Title: Getting better all the time
tallygal73 - August 17, 2005 07:33 PM (GMT)
Getting better all the time
By Brian Cearns, Matthew L. Kunkel
GeorgiaForce.com
08/13/05
What a difference a year can make.
Twelve months ago newly appointed head coach Doug Plank was quickly assembling his coaching staff who would lay the groundwork for what would become the Division and Conference Champion Georgia Force.
This off-season Plank, who was named 2005 AFL Coach of the Year, and defensive coordinator Bob Kronenberg are taking on another new challenge, going camping with the Atlanta Falcons. Being a part of the coaching staff for the 2005 Atlanta Falcons training camp provides valuable experience and learning opportunities, even for successful veteran coaches like Plank and Kronenberg.
In the AFL, the time between June 30th, the last day teams can sign there own free agents, and mid-September, when teams can open discussions with all un-signed free agent, gives coaches a chance to formulate their roster strategy with regards to new pieces for their teams. This time has also allowed Plank and Kronenberg to further their coaching experience and gain new tools from the Force's sister NFL franchise.
Plank has been working with Falcons special teams Coach Joe DeCamillis. A standout special teams player himself during his eight-year career with the Chicago Bears, he appreciates DeCamillis' approach.
“Joe is literally a head coach with regards to the special teams,” says Plank. “He's a great guy, but he's also great at what he does, and he enjoys doing it. I like being around people who enjoy their profession.”
Plank has also enjoyed the ability to be involved in the 100-yard version of football again.
“We are all creatures of habit, and products of our environment. When I step back out on a hundred yard field again the first thought that goes through my mind is: what do they need all this space for? The game is also more complex because of the playing field, the number of players, and the differences in the rules with regards to scheme and tactics.”
While some of those tactics may still play a role in the Force's gameplans next season, Plank cites the greatest benefit he has gained is the manner in which the Falcons conduct special teams practice.
“I think Jim Mora and his staff do the best job in the NFL of organization, enthusiasm, focus, and teaching on special teams. They pay attention to every detail of the game.”
Even after the extensive career both on the field and the sidelines that Doug Plank has enjoyed, he is still learning new elements to add to his coaching arsenal.
“There are some things I have learned in the past week or so I never thought of,” says Plank. “The way meetings are conducted, the order of how things are accomplished with regards to installing plays, defenses, schemes, etc. – even certain basic drills that I had never seen before or had never occurred to me. While I enjoy being able to contribute to the team's 2005 success, I feel like I'm taking just as much from the experience.”
Plank is not just pleased not only with his own experience, but with that of his defensive coordinator as well. The Falcons staff has been very open to sharing all information with Kronenberg, and Plank knows that exposure will be valuable in the future.
“In life, you never stop learning. I think it has been a tremendous help for Bob to be around the atmosphere and the coaches of the Falcons.”
Kronenberg is entering his fifth season with the Force, the longest tenure with the club. His specialties include working closely with the Force's linemen. An offensive lineman himself during his collegiate and professional playing days, he now has the opportunity to work closely with Falcons defensive line coach Bill Johnson, gaining a more balanced approach to arena football's two-way “ironman” style.
“There are definitely some new ideas and schemes that I can take away from what coach Johnson is teaching - different ideas about how to play the run game and things associated with different pass sets. I am just learning as much as I can. This is a great opportunity to listen and absorb everything coach Mora is doing and see how the Falcons coaching staff works together.”
The exclusive opportunity to further develop an already award, division, and conference-winning coaching staff is yet another of the notable opportunities owner Arthur Blank has provided to bring success to Georgia Force football, and it's one that the Force coaching staff has been eager to take advantage of. As legendary Ohio State head coach Woody Hayes once told a young Doug Plank, “you are either getting better or you are getting worse.”
The 2005 National Conference Champions are still getting better.