PARENT/PLAYER PACKET

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Our Mission - Our mission as football coaches at Smyrna High School is to help mold young men of character who display integrity on the football field, in the classroom, and in their personal lives.  We want to teach them a little bit about football, and a lot about life.

 

 

Coaches Contact Info- We ask that parents contact a coach BEFORE an absence when possible.  Parents can call or text my cell phone or email myself and any of their position coaches

 

• Matt Williams- williamsma@rcschools.net, 615-848-8072

  • (Please only use cell # to report absence or in case of emergency)

• Jason Pitts- pittsj@rcschools.net

• Mark Williams- WilliamsMark@rcschools.net

• Gabe Villarreal- villarrealg@rcschools.net

• Jason Tigg (Freshman Head Coach)- Jason.tigg@aol.com

• Jacob Johnson - johnsonjac@rcschools.net

• Doug Greene- Douglas.Greene24@rcschools.net

• Lance White- Lance.White24@rcschools.net

• Walt Williams- Walter.Williams24@rcschools.net

 

Smyrna Bulldogs Parent/Coach Guidelines

 

1. If a player doesn’t play hard, is not respectful to teachers/coaches, can’t show up on time (early), and can not do what they are asked to do in the classroom, no skill they bring to the table can offset that! Great effort is a prerequisite to being a member of the Smyrna High School Football program.  Laziness is unacceptable in this program.  We will not coach effort.  ANYONE THAT JOINS OUR FOOTBALL TEAM WILL ADAPT TO OUR CULTURE.  WE WILL NOT ADAPT TO THEIRS.
    

2. We need you as a parent to reinforce the values and skills we are teaching.  Parents or fans bad mouthing what a coach or coaches are doing is a team killer and creates a cancerous situation.  A positive group of parents and fans can be a huge boost to a football program.  We all need to be pulling the same direction through good times and bad. 
    

3. Your expectation of the coaches should be matched by your commitment and involvement as a parent.
    

4. We as coaches care about every member of our football team.  We spend a large amount of time around these kids and form a special bond with our players.  With that said though, we have an obligation to play the players that we think give us the best opportunity to win. Please keep in mind it is never a personal issue if a child isn’t playing, it is simply what we think is best for the team.
    

5. Guidelines in talking with Head Coach over player concerns

   1. Set up an appointment.  I will not discuss a situation before or after a game, or before practice.  I WILL NOT DISCUSS PLAYING TIME, OR ANY OTHER PLAYERS ON THE TEAM OTHER THAN YOUR CHILD.

   2. Parents are not to talk to or confront an assistant coach about a concern. All these concerns should go through Coach Williams at a scheduled meeting.

   3. IF A PARENT IS DISRESPECTFUL IN ANY WAY, OR CAUSES A SCENE, THAT PLAYER WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DISMISSED.
       

6. College Scholarships

   1. We will do everything in our power to help your son meet his maximum potential and sign a college scholarship, but with that said there are many factors that are almost entirely in your son’s control. The transfer portal has completely changed high school recruiting.  If your son wants to be recruited, they better have their ducks in a row more than ever before.
       

      1. Grades- your son must meet core GPA and test score standards to be a college qualifier.  Poor grades keep a lot of great players from signing college scholarships.

      2. Player Conduct/Behavior- college coaches will want to know what kind of character your son has, and we will always be up front with that coach because we don’t want to hurt any of our players from future opportunities at that institution. 

      3. Ability- we will do everything in our power to help your son sign at the highest level of football possible.  We ask parent to be realistic in gauging their son’s ability in assessing what level of football your son can play.  Again, the transfer portal has completely changed all of this.
          

7. Trainers/Handlers- It is parent discretion as to whether your child works with a trainer/handler, but it is my discretion when that becomes a conflict of interest.  Your child’s #1 goal should be to be the best teammate they can be and give 100% towards helping this team be successful.  That will lead to attention from colleges.  Selfish motives/goals are team killers and will not be tolerated.
    

