Rod Jones trying to change culture of Skyline High School football by drawing from experience in NFL
Skyline High School football players Monday gather for the first practice of the season.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Skyline High School football coach Rod Jones doesn't want to hear any excuses from his players.
Yes, the Eagles are coming off an 0-9 season and still looking for their first victory as a varsity program, but Jones expects his players to play like champions.
"We're not the little brother anymore," Jones said. "These kids need to learn to believe in themselves."
Jones already believes his team has enough firepower to keep opposing defenses on their heels.
"I'm positive no once can compete with us on offense," Jones said during the first day of fall practices.
First-year Skyline High School football coach Rod Jones doesn't want to hear anybody make excuses for his players.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
A bold prediction from a coach entering his first year as Skyline's coach.
"The issue was the muscle between the ears," Jones said. "What goes on between the ears is more important than the physical."
A former NFL offensive lineman, Jones took over as coach of the Eagles in March. One of the first things he noticed was how many excuses were made for his players. Jones is looking to change the mentality and makeup of this year's squad by holding everyone accountable and challenging them to overcome all perceived shortcomings.
Jones made a point to single out a senior who wasn't giving his all during a drill and challenged his teammates to call out others not pulling their weight.
The same was evident when defensive coordinator Craig Jobe threatened a player's starting role if he couldn't play with passion during practice.
Looking back at last year's film, Jones noticed the has plenty of options when it come to throwing the ball and that starts with senior quarterback Andrew Copp.
"He (Copp) is a leader," Jones said.
But Jones knows that things have to change on the offensive line in order to win games.
"We were unable to run the ball (last year). Me, being a former offensive lineman, that's my pride," Jones said
In fact, Jones got down on the line with his players to teach them techniques. It must have worked well, as one of the lineman knocked Jones on his backside during the drill.
The players were primed and ready to get on the field for the first day of practice. So much so that the guys were dressed and ready to go before Jones was prepared to start practice.
"They were excited as hell," Jones said. "We have a great parents club that got them ready and on the field early."
Jones wasn't ready to comment on what his expectations for the season were as the players don't even start practicing with pads until Thursday. But he has an idea of the goals.
"We want to have a dominant defense, a dominant offense, and we have to take it one game at a time."
Comments
Gardener1
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 2:36 p.m.
Wow, looking forward to some good high school football. Good luck Coach Jones!
Mike
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 1:08 p.m.
Coach Jones can take this team nowhere but up from here. He sounds like he's going to build these guys back up after the tough year they had last year and instill some confidence and accountability. They definitely have some talented players and should have a much better season this year. Good luck coach!
a2scio
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 10:37 a.m.
This will be Skyline's first year with all 4 grades. Last year there were no seniors at the school. I had the opportunity to hear Coach Jones speak to an adult audience. He was inspiring! What a kind and caring man he is.
10dz
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 1:06 a.m.
"I'm positive no once can compete with us on offense," Jones said during the first day of fall practices. If I'm a defensive coordinator, thats going to be repeated everyday in practice the week of the game v Skyline. A lot of talk coming from a team that has exactly zero wins in their brief History.