While McComb football coaches, players and fans may still be in shock over a coaching change with less than a month before football season begins, the Tigers still have a lot to prepare for, and their new coach will be dealing with many issues in his position.
With just a little more than three weeks before the 2016 season opener, McComb High School head football coach and athletic director Malcolm Jones was relieved of his athletic duties with the school district.
Offensive coordinator Jeffery Gibson will take his place as head football coach — and will immediately face many questions.
Will he run his own offense, or will he promote an assistant coach to offensive coordinator? How, if at all, will the responsibilities of other assistant coaches be shifted?
Gibson already has a lot on his plate as a teacher and the head boys and girls track coach. Will changes be made to accommodate his workload?
The shock of a team losing its leader right before the season can be detrimental to the athletes’ morale. The coaching staff has a huge responsibility to make sure every player on the team maintains his focus when he takes the field.
McComb hosted a playoff game the past two seasons, and senior Venchenza McCray will most likely be the starting quarterback for the third consecutive year. The Tigers had potential when Jones was the coach, and they still have the ability to be successful.
The first few weeks of the regular season are going to be extremely crucial. I know district competition does not begin until the sixth game, but it’s important to have momentum from the outset of the year.
The New Orleans Saints’ 2012 season illustrates how the Tigers cannot let losing a coach bring them down at the start of the year. Saints head coach Sean Payton was suspended for the entire 2012 season due to the bounty scandal. Aaron Kromer led the team for the first six games, while Joe Vitt was in charge for the rest of the season. The Saints started the year 0-4 and were unable to climb out of that hole. They finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs.
The good news for McComb is Gibson has proven he is a capable head coach and can work with people well. He is a good leader, as the boys and girls track teams each won back-to-back state championships with him as head coach.
While this is not the best way for someone to be promoted to the head coaching position, it was clear it was just a matter of time before Gibson had his opportunity to lead a football team. I have no doubt the coaching staff will address the necessary issues to move forward. The Tigers have a very well-balanced team on both sides of the ball, and I look forward to seeing them compete for a playoff spot once again.
