coaches_resume.20411.. - Hawg Tuff

Mike Pope would like to have the opportunity to
lead Wren High School into its’ newest athletic
challenge……
The move into AAAA athletics.
This will require hard work, great dedication and
will be a time-consuming task but I believe with
my past experiences and great dedication that I
can lead your school in this task.

I graduated from Piedmont High School
in 1970. While at Piedmont I was an
honor student and played Football,
Basketball and Track. I was All-Union
County and All-Conference in football for
two years.
I graduated from Wingate University in
1972 with an A.A.. in Secondary
Education.
While at Wingate I played Soccer and
Wrestled.
I graduated from Gardner-Webb
University in 1974 with a B.S. Degree in
Physical Education. While at GWU, I
was on a football scholarship and played
offensive guard.

After graduating from Gardner-Webb
University in 1974, I played semi-pro
football with the Stanley Patriots for two
years while coaching at Piedmont High.
I played offensive guard and tackle and
the team was 24 and 3 during this time.
Over the last thirty years, I have taught Health, Physical
Education, Weightlifting, Global Studies, U.S. History,
Driver Education, World History, Government and have
been an In-School Suspension Supervisor. I am currently
working on my certification in Special Education and have
only nine more hours plus the practicum to finish this
endeavor.

(L TO R) GINGER – MY WIFE OF 22 YEARS
TAYLOR 21 – A SENIOR AT CLEMSON MAJORING IN
NURSING
ELIZABETH 18 – A FRESHMAN AT LANDER
MAJORING IN EDUCATION
SARAH 17 – A JUNIOR AT SENECA HIGH SCHOOL

I think one of my best qualities is my ability to
work with people. I try to respect the Opinions,
Ideas, and Goals of other people. I have a history
of great support for my football coaches, other
sports coaches, parents, athletes, other students
and community in general. I work well with
booster organizations and my fellow teachers.
I try to attend as many school functions as
possible to show my support for other programs
and my school’s students. I try to get involved in
my school’s community. I think that you have to
do this to get total support for all of your school’s
programs including your own.

I served as the Class A President and Vice President
for two different terms each. I served as Coordinator
of the Class A All-State Banquets for six years and as
Coordinator of the All-Region 2 Banquets for eight
years. I have served on numerous committees for
the High School League and have been an Athletic
Director for eleven years and an Assistant Athletic
Director at a AAAA high school for four years.
At Blackville-Hilda and Indian Land, my athletic
programs were second to none in Class A and were
some of the best in the state of South Carolina. At
both schools I added a lot of new sports for both
ladies and men and added many different levels
(Middle school, Jr. High, and Varsity in these sports
and the already established sports.

I have coached football, basketball, wrestling, cross-country,
soccer, and track so I have a very working knowledge of
these sports. I have also supervised as Athletic Director or
Asst. Ad. swimming, volley ball, tennis, cheerleading, softball
and baseball at the small school level and AAAA level. In a lot
of cases, I started these programs or started new levels in
them.
I have always had the best for my student athletes in mind
and have worked diligently to make all of my programs at all
levels the best that they could be!

FURMAN U.
HALL OF FAME
Player Accomplishments
In my 30 years of Coaching, I have coached in
football 95 All-Region or All-Conference players and
22 All-State players. Troy Brown, one of my players
from my years at Blackville-Hilda was an All-American
at Marshall University and is a wide receiver with the
New England Patriots. Steven Duggans, one of my
position players at Sumter was a two-time All-
American at Furman University and the South Carolina
Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner for two years while at
Furman. I have coached 94 Region Track Champions
and 18 State Track Champions. My best Track Athlete
was Shawn Crawford, who ran indoor and outdoor
track at Clemson University and was an All-American
in both Indoor and Outdoor Track on fourteen
different occasions. He presently is working toward
going to the Olympics as a sprinter. In wrestling, I
coached 7 Region Champions and 2 State Runner-ups.
I am very proud of all of these young people and all of
the rest that I have had the honor of coaching during
this time.

FOOTBALL
STATE CHAMPIONS
LADIES’ BASKETBALL
3 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
MENS’ TRACK
2 TOP-3 FINISHES
LADIES’ TRACK
STATE RUNNER-UP
3 TOP-3 FINISHES
NUMEROUS REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS
AND REGION RUNNER-UPS FINISHES
VOLLEYBALL
4 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
LADIES’ BASKETBALL
3 STATE RUNNER-UPS
SOFTBALL
3 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
1 STATE RUNNER-UPS
MENS’ TRACK
4 TOP-5 FINISHES

Assistant Coach
North – South Game
While Athletic Director at Indian Land, I organized
and coordinated the Class A All-State and Academic
Banquet. I did this for 6 years and eventually gave
out over 750 awards each year at this banquet. Class
A was the only classification that did anything like
this. This was a terrific way to honor our Class A
student athletes. I am very proud of this effort in my
life.
Assistant Coach
Shrine Bowl
Teacher-of-the-Year
Indian Land High
Teacher-of-the Month
Goose Creek High
Extra-Miler Award
Berkeley Cty. Schools

