What are the current high school coaching positions available in Florida. How can aspiring coaches find and apply for athletics jobs in Florida schools. What qualifications and experience are typically required for high school coaching roles in the state.
Overview of High School Coaching Opportunities in Florida
Florida’s vibrant high school sports scene offers numerous coaching opportunities across various disciplines. From football and basketball to soccer and softball, the Sunshine State’s educational institutions are consistently seeking talented individuals to lead their athletic programs. This article delves into the current landscape of high school coaching positions in Florida, providing valuable insights for aspiring coaches and seasoned professionals alike.
Types of Coaching Positions Available in Florida High Schools
Florida high schools offer a diverse array of coaching positions, catering to a wide range of sports and skill levels. Some of the most common roles include:
- Head coaches
- Assistant coaches
- Junior varsity (JV) coaches
- Freshman team coaches
- Strength and conditioning coaches
- Sport-specific skills coaches
These positions span various sports, including but not limited to football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, track and field, swimming, and tennis.
Spotlight on Current Openings
As of the latest update, several Florida school districts have posted coaching vacancies. For instance, Brevard Public Schools has openings for:
- Assistant Soccer Coach at Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior High
- Head Soccer Coach at Heritage High School
- JV Softball Coach at Titusville High School
- Assistant Softball Coach at Heritage High School
- 9th Grade Football Coach at Palm Bay Magnet High School
These listings demonstrate the variety of roles available across different sports and experience levels.
Qualifications and Requirements for High School Coaching Positions
To secure a coaching position in a Florida high school, candidates typically need to meet certain qualifications and requirements. While these may vary depending on the specific role and school district, some common prerequisites include:
- Education: A bachelor’s degree is often required, though not always in a sports-related field.
- Certification: Many positions require coaching certification from organizations like the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).
- Experience: Prior coaching or playing experience in the relevant sport is generally preferred.
- Background Check: A clean criminal background check is mandatory for working with minors.
- First Aid and CPR Certification: Many schools require coaches to be certified in first aid and CPR.
- Knowledge of Rules and Regulations: Familiarity with state and national high school sports regulations is essential.
Can candidates without prior coaching experience apply for these positions? While experience is often preferred, some schools offer entry-level assistant coaching roles or volunteer positions that can serve as stepping stones to more advanced coaching jobs.
The Application Process for Florida High School Coaching Jobs
Navigating the application process for high school coaching positions in Florida requires attention to detail and persistence. Here’s a general outline of the steps involved:
- Search for Openings: Check school district websites, job boards, and sports-specific forums for listings.
- Prepare Application Materials: Craft a tailored resume and cover letter highlighting relevant experience and qualifications.
- Submit Application: Follow the school district’s specified application process, which may involve an online portal or email submission.
- Interview Process: If selected, prepare for interviews with school administrators and athletic directors.
- Background Check: Consent to and pass a comprehensive background check.
- Certification Verification: Provide proof of required certifications and credentials.
- Contract Negotiation: If offered the position, review and negotiate the terms of employment.
How long does the hiring process typically take? The timeline can vary significantly depending on the school district and the urgency of the position, but it generally ranges from a few weeks to several months.
Compensation and Benefits for High School Coaches in Florida
Compensation for high school coaching positions in Florida can vary widely based on factors such as the sport, level of competition, school district budget, and coach’s experience. While many coaching roles are part-time or supplemental positions, some larger schools offer full-time coaching opportunities.
Salary Ranges
Salary ranges for high school coaches in Florida typically fall into the following categories:
- Part-time/Supplemental Positions: $1,000 – $5,000 per season
- Full-time Head Coaches (major sports): $30,000 – $70,000+ annually
- Athletic Directors: $50,000 – $90,000+ annually
Do high school coaches in Florida receive benefits? Full-time coaches often receive benefits packages similar to other school employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Part-time coaches typically do not receive these benefits.
Challenges and Rewards of Coaching in Florida High Schools
Coaching at the high school level in Florida presents both unique challenges and significant rewards. Understanding these aspects can help aspiring coaches prepare for their roles and make informed career decisions.
Challenges
- Balancing academic priorities with athletic goals
- Managing diverse student-athlete personalities and skill levels
- Navigating parental expectations and involvement
- Adhering to strict budgets and resource limitations
- Keeping up with evolving sports regulations and safety guidelines
Rewards
- Opportunity to positively impact young athletes’ lives
- Personal and professional growth through leadership experiences
- Potential for career advancement in athletics or education
- Satisfaction of building successful programs and winning traditions
- Strong sense of community involvement and recognition
How do successful coaches in Florida balance these challenges and rewards? Many emphasize clear communication, continuous learning, and a student-first approach to maintain perspective and achieve long-term success.
