Letter From the Editor

by: Rex Lardner
© More from this issue

In this issue is our third annual high school state champions survey sponsored by Schutt Sports. A total of 340 questionnaires were sent out to head coaches in all 50 states. While some trends – over the three years – seem to be taking place, there were some fascinating responses among last fall’s champions. Among them:

• The age of the youngest head coach among all state champs was 26 while the oldest was 72.

• The head coach with the shortest tenure was one year while the mentor with the most was 38.

• Football budgets varied with the lowest being $2,000 while two programs had a budget of over $200,000.

• For the first time in the three years of the survey, there is a significant number of coaches also serving as strength and conditioning coaches.

• Championship team numbers varied with the lowest number being 23 while two state champs had squads that dressed over 100 players.

• Staffs varied with the average number of total assistants being six with as many as 14 – assistants and volunteers – on one staff.

• A significant number of state champs are now using the 3-5-3 defense which takes advantage of smaller, athletic players in a team’s defensive scheme. The most popular defenses, though, remained the 4-3 and 4-4.

   But more than the individual team responses, there were some definitive trends over the three year period: the number of head coaches that have masters degrees has grown over the cycle; more state champions are using the pro set/spread offense over that period of time; and the feeder system trend is increasing with more junior high programs running the same system as the varsity program.
   We think you will find the survey fascinating. It begins on page 30. Our first two state champions surveys – in June issues of AFM in 2004 and 2005 – are available on AFM’s web site: www.AmericanFootballMonthly.com. As always, we welcome your ideas, suggestions, and input.
   We hope you enjoy this issue of AFM.

Respectfully,

Rex Lardner
Managing Editor
American Football Monthly
rlardner@lcclark.com
561-355-5068

Article Categories

AFM Magazine

Letter From the Editor