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AFM Magazine


Technology on a Budget

Your school may not be able to play with the big boys, but that doesn\'t mean technology can\'t win games for you.
by: Richard Scott
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While NFL teams and major Division 1-A programs usually have the financial resources to make a major commitment to technology, it’s not that easy for smaller college programs and high schools. Money has to be budgeted and spent more carefully, but money spent on technology is still a wise investment.

Division II Pittsburg (Kan.) State uses Apple PowerBooks and Power Mac G4s to produce cut-ups of offensive, defensive, and special teams plays.

“The game of football is all about reacting quickly to things that happen. If you’ve watched what your opponent does in a third and short situation 50 times, by Saturday you’re going to react faster and better on the field,” offensive line coach Bill Kroenke says. “With the (computers), our time commitment is now so much less. Any coach can immediately pull off all the information he needs, instead of having someone else do it for him. We’re doing three times the amount of work in the same amount of time.”

That’s Division II, but junior college resources are usually even more scarce. At Navarro College, Randy Hodges left a potential six-figure job in the computer industry to become a football coach. He’s neither a football expert who knows something about computers nor a computer expert who knows something about football. He’s both, and the two attributes fit together well.

“I’m just a football coach who’s been blessed to have been taught a lot about computers,” Hodges says. “You just can’t get the level of excitement of teaching young men on the football field by sitting in front of a computer.”

St. Louis Rams special teams coach Bobby April, though more of a technical neophyte, understands where Hodges is coming from. For all the time and effort he’s put into learning how to use the computer, he hasn’t let it get in the way of what he loves about coaching. It’s still about teaching the fundamentals, techniques and strategies of the game to players and preparing them to play at the highest possible level of excellence on game days.

But if a computer can help you improve that process and do it more effectively and efficiently, why not use it? If it makes you a better coach, why not invest time, money and effort into making it an important part of your coaching toolbox?

At the high school level, where the love of coaching usually far outstrips any financial reward, coaches can leverage school resources into success for their football teams.

High schools aren’t about to go out and spend big money on advanced computer and video systems, but most high school and junior high coaches have access to computers, specifically PowerPoint programs, through their school libraries. One used or rebuilt laptop, available for $300-500 through local computer dealers or on-line from reputable companies such as Gateway and Dell, can become an important resource for any high school or junior high coach.

The point is, coaches at all levels can integrate new technologies into their coaching regimen, regardless of budget or current computer knowledge. If you don’t think it’s worth it, listen to Bobby April.

“It can be learned. It can be a tremendous asset to your coaching. It’s really an obligation now. In the world today, your players deserve the best in technology,” April says. You can’t always give them everything because sometimes you’re limited for whatever reason, but you can at least make the effort. This isn’t some secret only the select few know about. This is an opportunity for everybody.”





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