Advancing Your Coaching Career in Florida High Schools
For those looking to build a lasting career in high school coaching, Florida offers numerous pathways for advancement and professional development. Consider the following strategies to enhance your coaching profile and open doors to new opportunities:
- Pursue Additional Certifications: Obtain advanced coaching certifications or sport-specific credentials to stand out from other candidates.
- Attend Coaching Clinics and Workshops: Stay updated on the latest coaching techniques and strategies by participating in professional development events.
- Network Within the Coaching Community: Build relationships with other coaches, athletic directors, and sports administrators to learn about upcoming opportunities.
- Gain Experience in Multiple Sports: Diversify your coaching resume by assisting with different sports throughout the year.
- Consider Administrative Roles: Look into athletic director positions or other sports administration roles for career growth.
- Contribute to Youth Programs: Volunteer with local youth sports organizations to expand your coaching experience and community connections.
Is it possible to transition from high school coaching to collegiate or professional levels? While challenging, some high school coaches in Florida have successfully made the leap to higher levels of competition through consistent success, networking, and advanced education in sports management or related fields.
The Impact of Technology on High School Coaching in Florida
As technology continues to evolve, its influence on high school coaching in Florida grows increasingly significant. Modern coaches must adapt to and leverage various technological tools to enhance their programs and stay competitive. Some key areas where technology is making an impact include:
- Video Analysis: Utilizing software for game film breakdown and player performance evaluation
- Communication Platforms: Employing team management apps for schedules, announcements, and player-coach interactions
- Fitness Tracking: Implementing wearable technology to monitor athlete health and performance metrics
- Recruitment Tools: Using online platforms to showcase athletes to college recruiters
- Virtual Training: Incorporating virtual reality and simulation tools for skill development and tactical understanding
How are Florida high schools supporting coaches in adopting new technologies? Many school districts offer technology training sessions and provide resources to help coaches integrate these tools effectively into their programs.
Embracing Innovation in Coaching Practices
Forward-thinking coaches in Florida are finding creative ways to incorporate technology into their coaching strategies:
- Live Streaming: Broadcasting games and practices for remote viewing and analysis
- Data Analytics: Using advanced statistics to inform game strategy and player development
- Social Media: Leveraging platforms to promote programs and engage with the community
- Online Learning: Providing athletes with digital playbooks and instructional videos
- Injury Prevention: Utilizing biomechanical analysis software to identify and address potential injury risks
By embracing these technological advancements, Florida high school coaches can enhance their effectiveness, improve player development, and stay at the forefront of their respective sports.
Athletics Coach jobs in Florida
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- School District of Indian River County
Position Type: Support Staff-CWA/Air Conditioning-Refrigeration Mechanic Date Posted: 5/17/2023 Location: Physical Plant Description: Ability
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School/Center: Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior High Location: 1500 Minutemen Cause Cocoa Bch Job Number: 000665 School Year: 2024 FY Position:
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School/Center: Heritage High School Location: 2351 Malabar Road Palm Bay Job Number: 001012 School Year: 2024 FY Position: Z ASST SOCC
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School/Center: Heritage High School Location: 2351 Malabar Road Palm Bay Job Number: 001011 School Year: 2024 FY Position: Z HEAD SOCC
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School/Center: Titusville High School Location: 150 Terrier Trail Titusville Job Number: 000846 School Year: 2024 FY Position: Z JV SOF
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School/Center: Titusville High School Location: 150 Terrier Trail Titusville Job Number: 000845 School Year: 2024 FY Position: Z ASST S
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School/Center: Cocoa Beach Junior/Senior High Location: 1500 Minutemen Cause Cocoa Bch Job Number: 000649 School Year: 2024 FY Position:
- Melbourne, FL, US
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School/Center: Heritage High School Location: 2351 Malabar Road Palm Bay Job Number: 001010 School Year: 2024 FY Position: Z ASST SOFT
- Melbourne, FL, US
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School/Center: Palm Bay Magnet High School Location: 101 Pirate Lane Melbourne Job Number: 000756 School Year: 2024 FY Position: Z 9T
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School/Center: Palm Bay Magnet High School Location: 101 Pirate Lane Melbourne Job Number: 000753 School Year: 2024 FY Position: Z 9T
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School/Center: Palm Bay Magnet High School Location: 101 Pirate Lane Melbourne Job Number: 000752 School Year: 2024 FY Position: Z 9T
