The Turnaround

Restore the Rock: Inside the Rockville Football Turnaround

In 2018, Erick Knickerbocker took over a football program most coaches wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole. Rockville High School, nestled in the blue-collar town of Vernon, Connecticut, had gone 27-107 since 2004. The team was coming off a 1-10 season. The student body mocked players in the hallway for wearing their jerseys. There was…

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Brick by Brick Program Turnaround: Vision into Victory

The Culture Shift That Started with a Single Sentence When Andrew DiDonato walked into that auditorium on August 13, 2016, he wasn’t holding a PowerPoint, a whiteboard, or a list of rules. He had one sentence—and he repeated it for five straight minutes. “To glorify God in the pursuit of earning a degree, building lasting…

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How Brett Mertens Built a Winning High School Football Program

Lessons from One of High School Football’s Best Turnaround Coaches When Brett Mertens took over his first high school football coaching job, he wasn’t walking into a powerhouse program. He wasn’t handed a team full of varsity-ready athletes. Instead, he stared at 19 players—only two of whom had ever played football. It wasn’t just a…

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Steve Pyne’s Formula for a Football Program Turnaround

It’s easy to celebrate championships. The banners, trophies, and rings are the symbols of success. However, for Steve Pyne, the coaching work happens long before the lights shine on game night. It’s in the sweat-soaked practices, the uncomfortable conversations, and the relentless commitment to growth—both for his players and himself. It’s all part of his…

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From Rock Bottom to Playoffs

Turning a losing football program into a playoff contender takes more than talent—it requires trust, culture, and a clear vision. Coach Charlie TeGantvoort shares his step-by-step blueprint for rebuilding a team, setting standards, and creating a winning mindset. Learn how to transform your program from rock bottom to championship-ready.

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