I'm sorry that this will piss off half the parents reading this: Your 11 year old probably doesn’t need a $8,000-a-year travel team. Meanwhile, mom and dad haven’t had a weekend alone in 8 months because every Friday afternoon the SUV is packed for another tournament 4 hours away. They need to just play sports (if they want). There’s a difference. $3,000 team fee. $2,500 hotels. $1,500 eating out. $500 uniforms. $500 entrance fees Every weekend gone, and somehow we convince ourselves this makes us better parents. Then we wonder why marriages struggle. Put the kid in rec ball and let them play with their buddies. Take your wife to dinner. Take a family vacation that doesn’t involve a Marriott next to a sports complex. If your kid is truly THAT good, you’ll eventually know. But I think a lot of parents are sacrificing their marriage, money and entire family calendar chasing a scholarship that probably isn’t coming. I agree that most kids need sports. I’m just not convinced they need travel sports. That's me - the one who forgot their $5 hat for picture day on a team that cost $20 for the season.

Started coaching in 1969 and so blessed to be given an opportunity to continue coaching the game I love 57 years later. Passion is both internal and eternal! One of my formal players said to me I still have a lot to give. My response was I still have a lot to learn! Go Spartans!!

Get your boys into football and watch the transformation! Football uniquely challenges boys in ways that boys need but rarely get in today’s society. We need football because it provides an environment where boys can become young men, and young men can become grown men.

My main purpose when I meet with my position group is to get them ready to play, to make them the smartest players on the field. I don’t need to show them how smart I am. I don’t get to go between the white lines. I want them spending more time on the board than me.

You want to be tough? Sit in the front of the classroom, be early to practice and last to leave, refuse to accept C’s in your classes, be first in sprints, find a way to better yourself and your teammates, always do what is right! That’s what it means to be tough.

To all my former players and to all the coaches I’ve shared the sidelines with, wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Family, Friends, Food, Football. It’s a tough combination to beat!!!

5 yard penalties are nothing more than mental errors. They are avoidable. False starts, encroachment, delay of game, illegal motions, etc. are mistakes well disciplined teams rarely make. And we know more games are lost by mistakes than are won on big plays.

Wins $ League Champs $$ State Champs $$$ 50+ seasons with coaches and players $$$$$$$$$ Lifelong relationships built with coaches and players - PRICELESS

Today is the first day of high school football practice in NJ. It seems that I have an itch I can’t scratch! After 53 years of coaching I just haven’t had enough of it. Good luck to everyone and all you coaches out there cherish every day you have with your players.

2 wks ago we lost evthing we owned in a house fire including 3 cars.As I stood there w/my family I knew the hard lessons we had from our athletic experiences were going to play a big part in how we approached this loss.We got knocked down but we will get back up!

It’s important that your players believe you but it’s more important that they believe in you. And that is never a given. It’s something you earn as a coach.

As coaches and players we all have mountains to climb. If you don’t get it right, don’t whine. Fix it and get it right the next time!

To all my coaching colleagues who have been a father to so many of your players, Happy Father’s Day.

When your players are at their worst that’s when they need you the most.

One of many prized possessions from a long coaching career. Hoping to extend my coaching days.

Some athletes are 5’8” but they play like they are 6’. Some weigh 160 but play like they are 190. Some run a 5.0/40 but with their reaction time they play like they run a 4.8. Don’t allow numbers to always define your players!!

O line check points on quick game: Short step on pass pro Kick in relationship to rusher Pwr step vs 1&3 tech then short kick step Work inside out,blocker crotch on def inside hip Wide base/wt on inside of feet Punch is short like a boxer’s jab Hands tight, elbows in, form a W