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School/Center: Titusville High School Location: 150 Terrier Trail Titusville Job Number: 000840 School Year: 2024 FY Position: Z 9TH GR
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Position Type: Athletics/Activities/Coaching Date Posted: 5/11/2023 Location: Sebastian River High SDIRC Steps to Employment as an Athletic Co
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School/Center: Eau Gallie High School Location: 1400 Commodore Blvd. Melbourne Job Number: 000626 School Year: 2024 FY Position: Z HEAD W
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School/Center: Eau Gallie High School Location: 1400 Commodore Blvd. Melbourne Job Number: 000625 School Year: 2024 FY Position: Z JV WRE
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School/Center: Astronaut High School Location: 800 War Eagle Blvd. Titusville Job Number: 000596 School Year: 2024 FY Position: Z JV BASK
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Position Type: Athletics/Activities/Coaching Date Posted: 5/9/2023 Location: Vero Beach High SDIRC Steps to Employment as an Athletic Coach
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School/Center: Thomas Jefferson Middle School Location: 1275 S. Courtenay P Merritt Is Job Number: 000380 School Year: 2024 FY Position:
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School/Center: Space Coast Junior/Senior High Location: 6150 Banyan Street Cocoa Job Number: 000901 School Year: 2024 FY Position: Z JV
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School/Center: Space Coast Junior/Senior High Location: 6150 Banyan Street Cocoa Job Number: 000900 School Year: 2024 FY Position: Z ASS
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Florida High Schools, Florida High Schools
How relevant is Florida high school admissions and education in the US? In this article, we will talk about the features of studying in this sunny state. The United States of America is one of the most developed countries in the world, which attracts with its stability, high standard of living, social development, and confidence in the future. In today’s world, there are many ways to immigrate to the United States, one of which is education with subsequent employment, and studying at a high school in Florida can greatly help you with this.
How Florida high schools work: structure, education system, cost and prices
The choice of educational institutions in the USA is an important issue, since it is from the school bench that preparation for entering colleges and universities begins. Nearly 25% of Florida’s high schools are private, the rest are public. Foreign students more often choose private boarding schools, which compare favorably with the state ones with a high level of academic training and organization of extracurricular activities.
The US education system differs from the Russian one in freedom of choice: each state has the right to approve its own educational plan, schools have the right to approve their own programs, students have the right to choose subjects of interest in addition to compulsory disciplines. This supports the idea of developing individuality, self-expression, tolerance and respect for others.
Florida high schools are divided into three main stages, divided by student age:
- elementary – elementary school (5-10),
- middle – middle school (11-14),
- senior – high school (15-18).
It is better for foreigners to start preparing for admission to the chosen educational institution in advance. The list of required documents includes:
- grades for the last few years
- recommendations from teachers
- application for enrollment
- diplomas and certificates of sports and other achievements.
Some educational requirements may include:
- writing an essay on a chosen topic,
- certificates of passing language tests,
- interview (Skype/in-person),
- passing the standardized academic test SSAT (Se condary school Admission Test), which is designed to assess the basic skills necessary for study: the ability to verbal evidence-based answer (verbal reasoning), perception of reading information (reading comprehension) and mathematical abilities (mathematics).
An American high school education allows foreign teenagers and students to enter American colleges and universities without additional preparation. In the best schools in Florida, especially in private ones, some subjects are taught at the university level and count towards admission.
The cost of secondary education in private schools is not low: prices range from $40,000 to $85,000/year, including accommodation, meals, teaching materials, school uniforms, sports and recreational activities, and insurance.
Benefits of studying in Florida for international students
- Language of instruction. Almost all high schools in Florida are taught in English, which significantly increases the level of language proficiency and language integration of students.
- Mild climate. Florida is located in the southeastern United States and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. It is warm and sunny here all year round.
- Leisure. Students of local schools can have fun after class: play sports, visit all kinds of amusement parks, of which there are a lot in Florida, get acquainted with the traditions and customs of indigenous peoples, thereby broadening their horizons in general.
- Cost. Prices in educational institutions in Florida are relatively low compared to New York, for example, while the quality of academic preparation does not differ.
