This time of year I divide my time between spring conditioning with the team and phone calls to high school coaches. I am currently talking with approximately 125 high school coaches about LinemenInc. I feel it is important to personally get the word out about what we do. Hence the phone calls.

What I don’t understand, never have and never will are those coaches that feel they have learned enough that neither they nor their players need a camp like LinemenInc. I guess I should first give a brief explanation of just exactly what we do. LinemenInc is a working skills camp for high school players and a working clinic for high school coaches. We teach both, the necessary skills to be successful at their positions. A lot of time has gone into the program we present and I personally think it’s the best available.

That having been said, how can one believe they’ve learned enough? “Coach, I’ve been doing this for 20 year’s and I think I’m doing a pretty good job.”

Yes, 20 year’s is a long time and I’m sure you’ve a ton of knowledge but I am equally sure that something’s have changed with the game in the past 20 year’s requiring a tune up. Surgeons and doctor’s constantly go to seminars to better hone their skills, why not a coach? I spent the weekend at the Cal Coaching Clinic and while I didn’t learn a lot of new things, I did pick up some subtle technique things that I want to be sure to incorporate in my coaching.

As coaches we are only as good as our knowledge. That knowledge needs to be refreshed from time to time and what better way than a working clinic? A clinic that takes you out of the classroom and onto the field where you are a participant, not an observer. If not LinemenInc than find another but stay educated gentlemen.

Why send the players? Several reasons: First, the camp experience itself. These kids get a chance to get away from home and team for a couple of days and feel a bit of independence. Then there is the intensity and the challenge of the camp. These big guys are only going to get challenged so much on their own teams but when you get them with 40 or 50 other big guys that level of competition naturally rises and so does their level of play. How about the skills they will learn under the tutelage of some of the finest college coaches in the country? Finally, it’s an opportunity for them to learn their true worth to the team and realize that although they won’t be getting any headlines in the paper, without them there would be no team and no success. Linemen are the true skills players in my opinion.

Okay, I’m getting off of my soap box. I personally want to be the very best I can be at what I do. To that end I will continue to tap into every opportunity and every person that I can to help better myself. The minute we, players and coaches, stop learning is the moment we start falling behind.

Hello Coach Tabke,

First, I want to apologize for not sending this email to you much sooner. There is no excuse for not saying Thank You to someone that has had such a big influence in helping my husband and I to mold a little boy into a young man. I hope that you post this letter on your blog. Since there is a lot of emotion in what I am saying please forgive me if I have misspelled or rambled too much. I have also included an article that our local newspaper wrote about the Seaside Spartans with a little bit about Robert.

Dear Mothers of potential LinemenInc participants,

I want to tell you that LinemenInc is not only about football, it is about allowing our sons to become honorable, responsible and accountable young men. My son has always been big for his age and because of that he was not able to play Pop Warner Football like the little guys. He was criticized by basketball coaches because although he could play well, they did not consider him an elite athlete. So he had some self esteem issues that we as parents could not “FIX”. When he entered high school, his father and I decided that he had to play football. We knew that once he found there was a sport out there that he could play, it would help him feel good about himself. Well, that was easier said then done. He did not want to play but we persevered.

For 2 years he did well but not as well as he could have, we talked to one of the coaches and found out he was being lazy and not giving the effort he could. So, I was told about this great linemen camp in Stockton and we decided he would go. He went the first year by himself and Coach Tabke can tell you that he again did not put as much effort into it as he could have. In fact, he was late to the first practice. Well I am not sure what happened but by the end of the 3 days, I picked up a different person. He found out that he had to work hard to get what he wanted and that he could control that part of his life. In his 1st year of varsity ball he began to excel. His team did very well and went to the CCS finals. Coach Tabke called and emailed to congratulate him. Coach also sent him some great words of encouragement that he shared with his team mates. They did not win the game but he did show great leadership that day which was recognized by his Coach .

The camp was inspirational enough for him that we invited Coach Tabke and Coach Reinders down to talk to the incoming linemen and Coach Avila. We ended up sending 6 linemen and 2 coaches to camp. Robert made sure his team mates stayed on task and they did well. At the end of camp I could tell he was tired and drained but he still competed hard. He did not give up. He was not the 1st in his Garrison but he put his heart in it. I really saw a different young man on the field that day. That day I realized that coming to the camp was more then just an experience in technique, it was a life experience. It was about working hard to get results. It was about digging deep inside of yourself to achieve a goal that only you can set for yourself. It was about not being afraid to be the best and encourage others to follow the same path. I cried that day because I knew that I no longer had a little boy but a young man. They are the bitter sweet tears that mothers cry when they know the job that GOD has given them to do has gone to the next level.

