Play by New Rules

Let’s have a little fun with the job hunt this week, folks, and talk about what we can learn from the A-11 Offense, an “innovative offense that blends aspects of the spread option, West Coast, and Run&Shoot.” Our very own Andrew Koch, a co-founder of TheLadders, was a high school football player at Piedmont High, where Coach Kurt Bryan dreamed up the A-11, and it has been getting noticed.

Now, I don’t know if A-11 will ultimately take the country by storm, but I do know that only the athletes and coaches (and $100K+ job-seekers) that are willing to “change their game” are going to get ahead in this century.

So I caught up with Coach Bryan and asked him how he did it...

Q: Can you tell our readers a bit about Piedmont? I understand that you were actually “re-hired” – what’s it like to re-engage with a former employer?

A: Piedmont is a very special place, full of successful open-minded people that are very engaging. Its academic prowess is well-documented and the school’s athletic tradition is strong. Having graduated from Piedmont in 1982 (my folks still live there), it holds a special place in my heart. In my first tenure at Piedmont, I was the Offensive Coordinator (OC) from 1987 – 92, then the Head Coach from 1993 – 96. I then coached at Menlo College, St. Mary’s College, and Livermore High before Piedmont asked me to return in 2006. My second stint here has been fun and lots of hard work. The administration is extremely supportive. They understand the stresses involved in developing a solid football program on and off the field, and so things are running smoothly.

Q: Why this new offense and why at this stage in your career?

A: Assistant Coach, Steve Humphries, and I were brainstorming at his house in 2006. We were trying to develop an offense that would somewhat spread the field to allow our smaller players a better chance to compete versus larger opponents. Steve drew up our Base formation (what is now called the A-11 Offense) and asked, ’What about using two Quarterbacks in the Shotgun sometimes?’ I replied that it looked interesting and would be even better if all of the players were potential down field threats to catch a pass.

In terms of creating and implementing this new wide-open style of play at this stage of my coaching career, well, I love innovation and creativity, and if I am not doing my best to give our players the best chance of success, then I should stop coaching. To a point, coaches must be flexible and adapt in order to be successful. And, one of the great benefits of the A-11 is that our smaller-type players are spread out across the field, and they are not subject to nearly as many ’gang tackle’ type of plays or nasty dog piles where injuries often occur. It makes the game safer for the kids and that is wonderful.

Q: Why was the A-11 offense necessary to “change the game”?

A: When ‘changing the game’ we really didn’t know if we were going to lose every game and get fired, or be successful. Fortunately, it works and has really taken off nationwide. Players, coaches and fans love it – it makes the game very exciting. Throughout the history of football, the game has revealed its ability to adapt to the potential of its athletes. For example, prior to 1906, the Forward Pass was illegal. But now, can you imagine the game without it? Still, a minority believe the game of football should not change. Here’s why that isn’t the reality: the game’s athletes are becoming faster, with a mind–blowing combination of power to go with their speed, but the actual dimensions of the playing field have not changed. In turn, new football offensive strategies have naturally become more spread out to offset their opponents’ stout defenses. The A-11 is the next step in the evolution of the game.

Q: How did you overcome obstacles to install the new offense?

A: The switch was radical, and we had to assure our players that this was a well-thought out plan that had been under development for more than a year. Many players were excited, but some were skeptical. Each practice was a totally new learning experience for our coaching staff and players, and we openly collaborated on what did or did not work and why, and also how to make things run better. After we lost the first two games of the season, the critics came out in full force but we held our ground and stuck to our guns. We could tell when we watched game video that we were just a few modifications away from making the system run smoothly. In our third game of the season everything started to hit on all cylinders and we earned our first victory – a come from behind win, in very wet conditions, on a road-trip game up in the mountains. It was a great moment for our entire program.

Q: Coaching involves long hours and lots of hard work - especially on top of other jobs and projects. Why do you do it?

A: Ever since I was a little kid, I was drawing up X’s and O’s and crafting ideas on paper and in my mind. I love working with student-athletes and teaching them life lessons in the football environment that translate well into everyday life. Plus, I love to compete – coaching provides an invigorating thrill. Yes, it’s demanding but well worth it. The short-term benefits are equal to getting charged by a positive bolt of energy, and the long-term relationships you develop with coaches, players and fans are amazing.

Q: How do you reward yourself and your team for a big win?

A: Wins are very hard to come by and it’s important your staff and players enjoy the victory for at least 24 hours before you begin mentally and physically preparing for your next opponent. Otherwise, you can burn out if you don’t smell the roses. We have a team dinner every Thursday night during the season, and we reward players with helmet decals for things done well. It’s important to recognize individual and team achievements.

Q: How would you describe Andrew Koch, one of our co-founders, as a high school football player?

A: Andrew was always a very positive and focused player. He understood the power of preparation and dedication, and he was a key component during our 1995 undefeated league championship season, the "Team of Destiny." Clear as a bell, I remember Andrew catching a deep Post-Corner route for a Touchdown vs. Alameda during our Homecoming game that year. It put the "nail in the coffin" vs. Alameda that night and sealed the victory for us.

Well, thanks very much, Coach Bryan, for sharing your thinking with our Readers, and I hope it will inspire some of them to “change the game” in their careers and their job hunts!

OK, happy hunting this week, folks!