Top Florida High Schools Ranking, Cost
Name | Location | Features | Programs | Cost/year | Accommodation | |||||
American Heritage School Plantation | Miami |
| Middle classes High school University preparation (medicine, law, engineering) | From $45000 | Host family | Admiral Farragut Academy | St. Petersburg | One of two schools in the USA with advanced training in naval affairs (Honor Naval school). | High School, Diploma + AP | From $51,800 | Separate accommodation on campus. Full Board Meals |
Science Summer Program | Price TBD | |||||||||
Academy IMG | Bradenton, Manatee County | A unique educational institution that combines an academic program with professional sports training (priority is golf and tennis). | middle classes | from 38500$ | Accommodation is separate in residences and cottages on campus. Meals according to the full board scheme (sports, diet menu) | |||||
high school | from $41500 | |||||||||
Windermere Preparatory School 9 0074 | Orlando | One of the Meritas Family schools. | Primary and Secondary IB Prep IB 9 Program0003 Diploma + AP | From $57,000 | Accommodation in comfortable houses on campus (students under grade 9 live with parents, relatives). Meals are provided on a full board basis. Academia Sanch ez-Casal | Miami | Considered one of the most prestigious and sought after professional tennis schools in Europe and the world. | High school | From $12500 | Accommodation in residences and cottages on campus. Meals according to the full board scheme (a balanced diet covers all the energy requirements of young athletes, taking into account intensive training). |
SAT Prep | From $800/10 weeks | |||||||||
English + Tennis 9000 3 | From $1790/week |
born to compete.
Part 1 – First & Goal
You don’t have to go to Ann Arbor0297 Note ed. ) to get on The Jim Harbaugh Show. If you live near a high school football field, Harbaugh will come to you. In June, Michigan’s new head coach toured the country, sparking excitement and controversy in equal measure with concerts at nine different camps in six other states. Who could have known that Michigan’s football program would spend nearly a decade in the fight? Like a wizard, with a silk handkerchief fluttering in one hand and a coin clutched in the other, Harbaugh had the audience watching the wrong object: himself. His sleight of hand was so skillful that you would believe for a moment that the first college football playoff winner was not Ohio State, but Michigan.
But if you do go to Ann Arbor, you’ll understand how Harbaugh brought college football back to life without being a coach. Here at Schembechler Hall (University of Michigan Football Program Hall of Fame Museum – ed. ), a gallery of artefacts celebrating the heyday of Tom Harmon’s corn-and-navy blue knit uniforms, won trophies, and Tom Harmon’s battered, torn #98 T-shirt. legendary halfback “Wolverine” – Note ed. ) – no Ouija. But there is also no coach here who understands the spirit of this program as well as Harbaugh: no one else is willing to risk his reputation so much to restore the former glory of Michigan.
This June evening, barely back from tour, Harbaugh is casually chatting with a Massachusetts tight end. Suddenly, over the recruit’s left shoulder, he finds a reporter with a notepad hanging around the coach’s office. Instantly, Jim’s eyes widen. Perhaps this is due to a combination of circumstances. Recruiting. Everyone’s attention. And the curtain goes up.
“Give me the ball!”
Harbaugh jumps into position: knees bent, arms at the ready. He backs onto the tight end’s thigh, hits him to off balance, pushes him out. “Basketball is great for tight ends,” the coach says. His voice echoes down the corridor. “Catch the ball, let’s repeat a few times.” He raises his hands and asks for a pass.
No one is sure what to do. Not a teenager. Neither his parents. Not Harbaugh’s assistants listening for sounds. They all stare at how one man, courageously taking risks, does stupid things in search of inspiration. Suddenly, as if by script, another recruit appears.
“Hey, do you play basketball?” shouts Harbo. He jumps in the direction of the new avenue, bringing him up to date. “Wait,” the teenager says, discouraged, “are you on the defensive or on the attack?” Harbaugh’s neck swells. “I take the ball,” the coach replies. There is no ball here. When this fact eventually becomes apparent, Harbaugh straightens up, fixes his gaze on some distant object, and walks slowly towards it. (Tight end three-star recruit Sean McKeon enjoyed the demo enough to join the program the next day.)
Critics claim that Harbaugh plays for the audience for more effect. At a camp in Alabama, for example, he ran across the field bare-chested and wrestled with the recruits. Others claim that Jim is not receptive to the ubiquitous lenses. However, there is a third option: perhaps he has a penchant for representations.
Jim Harbaugh. Photo by Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun
“I’m transparent, like a lunch bag,” says Harbaugh. Which is not very clear, although it partly explains the fact that Jim Harbaugh has become the main provocateur among the football coaches of the association.
