Pinecrest’s new head football coach, John Washington, said them first, and following the meeting, incoming principal Dr. Beverly McAnulty repeated them.
“It starts today,” both said.
Welcome sentiments from two of the key leadership elements required to change the state of a football program that has experienced only two playoff appearances and eight winning seasons in the 33 years of the school’s existence.
And that’s the upside compared to recent developments that rocked the program and put it behind in its preparations for the coming season. Two months ago, head coach Binky Rankin resigned after one year, and several weeks later his apparent successor stepped down one day after introducing himself at a similar organizational meeting.
“What we are going to do is exactly what coach Washington says,” McAnulty said. “It starts today. We are moving forward. That’s all we can do. What’s past is past.”
There were other indications that the head football coach and the principal are on the same page.
“I’m really proud of this man [Washington],” McAnulty said after the meeting. “He’s taken this job, and everything I’ve seen has been quality and right on target as far as the interests of the kids is concerned. As long as he is willing to commit to that kind of effort in this football program, I’m going to support him.” What happens from day two forward will require more than the commitment of the principal, athletic director, coaches, athletes, parents and the community at large.
In an interview following a football game almost two years ago, former East Carolina head coach and first-year Richmond County mentor Ed Emory offered the opinion that a key ingredient for a successful high school football program is a supportive administration. He was not referring to the high school level, but the leadership of the school system.
On a Friday evening last September, the three Moore County high school football teams lost by the combined score of 160-0. Two weeks later they fell by the count of 149-6. The three teams finished with a combined record of 6 wins and 27 losses. Two of the three head coaches left for greener pastures.
This is not just about wins and losses, but this kind of competitive gap shows evidence of a problem at the school system level. In the interest of the large number of student-athletes involved, it is one that deserves priority attention from the central office on down.
Attending Thursday’s meeting and completing the troika of leadership that will have to work together effectively to turn things around was John Corio, director of science, health, physical education and athletics for the Moore County School System. His comments demonstrated an interest and involvement in pursuits that, if followed through, can only improve the football program.
Where does the buck stop? We all know where it stops — the same place it stops in any organization, at the top. Starting with the central office, it is up to the leaders to make sure that everyone is carrying out his responsibilities in support of this program, and to make sure that anyone who is not doing so is dealt with.
As a reporter, I could provide you with numerous snapshots of the courage displayed by Moore County football players in the face of tremendous odds. They deserve a level playing field.
I feel proud of the accomplishments of the individual sports programs at Pinecrest High School. The school won conference titles in eight sports during the 2002-2003 school year. But as long as one member of the athletic family is allowed to suffer, without an urgency being shown to help it, I don’t share the view of many that a favorable standing in the Coble/Wachovia Cup means that overall success has been achieved.
On day one, Washington, McAnulty, Corio and the other speakers provided a rather comprehensive vision for the football program. What happens from here on is going to be most of all about leadership.
