Whitney ISD Athletics

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Whitney ISD Athletics

• Building A Total Program
• Faith, Family, Community, Academics and Athletics
  
• By Kenneth Gilchrist

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Kenneth M. Gilchrist Family
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• ATHLETIC MISSION STATEMENT
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• PROMOTE PERSONAL GROWTH OF OUR PLAYERS
• We will have our players leave the program as
  better people and more prepared to live life.
• We will take our players to a level that the
  student-athlete cannot take himself by maximizing
  each players academic /athletic talent and
  character.
• We will work with an approach that is based upon
  the core values of TRUST, CARE, RESPECT, and
  ENTHUSIASM.
• We will work knowing that the primary lesson to
  be gained from athletics is a commitment to excel
  which requires DEDICATION, HARD WORK,
  COOPERATION, and the SUBORDINATION of the
  individual for the good of the team.
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• PROMOTE A BELIEF IN A STRONG WORK ETHIC THAT
  LEADS TO BEING THOROUGH AND PREPARED.
• We will make our student athletes understand that
  a work ethic applies during the season,
  off-season and during the summer.
• We will make our student athletes understand that
  success requires hard work.
• We will work to have a WINNING SEASON, WIN
  DISTRICT, PLAY IN THE PLAYOFFS AND ULTIMATELY,
  WIN THE STATE TITLE.
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• PROMOTE A BELIEF IN REPRESENTING OUR SCHOOL IN A
  POSITIVE WAY
• We will operate our program PROFESSIONALLY and
  with INTEGRITY.
• We will require players to fit in to the ACADEMIC
  mission of the school.
• We will give our players every opportunity to
  GRADUATE.
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• PROMOTE THE ELEMENTS OF TEAM WORK AND LEADERSHIP

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The Building Of A Program
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Whitney Wildcats Character Curriculum
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• FIVE KEYS TO BUILDING A TOTAL PROGRAM
• To accomplish this philosophy and this mission
  statement, I believe that we must be successful
  in five phases.
• FAITH
• FAMILY / CHARACTER EDUCATION
• COMMUNITY
• ACADEMICS
• ATHLETICS

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• FAITH
• Friday during athletic period we will hold game
  day chapel. We will invite different leaders of
  churches from within the community to lead this
  chapel. Young people today need a strong faith
  system in their lives. We will do everything we
  can to provide this for them.
• We will make a strong FCA or Young Life program
  available to our athletes.
• We will also apply the 4 Way Test of Faith in
  athletics.
• Players must have faith in other players.
• Players must have faith in their coaches.
• Coaches must have faith in their players.
• Coaches must have faith in other coaches.

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• FAMILY / CHARACTER EDUCATION
• We will strive to make every young person in our
  athletic program become a better family person.
• They must realize that family is of the utmost
  importance family at home as well as their
  athletic family.
• Each week a coach will develop a bulletin board
  to reflect a winning edge message. These are
  items, which reflect and relate to the character
  of our football team. These include preparation,
  belief, passion, focus, perseverance, courage,
  character, unity, attitude, effort, and
  integrity.
• One day a week, I will speak to them about
  personal development.
• Coaching to Change Lives is designed to develop
  skills in the following
• areas Character, Attitude, Responsibility,
  Self-Image, Leadership and Goals.

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• FAMILY TIME
• Once a week we will have Family Time. This
  talk is geared toward character education, and
  can be about any topic. The coach of the week
  should prepare a 4-5 minute presentation on
  whatever topic he feels needs to be addressed.
  Listed below are some ideas for topics.
• Topics
• Aggressiveness, Ambition, Being your best when
  your best is needed, Believe in Yourself, Believe
  in your Teammates, Class, Character, Courage,
  Citizenship, Being Coachable, Commitment,
  Communication, Confidence, Do Your Job, Desire,
  Dedication, Discipline, Enthusiasm, Effort,
  Execution, Encouragement, Full speed when you are
  tired, Goals short term-long term, Habits, Hard
  Work, Intensity, Knowing the situation,
  Leadership, Morals, Never give up, Poise,
  Positive frame of mind, Pride, Picture yourself
  doing well, Playing with pain, Quitting,
  Responsibility, Success, Sacrifice, Toughness,
  Togetherness, Teamwork, Unity

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• COMMUNITY
• We will always be looking for opportunities to
  serve others and to be active in our community.
• Helping People in Need through fund raisers or
  the giving of our time
• Spring Practice Community Wide Picnic
• I will attend Booster Club meetings and show the
  prior weeks film to members.
• My staff and I will conduct a Dads Clinic and a
  Moms Clinic through the Booster Club.
• Whitney Athletics will provide a support group
  for little league associations within our
  community.

