The head freshman football coach at Clackamas High School believes in creating a safe, supportive environment where players can build self-esteem and learn life skills through football. His coaching philosophy focuses on organization, instruction, modeling, repetition, and creating a risk-taking environment based on trust. He wants to motivate players through sincere praise and help them set and achieve both individual and team goals. The coach's goals for the program are to develop strong character, a winning attitude, and academic success in players. He aims to organize effective practices and build a unified team through community involvement.

1. CHS Freshman Football
Learning The “CAVS” Way!”
“Play Fast, Play Hard,
Finish Strong!”
Coaching philosophy for:
Head Freshman Football Coach:
Clackamas High School
 Coaching Philosophy
 Practice
 Leadership
 Developing a Winning Attitude
 Setting Goals
 Program Goals
 Organization
 Motivation

2. My Coaching Philosophy
My philosophy of high school sports mirrors much of what is my overall philosophy of
education and life. I believe in the positive and energetic approach to young people. I want to
create a learning environment that is SAFE FOR ALL KIDS in my class and on the playing field.
The safety of players will be the primary concern in every situation on this football team before,
during and after practices and in games.
I want them to believe in themselves and in their capabilities. Player’s self-esteem on
our football team will be high because players know we are all part of the same team, and as a
team we are all working towards the common goal of EXCELLENCE. Football is a game, and
played for fun. This team endeavor, however, can be used to motivate players to gain the self-
discipline, perseverance, character and teamwork abilities that will take them a long way in
fulfilling what they want their lives to be in the future.
I have a genuine love for high school sports and wish to transmit that passion to
student/athletes each and every day. “Good teaching/coaching involves: organization,
instruction, modeling, repetition, and creating a risk-taking environment based on trust and
encouragement and NEVER fear.
The most satisfying experiences are the ones we put the most effort, heart and sweat into.
I believe in setting high-shared program and team goals and then working hard to achieve them
together as a team. I refuse to be outworked by anyone and I am enthusiastic about my work. I
will “own” every day I teach and coach!
Our staff will strongly influence our players to become model citizens and students.
They must be able to handle the responsibility of being in the public eye. Well-rounded,
responsible citizens make for a better team, a better community, and most importantly a better
world.
Sports teach morals and ethics, and can be an excellent vehicle to demonstrates character.
Athletes need more from their coaches than just X’s and O’s can provide. They need coaches
who will listen, help with problems, give advice, and show a genuine interest in them. I
BELIEVE THAT SINCERE SPECIFIC PRAISE IS THE GREATEST MOTIVATING TOOL
THAT COACHES CAN CONTROL TO IMPACT PLAYERS IN A PROFOUND AND
POSITIVE WAY. Mark Twain once said that he could live a month on just one good
compliment. I believe that my players are working with me, not for me. I believe in them, and
feel that this draws out the best in them.
Practice
WE believe that a team must prepare to play a game in practice, the way that it will play
in the upcoming game. Our team must be in top physical condition to be able to play at a
consistent, high level. Our system will not be successful unless the players have a very high
stamina level.
Our practice will be organized so that we utilize every second of our practice time that we
have available to us. This holds true especially when practice time is such a valuable
commodity. We expect 100% concentration while on the field, during, and after practice. Any
time a player is on the practice field they will have an opportunity to improve their skills.

3. Lateness in any profession is not tolerated; I believe that promptness is a very good habit to teach
my players. Lateness will not be tolerated and will have consequences.
Inconsistent game play is a direct result of inconsistent concentration and practice
intensity. One way to improve concentration and intensity is to add competitive scenarios to
every drill or scrimmage we use in practice. By encouraging our players to compete in various
situations, intensity is increased and competitive greatness is developed.
Parents are welcome to attend the "Athletic Classroom" anytime during the regular
season. Those who attend are asked to understand that a classroom has one voice (the collective
staff) and parents are asked to respect the learning by keeping out of the drills and away from the
practice field.
Leadership
Proper leadership is number one.
(1) ENTHUSIASM IS CAUGHT, IT IS NOT TAUGHT!
(2) It’s all about getting better! If you show up today working like you did yesterday, then all
you have achieved is to miss the opportunity to improve today.
(3) Allowing unmet expectations to be excused away without consequence puts my credibility
and more importantly the programs credibility at risk. Players want and need to be
accountable. There will be fair and consistent rules and consequences in place (Handbook)
(4) Coaches and players must have a positive attitude.
(5) I keep things in perspective. I don’t take myself too seriously. The only thing that really
endures in life is CHARACTER!
(6) There is no shortcut to winning. If I’m committed to excellence, the players will learn
from me, and that’s the route to being a winning program- a “Championship Program!”
(7) The basic principles of teaching; organization, repetition, and discipline are the keys to
success in coaching.
(8) The CHS Freshman coaching staff will be a model of good character for our
Clackamas kids. Psychologists call “modeling” the number one way kids learn. Sports are
a great institution for teaching kids guidelines of behavior.
(9) I’m not interested in having my own way, but finding the “best way.”
Developing a Winning Attitude
(1) We will talk about playing hard. We’ll ask the kids to give 110 percent. They will ask
where they get the other 10 percent? They get it from within. They have to reach inside and
get it. That’s how you get the edge. We will demand it, and I we will give it and model
it daily.
(2) If you want to graduate, you better be prepared. Sit in the front row. Pay attention. Ask
questions. Study. Don’t hang around people who distract you.
(3) Associate yourself with people who care about the end results. We will ask three questions
about all players. One, can we trust him? Two, is he committed to excellence? Three,
does he care about the team?
(4) Teamwork is nothing more than everybody being committed to each other’s success.

