Pennsylvania High School Football Takes A Big Step
by BSD on May 6, 2010 2:32 PM EDT
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Did I ever show you my Pitt puppet? Say hello, Dave!
Yesterday out of nowhere it was announced that Joe Paterno and Pitt Coach Dave Wannstedt were holding a joint news conference. Like much of the local media, my head began to spin with the possibilities. Are they renewing the Pitt-PSU series? Not so much. Okay, well maybe we can get some juicy morsels on Big Ten expansion? Nope. Not today.
It turns out the two coaches were getting together to pledge their support for the renewal of the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association's (PSFCA) annual clinic and establishing spring practice for the state's high school football programs.
The PSFCA has proposed renewing its annual coaches' clinic and holding it on a rotating basis at Penn State and Pittsburgh, and possibly, Temple, in mid-February, after National Letter of Intent Day.
"I'm delighted that Dave and the coaches came up today to talk," Paterno said. "I'm really pleased with the (PSFCA) leadership. I think we ought to have a clinic that's a little bit more centralized, a little bit more predictable as to when we're going to have it, who is going to be involved in the presentation, whether we have some players that are going to be able to demonstrate and so forth.
"If we can have a clinic one year at Pitt, the next year at Penn State and get 4-5 of our coaches involved (from Penn State, Pitt and Temple), I think we can help, especially with some of the younger coaches and then build on it."
"Pffft. Big deal," you say? Not so fast, my friend. This is a very big deal, in my opinion.
Pennsylvania high school football used to be the cream of the crop. But in recent years, that amount of DI talent coming out of the Keystone State has steadily declined, and Penn State has been forced to raid Maryland and the D.C. area to get the talent they need.
Meanwhile, states like Texas, California, and Florida put out more DI talent than all the other states combined. Why is that?
Having lived in Texas for almost two years now, I can tell you that football is a huge deal here. I'm not just talking about NFL and college. I'm not even just talking high school football. I'm talking all ages. Drive through my neighborhood on any given Saturday morning and you see kids playing organized football everywhere. There are camps and leagues going on all the time. It's easy to see why Texas puts out so much talent.
So when I read about this meeting yesterday, I couldn't help but think that Pennsylvania is taking a major step toward upgrading the high school football talent level. Starting up spring football leagues and camps is going to help talent grow. And calling in coaches for clinics to teach them the proper way of doing things (read that as the Penn State way of doing things) ensures that these kids are prepared for the college game the day they step on campus.
Maybe it wasn't as sexy as renewing the Pennsylvania Classic or talking about Big Ten Expansion, but this effort to improve the high school talent level in the state of Pennsylvania is going to pay major dividends for Penn State down the road.
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Even in the WPIAL...
…where high school football is still a “big f***ing deal” (thank you Biden), I think this is going to go a long way toward growing talent.
Let’s not kid ourselves, the football teams, (at least the ones I’ve had experience with in the WPIAL) train year round, most of the time in the weight rooms and working out, etc. So why not let them strap some pads on for a couple of weeks and actually play the damn game?
It’s over due, and I’m glad to see Joe and Wanny behind this.
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...
Yeah
Lifting weights and running some 7-on-7 drills is one thing. Strapping on the pads and getting some real coaching is something else.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
by BSD on May 6, 2010 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I guess the big advantage I see here is now the PSU coaches are going to be talking to these high school kids and coaches and telling them “This is the way we do things here.” The end result is going to be kids being taught the right way so that they can become valuable football players down the road.
I’m looking at this as Penn State (and Pitt) creating a PA farm system to increase the talent pool they draw from. Plus this gives the coaches valuable face time with these kids long before Jim Tressel or Urban Meyer come knocking on their door.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
by BSD on May 6, 2010 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Mike
I gotta disagree, I attend these things down here in the south. My state in particular has a VERY strong coaches clinic. The PSU coaches attend on a regular basis. You don’t go to these things and get taught how to coach. That is something that develops over time, not on a weekend clinic. These things end up being social networking events. Yeah you pick up a thing or two about differnet schemes and all, but the reality is you run what your kids can run, not what Paterno or Pitt wants you to run.
I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.
BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.
I think the farm system aspect is the biggest deal
This, in my opinion, is a direct reaction/rebuttal from Tressel coming into western PA and taking guys. This is a way to bring the high school coaches further into the fold and to make sure that we’re all playing on the same team.
I wouldn't trust old rooster me neither.
On a lighter note
That picture is currently my facebook profile picture.
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...
I love how they set the table up
right in front of the Nittany Lion logo. Definitely done on purpose for something that’s not really supposed to be Penn State branded, I don’t think.