I know that there are other factors that shaped Robert into the young man he is today but I also know that if he did not go to LinemenInc he would not have been challenged to step up to a higher level. Mothers, if we keep our sons in the safe confines of our world they will never know that there is more out there to see and achieve. I believe that football is about life more than any other sport out there. So encourage your sons to participate but make sure they know it is not going to be easy but it can be rewarding. I have a 17 year-old son that I am very proud of and I can honestly say that the coaches and the program at LinemenInc had a hand it. I want to thank all of them but most of all Coach Tabke. He showed a great interest in my son but I know that he has done that for quite a few of them. That is the other lesson he taught Robert, that to grow you have to give. Thank you so much for all that you have done for my son.

Sincerely,

Evelyn Orange

Coaches note: What Evelyn didn’t mention is that her son, Robert, was a third string player for two years. His junior year after LinemenInc, Robert earned a starting position and played both sides of the line that year. His senior year, Robert was again a starter, team leader and won honors on the All League Team. Robert was also the winner at LinemenInc last summer for The Most Inspirational Player Sword. Robert will be attending Monterey Peninsula College in the fall and I know he will continue to excell and succeed both on and off of the football field.

So, there you are, cruising along with your life thinking everything is cool. You’ve been doing what you are suppose to, been working hard, feeling good about yourself and your future and then WHAM! Life kicks you in the mouth and challenges you to overcome.

As a coach, I’ve been telling players for years about getting knocked down and picking one’s self up off the ground. I’ve never gone into any detailed stories of personal experiences but have always said that you have to fight back. As coaches we often talk the talk. That’s what we’re supposed to do. Be encouraging, mentor, even push a little. Okay, in some cases push a lot but always give positive guidance.

Well, if you’re going to talk the talk you better be ready to walk the walk.

Several weeks ago, the head coach of our high school program was told his services were no longer needed. He spent six years giving to the program, the school and the boys and now it was over. That’s always a personal blow, a personal low. Oh, he was upset and somewhat confused but mostly I think he was hurt. Now, he could have found a dark place and locked himself away to cry over his spilt milk or he could have screamed foul to the world and gone about defending why this shouldn’t have happened to him. Instead, he started making some phone calls and landed himself a position coach job with a junior college.

LinemenInc’s own Jim House recently lost his Assistant Head Coach/D-line Coach position at San Diego State when the entire staff was let go. Jimmy is now the defensive line coach at Sacramento State.

And yours truly, who was promoted to JV Head Coach just two weeks ago by our new head coach, was let go by the school district one and a half weeks later. After four years I was simply told that my contract would not be renewed. No other reason was cited. Today, less than one week after being let go, I am proud to announce that Coach Jerry Wicks, at Granada High School, has hired me as his varsity defensive line coach. Thanks Jerry.

“When one door closes, another door will open.”

You can believe what you want but this is what I believe: God has a plan for us all. We don’t always see it or even believe that it is there but I believe it exists. The thing is, you can’t wait for it to happen. You have to make your life happen. Life is going to knock you down. That’s life’s job! You can either take it and stay down for the count or you can get up and fight back. Life isn’t fair and bad things happen to good people for no apparent reason. That’s life! Get over it and move forward or life will run you down.

Oh yeah, this applies to playing football too.

SPECIAL NOTE: This year’s first registered camper for LinemenInc 2006 is Brandon Seymour of Dayton High School, Dayton, Nevada. Brandon, see me at camp for a free T-shirt. Our second registered camper is Curtis Campbell of Granada High School, Livermore, California. Now why does Granada sound so familiar to me?

Alright already! I know, it’s been a while since I’ve blogged. See, the season was getting under way and I had my team to take care of, my youngest son’s high school team to watch, my eldest son’s college team to watch, college football and the NFL. Yes, of course I have my priorities. You just read them! Don’t tell my wife, okay?

So, let’s get caught up. We had a miserable season going 3-7, my youngest son went undefeated, my eldest son broke his leg in week five, LSU and Norte Dame both had bowl games and the Raiders sucked! On the positive side, we have a new head coach of the program at our school, my partner, friend and LinemenInc cofounder, Dave Reinders. Congrats Dave! I’m the new JV head coach! My youngest is now on varsity and my eldest got a partial scholarship to play football at Bacone College, an NAIA school in Oklahoma. Yes, things are looking up!

