Coahulla Creek coach Chad Barger recently upgraded from a flip-phone to an iPhone.
As the first-year coach of the Colts, he’s trying to flip around a program that won a total of four games during its first two years of existence. That may be easier for him than trying to learn Twitter.
“I don’t know how tech-savvy Coach is,” joked linebacker Luke Brock. “But you can tell things are changing around here.”
For one, the Colts have a Twitter account (@Coahulla_FB) that is manned by 26-year-old offensive coordinator Curt Bureau.
It’s a new way to provide information to the players and promote the program as well. If a Twitter message goes out announcing a practice time, almost all of the players will receive it at once, and if not, at least one friend and teammate can share the news.
“I use it as a way to get info out there. I know kids will show their friends,” Bureau said. “That’s bringing us up to date. A lot of people have Twitter. All the kids have Twitter, so it’s a good way to get information out there, and that way there’s no excuses.
“The more times they can hear it and see it, there’s less confusion.”
There’s also a marketing and a fun aspect to sharing on Twitter.
“Get new uniforms, take a picture and tweet it,” Bureau said. “Player of the week, put it out there. Lifter of the week, put it out there.”
It’s a job for Bureau. He’s about 11 years younger than Barger, who is a little behind the technology times and is spending his time operating his football program. The Colts have been through trying times during their first two seasons and most recent offseason before Barger arrived.
A coach, Jared Hamlin, was fired. A coach, Vic Grider, was hired – but not really.
Then Barger came aboard.
“We’re going to come in and change the culture,” Barger said. “Even through the hiring process, they had a coach, they didn’t have a coach. They feel like they have somebody who wants to work hard and be there for them.
“We’re trying to win the day.”
Or as @Coahulla_FB tweeted earlier this month: “Hold The Rope!!”
– David Uchiyama
COAHULLA CREEK COLTS
Head coach: Chad Barger (43-53 overall; first year here)
Last year: 2-8
Returning starters (O/D/K): 3/5/0
Control panel: DE Cristian Castro (6-2, 240, Sr.) is the senior captain of this team. RB/LB Josue Dominguez (6-2, 205, Jr.) has used his speed behind the line on both sides of scrimmage, and RB/LB Baley Jones (6-1, 180, Jr.) made about 130 tackles last year and reads plays before they develop. OL Aaron Croome (5-9, 205, Jr.) also is a potential college prospect for a small school.
New producers: DB Clark Hatfield (6-0, 170, Sr.) did not play football last year, and some of his buddies are playing, so he’ll play too. OL/DL Alex Moore (5-10, 230, Sr.) transferred from Dalton last year and he may play both sides of the line. WR Hayden Lock (5-8, 140, So.) hadn’t played football since peewee, but baseball and assistant football coaches convinced him to put on pads and play.
Item of interest:
Still new to the game – The Colts are in their third year of existence and on their second head coach. Coahulla Creek is a combined 4-16 in its existence.
2014 Schedule
(all games at 7:30 Eastern)
Aug. 22 – at Southeast Whitfield
Sept. 5 – Armuchee
Sept. 12 – Lakeview-F.O*
Sept. 19 – at Sonoraville*
Oct. 3 – at Murray County*
Oct. 10 – at Gordon Central*
Oct. 17 – North Murray*
Oct. 24 – at Ringgold*
Oct. 31 – Adairsville*
Nov. 7 – Calhoun*
- Region 6-AAA game