The Most Difficult Part

Now we enter the most difficult part of the season, especially for the coach...the off-season. This is the time that a coach must release his players and let them go until January. For a control freak such as myself, this is a very tough time, but also a very valuable time. It is during this time that I think I've learned the most about our team, and myself. Sometimes you hold on so tight that you lose touch, and that can be especially true with coaching, at least here.

We will go as far as the guys on the team want to go. All of our success will come as a result of the time, effort, and passion put forth by the guys in our program, and as we enter our off-season, as frightening as it is for me, this is where we'll really learn about the makeup of our team. So far, I've been beyond impressed with the discipline and commitment of everyone on the team. They all seem genuinely motivated to get better. The freshmen have sipped right into this approach, and as a result, have made great strides up to this point. Every year, our practices get sharper, more efficient, and the speed at which our guys develop improves.

As a coach, to sit back and watch each person develop and work an improvement plan is gratifying. This whole operation is not about the coach motivating the players and pushing them towards a goal. This experience is about fostering passion and appreciation for the process of development. It is about aligning and separating what works from what does not, and getting a clearer picture that will help us see where we can go and how we can get there, as a team and as individuals.

We're in a beautiful place right now, and as I climb the walls in anticipation for the spring, I'll get to work planning our practices, workouts, etc., sharing this experience with the next generation of Hell Hens, and plotting the course for the future.

Sincerely,
Ben