In 2005, I was asked to help put together a Midget division football team for the Whittier Redskins Jr. All American Football program. Whittier did not have a Midget team (12-14yrs) for the past eight seasons. At first I was reluctant, due to the simple fact they were my rival growing up as a kid. But after some thought I decided to take on the challenge. I only had about three weeks to put together a team along with coaching staff, before the certification deadline. It was a challenge, but we managed to get it together. After a very disappointing 0-7 season, I felt that I had let the organization down. I blamed our misfortune on the type of players we had, but when it comes down to wins and losses....It was just bad coaching. We ran a pro-style offense and only scored two touchdowns the entire season.
Despite the terrible season, the President of the organization was pleased that my staff and myself were able to put together a team in a short period of time. To my surprise, he offered me the head coaching position for the 2006 Gremlin division (8-10yr) football team.
I felt that I could prove myself as a legit head coach. I put in place a staff of eleven coaches, which was my first mistake. Half of the staff was already in place from the previous season . I also added staff that came from the same system as myself. When I introduced the idea of running the wing t offense. I was met with heavy resistance from the staff that was in place from the previous year. So instead of taking a strong stand, I gave in and installed a pro style offense. To make a long story short, in 2006 we went 4-3-2 and only averaged about 14 points per game.
I was very disappointed, due to the fact that I came from a winning youth football program that carried over to my high school years. Our teams were always considered to be small in size compared to our opponent. However, in four years in youth football we won two league championship , a conference championship, and were conference champion runner-ups. In high school, we won the league championship all four years and made it to the semi-finals our senior year. Our QB was the biggest and most athletic player on the team. He stood about 6'2" and 180lbs. He went on to play college football at Fresno State. Our offensive line averaged about 5'9-180lbs. At 5'8-175lbs, I was the starting right guard and inside linebacker. Our full back was 5'6- 125lbs and our wing backs were no bigger.
After reflecting back on my high school years. I vividly remember our head coach explaining to the team the reason we ran the wing t offense. He stated that we were not big or strong enough to run a power style offense. It didn't make sense to ask a small lineman to attempt to block a 6'2-230lbs defensive lineman. The battle was already lost before a play was even run. Therefore, the wing style offense would fit our needs, because it gave the lineman an angle blocking advantage and confused defenders with all the backfield ball fakes.
Back to my youth football coaching career. I decided to depart from the staff that didn't have the same vision as myself .Which was to run the wing t offense. Most of those coaches pulled there kids from my team and convinced some parents to do the same. They said I couldn't win with the wing t system, because it was old and out dated. My starting QB and my best RB, along with some key defensive players decided to leave the team.
In the Summer of 2007, our first team workout was very scary. Our lineman were very small, we didn't have a true QB, and our running back was a girl. Whom turned out to be one of the best players I've ever coached. After our first day of practice, my nephew who was on staff said, "WE ARE IN TROUBLE!! WE HAVE NO ONE WITH ANY TALENT. THIS IS GOING TO BE A LONG YEAR." I simply replied, "We'll just have to do a good job coaching." We installed the wing t offense and only ran six plays out of two formations. We finished the season 7-2 averaging about 25 points per game. Don't get me wrong, we spent a ton of time perfecting our tackling technique and defensive assignments. We gave up less than 10 points per game.
In 2008, we went 9-1 with the wing t offense and won the league championship with very little talent. We lost in the playoffs to a team that had a great run and pass QB. Never the less, I was pleased with the accomplishment of our team. Thanks to the Wing T Offense.
This blog is open to discuss my practice plans, formations, and the base plays to run. I'm currently the Varsity Offensive Lineman Coach at my local High School. Thank you and God Bless!!
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