Bob Turner didn't set out to be the savior of the Ace's Football Program, but success happens
Bob Turner didn’t set out to be the savior of the Aces’ football program, but success happens Bob Turner’s ultimate goal was to become a head coach of a high school baseball team. But as is often the case with ultimate goals, unforeseen circumstances caused Turner to postpone that goal. The most recent thing to sidetrack his plan was his choice to accept a position as the head football coach at Edenton-Holmes High School in Edenton, North Carolina. coach, Turner’s résumé showed that he had good organizational skills for the job.
Prior to accepting the job at Edenton-Holmes, he had been the athletic director at Perquimans High School, located about 10 miles Coach Ricky Browder motivates the offense to get it going. “I never had any intention of becoming a head football coach. I was brought in to Edenton-Holmes two years ago as a junior varsity baseball coach and assistant football coach,” says Turner. But summer was approaching and two candidates before him turned down the job, so Turner decided he had to take action. “We were getting into a bind because it was late in the spring, and we wanted to have the head coach involved with the summer program.”
Although he had never worked as a head football from Edenton-Holmes. Turner was already an accomplished coach, serving as assistant football coach and leading the girls’ basketball team to a 30-0 record and a berth in the 2000 playoffs. But before accepting the Ervin Wilson spots Will Williams (left) while Linnell Evans racks a power clean.
Brian Leary finishes a heavy set on the Hex bar deadlift. prestigious new position, Turner thought it would be best to consult with his fellow coaches. “I talked to the assistant coaches, several who were in their later years, and they just didn’t want to take it over,” says Turner. “So I said, ‘Guys, what would you think if I took over this team?’” Their unanimous answer was that it was a great idea, and they assured Turner they would do everything they could to help him turn around the program. They had a lot of work to do, as the team had finished the 2002 season with a 3-8 record and had a reputation for losing in the fourth quarter.
“I called Coach Davis the day after I got the job,” says Turner. “I knew how strong his summer program was, and I respected his ability to instill discipline in his athletes. Coach Davis helped me tremendously, and I credit him for helping me get my summer program going. What’s more, his team is in our conference, and last year we ended competing for the conference championship.” The next item on Turner’s coaching checklist was the weight training program. When Turner first came to Edenton-Holmes High School, Offensive Line Coach Randy Hollowell was solely in charge of strength training. “Coach Hollowell is a super gentleman who has 30 years’ experience in football strength training,”
says Turner. “The year I left Perquimans we had just put in the BFS program, and Coach Hollowell told me he had also been looking into BFS. We started watching the videos and reading the books, and this led to us purchasing some small equipment. But we knew we needed to make some major changes to our weightroom.” Thanks to funding provided by the athletic department, the booster club, headed by Marshall Williford, and some parents who made anonymous donations, Turner was able to upgrade his weightroom and purchase some serious weight training equipment.
They repadded and resurfaced all the equipment; and The Power of Commitment Turner’s first order of business was to communicate to the team that they were expected to lift Andy Downing, defensive backs coach, gets pumped up after a big play. during the summer. “You can’t take a break in the summer and expect your numbers to come right back when August rolls around. The team needed to be stronger, and that would take a serious commitment from the players.” To help him get his program jump-started, Turner put in a call to Walt Davis, a fellow coach from nearby Manteo High School in Manteo, North Carolina.
One motivational tool of Turner’s is the motto then from BFS they purchased some bars, rubber “One heartbeat, one soul.” “In the stands you’d hear weights, resistance ropes and rolled flooring. “It was a “One heartbeat, one soul!” thundering out from the tremendous improvement, and the kids really appreciparents,” says Turner. “Our motto really carried us ated it. In the future I would love to have six BFS elite throughout the season, especially when times were stations. Our weightroom is only 40’ by 42’, and havtough. Our area was hit with a major hurricane last ing those stations would be the way to go.”
year, and it took us out of The Aces enthusiastically went after the BFS commission for training program, but there were challenges along the 12 days. When way. “I remember the first day we we were able to did the plyoresume the metric boxes. I season, we had said, ‘This is to play three ridiculous—we games in ten can’t do this!’ days, and But the second believe me, time they got our motto much better, and took on a within two whole new weeks we were m a e meaning really just taking T ll tba o o F s e c then. The off on them.” A lmes o H n o t mayor wrote a letter In addition to n e he Ed thanking us. He said that “One heartbeat, one soul”
the football team, T was a slogan not only for our football team but also for other sports adoptour whole community through that hurricane. All over ed the BFS program. “We have a separate girls’ the town after the hurricane there were signs up with strength training class each semester, and all our ‘One heartbeat, one soul.’ It was great to feel that comcoaches are knowledgeable about the BFS program. munity support.”
We also just purchased a smaller set of plyometric All these efforts paid off: last year Turner’s team boxes this summer for the girls and for the PE classes, won 12 games and made it to the third round of the because we wanted to get the PE classes into box work playoffs in the 2A division. “I don’t want anyone to this semester and then gradually work them up to the think that I take the credit for this turnaround, because bigger boxes.” I have a set of assistant coaches who have really dediAs for the X’s and O’s, Turner tries to adjust the cated themselves to the changes we made. They have offense to the talent available.
“I experimented last anywhere from five to 35 years of experience, and year with the wishbone. I was familiar with it because without them there is no way one person could do this we had used it at Perquimans; but at Edenton-Holmes job.” we just didn’t have the sort of players needed for the Among the top players were tailbacks Brandon wishbone, so we were limited in what we could do Hyman (774 yards rushing with a 5.1-yard average) with our offense. We started toward the middle of the and Luke Williford (651 yards rushing with a 5.2-yard year really spreading out, going more to a wing-T.
