CBA's Brooks experienced learning curve in 1st year

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on July 30, 2014 1:49 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- Notebooks chock full of conversations, observations and some new coaching plans became Steve Brooks' study guides during the offseason.

He applied a few lessons while Charles B. Aycock participated in several 7-on-7 passing leagues this summer. He insists the Golden Falcons have plenty to learn -- and improve on -- during his second year as head coach.

So does Brooks, who compiled the information from discussions with close coaching friends. Some of the notes are related to the team.

He also assessed his first year as a head coach.

"Self evaluating is the most humbling experience, but it's absolutely gratifying," Brooks said. "You don't have the answers to everything. There is someone who is just a phone call away who is willing to help you. I think the things I've learned will make our football team better.

"I brought back some good information."

Aycock opened its 2013 campaign with three consecutive wins for the first time since 2006. A 10-point road loss at county rival Goldsboro halted the momentum and started a stretch of eight losses in the Golden Falcons' final nine outings.

The season ended with an opening-round playoff loss at perennial powerhouse Western Alamance.

Surprisingly, Brooks didn't bury the game film.

Instead, he viewed each game and weighed the decisions made by him and his coaching staff. Special-teams play, defense and clock management proved critical regardless the opponent.

Brooks prefers to play an up-tempo offense, but discovered that strategy isn't necessary for 48 minutes. He realized he should have grinded out some second-half drives that would have exhausted the clock and given the Golden Falcons' defense a rest.

"I shared those duties with Paul Cornwell at Ayden-Grifton," Brooks said. "What I have tried to figure out is how to slow us down and still go fast. It's the learning curve, all part of the process of becoming a better head coach and play caller."

The Golden Falcons' defense yielded 35 or more points in each of its final six games a year ago. That's another painful part that has caused Brooks to cringe while watching video.

Opponents either exploited Aycock on special teams, or just simply controlled the line of scrimmage and imposed their will on the defense.

"As a head coach, I've got to be more assertive on things that I want, especially on the defensive side of the ball," Brooks said. "I should have done it more last year. You try to let your coaches coach. You don't want to be a micro-manager, an ego maniac who has their hand in everything.

"I've got to go down (the hill at practice) and be able to say I don't like something. My way might be completely wrong and if it's totally wrong, it's on me."

Brooks lost assistant coach Ryan Wells, who moved to West Virginia during the spring. He re-assigned Allen Thomas and Jon Horton, who will share defensive coordinator duties.

Military vet and former high school athletic director Roy Harrell and Aycock alum Tyheim Pitt have joined the staff.

"(Harrell) is going to bring a vast knowledge of experience and we're excited about having him," Brooks said. "I talk to my players all the time about leaving legacy and Pitt did that. He has tremendous respect in the two or three communities that surround our school.

"He's coming back to give something back to his county and his school. We've moved in another direction and picked up some pieces that can help us ... add to the tremendous coaching core that we have already."

And help turn those notes into wins on the field.