Q&A with Tussey Mountain Head Coach, Josh Smith
Q&A with Tussey Mountain Head Coach, Josh Smith
I wanted to kick off this year's Q&A by starting with a head football coach in our area and we felt a good pick would be Josh Smith. Smith is the head coach at Tussey Mountain and will lead a group of veteran players into the 2013 season. Last year, the Titans lost a wild game to Windber in the District 5 playoffs and this year Smith is looking for more than just an appearance in the playoffs. We hope you enjoy the Q&A's as a kickoff to the 2013 season. Don't forget to register for our site so you can become a member of our forums. We are the first place to go when you are looking for scores in the fall and we always want to welcome new members to our forums. Thanks for visiting, not let's move on to this Q&A with Coach Smith!
Pic from the Altoona Mirror
Here we go with our first Q&A of 2013!
When you first started coaching you were a young man? How do you think that helped you/hurt you?
I started coaching at the varsity level right out of college. I think it helped greatly with the high school athletes my first two years, because I was able to connect with them being close to their age and having the college experience. I feel like I brought a fresh approach to something things working under Coach Kevin Steele.
What is the best thing about coaching at Tussey Mountain?
The two best things about coaching at Tussey Mountain are working with a great bunch of blue collar high school athletes. The athletes have worked their butts off each and every year and it makes coaching so much easier. The other great thing about coaching at Tussey Mountain is the support that we get from the community. We have very passionate fans that come out and support the team no matter where we play.
Who would you say is the best player you ever coached?
Tough one. I would say that Jordan Donaldson, running back and linebacker, was probably the best pure athlete and football player that I have worked with. Jordan was a maniac in the weight room, dedicated to his academics, very coach-able, he was leader on the field and in the locker room, and had one of the best bursts we have ever had at Tussey Mountain.
What is the game you can't wait to be a part of every year?
Northern Bedford would be the biggest game that we look forward to each year. I don't have to say much about the rivalry between the two school, but it is great to play against such a well coached, blue collar team. Although I would say that Everett would be a very close second.
What is your outlook for the 2013 season after ending 2012 in strong fashion?
We are returning a great core group of starters from last year on the offensive side of the ball, including running backs Darrin Sipes, Kyle Kline, Curtis Wentz, and Dan Taylor, linemen Brock Rhoat, Matt Brode, Wyatt Brumbaugh and Matt Kline, and receivers Tyler Runk and Lance Barnett. We look for our offense to be explosive and do a much better job protecting the ball. Defensively, we will be returning nine starters and expect to have a tough defense. The guys have put in a very solid off-season and are prepared to continue to improve this year. We are setting very lofty goals for this group and are expecting to have a great season.
What do you like best about coaching?
The best part of coaching is seeing a player develop from someone that you don't expect much from to a player that busts his tail and never comes off the field.
Who is a coach that you look up to?
I grew up around the Bedford football program, because my dad coached with Max Shoemaker. I was always impressed with Coach Shoemaker. He is very passionate and gets the most out of his players.
Early in your coaching career you got to coach in the Ken Lantzy game. What was that experience like?
Coaching in the Lantzy game was a blast. I was able to coach some great players which made it so much fun. No matter what you wanted the players to do they would pick up on it fast and play with great intensity. The best part was working with the other Bedford county coaches, Coach Batzel, Reffner, and Black were fun to work with and great to get to know. It was also a pleasure working with Kevin Steele again and also Coach Dan Baker. The other great part was listening to stories from Coach Steve Gironda. My dad was actually coached by Steve's dad at Ford City High School. It was a great week and I would love to do it again.
What is one piece of advice you would give to a new coach?
Learn as much as you can from other coaches and don't become over confident in what you think you know. There a many different ways of doing things be prepared for change.
What song plays daily in your weight room?
This is a very tough one. If I'm running the music there is a good bit of Metallica, Disturbed, and Five Finger Death Punch. However, if the players are running the music they mix in more rap, which I guess I tolerate.
As a former D2 player, what piece of advice would you give to any player that wants to play in college?
My best advice be to pick a school that first has the major you want and then be prepared to be humbled when you step on the college field. You will not always be the best athlete on the field and are going to have work your butt off to see the field. Also enjoy it because it goes by extremely fast.
What is the best sports movie ever?
Friday Night Lights
Pic from the Altoona Mirror
Here we go with our first Q&A of 2013!
When you first started coaching you were a young man? How do you think that helped you/hurt you?
I started coaching at the varsity level right out of college. I think it helped greatly with the high school athletes my first two years, because I was able to connect with them being close to their age and having the college experience. I feel like I brought a fresh approach to something things working under Coach Kevin Steele.
What is the best thing about coaching at Tussey Mountain?
