Eric Keller
Head Football Coach
Sylvania Northview High School-Sylvania, Ohio
Winter, like any other season of the year, is a great time
for thinking about high school football. Most of us are talking about the past
season and state playoff games, both of which are recent memories. At the same time
we are also looking ahead to the many activities that lead up to the beginning of the next
football season.
Like most football coaches, we are using the off season as a time for evaluation,
preparation, and planning. Our kids are hitting the weights or participating in
winter sports, and our coaching staff is meeting to discuss the changes we want to make
for the upcoming season. As part of this process we will examine what we want to
change about our program. Like you, we do this because we truly enjoy high school
football and we are always looking for ways to make our football program better.
In addition to the evaluation of offense and defense, my staff and I will discuss our
returning personnel and the characteristics of the team we expect to have for the upcoming
season. As a staff we try to predict the amount of athletic ability and types of
attitude our incoming players will have, and how these factors might affect the offensive
and defensive characteristics of our football team. We can then use this information
as we plan and make changes in what we want to teach in the fall. We may spend about
three to five minutes on each player (about four hours total), but I think it is time well
spent.
By discussing personnel as a staff I am able to learn more about each player from the
point of view of our assistant coaches. I can get feedback on a player's performance
from his position coach, his JV coach, the defensive coordinator, or any assistant coach
who just happened to learn something about the kid during the previous season. I
will then use this information to write up an individual evaluation for each player.
After our staff has met and the evaluations are written, I will conduct a
face-to-face personal interview with each player to present the evaluation and discuss
expectations (his and ours) for the coming season.
Interviews can last anywhere from fifteen to sixty minutes and normally occur during
school hours. To complete interviews with each incoming senior and junior takes about two
months. I try to have this done before the end of January so that each athlete has up to
seven months to improve and act on any of the suggestions made by the coaching staff.
During the interview each athlete has the chance to ask questions, discuss his
expectations, and set goals for the season. I will then present the written evaluation
form and discuss it with the athlete. My evaluation form uses a numerical scale to rank
the athlete in regards to his attitude, dedication, physical ability, and football
ability. I also make personal comments or suggestions on the back of the form. Feel
free to contact me if you would like a copy of the evaluation form I use.
Despite the time commitment, I feel that the benefits for both players and coaches
makes this process well worth the effort. Our coaching staff must acknowledge each
player, honestly define his strengths and weaknesses, and explain how he might help our
program in the coming year. It also gives us a chance to offer suggestions for
improvement. Our players may not agree with each point of their own evaluation, but
they seem to appreciate the honesty of the overall process and the personal communication
with the head coach. They will leave the interview knowing exactly where they stand
in regards to their position on our football team. It is then up to each player to
act upon the suggestions made by the coaching staff. Many of our kids get fired up
knowing what the coaching staff is thinking about and expecting from each individual.
Remember to keep your players in mind as you evaluate your program this winter. Our
players will be the ones who actually perform the plays and live the philosophies we are
discussing for the upcoming year. You can give them a head start towards a
successful season by clearly defining your expectations with an honest evaluation and
interview. It has been my experience that this process will lead to a greater
understanding between player and coach, more pride and commitment from each individual,
and an improvement in the quality of your football program.
Make any inquiries or requests for a copy of our evaluation form to:
Eric Keller
Head Football Coach
2594 Glendale Ave.
Toledo, Ohio 43614
Northview High School
5403 Silica Dr.
Sylvania, Ohio 43560
885-7936 (school)
824-6975 (FAX)
885-7942 (stadium)