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• ACADEMICS
• The athletic department will create a faculty
  relationship that will benefit the academic
  achievement of our athletes as well as benefit
  the learning process in faculty classrooms.
• We will have weekly grade checks. These will be
  documented by the position coaches.
• KEEP PARENTS NOTIFIED They can really assist us
  and their goals for each athlete are much like
  ours.
• We must work to have the most Academic All
  District and Academic All State team members for
  the district.
• We will have mandatory tutorials when convenient
  for the teacher and this will be documented by
  the academic coach.
• We will have Friday Jerseys where athletes get
  to choose a teacher to wear their jersey.
• Teachers of the Week will be selected to attend
  all of our Friday functions and to travel with
  the team and to be on the sideline during the
  game.
• Once a week, we will have a pep rally after
  practice where I will celebrate praises that were
  sent to me by teachers.
• Once a week, we will hold Remembrance, where I
  will review criticisms that were sent to me by
  teachers and there will be consequences.

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• ATHLETICS
• Leadership Council Council comprised of 3-4
  members of each class, voted on by that class, as
  a liaison between the team and the head coach.
  These individuals will have direct and immediate
  access to me to discuss any concerns that the
  team or a team member may have.
• Athletes will learn that their Faith, Family,
  Community and Academics will combine with the
  hard work and discipline of the athletic program
  and will create an atmosphere in which great
  things can be achieved.
• All five phases must be in place to be
  successful. It is imperative that emphasis be
  put upon the first four phases. For without the
  first four, wins in athletics will ultimately
  mean nothing.
• A coach is not measured by his wins and losses,
  but by the players his men and women become.

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• Wildcat LETTER OF INTENT
• To be a PLAYER in this program, I know is an
  honor and a responsibility. I am no longer an
  individual, I am part of a family. Within that
  family is a brotherhood. Being a part of this
  brotherhood has its cost and responsibilities.
  I make this vow that I will uphold to protect the
  legacy of my family and my team.
• I VOW
• I will strive to be a complete player.
• I will strive to make ALL workouts.
• I will strive to be in the weight room at least
  three days a week during the summer.
• I will strive to go the extra mile.
• I will always treat my teachers with full
  respect.
• I will always treat my teammates with respect.
• I will never jeopardize the team with dumb
  penalties.
• I will never allow my grades to affect my team or
  myself.
• I will, if a starter, practice to be a champion
  and maintain my starting position.
• I will, if not starting, plan and prepare to be a
  starter.
• I will never be late for any meeting or practice.
• I will always use proper judgment when out in my
  community.
• I will be proud to be an athlete on this TEAM.
• When I walk out on to the playing field I
  represent
• My School

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The Tradition Begins
The Turnaround of the Whitney Football Program

• Kenneth Gilchrist
• Head Football Coach

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The Turnaround of a Football Program

• Superintendent, principal and athletic director.
• Be Fortunate to bring in my own staff.
• All BELIEVE IN THE SYSTEM AND WORK TOGETHER
• Outstanding Teachers.
• Character
• Family. Staff Chemistry
• Relate to kids. Great rapport.
• Football Knowledge.
• Work ethic. Enthusiasm! Fun!
• Dismissal of Cancers
• Find ways to improve our program

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The Turnaround of the Whitney Football Program

• WE PRACTICE NO LONGER THAN 1 HOUR 40 MINUTES PER
  DAY.
• WE DRESS IN FULL GEAR 1 DAY. TUESDAY
• HALF SHELL ON MONDAY WEDNESDAY.
• WE CONDITION HARD ON MONDAYS TUESDAYS ONLY.

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The Turnaround of the Whitney Football Program

• WE BELIEVE
• WE BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY IN TEACHING
  FUNDAMENTALS.
• WE BELIEVE IN BEING A DISCPLINED PROGRAM
• WERE GOING TO BE A BETTER CONDITION TEAM THAN
  OUR OPPONENTS.
• Organization is key. Staff meetings. After
  practice evaluations of practice.
• Video Tape everything and evaluate it all.
• Watch game film the next day with FR Friday,
  JV Friday a.m., V Saturday.
• Weekly goal sheet by each JV/V athletes
• Takeaway turnover period. A daily must! 5
  minute period daily!. Talk about it daily! Chart.
• We want our kids to watch as much film as
  possible. Practice, opponent, etc.
• In season lifting program 2 Days. Tuesday
  Saturday.
• Keep kids fresh for Friday nights.
• Thursday after school Team meeting, review
  Fridays time line and game plan. Watch Hi-Lite
  video of previous weeks game.
• Varsity Team meal.
• Locker-room preparation for Friday. Game day
  schedule.
• Game Day. Fridays are a special day ! Our kids
  report to us immediately after school.
• Walk to victory.

