Coaches

This blog is about the Outlaws and the people who contribute to this fantastic program.  In a couple previous posts we had fun featuring a couple coaches - Narlan Baker and Jon Hancock - who went beyond the call of duty and suited up to fill out the teams for a practice scrimmage. 

That was fun. 

Coaches kneeling by the tape as players show how
far they can jump, one of the drills involved in
trying out for the team.

But coaching is hard work. 

From overseeing tryouts in December through three-a-week practices from January to the end of the season in June, with lots of meetings in between, coaches work at helping players get in shape, at teaching rookies,  at planning and executing game plans. 

I browsed my photos for shots of coaches and I'm embarrassed to confess I haven't often focused on them.  Maybe in addition to player profiles I should do some coach profiles? 

This posting is an attempt to give some recognition to coaches past and present.  The captions will be inadequate - maybe some blog visitors would like to volunteer captions with names of the coaches pictured?  And there isn't a lot of organization because I didn't know I was going to do this.  Please just enjoy the photos.  And give appropriate credit to the coaches who give so much to the Outlaws.

This is one of my favorite shots of Frank.  He's been with the team
forever and is often quoted in my player interviews - "Frank said..."



Soho - is also an outstanding player. 



Feedback during the game is often the best feedback of all.

In practice is when you get to focus on
fundamentals, make certain the stance is
just right.







Coach Jon Hancock filling in on the line for a practice scrimmage.



I'm intrigued by the smile.  Maybe they're working on  a trick
play and enjoying the way it will confuse the opposing team?



Soho again - being serious.

Coaches hate when players are injured.  There is a
special relationship between team and coach, almost
like family.  Helping an injured player off the field is
painful for the coach as well as the player.

Narlan Baker is the current head coach.  I asked his wife Jay Jay, who plays on the defensive line, to tell me a little about Narlan.  She says he considers himself part of the team. "If we lose, he loses. He has the back of every player on the team."  He will do whatever it takes so that no one has an excuse not to play or be included on the team.

"He has even gone so far as taking his prize high school helmet that he had displayed on a shelf for years, had it repainted and repadded so that a potential player would have a helmet that fit." 

"This Team is his family. He has so much faith in each person.  If you miss a tackle or get zero yards, if the effort is there, he is proud."

He just doesn't want anyone to give up on themselves.

This is one of my favorite photos of Narlan Baker.  Just before kickoff he's still going over game plans.