I know about your diabolical plan.
I appreciate that Wanny dressed up for the news conference
looking similar to every other Pitt Grad… like an out of work UPS driver.
Not sure that's true
Didn’t LT pawn his in carolina for some blow in 99?
"So while while I may be douchy, I’m not rusty."
maybe not
I framed as a question, cuz I’m basically talkin shit. I don’t actually recall that.
"So while while I may be douchy, I’m not rusty."
it actually doesn't matter
ill take Joe’s two NC rings over Dave’s one super bowl ring any day of the week.
LOL
I’m not sure if you are actually being serious or not
by The JuggerNitt on May 6, 2010 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
and to clarify
would he actually be proud of the graduate assistant NC ring? Doesn’t he also have an 87/88 championship ring as a D-coordinator?
by The JuggerNitt on May 6, 2010 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I guess so?
I’m not trying to say Wanny is a better coach than Paterno, I just don’t see why swiggy’s trying to pick a fight over Wanny’s appearance. “looking similar to every other Pitt Grad… like an out of work UPS driver.” …please. There are many reasons to dislike Wanny, as folks from Miami and Chicago will tell you, but “you look like a UPS driver” is just silly.
I think that was the point
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...
I didnt mean to offend you
and you are right, saying he looks like a UPS driver was silly… he looks more like a Park Ranger.
Actually doesn't Joe have 3 NC rings?
I thought he bought the whole team rings one of the years we got snubbed at getting a chance at a NC? 68, 69, 73?
And Charlie Weiss
How’d those rings work out for him?
"God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy"
He was a good recruiter...
Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils
by psu on May 6, 2010 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
'Oh my. That feels really good. The ole man sure knows how to massage.'
"So while while I may be douchy, I’m not rusty."
'Hey, Millen. THIS is what a pollack looks like.'
"So while while I may be douchy, I’m not rusty."
by jtothep on May 6, 2010 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
'And now Dave will regale us anew on the engineering required to build a wall.'
"So while while I may be douchy, I’m not rusty."
by jtothep on May 6, 2010 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
'Man, I hope Rambler shows this pic to his grandpa'
"So while while I may be douchy, I’m not rusty."
'Dag, this guy is easier to puppet than a glaucomic otter.'
"So while while I may be douchy, I’m not rusty."
'Sheesh, what a wuss this guy is. I wonder if he wears his wife's underpants.'
"So while while I may be douchy, I’m not rusty."
'Ok, now we're gonna hear from Dave on the nature and mechanics of a yellow out.'
"So while while I may be douchy, I’m not rusty."
'Man, I sure hope somebody logs onto BSD, so jtot has somebody to play with.'
"So while while I may be douchy, I’m not rusty."
by jtothep on May 6, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sorry I'm late.
"I want your money, but I don't want your two cents." - JVP
by ReadingRambler on May 6, 2010 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
'I can't wait to see what Pentimental does with this.'
"So while while I may be douchy, I’m not rusty."
As a high school coach who has spring football practices
This is suck!
Spring football practice just creates an atmosphere that is not good for young players. I am against it, but have to do it to keep from falling behind. These kids need to be kids and get a chance to do other things besides football 365 1/5
I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.
BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.
Dear Mr. Easy
When are you gonna grasp that football as we know it is a dying sport and cut your losses into a new career?
"So while while I may be douchy, I’m not rusty."
this started out with a snarky intent
i see now it came across more as douchey. please disregard, brother.
"So while while I may be douchy, I’m not rusty."
i do that all the time
the unexpected move from snark to douche…disastrous.
I wouldn't trust old rooster me neither.
Well if you're a coach, I'll yield to you
But the football players I knew growing up would have been in the weight room in late May anyway…
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...
As was I, and as are my players now
But it is getting out of control, there are teams down here in the south who are staging spring games. Paterno said before he did not like making kids only be football players, well lifting, 7 on 7, the camp circuit, and now 15 spring practices is getting to be alot to do besides play all fall. I have kids now who have to deciede at 14 whether or not they are going to be serious about football or baseball or basketball because of all the summer obligations. These kids need to experience growing up, not strap on the pads an extra 15 days a year.
I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.
BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.
Well in theory I agree with you
But the way I look at it, if they’re going to be doing “voluntary” football activities during that time anyway, might as well let them practice.
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...
But isn't that a school-by-school decision
It was difficult in my school to play football and basketball or football and baseball and particularly football, basketball, and baseball. But that doesn’t mean kids didn’t do it. In fact, the best football players almost always missed a lot of the off-season stuff to play basketball and baseball, largely b/c the coaches made the decision that there are complementary skills that can be developed playing other sports.