We average), quarterback Brian Swicegood (709 yards have such outstanding backs and receivers that we passing and 358 yards rushing), linebacker Chris don’t like to finesse all game long, but we do mix it up Holley (93 tackles and 11 sacks), safety Earthan Ward in there,” says Turner. “Defensively we run a stacked (67 tackles and 8 interceptions), and receiver Cal four. We really get good movement and activity from Walters (542 yards rushing and 107 yards receiving). our linebackers, and our competitors never know This year Turner expects great performances from where they’ll be coming from.”
Hyman and Williford, who will be returning, and from Conditioning and a solid game plan definitely Lindsey Lawrence, who will be the fullback and Brian were major improvements, but one of the most imporLeary, who will be the quarterback. tant changes in the Aces’ program was the way Turner This year the Aces are favorites to win their conmotivated his players. “I try to get them to understand ference and are ranked 9th in the state. Turner says he that even though I’m going to get on their case at feels great about receiving such confidence from the times, it’s just to make them better. I also try to do as media.
“Last year we sort of sneaked up on everybody, much motivating as I can all week long, not just on coming in as a 3-8 team and coming out 12-2, and Thursday before the big game on Friday or just on reaching the third round of the playoffs. Now we’ve Friday before we go to the field for the game. We got a big bull’s-eye pinned on our team, and that’s fine motivate them all year long to get them to believe in with us.” BFS themselves.”
Over 420 STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS HAVE BEEN WON AFTER A BFS CLINIC!
“The Best Kept Secret For Winning In America” THE CLINIC RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES!
To say the least, our BFS Clinic was the beginning of something great for our football program. Within three months, our off-season program produced fourteen 1,000 pound club members where we were only able to previously produce one or two. The BFS Program led to many positive changes in our athletes self image as physical, fast football players.
On behalf of the entire North Scott Athletic Program I want to thank you for the tremendous job that you did. Our kids and coaches are still buzzing about the clinic. The professionalism you showed was a great example to our coaches and the enthusiasm that you showed to our kids was a great selling point for the BFS Program.
Chuck Warden Head Football Coach Loveland High School, OH Randy Schrader Head Football Coach North Scott High School, IA Our BFS Clinic was everything we had hoped for and more! I see the athletes working harder on technique and encouraging each other more than prior to the clinic (especially our girl athletes). The coaches who participated all expressed that it was very informative and beneficial to them. Ed Rohloff Head Football Coach Custer County HS, MT I have been doing the BFS program for 2 years now. By having the clinic I found out what I was doing wrong and how I can improve myself. The program has helped me in many ways.
I have been on the Varsity team for 2 years and I’m only in the 9th grade. I enjoy doing your program. Thank you! Andrew Gould Football Player I have to share with you the tremendous feedback we have received from the coaches in attendance, students, athletic director and the parents. The phone has been ringing off the hook with positive feedback. The clinic was both informative and motivational. It had a significant impact on my athletes. Coach Bob Butler Tappan Zee High School, NY I loved our BFS Clinic! I learned more in this one day than I have in all the other clinics I have been to put together in my entire life.
Coach David Gonyar Buck Sport High School, ME TURN THE PAGE FOR THE COMPLETE CLINICIAN STAFF.
AN ALL-DAY ATHLETIC TRAINING EXPERIENCE AT YOUR SCHOOL Each Clinic Attacks Three Areas! INSTRUCTION!
Agility, flexibility, strength, speed, jumping, nutrition, skills, etc. Every athlete and coach will gain an amazing level of knowledge in all areas of strength and conditioning.
“The time I spent with BFS was the best thing I have ever done for my school” At our clinics, we share incredible stories to inspire every athlete and coach.
In the average high school, a three-sport athlete will have to learn three different ways to stretch. Each clinic has a special coaches session to get them on the “same page”.
A BFS Clinician will fly to your school and put on a full-day of intensive training. Showing all coaches and athletes how to implement the BFS Program. It also includes proper lifting technique of the BFS core lifts.
ADD THE “BE AN 11” SEMINAR TO YOUR BFS CLINIC. -See pages 12- your date entered on the calendar (We highly recommend 4 weeks before your clinic date).
One Day Clinic: $1,600 ($800 deposit to reserve your date with $800 due the day of the clinic.) Two Day Clinic: $1,950 For 1 to 50 athletes then $25 per person above 50. ($975 deposit, balance due at clinic)
AN AWESOME GROUP!
Back Row: Roger Freeborn (OR), John Rowbotham (UT), Bob Rowbotham (UT), Mark Beckham (CA), Ray Cosenza (MA), Rick Bojak (UT), Len Walencikowski (FL), Evan Ayres (WA), Rick Tomberlin (GA), Matt Merry (LA), Jeff Scurran (AZ), Bob Doyle (OH), Middle Row: Jeff Sellers (IN), Jim Brown (MO), Mandy Eakin (MO), Dennis Dunn (LA), Bobby Poss (NC), Rick Anderson (UT), Doug Ekmark (MN), Front Row: Bob Bozied (CO) BFS CEO, Dr. Greg Shepard (UT). Not Pictured: Patty Hagemeyer (CO) and Doug Holland (LA)
THE BFS CLINICIAN STAFF This group represents some of the best, most successful coaches in the country. And you have access to them to do a BFS Clinic at your school (see pages 32-33)
THIS YEAR BFS WILL DO OVER 300 CLINICS NATIONWIDE
From BFS Magazine — September/October 2004. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).