Head JV Football Coach – 3 years
Offensive Line Coach – 4 years
Defensive Coordinator – 4 years
Head Jr. High Coach – 1 year
Defensive Line Coach – 1 year
Offensive Coordinator – 4 years
Offensive Coordinator – 3 years
Lower State AAAA Runner-ups – 1983
Lower State AAAA Champions – 1985
State AAAA Runner-up - 1985

Head Football Coach – 3 years
Class A Upper-State Runner-up 1987
Class A State Champions – 1988
Class A State Coach-of-the-Year 1988
State Football Coach-of-the-Year 1988
Head Football Coach – 8 years
Class A Playoff Participant for 5 of 8 years after
Indian Land had not been in playoffs for over
17 years.
Offensive Coordinator – 4 years
Assistant Head Football Coach – 4 years

Camp Director
15 years.
Offensive Line Coach – 2 years
Academic Advisor – 2 years
Offensive Line Coach – 1 year
Academic Advisor – 1 year
Camp Staffs
8 years.

The #1 priority in the plan is to recruit more young men to
participate in the football program. My goal would be to have at least
25 young men in each grade playing high school football. This would
give us at least 50 juniors and seniors for the varsity, and 50
freshmen and sophomores for the junior varsity. The varsity would
have more than 60 in all likelihood because of the 8 Quarter Rule.
These young men must be ready to accept discipline, work hard,
be dedicated to their school, coaches and teammates, be dedicated to
their studies, and be ready to be the best person and player that they
can be!

The next step to building the numbers in the football program
involves the middle school program. In the past, middle school
programs have had to “cut” the team at times. This was because of
insufficient equipment for the large number of young men that
wanted to play. This has hurt high school programs because some
of the “cut” young men became capable of playing in high school
but because of being cut they decided to not try out again. This is
especially relevant to the bigger kids who would later grow into the
bigger high school young men that we need so much in the program
for our linemen. I believe having two middle school teams at the
two middle schools can solve this problem The seventh-grade team
would play a schedule against 1A, 2A and 3A feeder middle schools
and the eighth-grade team; that would play a much harder
schedule, such as against the schools that the JVs and Varsity play
against. My goal for these two teams would be 40 seventh-graders
and 40 eighth-graders at each middle school. It would also aid the
total program for the middle schools to run offenses and defenses
that are the same or similar to the high school program.

I firmly believe that you cannot cut young
kids because you never know who will
mature and become a player or not get
any better and be a problem.

1. The next priority is to build
BUILDING
a coaching
BLOCKS
staff of
OF
men
who care about kids, who want
SUCCESS…………
discipline in the program,
who will work hard - but smart, MS – who MIDDLE are not SCHOOL afraid to
learn our system, and who are very loyal to our school
and district. We must endeavor
JV –
to
JUNIOR
hire more
VARSITY
coaches for
our JV and middle school programs WP – WEIGHT and provide PROGRAM stipends
for their coaching duties.
RP – RUNNING PROGRAM
T – TECHNIQUE
A - ATTITUDE
C – CHARACTER
C – COMMITTMENT
A – ACADEMICS
P – PRIDE!

1 I believe that we must institute a great inschool
weight and conditioning program for all of
our male and female athletes. We must have
everyday, every period weight classes for
athletes. Lifting during the summer is great but
the best weight programs are ones that have the
kids lifting during school time. By having the
majority of our players lifting during school this
will give them more free time during the offseason
and encourage them to participate in
other sports or activities. This will also give us
contact time with our players in-season and outof-season.
We will have a summer program but it
is imperative that we have the players lifting in
school.

TODAY’S WORKOUT

E. Emerson
M. Bradley
P. McCracken
Young people take a lot of pride in seeing
their achievements displayed. This has a
two-fold effect……
It motivates young people to achieve and
rewards their efforts!

These are given
out for obtaining
the different
club levels.

I believe that in order for us to get support and
participation; we must start with the young
kids in elementary and middle school. We can
accomplish this by having Punt, Pass and Kick
Competitions and Clinics for the elementary
kids, through summer camps, more
involvement with the recreation department
programs, by getting into the schools for
speaking engagements and by instituting a Big
Cane– Little Cane mentoring and reading
program in the feeder elementary and middle
schools.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
ELEMENTARY

Wren
Hurricanes
Are #1

The NFL Youth Programs have been developed during the past
seven years to help kids and their families have an enjoyable
experience every time they step on a football field.
We offer current and future youth football coaches suggestions that
will help you promote a positive experience for all participants.
The NFL has asked kids, parents, and coaches about their likes,
dislikes, • and concerns not only with playing football but the overall
youth sports experience. As a result of this research, we developed
SEVEN GUIDING PRINCIPLES that make up an overall
philosophy that we apply to all NFL Youth Programs.
Week One: Responsibility
Week Two: Goal Setting
Week Three: Sportsmanship
Week Four: Self-Control
Week Five: Smart Moves
Week Six: Teamwork!