Can’t you say to a kid: if you’re not doing anything else in the spring, you’re expected to practice. But I’d rather that you do something else: play baseball, run track, whatever…
I wouldn't trust old rooster me neither.
I see your point
I think kids should have a chance to be kids too. But these days it seems like all kids want to do is sit in the air conditioning playing video games and updating their facebook status.
For kids out there that really like football and see it as an opportunity to get a scholarship and go to college, this program will help them better compete with the kids in Ohio, Texas, Florida, and California.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
and let's not forget
if they want to go to a camp, or participate in these types of events, they’ll do it whether it is at Penn State or Ohio State, so might as well have them come to Penn Schtaaate.
by The JuggerNitt on May 7, 2010 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
They already have all of those things.
The biggest thing I see out of this whole post is a unified PA college high school coaching association. That is the big key here. Other states have huge clinics that are at the same time every year. PA should have one as well.
I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.
BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.
by carolinaeasy on May 7, 2010 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
When I was in high school around '01
Almost none of the good athletes were available for spring drills. The QBs, WRs and LBs were pitching or batting, the RBs and DBs were sprinting or long jumping, and the OL/DL were throwing the discus or shot. I imagine many of the smaller PA schools are going to struggle to get enough people to show up to do anything productive.
Exactly
and what this does is creates a divide between schools who can get their guys there (big schools) and schools who can’t (small schools) and since PA still uses the point system to determain playoffs this means alot of small schools will get it handed to them. This looks good on paper but in practice it sucks, I know I am balls deep in this system and it sucks!
I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.
BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.
Eh...
“Big school” in Pennsylvania and “big school” other places are different things I think.
Almost all of our skill players (I went to a AAAA school) played two sports or more. It wasn’t as if they specialized in any one thing.
I could see at a school of 3, 4, 5000+ how you might see more specialization, but at least from my experience A) there aren’t many of those kinds of schools in PA and B) Most good athletes are going to play more than one sport regardless.
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...
Here is another issue
Baseball, and softball usually do not end until near the end of school, at least at my old high school they don’t because the teams usually compete for championships. What about the players and coaches who are involved in those other sports? Do you not have practice? Missing your top atheletes for spring can make you fall behind, and I can tell you these practices turn into arms races between schools. This will only serve to add more pressure on the kids, and coaches. I know this because I am involved in it on the ground level, this is an issue.
I am Laura Nichols and I like Bacon.
BSD is an addiction, and this is the first step.
Caption
I remember trying to recruit Dave to come play for Penn State when he was an offensive lineman at Baldwin high school. I went to see him one day and that’s when I saw he was a scrawny kid. And he had a pony tail right back here, so I pull the pony tail like this and I tell Jerry Sandusky, who was making the trip with me, “Hey Jerry! Look at this sissy boy!” He went to Pitt and we beat ’em four years in a row. You remember that Dave? Good times.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
by BSD on May 6, 2010 3:51 PM EDT reply actions 7 recs
Oh jesh...
I remeber back in 86 we played that Miami team, they were pretty good. Their coach went on to win some Super Bowl rings, shoot Dave….Who was the Defensive Coordinator on that team?
Huh? No shit.
Pitt currently has both a better football and basketball team than Michigan.
Baldwin...
Fact: In 2009, Bethel Park was the only “home” team to win at Baldwin Stadium, a quarterfinal win over North Allegheny.
Fact.
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...
Dang...
2008*
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...
Wait
How many teams play there? Is there more than one home team?
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
by BSD on May 6, 2010 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Just Baldwin
During the regular season. But they went winless and missed the playoffs, so Seton La-Salle used it for their home stadium during week one of the playoffs. They lost (Tee hee, that’s my brothers school). So week two, Bethel played there as a “neutral” site, but officially designated as the home team.
God Created the World Out Of Nothing, Paterno Built A National Superpower On Cow Fields...
You'll take care of what?
"I want your money, but I don't want your two cents." - JVP
by ReadingRambler on May 6, 2010 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions
That. Duh. Do you need to go here?
Black Shoe Diaries
Success With Honor
by Jeff Junstrom on May 6, 2010 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Is this a school for ants???
"I want your money, but I don't want your two cents." - JVP
by ReadingRambler on May 6, 2010 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions
pop i got the black lung
I'm sorry, Bruce. These boys get that syrup in 'em, they get all antsy in their pantsy. Captain O'Hagan
by psu in the w-b on May 6, 2010 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions
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