Coach credits solid core of returning players for easing the transition
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
The Greg Enz era is officially under way at Big Foot.
And while it was just a two-day team camp at the end of June, the new leader of the football program left with plenty of optimism for what the fall may bring.
Enz replaced former longtime coach Rodney Wedig after he left to lead the Beloit Memorial program. He was an assistant coach in Florida last year and previously was the head coach at Little Chute for 13 years.
“We were very pleased with the two days,” Enz said. “We had around 55 ninth- through 12th-graders attend the camp.
“The effort and energy by both the athletes and coaches was good to see. There was obviously new things to learn for everyone, but a lot of staff preparation made both practices run reasonably well.”
The players’ ability to adjust to some new things and their willingness to learn stood out during the camp, Enz said.
“Rather than wondering why everything isn’t staying the same, they have accepted the changes and shown a great interest in understanding the new aspects of the scheme,” he said.
A solid core of returning players who have helped build the tradition at Big Foot will go a long way in easing the transition to a new system, Enz said.
And that effort began right after the 2013 season came to a close.
“The adjustment has gone rather well to this point,” he said. “Having a number of seniors back and many who either started or played significantly makes the transition go more smoothly.
“Attendance for summer workouts in the weight room has given both players and I a chance to be around each other regularly.”
With a new coach also comes changes to the scheme, but Enz said he’s not too concerned those will be difficult to overcome.
At the end of the day, the Chiefs will continue to focus on what successful football teams excel at – and that’s the basics.
“There are always changes,” he said. “Some are subtle, while others will be very obvious. Not to be cliché, but the game is about fundamentals.
“Regardless of what a team does, they must block and tackle. If you do these things, there isn’t much difference in what you do on ‘O’ or ‘D.’”
Entire staff returns
Enz, who will teach social studies at the high school, definitely won’t go into the new season without plenty of familiar faces to help him, as the entire coaching staff that worked with Wedig will return in 2014.
And that’s a huge part of the overall puzzle, he said.
“A good coaching staff is the backbone of any successful program,” Enz said. “Coach Wedig spoke very highly of all members of the staff before and after I was offered the position.
“I am very fortunate that all individuals wanted to continue to work with the program, and their presence makes the transition process much easier. It has allowed me to adapt to Big Foot and keep as much uniformity among the players and coaches as possible.”
As for his own transition period, Enz said both he and his family are starting to become more comfortable with their new surroundings.
And they should be ready to hit the ground running once the new school year begins in early September.
“We are transitioning to a permanent location in the community in the fall,” he said. “Consequently, our contact has been limited to sports programs at the high school and through the community (recreation) department.
“In those circumstances, everyone has been very welcoming. This has helped reduce the anxiety for all involved, and we appreciate that.”
