Naturally coaching does not have a corner on behaving like an idiot. Business, government, education [well that’s a government institution], politics, law, medicine, etc. and so on each have their moments. The bigger the institution, the potential to behave like an idiot exponentially grows. A false sense of empowerment due to size, lack of oversight and a culture of “circling the wagons” generally well rehearsed, prevails. Although infrequent, there is a redeeming factor available. If willing to face consequences, there usually is enough time and opportunity to make the ” bad”, good”!
However, when a young athlete is subjected to “stupid”, the importance to participate and play and the window of opportunity so small [for most a very few years], “it drives me crazy”. In some cases the opportunity to play up from high school with a scholarship to help pay for their continuing education is at stake!
Recently I was visiting with a junior college quarterback from a large Florida high school. As a junior he was a legitimate D-1 prospect [6’3’, 215lbs]. His junior year against an opponent in the spring game, he threw 5 TD’s in the first half. Several D-1and D-1AA universities were looking.
In the fourth game his senior year, their was a fumble on the center/QB exchange. This athlete leaped for the ball with his right arm fully extended and an opponent drove into the back of his right shoulder. An unavoidable shouter injury resulted. It was thought not to be serious and he continued to play with the pain. There were university scouts in the crowd!
Now the idiot part! His coached believed QB’s should participate in tackling drills. After resting/icing his shoulder a few days the next week, on Wednesday, the coach puts him in a tackling drill against their best running back. Three painful right shoulder hits later, the right shoulder [throwing arm] collapses, and is significantly injured! The possibility of never throwing like before is real. No more D-1 interest. The coach should have been dismissed/fired within 24 hours.
After laying out a year, X-rays, MRI’s, orthopedic doctors opinions, etc. with not much progress, he is at a junior college trying to regain his previous throwing ability. Now a second set of tests, X-rays/MRI’s are inconclusive. What, he can’t regain his throwing ability and the second diagnosis is inconclusive!
How many high school football coaches, if they have a D-1 prospect QB, or any QB critical to their offense and success would put them in tackling drills? Go figure! If there are any, they all should be fired!
There are no comments made so far.