Every year, our coaches have to face a harsh transition regarding the graduation of the senior class, especially in football. These seniors are key players to our football team; when they graduate, not only do they leave a gap to fill for the following classes, but they also create a challenge for the coaches to get over, both professionally and emotionally.
“Bittersweet is probably an accurate way to say it,” says Tyler Knoblock, the head coach of the football team. “When they graduate, we kind of spend time looking back at where they started and just seeing how much they’ve grown. You’re excited for them and what they’re capable of, whether they’re going on to play college ball or starting their careers. There’s always that mix of pride and sadness.”
Even after the players head off to college, the bond between them and the coaches remains strong. Tyler Knoblock explains, “We tell our guys that we are always here for them. Some come back for games or practices, and a lot of us keep in touch. I sometimes check in on the guys who’ve gone on to play college ball. Watching them continue to grow and succeed is a huge source of pride.”
To fill the gap left by seniors, coaches focus on developing the younger players. Brandon Stultz, assistant coach, tells us, “Preparing underclassmen is just a part of the process. I believe we do a great job of building a next man up mentality and give everything we have to all the young kids in the program to prepare them for varsity football.”
For the players who wish to play at the college level, coaches are open to guiding them. Brandon Stultz explains by saying, “We provide all of our kids with a comprehensive, year-round structured program with the intent of a first-class experience. The ones that want to play in college are given direction and support from their freshman year in order to have that opportunity.” Tyler Knoblock further explains, “We’ve got a strong network of connections, and we make sure our guys stay academically sound, so they remain recruitable. We do everything we can to set them up for success.”
At the end of each year, we have to confront challenges when senior football players graduate, especially coaches. While problems arise, it also prompts an opportunity to grow; coaches must adapt to the incoming students, and help them fill the gaps of leadership left by the previous seniors. Although the transition can be rough, it results in strengthening the flexibility of both the coaches and the players and helps them prepare for the following seasons.