2. My Coaching Philosophy
Coaching is a multi-dimensional profession. I believe that my duties as a coach include
being a teacher, a leader, a counselor, and a father figure. As a coach, I know that I can have a
major role in shaping the lives of the young adults that I have the honor and privilege to coach. I
have the responsibility to teach the young men of Muhlenberg County more than just football. It
will be the mission of the Muhlenberg County Football Program to develop and cultivate growth
of all our student-athletes academically, athletically and in character. We want to foster the
ideals of perseverance, respect, commitment, accountability, integrity, and selflessness. As the
coach, I will model these characteristics for my players. I will treat my players with the utmost
respect and will work extremely hard for them daily. In return, nothing less will be expected
from my players. A first-class program is built with first-class players and we plan on molding
those types of young men here.
I believe it is also my duty to be active in our community. This means I will be available
to speak at civic organizations or just be seen at local events. A coach is always in the public
eye, no matter the time of year it is. I will always conduct myself as a professional and will
represent our football program and school proudly. It will also be my duty to be an influential
leader in the school community. Other sports will be supported by the football program and I
will put a huge emphasis on academics. We want the football program to be a powerful
productive force that unites the school and community.
Being a head football coach is something I have longed to do since I began coaching 10
years ago. I will not take this responsibility lightly. We will focus on the things that we can
control and will be adaptable to the things that we cannot. We will build this football program
like a house. We will start with the foundation. Our foundation will be fundamentals. It is my
belief that you must develop the players you have. We will focus on developing our players in
areas of football knowledge, speed, agility, flexibility, strength, and the fundamentals of the
game. I will be adaptable in our schemes and strategies and these will be dependent on the types
of players we have. The best strategies for our team will be the ones that fit our team and
individual players the best. It will also be my duty to implement this philosophy of football at all
levels of the program, including the youth leagues and middle school. These are our future
Muhlenberg County Football Mustangs and supporting them will be instrumental in the longterm success of our football program.
It will be my goal to have the players focus on the process of winning. Often times, we
set goals and focus on the end result of those goals. We aren’t on the “Road to Success” but
rather we are traveling “Success Road” daily. We will focus on the things (processes) it takes to
reach those goals. We want to win daily by being our best at the task at hand, whether that is a
test in math, practice, film sessions, games, or our decisions away from school during the
weekend. Players need to know that they can be winners every day of their lives. We will build
this winning attitude and eventually it will spill over to Friday nights.
I am very thankful for this opportunity to be the Head Football Coach at Muhlenberg
County High School. It is going to take a total effort and buy-in from all stakeholders in the
program. Let’s pull together and WIN EVERY DAY to ensure we Deserve Victory!!!
3. Mustang Football
Team Policies, Procedures, and Expectations
We will follow the general rule that all players are to: Be where you are supposed to be, when
you are supposed to be there, and do what you are supposed to be doing.
Off the Field
1. All players will demonstrate superior character on and off the field. First-class programs
are built with first-class individuals.
2. Drugs, alcohol, and tobacco will not be tolerated. This is year-round.
3. Stealing will not be tolerated. This deals with trust. This is year-round.
4. Players are required to maintain a GPA that is mandated to be eligible by Muhlenberg
County High School.
5. Grades will be monitored weekly and this will be year-round. Players will be subject to
mandatory study tables, ESS, or tutoring for any grade under a C.
6. Excellent school and classroom behavior is always expected. Sit up front.
7. All teachers, administrators, and support staff will be treated with the utmost respect.
On the Field
1. All coaches will be addressed by coach and sir (yes sir, no sir).
2. You must be on time for practice. This means dressed and ready.
3. No back-talking to any coach will be tolerated.
4. If a player has a complaint, they should come in and talk after practice. (My door is
always open).
5. If a player is injured and not allowed to practice, he still is expected to attend practice.
6. During football season, we will practice somehow, somewhere regardless of the weather.
You are expected to be there.
7. No profanity or slurs of any type will be tolerated.
8. Opponents and officials will be treated respectfully at all times.
Locker Room and Weight Room
1. Absolutely no hazing or bullying.
2. No horseplay in the locker room or weight room at any time.
3. We will be thankful for and respect our facilities. You are expected to keep them neat
and clean.
4. Equipment will be stored in the lockers in a designated and specific way. You must
follow these guidelines.