But that’s all he is. Before Harbaugh came along, there was no personality strong enough to rival Urban Mayer. A new, active period in the program began – and as in the days when Beau confronted Woody (Glenn “Bo” Schembechler and Wayne Hayes, legendary coaches of Michigan and Ohio State, respectively – Note ed. ) and Fielding confronted Whip (Fielding Yost and Whip Rockne – the legendary coaches of Michigan and Notre Dame, respectively – Ed. ) – the balance of power in college football is again shifting towards the Midwest.
Later, already in the office, after talking with prospects, Harbo’s darkened eyes show fatigue from a heavy workload. He sits amid winged helmets and souvenirs (one of which advises a simple truth: just train a team) and refuses to acknowledge any importance of defeating Ohio State, unlike Mayer. “It could be a nameless, faceless adversary,” says Jim.
Harbaugh and Maier first met at the annual Big Ten coaches’ meeting in February, and they are still learning to be football’s worst enemies. But, if you dig deeper, dig into the records of books on the history of the Ohio-Michigan confrontation, this story could indicate where this feud originates.
November 1986 days before the battle with Ohio State. Michigan alumnus quarterback Jim Harbaugh said, “We’re going to play the Rose Bowl this year. I guarantee it. We’ll beat Ohio State and we’ll be in Pasadena on January 1st.”
“I was sick as a dog,” says Harbaugh, recalling that trip 200 miles south to Columbus. – Temperature over 39, fever. Got food poisoning. All night I just vomited. I think I slept for about an hour. ”
The next day, unaware of the opposing quarterback’s illness, the alum turned Chestnut assistant was just happy to be part of the opposition. It was the first year in the NCAA coaching career for Urban Mayer, a 22-year-old from Ohio, a member of the Earl Bruce camp.
“I was then a graduate assistant, but with full-time responsibilities,” Mayer recalls. “They had a good year, but they lost to Minnesota. And all we needed to go to the Rose Bowl was win… I can’t always remember my phone number or my home address, but I can tell you about every draw of that game.”
Especially the one that made the result. In the fourth quarter, Harbaugh passed the ball to rare-playing tailback Thomas Wilcher. A native of Detroit, Wilcher found huge success winning the NCAA hurdling escape championship. But he didn’t need him to jump that day, he just needed to go 7 yards to the end zone to make it 26-17 for the Wolverines. And then they held on to victory, winning 26-24.
In June 2015, Wilcher attended the Dakota High School campsite in suburban Detroit. It was raining lightly. More than a thousand prospects in unison dreamed of one thing: to get a university scholarship. The Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body camp was arguably the best recruiting camp in the country—and coaches, too. Mayer was there. Harbo was there. And Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio and Brian Kelly of Notre Dame, as well as James Franklin of Penn State.
Dressed in a green sweater and baseball cap, Wilcher looked too overweight in those days to take up hurdling, but he can still consider himself the center of the showdown between Michigan and Ohio State. Wilcher is a coach at Cass Tech High School, and while Detroit isn’t the factory town it once was, Cass Tech is churning out top prospects with industrial regularity. Players tend to pick Ann Arbor, but the recent rise of Columbus has changed that supply chain, placing Wilcher right in the middle between Harbaugh and Mayer.
Last year, Cass Tech running back Mike Weber was named Michigan’s top recruit: a 178cm, 95kg burly man with elite speed. “Mike’s heart was in Michigan,” says Wilcher. Weber was recruited by previous Wolverines mentor Brady Hawke, but after a disastrous last season in Ann Arbor, the player changed his mind.
Mike Weber. Photo by usc.247sports
Wilcher walks on a field where young football players train. He passes Dantonio, who won the Rose Bowl in 2014 and the Cotton Bowl this year, whose victories fade in the hustle and bustle of what Michigan did. Dantonio’s eyes become more and more gloomy from disdain for his person. Wilcher continues to walk past Kelly, who is standing under an awning out of the rain, where he takes a shower from questions from several guys with cameras who make content for websites:
Would you like to be a dragon or ride a dragon? one of these guys asks.
“Fly the dragon,” Kelly answers with a blank face.
– Taylor Swift or Arianna Grande?
– Taylor Swift.
Kelly and his colleagues must play together in this away session of modern coaching so as not to move away from each other, not to break away. They should look like children, only adult children. It’s possible that Harbaugh, 51, enjoys listening to Lil Wayne, perhaps there’s something more to his gift of a personal Michigan jersey that former program quarterback Dennard Robinson gave the rapper ahead of the Detroit concert.
