A NEW LEGACY UNDER THE LIGHTS
Coach Anthony and his staff are shaping more than athletes-they’re building young men of honor, respect, and character on and off the field.
Q & A with Coach Anthony:
Please introduce yourself and your coaching staff:
My Name is Coach Anthony and I coach alongside Coach Tony, Coach Jeff, Coach Brian, Coach Francisco, and Coach Kyle.
Can you share a little about your coaching background and what brought you to this new school?
When I returned home from college I began coaching football with my dad in Jacksonville because I wanted to give back to the community and mentor young men. I was a part of the FCA football program when it started and when the opportunity to start a program in my own neighborhood came about my wife encouraged me to apply for it.
What excites you most about building a football program from the ground up?
I love the fact that we get a chance to lay a strong foundation and then build upon it. The best part is I get to do it with my son and his friends.
How would you describe the culture you’re trying to create with this team?
We are trying to create a culture that is about love, respect, and family. We are teaching these young to lean on each other and how to work together to achieve the same goal. One of the ways we do that is through our coaching staff - coaches as one unit and every coach has a voice. I don't dictate what we are doing as a team, we come together and make decisions as a united front.
What do you want this team to be known for, both on and off the field?
I want this team to be known as honorable young men that are going to make a huge impact in the world.
What values are you trying to instill in your players?
Put God first and everything else will follow.
How do you balance competition with character development?
We partner the boys up with each other and have them compete with their teammates, which allows them to develop a competitive mindset along with shared responsibilities.
What has been the biggest challenge of starting a program at a brand-new school?
The biggest challenge was getting kids to join a new program, because kids want to play for a team that is already established.
What opportunities do you see for your players and the school community as the program grows?
We get the opportunity to build a name for our community outside of the community and we get to bring the community together through sports. We also get to volunteer in our community.
How do you keep players motivated when you’re building traditions and a reputation from scratch?
Actually it's not hard with this group of kids. They actually motivate each other and they pray with each other. It's really awesome to witness this, because I haven't seen anything like it.
What kind of response have you seen from students and families who want to be involved?
The response is great, the families pitch in to help out and the boys are already trying to get kids to sign up for next year!
Do you have any pre-game traditions or rituals you’re starting with the team?
We pray before the game and then the boys get together with Coach Jeff & he hypes them up, which is awesome to see because I believe Coach Jeff is the oldest out of all the Coaches!
What’s one thing about this team that makes you especially proud?
The love that everyone shows each other. Its amazing to see God working in our program.