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The Nuts Bolts of the Turnaround of the
Football Program

• New look field house, weight room,
  locker-rooms, hall ways, etc.
• Change attitudes, the way we think.
• Higher expectations! Believe all things are
  possible!
• Action Work ethic. 11
• Move toward what you see in your mind.
• Peak Performance.
• Integrating the Power of the Mind activities
• No one was born losers! They are exactly what
  they think they are!
• 90 mental
• Visualization

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The Turnaround of the Whitney Football Program

• Off-season program
• Key ingredient to our success!
• Establish discipline work ethic.
• Goals Off-season, Spring, Summer.
• Boot camp- 8 weeks/ Entire Off season.
• 1 day, 1 week, 1 month approach, 24/7.
• 5 Phases
• 1. Orientation do things right.
• 2. Station Work/ Speed Conditioning - Fartlek.
  Game Day.
• Classroom 111. Ropes course.
• 3. Skill Work Sprint Groups/Speed Resistance.
• 4. Spring Ball Team Work
• 5. Summer Conditioning, 7 on 7.

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The Turnaround of the Football Program

• Summer 7 on 7 passing league
• (6 teams, 4/2 teams).
• 6 weeks 12 games. Every Tuesday.
• State tournament host and participation.
• We have 40 kids involved, 2 teams.
• We also have 7th/8th/ 9th grade league

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The Turnaround of the Football Program

• Summer Conditioning Course
• M/T/TH. 3 days - 6 hrs per wk in a 168 hr wk.
• Hours 900-1100 or 500-700.
• W/F/S/S VACATION REST.
• ? enrollment fee
• Coaches summer supplemental pay.
• Goals Sprinting, core strength, movement,
  flexibility, explosive, effort!

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The Turnaround of the Whitney Football Program

• Ladies Football 101 Class. 25.00. 30-40
  Participants.
• Senior Breakfast.
• Banquet Senior roast of coaches.
• Eligibility
• Eligibility checks. Every two weeks, both
  in-season and off-season
• Coachs faculty contact list
• Parent Phone contacts. Crucial!
• Individual files on each kid
• Improvement Group
• In-season and off-season.
• Consistency in enforcement. 1 coach.

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The Turnaround of the Whitney Football Program

• Faculty Coach of the Week
• Teachers, administrators, maintenance personnel.
  They attend and are recognized at our varsity
  team meal on Thursday nights.
• They ride with us to away games or at home games
  they join us from 405 on in the locker-room for
  meetings and pre-game movie, etc.
• On game days they wear a game jersey at school.
  Recognized at pep rally
• This year we recognized 45 teachers, counselors.
• Provided lunch for the administration
  maintenance department.
• Last year we recognized 39
• Touchdown Club Luncheon every Friday at
  1200-100
• during the season.
• Recognize varsity players (4-5 players) each
  week, and 1 extra coach each week. Video
  Highlight Tape of the previous game
• Review of previous game and a review of upcoming
  game

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The Turnaround of the Whitney Football Program

• Football Program Parent Coordinators 16
• Coaches Saturday noon lunch coordinator
• Thursday night Varsity Team meal coordinator
• Freshmen and Junior Varsity Locker-room
  Decorating Coordinator
• Varsity Locker-room Decorating Coordinator
• Freshmen away game Sack Lunch Coordinator
• Junior Varsity Sack lunch Coordinator
• Varsity Sack lunch Coordinator
• Tunnel Transportation and setup coordinator
• Banquet Coordinator. Decorating, meal, program,
  seating information.
• Market and Fundraising Coordinator
• Football program Coordinator
• Friday Night Tailgate Coordinator
• Program Add Sales Coordinator
• Sub Varsity concession stand Coordinator
• Merchandise sales, design and ordering
  Coordinator
• Booster Club Membership drive Coordinator

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The Turnaround of the Whitney Football Program

• Athletic trainer
• ?/5-8 student trainers
• Graduate assistants.
• Filmers 3-4
• Managers 4-5
• Coaches and Work Equipment
• Each coach has their own TV and VCR setup for
  individual position meetings