5. Equipment is your responsibility. Keep up with it and check it daily for flaws and alert a
coach if you find one.
6. Get injuries seen immediately. Do not wait until the next day to let us know you are
hurting.
4. What You Can Expect from our Coaching Staff
1.
Loyalty to the program and its players
2.
Telling players what we want, not what we do not want
3.
Demanding the best from the players and accepting nothing less
4.
Punctuality
5.
Knowledge of sport
6.
Drills to prepare players for Friday night
7.
Making sure that players leave every day knowing that:
a. They have been challenged to be their best
b. They know coaches are working them hard for the purpose of
reaching team goals
c. They feel good about themselves and Mustang Football
d. They know we care about them as a team and individuals
outside of football
8.
Affect players and touch them in a positive way every day
9.
Work Hard, Work Together, and Have Fun
5. Advisory Groups
Each member of our staff will be assigned a group of players for whom he will become their
mentor. The groups will be a mixture of all grade levels and positions. One person from each
group will be part of the team’s leadership council. This person will be the voice of their group
concerning team issues. Listed below are some of the responsibilities of the coach.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Develop a one-on-one relationship with each member of their group.
Assist each member of group in establishing a set of personal life goals and football
goals.
Be there for the individual if problems arise during the course of the season.
Be more than just a coach.
The goal of this plan is to get to know the players and give them a person to talk to in a time of
need. Football can be an intimidating sport, and if a kid does not feel welcome, then we risk a
chance of losing him. Every student that comes out for football will be welcomed and treated
with the utmost respect, no matter age, race, or athletic ability. It is important for us to
remember that when dealing with young men that something as simple as showing them you care
could leave a huge impression on their life.
6. PARENTS
10 Commandments for Football Parents
1. Be Positive! Don't put your son down. Let him know he is accomplishing something by
simply being a part of the team.
2. Don't offer excuses for your son if he's not playing. Rather, encourage him to work hard
and to do his best.
3. Don't put down his coaches. If you are constantly bad-mouthing your son's coaches, you
are teaching him to be a loser and a complainer. This is not what you want him to
become.
4. Insist that your son follow team rules, whether he is a starter or a seventh stringer.
5. Insist on good grades! It is the duty of the parent to see that their son is working in the
classroom. No matter how good he is, if he doesn't have good grades, he doesn't get into
college. Eliminate use of the car, phone, etc. Do not eliminate athletics. These only
encourage good grades by forcing him to stay eligible.
6. Don't develop a jealousy of other team members. This rubs off on your son and can
devastate a team. Who cares who scores, etc.? EVERYONE has a job to do. Take pride in
the fact that your son does his job well.
7. Don't be a know-it-all. The coaches work at their job 12 months a year and they know
what each kid can and cannot do.
8. As a fan, yell for the team, not at it. Scream your head off, but please don't become
belligerent at a player
9. Believe in your son and his team and in what they are doing.
10. Insist on your sons respect for his teammates, parents, coaches, team rules, school rules,
and game officials. Don't let him make a fool out of his family, school and team with
some uncalled-for gesture or incident whereby he brings shame. Self-respect begins with
self-control.
7. Standard Violations and Consequences
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Absence deemed excused by the head coach = 3 gassers (for missed conditioning)
a. Player must notify the head coach 24 hours in advance unless there is an
emergency.
b. Player must make up running prior to next practice
c. A missed practice means a missed quarter of play
Absence deemed unexcused by the head coach = 3 gassers and breaking down the field
a. Player must make up running prior to next practice
2 unexcused absences will result in a one game suspension, 2 more unexcused absences
will result in meeting with head coach and possible dismissal.
For every D on the report card players will be required to attend ESS and will run 3
gassers for time missed at practice.
ISD or ASD = 3 gassers and breaking down the field for each day served
Lying, stealing, or blatant disrespect of any coaching staff member is grounds for
immediate dismissal based on the head coach’s discretion.
Bullying and hazing is not permitted and will be handled under school policy.
Off field discipline issues will be handled at the head coach’s discretion and could result
in suspension or dismissal from the team.
Parent/Player Agreement
I have attended one of Coach Browning’s parent meetings. I read and understand the
expectations and standards my son will be expected to uphold as a player on the Muhlenberg
County Football Team.
Print Player’s Name__________________________
Player Signature_____________________________
Date_________________
Print Parent’s Name___________________________
Parent Signature______________________________
Date__________________