The two best things about coaching at Tussey Mountain are working with a great bunch of blue collar high school athletes. The athletes have worked their butts off each and every year and it makes coaching so much easier. The other great thing about coaching at Tussey Mountain is the support that we get from the community. We have very passionate fans that come out and support the team no matter where we play.
Who would you say is the best player you ever coached?
Tough one. I would say that Jordan Donaldson, running back and linebacker, was probably the best pure athlete and football player that I have worked with. Jordan was a maniac in the weight room, dedicated to his academics, very coach-able, he was leader on the field and in the locker room, and had one of the best bursts we have ever had at Tussey Mountain.
What is the game you can't wait to be a part of every year?
Northern Bedford would be the biggest game that we look forward to each year. I don't have to say much about the rivalry between the two school, but it is great to play against such a well coached, blue collar team. Although I would say that Everett would be a very close second.
What is your outlook for the 2013 season after ending 2012 in strong fashion?
We are returning a great core group of starters from last year on the offensive side of the ball, including running backs Darrin Sipes, Kyle Kline, Curtis Wentz, and Dan Taylor, linemen Brock Rhoat, Matt Brode, Wyatt Brumbaugh and Matt Kline, and receivers Tyler Runk and Lance Barnett. We look for our offense to be explosive and do a much better job protecting the ball. Defensively, we will be returning nine starters and expect to have a tough defense. The guys have put in a very solid off-season and are prepared to continue to improve this year. We are setting very lofty goals for this group and are expecting to have a great season.
What do you like best about coaching?
The best part of coaching is seeing a player develop from someone that you don't expect much from to a player that busts his tail and never comes off the field.
Who is a coach that you look up to?
I grew up around the Bedford football program, because my dad coached with Max Shoemaker. I was always impressed with Coach Shoemaker. He is very passionate and gets the most out of his players.
Early in your coaching career you got to coach in the Ken Lantzy game. What was that experience like?
Coaching in the Lantzy game was a blast. I was able to coach some great players which made it so much fun. No matter what you wanted the players to do they would pick up on it fast and play with great intensity. The best part was working with the other Bedford county coaches, Coach Batzel, Reffner, and Black were fun to work with and great to get to know. It was also a pleasure working with Kevin Steele again and also Coach Dan Baker. The other great part was listening to stories from Coach Steve Gironda. My dad was actually coached by Steve's dad at Ford City High School. It was a great week and I would love to do it again.
What is one piece of advice you would give to a new coach?
Learn as much as you can from other coaches and don't become over confident in what you think you know. There a many different ways of doing things be prepared for change.
What song plays daily in your weight room?
This is a very tough one. If I'm running the music there is a good bit of Metallica, Disturbed, and Five Finger Death Punch. However, if the players are running the music they mix in more rap, which I guess I tolerate.
As a former D2 player, what piece of advice would you give to any player that wants to play in college?
My best advice be to pick a school that first has the major you want and then be prepared to be humbled when you step on the college field. You will not always be the best athlete on the field and are going to have work your butt off to see the field. Also enjoy it because it goes by extremely fast.
What is the best sports movie ever?
Friday Night Lights
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Re: Q&A with Tussey Mountain Head Coach, Josh Smith
Tussey might make some noise in 5A this year. Lots of tough, hard working kids coming back.
Re: Q&A with Tussey Mountain Head Coach, Josh Smith
You are right SCube! They have a lot of talent coming back in a year where a lot of teams lost a lot of their team. The Titans should be pretty tough this year.
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Re: Q&A with Tussey Mountain Head Coach, Josh Smith
Wonder if Coach Smith has had the privilege to pick the mind of Coach Dave Bailey there in Saxton...
If Coach Smith can get his kids to play at any where near the intensity level that Coach Bailey gets from his kids year after year, success is soon to follow.
But, the sport of football is a different animal than hoops. Lots and lots of dedication and time necessary to build the foundation. Got to get many players on board, especially the linemen. But as Coach Smith was a former lineman to played at a higher level, he knows what it takes to control a game and that is at the line of scrimmage. Blocking and tackling....the basics of football, determine the outcome of HS games. Sure, the skill positions are key, but the line play is critical.
If TM can be effective in the trenches, they should be in store for a fine season.
Good luck.
If Coach Smith can get his kids to play at any where near the intensity level that Coach Bailey gets from his kids year after year, success is soon to follow.
But, the sport of football is a different animal than hoops. Lots and lots of dedication and time necessary to build the foundation. Got to get many players on board, especially the linemen. But as Coach Smith was a former lineman to played at a higher level, he knows what it takes to control a game and that is at the line of scrimmage. Blocking and tackling....the basics of football, determine the outcome of HS games. Sure, the skill positions are key, but the line play is critical.
If TM can be effective in the trenches, they should be in store for a fine season.
Good luck.