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The Turnaround of the Whitney Football Program

• Community Resources, Private Donations
• A needs letter.
• Parent meetings mandatory.
• - Off season December
• - Spring May
• - Preseason August

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The Turnaround of the Whitney Football Program

• FCA
• Strong leadership from our coaching staff
• Friday morning Chapel. Volleyball,
• Football athletes and coaches
• Involvement from our kids.
• Award Recognition Boards.
• Varsity Board and a Freshmen/Junior Varsity Board
• Scout Team Awards for each week

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The Turnaround of the Whitney Football Program

• Staff Education
• Clinics
• Spring Ball visits
• Talk with coaches and take visits to colleges in
  the area.
• Always on the look out for better ways to do
  things and to improve our program.

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• DEVELOPING A TOTAL PROGRAM
• Have a plan that you believe in, with no
  compromise on your part
• Possess the ability to make all those involved in
  the program feel important to the success of the
  program
• Make each person involved in the program
  understand their role
• Coordinate all coaches at all levels to ensure
  adherence to the philosophies of the overall
  athletic program
• Organize the program from top to bottom in order
  to operate at maximum efficiency

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• LOWER LEVEL DEVELOPMENT
• Lower level development is the backbone of our
  program. We will spend most of our time teaching
  the fundamentals of the sport and the basic core
  elements of play. As coaches, we will teach
  technique, toughness, and discipline. This means
  keep them in the program, but be firm and fair.
• The lower level programs, which also includes the
  7th and 8th grade programs should expect the
  following from the varsity coaches which also
  includes the head coach
• Workout suggestions for off-season training
  including lifting routines.
• Offensive and Defensive drills that fit the
  philosophy of the varsity program.
• Techniques for specific positions.
• Complete playbooks with installation procedures.
• Program rules and regulations.
• Any literature that might help promote
  educational growth and knowledge of the game.
• Standing invitation to all in house clinics.

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• SUMMER WEIGHT AND SPEED CAMP
• Our coaches work our SWSC2 sessions for kids
  that need to work during the summer.
• 7 a.m.-9 a.m.
• 5 p.m.- 7 p.m.
• Weight Room
• 5 Core lifts, 3 to 4 Support Lifts
• Core Training Station
• Flexibility
• Conditioning
• Form Running, Starts, and Sprints
• Hills, Agility Stations
• Obstacle Courses, Competition Days
• All players and coaches take a week off. (4th of
  July)

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• OFFENSIVE PHILOSOPHY
• Mobility with Adaptabilityformations and tactics
  must be flexible.
• Many Formationsbroad but simple. By use of
  formations, we can adapt to whatever personnel we
  have from year to year.
• Play Numbering systemallow us to add plays
  without confusion.
• Exploit our strengths against our opponents
  weaknesses.
• Balancebetween run and pass, power and finesse,
  inside and outside plays

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• MULTIPLE ONE TWO BACK GUN SPREAD
• This incorporates
• Shotgun with 4 wide receivers/TE One Back
• Shotgun with 3 wide receivers/TE Two Backs
• Shotgun with 5 wide receivers/TE No Backs
• Element of surprise Screens, Draws, and Special
  Plays

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• DEFENSIVE PHILOSOPHY
• Must adapt to personnel from year to year.
• Must easily shift into and out of multiple
  fronts.
• Must be able to adapt and change so that offense
  never gets into a rhythm.
• Must have a multiple stunt packagelinebackers,
  down linemen, and secondary.
• Must be more physical than anyone we play.

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• DEFENSE
• Base out of the 4-2-5
• Multiple fronts and stunts
• Attitude!
• Excitement!
• Make things happen!

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Wildcat FootballSpecial Teams Philosophy

• As a coach, it is only natural that you want to
  spend most of your time in practice working on
  offense and defense. You hope the kicking game
  will take care of itself. Many games, especially
  the early season games, are lost because the
  kicking game has been neglected. It is important
  that we teach the fundamentals of kicking,
  receiving, and snapping at an early age. This
  starts in the 7th grade from day one and never
  ends in a season or a career. We always want to
  have a great kicking game.

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Wildcat FootballSpecial Teams Goals

• Average 35 yards in kick-off returns
• Average kickoffs inside the 30 yard line
• Net 35 yards per punt
• Block a kick or a punt
• Make all extra points
• Make all field goals inside the 20 yard line
• Score as a direct result of a special teams play
• No penalties
• Execute all phase of special teams better than
  our opponents