4. Setting Goals
(1) You can help give your life direction by setting goals. A goal is something you aim for.
Reaching any goal takes planning and effort. Goals that you set for one area of your life
often lead to the achievement of goals in other areas. Goals are important because they
keep you focused and on track. They also help you use your time, energy, and other
resources wisely.
(2) Each player will have individual goals or things that they were going to focus on and try
and improve on as the season progressed. These will be written down and discussed before,
during and after the season with position coaches.
(3) As leaders we must set a standard higher than the players believe they are capable of
achieving and show them how to reach it. Players want high standards. They want to be
shown how to achieve goals and be successful. We will expect each player to be the best
that he can possibly be.
You’ve got to believe and you must get your kids to believe!
Program Goals: Live Out the “CAVS” Motto
Character: Team sports provides an ideal setting for teaching a great many of our most
important values such as integrity, loyalty, leadership, self-discipline, humility, sportsmanship,
unselfishness, citizenship, and teamwork. These are the desirable lifelong attributes that must always
remain paramount in our program.
Attitude: Treat all officials, coaches,teachers, teammates, and opponents with respect. In
order to be a winner you must be a “team first” person. In order to be a team you must be able to
cooperate and work with others. Execution and productivity is important, but team unity,
unselfishness, extra effort and mental concentration are critical to our team’s success.
Victory: OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO DEVELOP THE CAPACITY FOR HARD
WORK. Work ethic is one of life’s most important attributes. Hard work pays dividends. No matter
what level of competition, the game should be fun! Players, however, should never surrender to
fatigue, bad luck, or poor officiating as excuses for failure. OUR focus will be on the personal
development and welfare of each individual player in a competitive team atmosphere. True winning is
getting every player working to his full potential! The victories will come naturally when we build on
these principles.
Scholar: Athletics is an extension of the classroom. We will encourage our football
players to be exemplary student/athletes at CHS. We believe that part of a quality educational
experience comes from being well rounded and participating in a variety of sports and activities, and
interacting with people with interests in areas other than athletics.
.

5. Organization
(1) Practice is a “classroom on the field”-fast paced and competitive- we won’t stand much, and we
like to practice.
(2) Master Practice Plan always (weekly and daily).
(3) We have three things we teach and emphasize in practice and in games: (1) Play fast, (2) Play
hard, and (3) Finish strong (drills, conditioning, practice, games)
(4) Adopt a winning philosophy.
(5) Have fun.
(6) Make playing something kids want to do.
(7) Hard work.
(8) Brainstorming-get input from others (coaches, players, parents).
(9) Involvement – get people involved. Program isn’t just for the coaches and players.
(10) Coaching. Give assistants recognition. Give assistants responsibilities.
(11) Work with youth coaches. Help them create practice plans. Invite to games and practices.
(12) Have great rapport and support other sports.
(13) Work for the total sports program at CHS
(14) Community involvement. Clinics for youth groups.
(15) Parental involvement.
(16) Pre-season handbook.
(17) Parent’s Night
(18) Player ‘team building” activities and nights
(19) Build a strong foundation. Attractive Frosh program for our kids.
(20) Work Clinics for youth coaches.
(21) Get down to the Middle schools and Sell our program
(22) Watch youth football games (other sports as well)-let the community knows who we (staff) are.
Motivation
(1) One aspect of the game that we take pride in is playing hard. We believe in each other.
We will let them know that we care about them as a person.
(2) We will stress team attitude every day. Two things we can control every day are: Our
ATTITUDE AND EFFORT. Coach John Wooden referred to these cornerstones of his
pyramid of success as: “Enthusiasm” and “Industriousness”. Our guiding principle is a
simple one: Be enthusiastic about your work. It is your responsibility to yourself to
“Own each and every day!” “If you want something you can help yourself by giving your
best effort every day. If you need something, we (coaches) are here to help you achieve
your goals in your life on and off the field.” We use this slogan to stress team attitude and
bring our team together.
(3) We believe that my players are working with us, not for us. We believe in them, and feel
that this draws out the best in them. Everyone is equal. We are a team. People become
what you expect from them. If you expect intensity and maximum effort that is what you’ll
get.
(4) When everything is equal, how do you win? If everything is equal then our guys have
got to want to win more.
(5) How do we get that? By teaching them correctly and treating them like adults. Repeat,
repeat, and repeat! We must remove any doubt they have. Confidence and

6. aggressiveness go hand in hand. The more confident the players are, the more aggressive
they are, and the more aggressive they are, the more confident they become.
(6) Develop a sense of ownership in the program.
(7) We may not be able to motivate every player, but we can create an environment that is
motivated. I’m going to make sure that practice begins on time. I’m going to make sure
practice ends on time. I’m going to make sure they look me in the eye when I’m speaking
to them. I’m going to use their name and do all the things a person can do to show
compassion. I’ll pat them on the back. I’LL USE THEIR NAME LOUDLY IN
PUBLIC WHEN THEY SUCCEED AND QUIETLY IN PRIVATE WHEN THEY
MAKE A MISTAKE.
(8) WE praise OUR players. WE praise each other (staff). WE celebrate our team’s
success.
“Success is peace of mind that you did your best.”
-John Wooden
Coaching Staff:
Coach Kirby-
Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/QB and OLB
Cell Phone #: (503) 550-6288
Work E-mail: kirbym@nclack.k12.or.
Home E-mail: kirby5106@comcast.net
Coach Loboy-
Defensive Coordinator/ RB and ILB
Coach Johnson-
Special Teams Coordinator/WR and DB
Coach Baker-
OL/DL
 Coach Kirby is available to talk to parents by appointment. Please call if you have
special concerns. Please DO NOT call assistant coaches with concerns. No e-mails
please if you have a specific concern. I am always willing to listen….
Lets have a great season!
Mark