The David Wagner era at Winder-Barrow High School has begun and early signs point toward what can be a successful venture for the man who was a key part of the success enjoyed across town.
However, there are factors which must go into this if it is going to work and the first and foremost is patience. There is going to have to be patience among fans, patience among boosters, patience among anyone and everyone associated with this program.
Patience has not always been shown in the past. It’s no coincidence that this program does not have a long history of making the playoffs in the past two decades. Coaches have come, coaches have gone, coaches have been run off, coaches have been criticized by those who didn’t have the first clue what they were talking about.
Don’t get me wrong. I haven’t heard anything negative about Wagner since he arrived from Wildcat Nation. Of course, a new head coach is always given a little bit of latitude — until the first game that is.
However, this is a school which has had a history of pulling the trigger on head football coaches very quickly.
Wagner has all the credentials one needs to make this work. Football experts today will tell you to build from the defensive side of the football. Wagner, in fact, is going to be his own defensive coordinator — at least in the beginning — as he looks to shore up things on that side of the ball.
Look for some similiarities between what Apalachee did in 2009 and what WBHS will do in 2010. The reason? It’s simple. The Wildcats were 10-0, region champions and advanced to the third round of the playoffs. Why not try and duplicate what made them successful last fall and in previous seasons?
Wagner will install his 4-3 defensive scheme and will bring in the Wing-T offense which helped AHS compile impressive stats a year ago.
Will the Bulldoggs be as dominant as the Wildcats were right away? No. That’s where patience will be required. That’s where the Bear Bryants and Vince Dooleys and Vince Lombardis who sit in the stands on Friday nights will have to keep their egos in check and their mouths closed. This can and will work, but you have to be patient.
Wagner has assembled a quality coaching staff, one with years of experience and success. He retained two varsity assistants with direct ties to WBHS, a good move by all accounts. Still, it is going to require patience by all involved. It’s such a simple word but one that is so often hard to obtain.
It won’t happen in one season. It probably won’t happen in two. Yet, if you can find it within yourself to give this group of coaches and players a chance, you just might be surprised by the results. And in the end, you can be a part of something special.
Having success on the football field for the long-time high school here should be a goal of any Barrow County resident. I know it’s mine.
Yet, I am a patient person. Good things come to those who are willing to wait. Patience is indeed a virtue.
Chris Bridges is the sports editor of the Barrow Journal. Send comments about this column to cbridges@barrowjournal.com.
