Chris Whitaker
AMERICUS — Michael Pollock has plans of running a first-class, transparent football program that will be known for passion.
That’s only part of the expectations he told prospective football players and parents at Thursday’s meeting held at the Americus-Sumter South Campus gymnasium.
Pollock displayed enthusiasm throughout the meeting, including his excitement about moving to Americus.
He told the group that filled three-fourths of the home side that his U-Haul was packed with the exception of a couch and a couple of other items as his last class at Valdosta ends at 1 p.m. today.
Pollock’s first day of work is Monday, and he has plans of starting after-school workouts on March 22. The plan is to rotate weightlifting with running four days a week.
Spring practice is May 3-14, and he hopes to have a Blue-White game on the last day to wrap up practice.
The team’s opponent for a scrimmage on Aug. 20 is to be determined, and the Panthers open the season Aug. 27 at home against Liberty County.
Pollock encouraged parents to get involved with the Panther Club, saying he would have a film night for all club members to come watch film with him and ask any questions as a part of his open door policy.
He does plan on meeting with all current coaches, but he did say he hopes to bring in his own offensive and defensive coordinators.
Pollock listed six priorities he wants to instill in his team, including: God; family; patriotism; academics; friends; and respect for parents.
He discussed team philosophy, and he had seven goals for the program, which included: Influencing the masses at an early age through the Sumter County Parks and Recreation Department; the middle school being a replica of the high school; promoting the concept of the student-athlete; total commitment to excellence in a first-class manner; and to make Americus-Sumter one of the dominant programs academically and athletically in the state among other concepts.
More to come next week.
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The Times-Recorder encourages anyone who attended the meeting to write a letter to the editor with thoughts and feelings in response to what Pollock said.
