NTFCA - UNT Clinic

Last Wednesday, the third installment of the NTFCA Wednesday Night Football Clinics made its stop in Denton at Heart of Dallas Bowl Champions University of North Texas.  This was an extra special experience because UNT is where I completed my first football performance summer internship.   So the football program has a special place in my heart.  The clinic started like the others with some good food.  BBQ was being served and there was plenty of it.   It was good hanging out with several of the position coaches and my good friend Frank Wintrich, Director of Football Performance.  He is one of the smartest coaches out there and a heck of a guy too.
If you haven't had the chance to listen to Mean Green head coach Dan McCarney you are missing out.

Coach Mac - taken from The Birmingham News

He is one of the most dynamic speakers and coaches I have ever been around.  I remember the first time we met.  It the first day of my summer internship and we were setting up the field.  This guy is walking up to us, shirt off, and sweating.  He had obviously been working out.  Coach Mac is a huge runner.  Right then and their he introduced himself as the head football coach.  From that day forward, he has always spoken to me by name and we have had meaningful conversation.  He is nothing but first class.  It is no surprise UNT has had the success they are having.  Back to the clinic.

Coach Mac spoke for almost 45 minutes, but it seemed like ten.  He spoke on the many qualities of a championship program and how is working to, and in my opinion has, turned around the football program at North Texas.  Some of his key points were:

1. Lay a Brick Every Day
2. Have a "Plan to Win"
3. Don't be Average - paraphrased and my personal favorite
4. Expect Remarkable Professionalism
5. "Unconditional Loyalty"
6. Players must want Discipline and Accountability
7.  Must inject a "Will to Win" into the entire football family
8. Embrace the Challenges that Have Eroded Losing Programs to the Core
9. Sell it!!
10. Must have Attitude and Chemistry
11. Complacency can be a Disease
12. Eliminate Entitlements
13. Build a Competitive Environment
14. Be a Problem Solver

Words of great wisdom from a head coach who has had success at many different schools across the country.

After Coach Mac spoke the high school coaches were up.  I went and listened to state champion Argyle talk about their unorthodox defense.  I liked the fact that they only ran one coverage.  Keep things very simple.  Very few adjustments.  I wonder if it was just a flash in the pan defense that was installed at the right place at the right time or if it is a defense that can be implemented at other schools.  I know Celina used to/still does run something similar, so maybe there is my answer.  

After listening to Argyle, the UNT coaches were back up for individual position specific break out sessions.  Jake and I headed back down to the weight room to visit with Frank and to listen in on the question and answer session taking place.  Coaches who haven't worked with Frank tend to have difficulty understanding why he does what he does, but once you see him in action and see how his athletes perform, all questions and doubts are erased.

Coach Wintrich - taken from Onnit

  We ended up leaving around 10pm that night after some good fellowship and discussion.  These clinics are a great way to learn some football, network, and enjoy some good food.  It gives exposure to up and coming programs and allows a platform to share knowledge.  Until next time.....