| Cooper looks to restore success with Elmwood football (06-07-12) |
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| Written by KEVIN GORDON Sentinel Assistant Sports Editor | ||||
| Thursday, 07 June 2012 09:48 | ||||
New head coach Brian Cooper believes the Royals still have ability to be successful, despite having just 12 wins the last four seasons. Cooper has replaced Vic Meyer, Elmwood's head coach for the past three years. The Royals were 12-18 overall and 7-12 in league play during Meyer's tenure, spending two seasons in the SLL and last season in the Northern Buckeye Conference. But the Royals were 56-37 in nine seasons under Dean Zeigler before that, winning a share of the SLL title in 2003, 2005 and 2006. The Royals also played in the Division V state playoffs in 2005. "The program has some tradition, so this isn't a complete rebuilding job," said Cooper, an assistant coach at Bryan High School last season. "They've been successful in football in the past and they're successful now in other sports. We have talent and we have some returning guys who have played a little. In the film I've watched, they've played hard and they want to take the next step to being successful. I like where we are right now and we can be competitive this season." The Royals held two of their 10 summer practices this week with their new coaching staff. They'll also participate in the NFL player development camp at Ottawa Hills next week, although those don't count in the 10 practices. The other eight practices will be held in July, leading up to the start of official practice July 30. "This month, we want them to build some confidence, something to take into the season," Cooper said. "We want to give them something to be confident with, so they can hit the ground running in July." This week's workouts have approximately 40 players, including 15 seniors. Cooper hopes the Royals will have 48-50 players by the time practices resume next month. Elmwood finished 4-6 overall last season after winning three of its first four games. "They're a little disappointed with the way things ended last year," Cooper said. "They've responded very well to what we're trying to do. We've had great senior leadership. They're excited and they're here to learn. They want more. They're eager and they want success."
Eastwood is the defending NBC champion after Genoa won the final four SLL titles. Eastwood won or tied for the five SLL titles before that. "The belief system has to change," Cooper said. "If the kids buy into what we're trying to tell them and they're ready to put in the extra work, the athletes are in the school. They've proven that in other sports. "The leadership has been lacking and this year's class has learned ways they don't want to do things. They've definitely changed their attitudes. They're hootin' and hollerin during everything, and just showing excitement." Elmwood will run the pistol winged-T option on offense. "We'll run or pass depending on each game and the situation," Cooper said. "We want to take advantage of our best athletes." Defensively, the Royals will use the 3-5-3. "We can attack and bring pressure with that, and we're going to have our best athletes on the field," Cooper said. Cooper, 28, said all of the starting positions "are up for grabs. We have guys returning, but they'll have to battle for the spot. There might not be one returning player at the position they played last year." Cooper was the assistant defensive coordinator, and outside linebackers/wide receivers coach at Bryan last season. He was the defensive coordinator at Rossford in 2010, a special teams assistant at the University of Toledo in 2009 and a varsity assistant at Swanton in 2008. He'll teach special education at the middle school. "I loved being at Bryan, but, ultimately, I wanted to be a head coach," Cooper said. "I've had a lot of good mentors and I'm looking forward to mixing what I've learned from each of them.'' |
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| Last Updated on Thursday, 07 June 2012 11:02 |
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