8. Your conduct as a parent/guardian in the stands, or on the fence, is expected to be POSITIVE.  You should be cheering the team on whether we are winning or losing.  Any parent who is deemed to have a negative presence in the stands or on the fence will be asked to leave.  And could be grounds for your child’s dismissal.
    

9. Disciplining your child by taking football away is the parent’s prerogative but is not fair to their teammates or coaches.  When you let your child join the team, they and you have an obligation to the team. Making the child miss practice as punishment is not acceptable.  All are grounds for dismissal from the team.  We can be a resource to help with your child’s behavior and can assist you with that and are happy to do so.
    

10. Taking vacations during the season that cause your child to miss practice and/or games is not acceptable.  This is not included in reasons to miss and will not be excused.  This is grounds for dismissal from the team.  
     

11. Every player is expected to pull their weight in fundraising.  It is not fair for a handful of our players to raise the funds that all the kids benefit from.  Please support our fundraisers as a parent.

 

Group Text Message

We use Remind101 to communicate with players and parents.

• Varsity Parents: send code @72bac2 to 81010 

• Varsity Players: send code @g86a638 to 81010

• Freshman Parents: send code @6ee3hce to 81010

• Freshman Players: send code @upcoming8 to 81010

 

Team Social Media

 

Parents can keep up with announcements and team information on this website, on Facebook (Smyrna Football Fans), Twitter (@SmyrnaFootball), and on Instagram (@smyrnafootballtn)

 

Final Forms / Physicals

 

• All players must have a physical dated AFTER April 15 (per TSSAA).  All players must be 100% on Final Forms before participating!

 

Calendar

 

We do our absolute best to keep parents informed and have a well planned and thought our schedule/calendar. With that said, that calendar is NOT set in stone. Things change due to weather, unforeseen events, and sometimes because it’s what’s best for our football team (extending practice time for poor performance or execution). We ask parents to be understanding and flexible. We will do our very best to keep the schedule as consistent as possible.

 

Injuries

If not an emergency. SEE OUR TRAINER FIRST!!!! DON’T RUN TO THE E.R. OR FAMILY DOCTOR! Our trainer is a Certified Athletic Trainer with many years of experience. He can evaluate your child’s injury and determine if they need to be seen by a doctor. If it is determined that your child needs to see an orthopedic doctor, we can help get you in very quick usually.

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We ask that if your child is injured that you please use, if possible, our team doctor. He does a great job getting players in quickly and communicates with me so that I know exactly what your child’s diagnosis is and how long he will be out. THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO IS TO TAKE YOUR CHILD TO A FAMILY DOCTOR FOR A SPORTS INJURY! Family doctors treat the flu, etc., orthopedic doctors specialize in sports injuries. His name is Timothy Steinagle, his office number 615-267-6600, he is a member of the Tennessee Orthopedic Alliance and has an office in Stonecrest Hospital here in Smyrna.

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Expectations

SHS BULLDOG FOOTBALL TEAM EXPECTATIONS | BULLDOG PRIDE RULES

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1. Do right! (Social Media).

2. Do unto others, as you would have them do to you. (Zero tolerance for BULLYING!).

3. Early is on time.

4. No Sagging!

5. No Headphones on your head when a coach or teacher is talking to you.

 

Team Expectations

• Players will stay after school for ALL game days for pre-game meal.  

• Early is on time.  Period.

• On game days you will wear your game day polo or jersey.  If weather is cold you must have football sweatshirt or letter jacket on over your gameday polo.  Only SHS hats are allowed. If you are seen without your gameday polo on you will not dress.

• Players that are injured must have blue jeans or khaki shorts on with gameday polo.  Injured players are not to have cell phone or iPods (headphones) while on sideline.  

• Injured players are expected to be at all practices and team functions.  Injured players still need to learn even if they’re not getting reps. (Give Coach Williams your rehab schedule)

• Weight class is an extension of the practice or game field.  You are to dress out and give great effort every day.

• Locker rooms (and lockers) are to remain clean.  We will assign “PRIDE PATROL” daily.  Players are told very clearly what their locker expectations are as well as picture examples posted in locker room.  Things found on the floor will be thrown away.

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