Coaching clinic popular with Arkansans

The 14th annual Arkansas Soccer Coaches Affiliation Ronnie Roach Teaching Clinic in Scorching Springs on Feb. 3-5 will proceed the sturdy custom of excellent audio system with College of Arkansas Coach Sam Pittman being certainly one of them.

Whereas the NCAA recruiting useless interval for school soccer begins Jan. 30 and lasts till Feb. 28, Pittman and his employees will probably be in Scorching Springs to proceed constructing relationships with the greater than 1,000 highschool coaches from Arkansas and the area.

Danny McCuin, who has been the director of the clinic since its inception, mentioned Pittman has emphasised how a lot he and his employees wish to assist with the clinic.

“Sam has been phenomenal for us,” McCuin mentioned. “He sat down with me final 12 months and informed me, ‘We’ll at all times be part of this. We wish to assist anyway we will. In the event you want anyone on my employees for something, all you must do let me know.’

“In our dialog, he mentioned, ‘I’ve to know all the highschool coaches they usually need to know us and if we can assist them that helps us recruit their youngsters.’ ”

The primary clinic in 2010 drew about 125 coaches and has grown to be one of many largest within the area, partly due to the standard of audio system.

Siloam Springs Athletic Director Jeff Williams, who was the top coach at El Dorado, Fort Smith Southside and Pea Ridge previous to his present place, is accountable for lining up audio system.

“He [took] over getting the audio system for us 4 years in the past and if you already know Jeff Williams, he’s not afraid to name and ask anyone whether or not he is aware of them or not,” McCuin mentioned. “He’s executed an outstanding job.”

Pittman will communicate Friday, Feb. 3 at 8 p.m., whereas former Razorback and present Air Drive assistant Tim Horton will communicate at 7 p.m.. Psychological well being professional Rachel Baribeau will communicate previous to Horton and Pittman

“She speaks to NFL, NBA groups and massive D-I faculties on how we must be involved with the psychological well being and what the coaches want to pay attention to,” McCuin mentioned.

The Arkansas place coaches could have breakout classes for prime faculties coaches to attend after Pittman talks.

“We’re going to have it the place coaches can simply share concepts [and] subjects, like screens, play-action passing,” McCuin mentioned.

Friday can even function a retired coaches social gathering earlier than the night audio system.

Buck James of Bryant, Brad Bolding of Little Rock Parkview, Anthony Lucas of Pulaski Academy, J.D. Plumlee of Malvern and Ricky Could of Charleston — who all led their groups to state championships final season — will communicate Friday morning.

Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams and offensive coordinator Dan Enos will communicate Saturday morning.

Ouachita Baptist offensive line coach Brett Shockley, Arkansas State particular groups coordinator Jake Schoonover and former Tremendous Bowl champion quarterback and present Alabama-Birmingham Coach Trent Dilfer will communicate Saturday night time.

Dilfer was a highschool coach in Tennessee earlier than being employed by the Blazers in late November.

“I used to be pondering we’re in all probability going to lose him, however Jeff referred to as him once more and he mentioned, ‘Coach, I dedicated to you guys. I’m nonetheless honored to return,’ ” McCuin mentioned.

Arkansas Soccer Coaches Affiliation president Randy Coleman of Jonesboro mentioned the clinic comes on the proper time.

“It’s actually the time of the 12 months the place coaches get re-energized for the upcoming season,” Coleman mentioned. “You get related minds in a constructing speaking in regards to the sport they love. it will get you fired up for spring ball and upcoming season.”

The clinic permits foes to get to know each other and kind relationships past the gridiron.

“I really like my career and getting along with different guys from the identical career and being buddies and buddies and simply capturing the bull and speaking ball,” Coleman mentioned.