Leading to Perfection: Dallastown Football

10 - 0 Undefeated Div I Champions

Last month, November 2010, the Dallastown football program did something it hasn’t done in 30 years; win the Division I York-Adams title outright and pitch a perfect regular season. I couldn’t be more proud for the district, coaches, players, and community. I know it was a truly special season for all that were involved and the team will go down in history. What people don’t realize though is what it took to get to that Friday night 38 -36 win over Red Lion to go undefeated.  

Five years ago, 2006, I graduated from Dallastown as a member of the football team. It was Kevin Myers first year as the head varsity coach. We went 1 – 9, were laughed at by opponents, and the program was all over the place. The next year, the varsity went 1 – 9 again. The kids played very hard. Competed in a lot of games, but the result was the same.

In 2008, the team started 0 – 3. Parents and community members questioned if Kevin knew what he was doing. They questioned his character, they questioned his staff. The questioned everything about the football program. I remember talking to Kevin over the phone after that third loss. He was upset that the team lost, but you never heard any negatively or defeat in his voice. Their next game was against the powerhouse South Western whom Dallastown hadn’t beaten in a very long time. The team had two options: Quit like they usually did or work harder. I remember that week being the toughest week of practice I ever saw. There was high intensity, hard hitting, and the kids competed.  The senior leaders stepped up. They were tired of being associated with losing. That Friday night, they pulled out a 20 – 17 win over South Western which in my opinion was the game that changed the program’s culture. From that game on, DTown never looked back. They went on to win the last 5 out of 6 games to finish 6 – 5 and make the postseason for the first time ever. Since then, the program has had a winning record every year, most notably this year’s undefeated season.

Through being associated with the program over the past four years through coaching, I saw many great things that I believe changed the football culture and made Dallastown into a respected program once again.

1.        In leadership, anytime you want to change something, you have to have a plan or vision. Kevin had a plan for success in which he believed in. He had to handle a lot of unjust criticism but he stuck with his plan until it came to fruition.

2.       He surrounded himself with knowledgeable, credible people that had integrity and class. He put together a coaching staff that he knew would do whatever it took to not only win and make the kid’s better people, but carry out his vision.

3.       Many people don’t understand this, but in a high school football program, it starts from the bottom up, not top to bottom. Kevin did something that was never done before in the program. He developed a great relationship with its feeder program, the Cougars. Before Kevin took over, the Cougars and Wildcats didn’t coordinate together very well. Part of his plan was to get the Cougars to run his offense/defense and instill his philosophies. Many programs don’t do this because it takes a lot of work but the payoff is awesome.

4.       Coaching isn’t all about X’s and O’s, it is about the Jimmies and Joes. There is nothing more important as a coach than investing in people and having compassion for others. Kevin and his staff do a great job investing in the kids, making them into better people, and motivating them.

5.       I had an opportunity to coach at a well respect school district this year in Mt. Lebanon in Pittsburgh. One thing that I missed very much was the family atmosphere. Kevin made sure that all coaches no matter what were welcome to practices, games, clinics, etc. I personally feel that feeling of family amongst the coaches trickled down to the players.

6.       I like marketing a lot so I have to point this out. When I played, we had beat up uniforms and a timid Wildcat on the helmet. Kevin rebranded the Dallastown Wildcat; from the DT logo, to the helmets, to the jerseys. I hate to say it but those little things make kids want to play. Also, he connected with the community like no other coach or person I ever saw.

7.       Lastly, I have to give credit to the players. Coaches constantly preach hard work, responsibility, respect, attitude, etc but if the players don’t take leadership to do them, it is all wasted breath. The program has been fortunate to have a lot of great young leaders which I know will continue because of the coaches that instill those positive characteristics in them.

Life is a continous learning process. I have been blessed to have learned so many great things from not only Kevin, but the coaches I have coached with and the players I coached. The Dallastown community and football program is a truly special place. The bar has now been set. Now it is time to continue a tradition of excellence!

-RD