5 State Champions Share Insight On Building Team Culture

2019 has been a great year for our guests. Today we share thoughts from coaches who have experienced a run of on field success with their programs. These five coaches we highlight together have won 41 state championship over 1,200 games including a state championship from each of them in 2019.

Coach Kevin Kelley, who has led the Pulaski Academy Bruins to eight state championships (2003, 2008, 2011, 2014-17, 2019) and overall all under Coach Kevin Kelley are 203-29-1.

Create a culture where everyone feels important

Being competitive in practice. How their practices are different. Creating accountability to lead to bigger discipline that translates in games.

Dave Walker, head coach Martinsburg High School (WV) was the 2017 NFHS National Coach of the Year. He is the winningest Coach in West Virginia history. In 2019, they won their 4th straight title. The win extends Martinsburg’s state-record win streak to 56 games.

Evolving philosophies - it’s more about the relationships. Make sure the kids are doing what they are supposed to be doing and are cared for. Create a climate that people want to be a part of.

Creating competition throughout the year and every day. They get coached hard at practice.

Terry Curtis won his 8th state championships in 2019. He is the head coach at UMS-Wright Academy, the 4A Alabama state champions. His record stands at 317-85.

Love of the game and coaching. Relationships are there forever.

Team chemistry - the teams that have won state championships had great team chemistry and played to the best of their ability and didn’t complain

Play hard, be physical and know what to do. Trust the scheme. A coach has to play to what you have.

Consistency in practice throughout the season. Keep an even keel until Friday night. Win the games we are supposed to win.

John Roderique won his 12th Missouri state championship at Webb City High School in 2019. His record is 302-26-0.

Our purpose is to prepare the kids we have in our program for life. Football is a great tool for that.

Create a family atmosphere in our program.

Football is for the players. Get our guys to out play their guys through training and preparation. Never be satisfied with where you are.

DaLawn Parrish won his 5th Maryland state championship at Wise High School. He is 145-32 at Wise.

Building the culture

Having a diverse staff

Continuing to develop and improve