POINT AFTER: Enough Is Enough!
It's time for every player, parent, and Loudoun Valley fan to get behind new head coach Danny McGrath and help get the Viking program back to respectibility. That means, no more bickering, no more excuses, and no more finger pointing.
Photo By: Marc Gold / Gameday Magazine
The Loudoun Valley football program has had its share of controversy this year, but it is time for the community and the players to move on and make the best of what's left of the 2008 season...That starts Friday with Fauquier coming to town.
Photo By: Dave Bernhardt / Gameday Magazine
Former Head Coach Bruce Sheppard's resignation in May left the Viking administration with very little time to get the program ready for the 2008 season.
Photo Credit: Gameday Magazine
PURCELLVILLE, VA - Let me start this editorial by prefacing that if you are an emotional parent and upset about the way things have gone down at Loudoun Valley High School, you might not like what I have to say. If you do not fall in the category above, then pay attention too, because what has gone on at Valley in the past 6 months can happen at your school too.
In high school sports, there is a tendency for parents to get too involved, to get too emotionally invested in whether or not their kid plays, or the coaching staff is doing the right thing.
Take it from me, I was a part of a football program that won state championships, competed for many more, and I witnessed the same thing back in the early 1990's. It doesn't change with time because parents are still parents.
We all want what's best for our kids and the experience of playing high school football has to be a positive one if we can do anything about it. Well, the sad part is, sometimes you can't do anything about it.
Perfect example is how the situation at Loudoun Valley has unfolded in the last 6 months. Long time coach Bruce Sheppard resigned in May, just two months before training camp. I talked with Sheppard personally the day before he made the official announcement, and he candidly told me it was the best decision for his family. I took him at his word because he's standup guy, simple as that.
Just like today, there were rumors back in May that Sheppard's resignation was really due in part to a continuing and losing struggle with the Valley athletic administration. It is possible there was some frustration on Sheppard's part toward his administration, but I'm here to tell you today that across the board, that is very common at all schools.
Coaches want to do anything, and I mean anything they can to win. They want every new bell and whistle to help them break down film, every new piece of equipment to help prepare their team, and a simple thumbs up from their athletic director is all they are after. That is where the friction comes in. Coaches and Athletic Director's sometimes have a difference of opinion about what the program needs, and whether or not the coach should get what he wants. It doesn't just happen in football, but across all sports in every high school.
I'm sure that Sheppard and the Viking athletic administration had their differences just like other coaches and administrators from other programs have theirs. Again, it is common. If in fact the differences were too great to overcome, and the true reason for Sheppard's resignation is that he didn't want to fight the battle any longer, then he did the right thing by stepping down.
That leads me to the next move. The Vikings had to hire a head coach in quick fashion. I figured the most logical replacement was going to be longtime Sheppard assistant Bruce Pugh. He knew the kids, knew the system, and could have taken the program forward. Pugh told me in the summer that he was going to spend more time with his family as well, and didn't think it was in his best interest to apply for the job.
Valley then had to make a choice. Another Sheppard assistant John Cowne was still on staff, and while the coaching search was under way, he ran the Valley football program. Cowne is a respected guy, and did everything he could to show the Viking administrators that he could handle the responsibility.
However, like in many business situations in the real world and sports world (i.e Greg Williams & The Washington Redskins), the administration decided to go in another direction. They offered the job to Park View's Mick Mullins, who accepted and then resigned because of an unfortunate family situation. Mullins would have been a tremendous choice for the Vikings. I know because I know him personally as well, and have followed him as a coach at Park View the last few years. Ask Andy Hill if he misses Mullins and you'll realize how unfortunate it is that Valley missed out on this guy.
With Mullins stepping down, the Vikings had little time left to get things in place for the 2008 season. It was mid July before they finally made their decision. Another Patriot assistant, Danny McGrath was hired.
McGrath is 25 years old, and very green in the coaching world. However, he played in the Concorde District at Herndon, went on the play for Frank Beamer at Virginia Tech, and served as Andy Hill's offensive line coach last year.
Folks, there are some high school coaches that can never say on their resume they played in the ACC for a top 10 program. As a former college baseball player for the Hokies, I know that when you play big time college sports, you learn some invaluable stuff that can make you a great coach.
Fast Forward to July 29th, 2008. McGrath visits with us at Media Day in Sterling. I asked him what he had learned about his new team, and the response was short. "Right now, I don't know much about anyone because I haven't had the chance to be there," he said.