Wilcher keeps circling past Ohio State cornerbacks and special teams coach Kerry Coombs, who looks like a living Buckeyes flag in a scarlet T-shirt and gray hair on his head. During Mayer’s first season on the team, in 2012, there were only two Michigan players on the Ohio roster. He was well aware of the Wolverines’ longstanding practice of poaching in Ohio. As a result, he contracted Coombs to win back the lost authority. “It was a strategy,” says Coombs, who was a longtime coach on Ohio high school teams. “How can you ignore a neighboring state if great football players live there?” At first, Coombs flew to Detroit, he also traveled there on university transport – one of the employees noted how he got out of the car.
On December 8, two days after Ohio State won the Big Ten title, Coombs, Mayer and running back coach Stan Drayton visited Cass Tech to speak with Wilcher and Weber about signing the latter to Columbus. Weber quickly agreed. His promise was firm, for exactly 20 days, until Michigan named Harbaugh as the new head coach. “Mike’s family told him to listen to what Harbaugh had to say,” Wilcher says. And he liked what he heard. He couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t eat. This is the effect that Harbaugh has put on the table.”
On January 15, Tyrone Wheatley visited Weber. If there is anyone who can be identified with Michigan’s top players, it’s Whitley, the guy who made himself the best prospect in the backyards of Detroit in 1991. Whitley won the Big Ten Player of the Year and then spent ten years in the NFL. Getting Weber was critical for Harbaugh, both to strengthen the roster and to further successful recruiting. That’s why he sent Whitley to work with the kid for a few days before giving Tyrone the job of running back coach.
“The fight for this guy turned into a real street fight,” Mayer noted. The night before National Signing Day, February 3, Weber was on the phone with Harbaugh and Wheatley. He then telephoned Wilcher with the news. “About one in the morning before the day of the signing, he called Ohio State and said that he was going to go to Michigan,” Wilcher said.
The Ohio State coaches continued to coax Weber through Wilcher, Drayton was more insistent than the others.
He informed Weber that Karan Higdon, a back from Sarasota, Florida, was ready to change his mind about the Iowa contract in favor of Michigan. As soon as night fell, Weber felt completely isolated. Sure, Harbaugh’s NFL experience was enticing, but why didn’t he say anything about Higdon?
The next day, as Weber walked onto the podium to announce his decision, he confided to Wilcher, “Coach, I really don’t know who to pick.” Wilcher said bluntly: “Mike, now is the time for you to make a decision.” Wilcher changed his mind one last time and signed an agreement with Ohio State.
The next day, the Chicago Bears announced that they had hired Dayton. Weber immediately tweeted: “Pain in hell, what to hide.” Wilcher said Mike was still stunned. As for Mayer, he was caught off guard: “The day after the signing day, Dayton told me he wanted to see the work. And then I got a call that he was going to accept it. I didn’t think about recruiting.”
Urban Mayer. Photo AP
But let’s not be naive when it comes to betting on this game. Two years ago, Dantonio hired Curtis Blackwell, founder of the Healthy Body in a Healthy Mind camp and a former assistant at the Martin Luther King Detroit High School, to help Michigan State recruit. Earlier this year, Harbaugh hired Chris Pattridge, a Paramus Catholic school coach in New Jersey, to do the same in Michigan. Defensive tackle Rashan Gary, the number one player in ESPN’s top 300 prospects, was a Paramus graduate last fall.
As the Columbus merry-go-round spun and Weber was left to ponder his decision, Harbaugh took the stage on February 7 with the following tweet: “Thought of the day: What kind of web do we weave when we first try to cheat? Sir Walter Scott. Let’s be honest: he wasn’t referring to Iowa’s loss to Michigan over Higdon. As for Weber, Harbaugh has this to say on the subject: “Was he a priority? Undoubtedly. Did we get a bruise as a result of this failure? Yes. Did it bleed our nose and lips? Yes. But today is a new day. And we’re back to fight again.”
Mayer beat Harbaugh, but it seriously damaged his recruiting positions in Michigan. “I talked to Urban,” Wilcher says. “I told him that I receive daily calls and messages in which people call me a traitor. I left my camp to come to you in Ohio State. I’m from Michigan, my kids are from Michigan. And you have to be honest if you want to have a good relationship with me.”
A pulsation of confessions runs through the entire territory of the camp. In a side room of the high school, like a substitute teacher who has finally found his class, Mayer calmly appears. He’s wearing the wrong colors in enemy territory, but that’s hard to say. The glare of the championship ring makes people color-blind.