This week's Coach of the Week is Carl Mack of Stone Mountain, GA. Coach Mack has only been coaching for five years now, but has already experienced a great deal of success and has made winning a habit with his Gresham Park Rattlers football team.
In 2006 Coach Mack took 23 five year olds, taught them the game of football, and went on to lead them to a 6-2 record and their first ever playoff appearance. But, like all great coaches, Coach Mack wasn't satisfied with just an appearance in the playoffs. He saw room for improvement, and the next year with even better coaching and parent participation, his team cruised to an impeccable 15-0 record, league championship, and Turkey Bowl Championship.
In 2008 Coach Mack managed to coach his team to be the youngest to make the playoffs (the only team of all seven year olds to qualify), but unfortunately their great run was stopped short in the second round.
In 2009 the Rattlers came back with a vengeance and stormed through league to the tune of an undefeated 10-0 record, their 2nd league championship in 3 years, and a Labor Day Classic championship. Their offense averaged a stellar 28 points per game, while the defense achieved 10 shutouts out of 13 games and allowed an average of only two points per game. Now, that is commendable!
Coach Mack also dabbles in coaching baseball in his spare time, and in 2009 led the team to their first world series tournament. No big deal!
In addition to being a winner on the turf and diamond, Coach Mack finds time to give back. He is currently the Athletic Director for his church and is in the process of starting a new sports program there.
Coach Mack's Keys to Success:
• Kids are like sponges, as long as you're willing to teach they will learn and absorb.
• Don't be afraid to teach and give your kids difficult tasks. They can handle it.
• As coaches, always go to any available coach's clinics. It's always good to stay up on new coaching techniques and strategies.