While McGrath was busy getting to know his new team and coaching staff, I was receiving anonymous calls from Valley parents. They were upset and they needed to voice it to someone who could put the word out. I took the calls and I tried to reiterate that the administration at Valley made a good choice, and still today, I believe that 1000%.
As expected, Loudoun Valley has struggled mightily this season, starting 0-4. Last year's team was 2-8 remember? So, there is still hope for McGrath and crew to better last year's mark.
The real disappointment for me is that it appears that some of the parents at Valley are not willing to give McGrath time to get this program back on its feet. How can you expect this team to function with zero cohesion before training camp, and a 25 year old talented young head coach who is learning the ropes for the first time? The answer is, you can't this year. I know you don't want to hear this, but for the senior class at Valley, this situation is really unfortunate for you.
However, you can be part of the solution and make a difference in the years to come for the Viking football program.
When I was 10 years old, I met Michigan's legendary coach Bo Schembechler with my father. We sat just hours before the Rose Bowl in 1986 in a meeting room and Coach Schembechler told my father and I about how bad it was when he took over the Michigan program.
He explained how the entire program was in disarray. His first move was to run every player off that didn't have the heart to work harder than ever before. He purposely tried to get rid of guys who complained, and players who made excuses for why they weren't reaching their potential. And then, as some guys quit, he told my father and I that he told the players that were left that if they stayed, they would one day be champions.
Today, the phrase, "Those Who Stay Will Be Champions" is still up in Schembechler hall at the Universtiy of Michigan.
The truth is, some of the kids on Valley's team this year won't be there next year. But I firmly believe that those that stay and continue to fight will see things turn around in the years to come under McGrath. We know there is talent at Valley, and there is a tradition of toughness that goes way back.
It is on the current group of players to build on that tradition, and bring it back to life. You have to take it upon yourselves to lead the program back to respectability. And while you may take several bruises and lopsided defeats along the way, you have to keep your head held high and show everyone that Valley football will be a program to be dealt with very soon.
For the parents who are angry, the time is now for you to stop making excuses and stop pointing fingers. Just this past weekend, we had to lock down a few message board topics and posts because a few Valley parents decided it was time to lay into the Valley administration and coaching staff for the early season struggles.
I've been there before people, I know what it is like to have the feeling of no control of how things are going on a football team. In high school, my coach was more of a politician than a coach, and he was easy to sway. I witnessed parents who could garner playing time for their kids by simply becoming buddies with him. It was sickening to say the least.
At some point in time, you as parents have to do what's right for your kids. You have to let it go and quit the behind the scenes smear campaign. It isn't healthy for your children, and it isn't going to make things better for the Valley football program.
The truth is, your kid might not play. He may not see one play this entire season. He may not even have fun playing for Coach McGrath and his staff. But, the last thing you should do is arm him with excuses and make him feel worse about his situation.
My father has coached in the NFL and College football for 35 years. When I was in a similar situation with my football program, he simply said to me, "Go about your business son, and work harder. Don't let the coach know that you are unhappy, earn his trust by playing harder and making plays when you have the chance."
I look back on that advice and it was right. It was all I could do within my power. My situation didn't get better, but I didn't give in to the frustration, and I certainly didn't cause a problem for my team and my coaches. I went about my business all the while knowing there was little I could do to change the situation. That's called life people, sometimes it isn't fair!
The fact is, if you play for Valley, and you are frustrated, you really are no different than other kids that aren't playing at other schools. You just have a new coach and an unfortunate resignation late in the year to blame for your problems.
It is easy to point the finger at someone else, and while it may make you feel better in the short term, you will look back and realize one day that it didn't change the situation.
Parents, I challenge you to step up and show your support for Coach McGrath and his staff. Help him organize team dinners, fundraisers, and anything else he needs help with to get the Valley football program back on track. He's a young guy, and that means his best coaching is around the corner. I can tell you this, I speak to every coach in the area and they all think very highly of him.
Sure, he could have more experience, but having a bunch whining parents in his ear non-stop only makes that learning curve more painful. Help the young man out, and in the process, show your kids that even when you get confronted with a bad situation, you have to make the best of it.
Isn't that learning experience just as valuable as scoring a few touchdowns? I think so!
Andy Hayes is the owner and founder of Gameday Magazine. He can be reached by e-mail at GamedayMagazine.com. Your comments are welcome.
