Since he was hired in January, Paul Standard has been busy laying the foundation for Gilmer High football.
He has made the daily trek from metro Atlanta to Ellijay as he wraps up his time at St. Pius while getting acquainted with GHS players and the community.
Standard has spent time meeting with players individually, and the program kicked off its annual spring practice last Wednesday.
“I’ve put a lot of miles on my truck over the last four months, but it’s been fun,” Standard said. “I’ve met with about half of the team and will continue my meetings after spring practice because I think it’s so necessary for me to get to know the players better than just that he’s a right guard or a linebacker.
“That’s something I don’t think they’re used to, as far as having that relationship. I think it’s been very helpful, and I think the players have enjoyed getting to talk about themselves and their family and not as much about football. I’ve learned a lot about our school, the school system and our community.”
Standard has also spent time assembling a coaching staff, and three assistants from last year remain with the program. Another key component has been trying to get more players on the team. GHS had fewer than 40 players on the roster at the end of last season and participation is still lagging.
“I’m disappointed with our numbers, personally,” Standard said.
“I was hoping we’d get more out. Now, we’re not done recruiting the hallways. There are still several young men who played last year but have yet to agree to come back out. Some have come back, and I think they’re going to be happy with their decision and can certainly help our football team. There are still five or six, and maybe a few more, that I’m hoping we can convince.”
There are currently 34 players attending spring practice in grades nine through 11. A large crop of rising freshmen from Clear Creek Middle School has bumped the total to 60 players.
Standard noted that multiple players are aiding his cause to get their classmates on the team.
“That’s been neat to see, that guys who really didn’t know me but trusted us and said, ‘Hey coach, I’m going to try and get some more guys out.’ It’s going to be a process. I’m not a very patient guy, but I know it’s going to be a process,” Standard said.
Clear Creek Middle School held its spring practice over the previous two weeks. The GHS coaching staff was on hand for week one and 57 rising seventh and eighth graders attended.
“Our middle school staff did a great job. They came to several meetings during late winter on the weekends to learn what we’re doing and watch us implement it,” Standard said. “They finished up last Friday and just did a great job, and I can’t say enough. I’m excited about our middle school staff and our middle school numbers.”
Not only has GHS spring practice been used to install plays and hone technique, but continuing to forge bonds has been an area of concern.
“We’ve been starting to develop this idea that is second nature to me, that I don’t believe currently is part of our culture of the high school football program,” Standard said.
“Developing a sense of family and team unity is critical to having success at any level. Our next goal is to find out who our leaders are. We’ve got some great young men in our senior class, and I’m still waiting for that senior leadership to step forward, and I know it will. I think they may be concerned about doing that because I don’t know if that was fostered in the past. Some people are born with leadership qualities, but if you don’t foster that we’ll never know.”
While Standard and the predominantly new staff have not spent much time with the players on the field, he has been pleased with their willingness to learn and adapt. However, he noted one area that needed immediate attention.
“They’re very coachable, and that is a great quality in a player. I’m very proud of that. They’re very open to learning this new system,” Standard said.
“A few times the phrase ‘I can’t’ has come out of their mouths. I stop them right there and tell them ‘We’re not ever going to say that again.’ It’s OK to say ‘I don’t get it but I’m going to keep trying’ or ‘This is difficult,’ but don’t tell me you can’t because that will bleed into other parts of your life.”
The Bobcats will practice four days this week and three next week with spring practice wrapping up Wednesday.
There will not be a scrimmage game against another school this year. As of Tuesday’s press deadline, Standard did not plan to hold a purple and white game either. He noted “something competitive” will take place on the final day but has not ironed out the details.
There are currently multiple players sidelined because of quarantine after a possible exposure to COVID-19. Standard noted that he expects most to be back by the end of the week.
“Of those seven or eight we lost, I’m expecting four or five to be big players for us,” Standard said. “It’s just kind of part of the deal. Unfortunately, I think this is something we might be dealing with next year, too.”