1. Make It Fun!
2. Limit Standing Around.
3. Everyone Plays.
4. Teach Every Position To Every Participant.
5. Emphasize The Fundamentals
6. Incorporate A Progression Of Skill Development
for Every Participant
7. Yell Encouragement!……..
Whisper Constructive Criticism.

I have been founder and Camp Director of the HAWG-
TUFF! O-LINE CAMPS for the last 14 years. We offer
an inexpensive day camp for Offensive Linemen that is
second to none. I have had over 6,500 young men
attend my camp over these years and I will have 8
camps in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia
this year.
These camps provide excellent instruction in offensive
line play and provide an excellent source for young men
to make themselves better. I would provide other sport
camps in the Wren Community if I am given the
opportunity to lead your athletic program.

We must institute an Academic Enhancement
Program for our athletes. Study Halls or Tutoring
must be provided for and used by our studentathletes.
1. We must do a great job of providing guidance
and resources for our athletes who have plans to
participate in college sports and this starts in the
eighth grade. We must educate our athletes in what
they must do to be able to play at the next level.

TOM RATHBONE
Sr. #80
TIGHT END –DEF. END
HT. 6’3” WT. 205
SAT 999 ACT 20
MATT JACKSON
Jr. #7
QUARTERBACK
HT. 6’3” WT. 205
SAT 999 ACT 20
TRAVIS DOE
Jr. #99
DEF. END
HT. 6’3” WT. 205
SAT 999 ACT 20

1. I believe that if we can accomplish these goals or
priorities that we can accomplish our goal of being the best
football program that we can possibly be. We must be
extremely organized on the field and off the field – in-season
and out-of-season. We must use the best possible coaching
techniques to make our players the best that they can be.
We must develop positive attitudes and stress great work
ethics in our players. We must stress positive play and
technique and eliminate bad habits or technique, which
cause us not to be successful.
WE MUST BE THE MOST ORGANIZED,
HARDEST WORKING, TOUGHEST AND
MOST DISCIPLINED TEAM IN SOUTH
CAROLINA!

E. EMERSON
M. RATHBONE
J. PATTERSON

OPPONENT
WIN!
12 FIRST DOWNS
SCORE 30 PTS.
NO PENALITIES
NO MORE THAN 2 Tos
COMPLETE 50% PASS
HAVE 150 YDS. RUSH
SCORE 80% IN RED ZONE
MAKE ALL FG AND EXPTs
Take Pride in what you do! 100% effort is what we want!

OFF.ENSIVE
COORDINATOR
POSITION
COACHES
DEF.ENSIVE
COORDINATOR
POSITION
SPECIALITY
COORDINATOR
MIDDLE
SCHOOL
COORDINATOR
COACHES POSITION
COACHES
I plan to coach
the JV and
Varsity
together

Time OL TE WR RB QB Comments
8:00 STRETCH
8:05
8:10 QUICK CALS
8:15 TEAM OFFENSE - 2-MIN (indy)
8:20
8:25 PUNT
8:30
8:35 SKILLS AND TECHNIQUE
8:40
8:45
8:50
8::55 BREAK
9:00 TEAM OFFENSE - NO HUDDLE
9:30
9:35 TEAM OFFENSE - GOAL-LINE
10:00 TEAM CONDITIONING
2-MIN.SCRIPT
GUN RT. 4 ZONE
GUN LT. 5 ZONE
GUN RT. 501
GUN LT. 506
GUN LT. 71 SCR
GUN RT. 81 SCR.
GUN LT. 91 SCR.
EAGLE RT 62 DR.
EAGLE LT 63 DR..
501 MID. SCR.
SPIKE!
GOAL LINE SCR.
BONE 46 POWER
BONE LT. 47 POW.
BONE 34 VEER
BONE LT. 35 VEER
We must be
super
organized on
the field and
off the field!

Example of Practice
Organization

I have some skill with computers
which allows me to be very
organized and creative. This
enhances my work and allows me to
accomplish a lot in a short time. I
use these skills everyday in the
classroom and in my coaching. I
would like to have the opportunity
to use these skills on your behalf!
Some people live to retire!
I live to serve young people!

It is my belief that Wren High School can have an
outstanding athletic and football program. It will
take a lot of work, time and dedication by the
community, coaches and players to accomplish this
task, but I think it can be done!
The Wren community is growing by leaps and
bounds and this growth can only make success
even more possible. It is my goal to be the catalyst
for this growth and success.
I think you will find that there is not a more
dedicated, loyal, hard-working coach or educator in
this state than Mike Pope. I would like to have the
opportunity to sit down with you and discuss my
goals and ideas and your goals and priorities for
Wren High School with you.

I love coaching football positively, I love helping people to
have success in their lives and I love working with people.
These are great attributes for a person who is going to
attempt to bring to Wren High School a successful athletic
and football program.
I have coached in front of crowds of 20,000 and in a game
where the only person in the visitor’s bleachers was the
driver of the bus that brought the team to the game. I
have experienced great success and also failure. I remain
positive about my abilities and I am hungry for a new
challenge.
I know what must take place for Wren to have the
program that they want to have and I am positive that I
am the man for the job if you decide to allow me the
opportunity!