Austin Blakely
Germantown High School’s 2015 football season is going to be subject to a huge change. Former head football coach, Charlie White retired after more than 30 years of teaching and coaching. After many long interviews and countless hours of searching, Germantown administration hired football coach Chris Smith.
“There were around 150 applicants for the head-coaching job. Coach Smith impressed the committee with not only his knowledge of the game but also with his vision and energy for returning Germantown Football to its proper place as a juggernaut and the dominant program in West Tennessee,” said assistant principal Blake Waddell
When working with future players, a new coach must first establish a mutual connection with them. Coach Smith was able to do so with ease.
“I know almost every player on the teams first and last name already. The players have been very responsive to new ideals and changes, which shows a lot about their character and their eagerness for success,” said Smith.
With a new coach, it is expected for him to hit the ground running and to pull out as many wins for us as possible. With every coach there is a different way to train and prepare your players mentally and physically. Coach Smith believes that with the right mindset and training Germantown will be able to dominate on the field.
“My main goal is for our players to commit to common goals and to be successful, commit yourself into improving every day at something as a player, and a person. If you are not improving everyday, then you are becoming worse. We have said many times ‘Win the Day’ and not look too far ahead,” said Smith.
With a chance of a lifetime, Smith took advantage of the opportunity to get this position. Coming from his hometown in Blytheville, Arkansas, Smith left Blytheville High School to take a chance here in Germantown.
“I have been in the game of football for 16 straight years, as a player in junior high and high school, at the collegiate level, and as a coach. I have had multiple responsibilities in the past including stints as a head baseball coach at Obion County Central High School in West Tennessee. The tradition and spirit that is alive here at Germantown is very motivating. There is also a lot of potential for success here at the school. The motto I try to live by, as a coach is, ‘Don’t coach if you can live without it’,” stated Smith.
An outstanding coach is hard to come by, but with such a tough selection of applicants, however, Germantown hasn’t made very many bad decisions in the past to help bring home the wins in the past.
“Coach Smith had a vision for the program and its players, and was extremely detailed oriented in his articulating what he planned to do, whether it was the offense he would install or how he planned to get players recruited. His enthusiasm for his players and this program was infectious,” Waddell stated.
This vision has translated so far to improved grades, attitude, and discipline among players.
“It’s been a really positive environment. The kids have responded well with the challenges we have thrown at them,” Smith said. “The kids have bought in.”
Greatness is to come the future years of Germantown as the new coach works with our players and does his best to improve our team for next fall.
Germantown High School’s 2015 football season is going to be subject to a huge change. Former head football coach, Charlie White retired after more than 30 years of teaching and coaching. After many long interviews and countless hours of searching, Germantown administration hired football coach Chris Smith.
“There were around 150 applicants for the head-coaching job. Coach Smith impressed the committee with not only his knowledge of the game but also with his vision and energy for returning Germantown Football to its proper place as a juggernaut and the dominant program in West Tennessee,” said assistant principal Blake Waddell
When working with future players, a new coach must first establish a mutual connection with them. Coach Smith was able to do so with ease.
“I know almost every player on the teams first and last name already. The players have been very responsive to new ideals and changes, which shows a lot about their character and their eagerness for success,” said Smith.
With a new coach, it is expected for him to hit the ground running and to pull out as many wins for us as possible. With every coach there is a different way to train and prepare your players mentally and physically. Coach Smith believes that with the right mindset and training Germantown will be able to dominate on the field.
“My main goal is for our players to commit to common goals and to be successful, commit yourself into improving every day at something as a player, and a person. If you are not improving everyday, then you are becoming worse. We have said many times ‘Win the Day’ and not look too far ahead,” said Smith.
With a chance of a lifetime, Smith took advantage of the opportunity to get this position. Coming from his hometown in Blytheville, Arkansas, Smith left Blytheville High School to take a chance here in Germantown.
“I have been in the game of football for 16 straight years, as a player in junior high and high school, at the collegiate level, and as a coach. I have had multiple responsibilities in the past including stints as a head baseball coach at Obion County Central High School in West Tennessee. The tradition and spirit that is alive here at Germantown is very motivating. There is also a lot of potential for success here at the school. The motto I try to live by, as a coach is, ‘Don’t coach if you can live without it’,” stated Smith.
An outstanding coach is hard to come by, but with such a tough selection of applicants, however, Germantown hasn’t made very many bad decisions in the past to help bring home the wins in the past.
“Coach Smith had a vision for the program and its players, and was extremely detailed oriented in his articulating what he planned to do, whether it was the offense he would install or how he planned to get players recruited. His enthusiasm for his players and this program was infectious,” Waddell stated.
This vision has translated so far to improved grades, attitude, and discipline among players.
“It’s been a really positive environment. The kids have responded well with the challenges we have thrown at them,” Smith said. “The kids have bought in.”
Greatness is to come the future years of Germantown as the new coach works with our players and does his best to improve our team for next fall.