Jones hits jackpot

I like Butch Prosser. Butch has always been kind and accommodating. I've had numerous McIntosh football players on our (recently cancelled) radio show during the last two seasons. The kids have always been polite, articulate and insightful. Butch joined us on numerous occasions, as well. Although most of his interviews followed tough losses, Butch was gracious and upbeat.

However, I don't want this article to focus on Butch. He did his best and it wasn't enough to compete for region titles. It was simply time for a change, again.

There's a new sheriff in town...I mean, Commander-in-Chief. There is a swell of optimism on campus, although guarded. I don't need to tell you that the Mean Green has been very lean on the football scene all the way back to James Dean. Sorry.
Yes, a new Commander-in-Chief. The Big Mac. A new gridiron guru in green. (Be glad you're not members of the NCAA)! Get out the war paint because its time to pounce on Panthers and Patriots, trounce the Tigers and open a can of whoopin' on the Wildcats.

Or is it? As stated so eloquently, and so often, by ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso, "Not so fast my friend!"

The Big Mac Nation has reason to be optimistic. They've hired a proven winner. His name is Dwight Jones. He is a veteran coach of 26 years; all of them rooted in the Deep South. We wouldn't want someone from Muncie, Indiana! Coach Jones accomplished a rare feat this past season as the head coach at Northside High in Columbus. He beat the Troup County Tigers and the LaGrange Grangers. Wow. They came within one touchdown of the Region 2-AAA trifecta - almost beating Shaw. They advanced to the second round of the state playoffs before bowing out to eventual state champion Peach County.

Impressive.

Is Dwight Jones the man to pull the football program out of a 20 year funk? In his first Citizen interview he told Mike Boylan he was attracted to McIntosh because he was looking for a challenge.

Hey Dwight, you just hit the jackpot!

So, what is the millstone around the neck of McIntosh anyway? Why have they lost for so many years? I remember a year ago a 4-6 record (1 win by forfeit) sent most Kedronites into the streets throwing green and gold beads. What needs to happen for the Chiefs to move out of the mire of mediocrity and into the pigskin polls? Well, I’m glad you asked…

1. Stop blaming the kids. The kids are great. The halls are full of talent. Count the boy’s region titles at both Starr’s Mill and McIntosh for the last 8 years (all sports) and you’ll be surprised to know the count is about even.

2. Administrative unity. In the recent past there has been a lot of disharmony in the athletic department; every man for himself. Kids should be allowed and encouraged to play more than one sport. They are not exclusive property of one particular coach. There needs to be a strong leader who builds unity among the different programs and personalities. I believe first-year Athletic Director, Steve Cole, is the man to do it.

3. Hire coaches for the classroom. Believe it or not, strong coaches are strong teachers. I was encouraged to hear Coach Jones was allowed to bring his defensive coordinator with him. Continue the trend.

4. Imagination. The football program needs a shot of adrenaline and enthusiasm. Make it fun. Create some swagger.

5. Relationship, relationship, relationship. Coach Jones needs to hit the hallways. Love on the kids. Be transparent and authentic. A good sense of humor and a genuine interest and love for each prospect will do more than just build a winner, it will sustain one.

6. Coach Jones needs to become the official Ambassador to Booth Middle School. Bridge the gap. I know the coaches at Booth and they are great guys. Booth IS your primary pipeline.

7. Volunteer time to the Peachtree City Packers organization. There’s a bunch of mini-Chiefs in the making at Riley Field. There are lots of daddies on the sideline you’ll want in your booster club down the road. They are solid football men. They will welcome your participation.

8. When Sally Maple comes home from Presbyterian College, let her on the sideline. She’s a letterman.

9. A quick way to expedite the development of young players is encourage them to enroll at Velocity Sports Performance. The program does not take the place of your own program. It is an enhancer. It is the edge. McIntosh needs an edge. Dare I say it? Starr’s Mill has had its top performers training at Velocity since the doors opened.

10. Keep the freshmen team as well as the JV program. Talk to Coach Mac at Whitewater. He has done an incredible job hiring talented community coaches. I think it has been one of the keys to his overall success.

Good luck Dwight. It would be great to see the Chiefs battling the Mill for a region title. That would rival Georgia / Georgia Tech week! What may appear to be a huge challenge may just turn out to be the opportunity of a lifetime.

And so it begins, again.

Football

Submitted by All Smiles on Wed, 03/01/2006 - 6:21am.

I could not agree more!! Booth IS the pipeline for McIntosh! All of the coaches need to get together so that they all are on the same page. Shoot that needs to start with J.C.Booth. The 7th grade coaches teach certain plays and gameplans but when the child plays for the 8th grade team all what they learned is out the door and they boys learn a entire set of new plays. They don't build off of what was learned in 7th. I think my son said they had 35 different plays tought just in his past 8th grade year. By the time these players get to McIntosh they are so confused and the coaching staff must almost go back to square one. It's almost like Little League Baseball and High School Baseball. The child must go back a few years and re-learn the correct way. Shoot, even an old dog like me can fake the Booth boys out just running down the field! I say, Start to "fix" things at the begining. The begining of High School football for most starts in Middle School. It's a great place to start!

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Mc Football

Submitted by bladderq on Tue, 02/28/2006 - 7:36pm.

I have always wondered why if McIntosh is a soccer school, why can't they win by just kicking field goals? I have always wondered why they aren't more successful. The success of the new local schools would indicate that there is talent here.

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