What about LinemenInc you ask? Well, we’ve already attended coaching clinics in Irvine, and Burlingame, Ca. Our booth saw a lot of activity and the coaches were very interested, especially with the addition of 14 year NFL veteran Reggie McElroy to LinemenInc 2006. Reggie has also coached in NFL Europe, just ask to see his championship ring, and is currently coaching at Bacone College. He not only will be a featured speaker this year but will also be coaching. Better bring your “A” game guys!

Next stop is the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic, Las Vegas, NV, March 3 and 4. Hey! We’ve got a great product guys and we’re not going away. In fact, look for a second camp at a new location in 2007, in addition to our home base at the University of the Pacific. The new LinemenInc promotional DVD is now available and has been a big hit at the clinics. If you need one to motivate players and parents just drop us a line.

How did some of the teams that sent linemen to LinemenInc 2005, do this season you might be wondering? Just take a look:

Crespi Carmelite High School / Southern Section Division X Champions
Manteca High School / Joaquin D-3 Champions
Seaside High School / Central Coast Section Championship Game
Maxwell High School / North Section Division V Championship Game
Proctor Hug High School / Nevada Northern State Region Champions
La Sierra High School / Third round playoffs
El Diamante High School / Second round playoffs

Congrats guys! Great job!

By the next blog, I should be able to tell you about the individual success of some of the players who’ve attended LinemenInc and which colleges to look for them at next season. Until then remember, there’s no time like the off-season to prepare for the new season. Get the work done now because the harder you work the harder it is to surrender!

It goes without question that I am LinemenInc’s biggest supporter. Heck! We’ve got a great product here and I want the world to know about it. LinemenInc is a very unique, almost one of a kind experience. It’s also an opportunity for Dave and I to give something back to the sport that we love. It’s an opportunity to improve the play of high school linemen, while in our own way, helping to prepare them for life. If the player does what he is suppose to do off the field as well as on the field, his success is guaranteed. This success may not include a future in football but will always include life.

But enough about what I think of LinemenInc. If you’ve been to our camp and have an opinion, we’re interested in hearing it. With that thought in mind, here are just a few of the things that others had to say after this year’s camp.

Buck Rohles, high school coach and father:
“The nice thing about the camp is that it does not come off as a fund raiser or a commercial venture. Real value is obtained and your desire to increase the performance of these young men is evident. I wish I had another son to send you. If you are still around in 18 years, perhaps a grandson will be interested!”

Matt Hicks, Santa Ynez High School player:
“I attended the camp for the first time this year and I have to say it’s one of the greatest learning experiences I’ve ever had. The coaches were stellar and you can expect me to come back next year!”

Owen Kellis, David Douglas High School player:
“I want to thank you guys for the camp that you have put on for the past two years. What I have learned in those two years with you guys has been amazing. Not only have I learned new ways to improve on my playing, but I have also learned new things about myself and what obstacles I can overcome… I did what you suggested at one of the meetings. I found an old lunch box, painted it in my school colors and wrote, “The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender” on it. I’ve taken it to every weight lifting session and practice. I can tell other players understand the meaning and have drawn from it to work harder…”

Aaron Thigpen, world- class sprinter, speed & performance coach, Game Speed founder
“This camp renewed my faith in coaches who want to do the right thing for the kids, who wanted to pass on their knowledge, connect with the athletes, and make an impact in the young men’s lives. I’m usually not too big on camps; however, this one changed my mind it had it all the key components of a first rate athletic experience…

… As I observed the days instruction I was thoroughly impressed how smoothly the camp ran. There was so much enthusiasm in the air and it was contagious. It was quickly apparent to me that this was not only a camp but an experience…

… I was supposed to be there for a thirty-minute speech. I spent more than seven hours there because the atmosphere was so magnetic. Coaches teaching, athletes learning, camaraderie, and just plain old hard nosed fun. I graduated high school twenty-two years ago and that’s what I recall from my prep years. Today prep sports are tainted with so many things contrary to what they were in my day. The Linemen Inc camp harkens back to that day and defines what prep sports used to be and ought to be…”

Well, that is what others are saying about their LinemenInc experience. Want to share yours? Just click on the comment link below. Want to formulate your own opinion about our camp? Then attend it next June 26 thru 28 and find out for yourself what it’s all about!

For more of Aaron Thigpen’s article go to, http://gamespeed.net/Articles/209.aspx.

Hey! We did it! The 2005 LinemenInc camp photos are now posted on the web site! Our photographers, Tim Tabke of Phoenix Productions and Ray Reinders, did an awesome job. The photos are in an album format that looks great! Be sure to check it out and if you were in camp this year you might want to try and find yourself in the shots. If you weren’t in camp… what were you thinking?! http://www.linemeninc.com/photos.html