Two and eight. That record may tell part of the story of the 2006 Hammond High football team, but it only offers a small picture of the challenge that lies ahead for new head coach Tim Cullen.
Cullen, a former two-way lineman for the Golden Bears, is a physical education teacher at the Columbia school and has served as the offensive coordinator at Hammond for the past five seasons. And he sees a simple change that might go a long way toward bringing the team out of its slump.
“Just changing the way we do things as far as technique and fundamentals and all the little things,” Cullen said.
He takes over for former head coach Bill Smith, who is moving into an administrative position. The Golden Bears finished tied for ninth in the 12-team league in 2006. After a handful of losing seasons, the 2-8 mark was a low point.
“We haven?t had a winning season for the past six or seven years,” said director of athletics Joe Russo, Cullen?s high school coach. “The whole idea of changing that attitude around [will make the difference.]”
Cullen will make some minor changes to the program, erasing the rule that players must wear a shirt and tie to school every day and instilling more team-building activities.
Cullen said the aim is “changing the mentality and trying to get the players to think of football as something fun.”
The goal is to get more players to join the team. Russo feels that Cullen is the right man for the job.
“He does a lot of preparation work on his Xs and Os,” Russo said. “I?ve seen tremendous growth in him as a coach.”
Cullen will continue to run the shotgun spread offense that he has overseen as offensive coordinator, while instituting a 3-3 stack defense. The team will work to learn the scheme ? speaking with college coaches and watching video.
“We?ve got a nice core of guys that work very well together,” Cullen said. “My goal is .500 or better.”
That would be the first step.
Changes at Hammond
» Tim Cullen played offensive and defensive tackle at Hammond, but suffered from chronic knee injuries. He was offered chances to play at Division III schools, but turned them down.
» Cullen sited sophomore quarterback Daniel Plazak, junior lineman Kevin Allen, junior receiver/defensive back Kenyatta Drake, junior tight end Jeff King and junior tight end/linebacker Danny Flanagan as keys to rebuilding.
