t really had a reason to play in the past. They had a coach who didn’t care about them or the game anymore, and in turn over the last 8 years they only won 15 games. These boys felt like losers. Michael has only been here for 5 months and the attitude in these boys has already changed dramatically.
For the past few years this program hasn’t had a summer workout regimen, probably the reason they were so prone to injury during the season, so Michael made the schedule for them and communicated it to them and their parents. We were so nervous that no one would show up, so Michael gave them an incentive to. He’s calling it the Iron Tiger club and any and all players who complete a certain amount of summer workouts get their workout clothes monogrammed with Iron Tiger as well as their name on the back of their jersey. Doesn’t seem like a big deal since we’re so used to seeing that in Texas, but Michael says in Arkansas, it’s basically unheard of to have your name on the back of your jersey. Needless to say, the boys showed up…a lot of them did. So much so, that boys were calling Michael to open the weight room even on the weekends. I remember Michael calling me to tell me he was on his way home one night, which the school is about 3 minutes away, and he walked in the door about an hour later. He obviously had some explaining to do as he ate his cold supper. Michael said that as he was walking out the door and locking it up, one of his seniors came running up, bent down with his hands on his knees to breathe and said “I’m sorry I’m late coach, we got stuck in the fields, can I please get in a little of my workout?” Well, how do you say no to that poor boy? Working in the heat all day farming the fields and then running up to get in his workout. I obviously forgave Michael, but this just shows the dedication these boys are putting into this program.
At the end of July, Michael and I decided to invite the senior football players and cheerleaders over to our house for a cookout to thank them for showing leadership all summer long. Michael said it was really funny at workouts that week because the seniors were bragging to all the other players that they get to go to coaches house. Well, out of the 13 senior players, 12 showed up and of the 4 senior cheerleaders, 2 showed up. It was a lot of fun; we grilled for the kids as everyone sat outside together talking and laughing about everything they went through last year. They said whenever they get bored they start talking about last season, and I now understand why. The stories these boys were telling about their practices, games and coaches would have entertained anyone. In between all of their storytelling, they were playing a football game on the PlayStation while others were playing cards. They all came over around 6:30 and the last of them left that night at 11, I would say that’s a success. We have such a great group of kids here and I’m so glad we came. These boys definitely needed Michael, and I know Michael needs them in order for this year to be a success.
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The Brinkley Tigers Sr. High Football Team
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