Good Day For Me

Coach Bill Wilson "The Dank"  

I had a good day today.  Marty made Coach Wilson a Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter frosting, so I stopped by his house today on my way to practice.  Marty loves cooking for him, and I love taking it to the family.  Coach always had a sweet tooth for Marty's baking and such..  I walked in his house all dressed in my Vero Beach Football coaching gear, and Dank told me I looked funny wearing red as he chuckled and shook his head.  I said: "Coach, how many years did YOU and your family wear red?"  Dank said: "Man, you are making it hard on me!"  He said: "Now I have Jefferson coaching at SRHS, and YOU coaching at VBHS...I won't know what game to go to!"  It makes me very happy that he thinks of me in this conversation at all.  To me, The Wilsons are like my family....but most people do not see the family resemblance.  

Long before Sebastian River High School (SRHS) even existed, The Wilson family were legends in the Indian River County school system....particularly Vero Beach High School.  There is no way I could ever list all the accomplishments the Wilson's have achieved over the years, but lets just say that the Track and Field and Football programs were forever changed.  Billy Wilson Jr (Asst. Principal at SRHS) dominated the VBHS football field during his day; naturally, he was coached by his daddy.  Eventually, the entire family moved to SRHS, so the family legend continued Northward to Sebastian.  This is when I hooked up with Coach Wilson.  The old man mentored me, and took me under his coaching wing.  Coach Wilson taught me valuable lessons in life.  I credit him for showing me (by example) how to be a great coach to every kid...regardless of race or economic levels.  Coach helped me over the hump when my own daddy passed away, and for this alone I will be forever grateful.  I love Coach Wilson...It was great seeing him today.  

Had a good day at practice.  This was our last full practice before we play on Friday night.  Tomorrow is pre-game practice, so the guys are telling me it is more of a rehearsal of everything we practiced this week.  I am starting to pick this new offense up pretty well, but I still have so much to learn.  For me, relearning the verbal part is a challenge.  Every pass pattern is called something different than what I am used to, and every run play is the same way.  Plus, the entire playbook is called at the line of scrimmage through hand signals....  So, I am cramming on learning everything I need to know.  I will say this: Head Coach Lenny Jankowski knows what the hell he is doing.  This offense can be so deadly if you have the athletes to run it.  I am honored he is trusting me to learn his system. 

MJ McGriff will be playing on Saturdays. 

Offensive Line working on Pass Protection  

My buddy and coaching colleague Pete DeLuke is doing a great job I think.  Pete came to SRHS the same year I came in, so we both go back a long way together.  He coaches the offensive line.  Offensive linemen are a strange bunch...it is a thankless job, but they are the heart of any successful offensive system.  Offensive linemen must be very intelligent as well.  The days of a big dumb lineman are over, for these big guys must be great athletes as well.   I make it a point to greet each one of his big boys with a pat on the helmet,  and telling each one how much I appreciate what they do for the team.  This is really a good group of kids...and this can be traced to their coaches.  

Coach Randy Bethel and Son Patrick Bethel. #93

I am not going to say much about the defense....except that they are ready to play.  What a great group of superior athletes at every position.  The whole defensive staff is very intense, and that intensity shows through the players.  Look at Patrick.  I remember when he was born.  Randy and Robin (his Mom) have done a fantastic job raising both their kids.  Now, Patrick is a five star D-1 college recruit with too many offers to count. I am very happy I can be with him as he navigates his senior season.   Folks....this is also a great kid.  Very polite and very respectful.  

later:  

GZ