Questions and answers with Coach Bob Brietzke

(Advance publisher Richard Lamb has covered the Huron varsity football since the 1989 season, Coach Brietzke?s eighth as head coach. He asked the retiring coach a few questions about the season, his career and the state of Huron football).

RL: About the season—six losses in the 3-6 season all came to very good playoff-bound teams. How will this season be remembered?

BB: This season will be remembered as a season where the Hurons either won or stayed close with quality opponents week after week. Only Benzie Central and Pinconning seized control of the game and won rather easily. The other seven games were hard-fought, exciting games.

RL: Kyle Greene has certainly made a strong case for all-state status. Despite constant double-and triple-teams, he still managed to set the school record for receptions and yardage in a season. Does he deserve all-state recognition?

BB: An emphatic YES! I?ve coached three all-state ends, Kent Karsten, Joe Veselenak, Ron Smolinski and flanker Stan Doney. Kyle?s accomplishments exceed by far what any of these former Hurons accomplished in regard to receptions and yardage. We are working to get Kyle on the all-state team.

RL: Anyone you wish to thank either over the years, or from this season?

BB: Coach Mike Kosiara and Anne, Todd Brietzke, Rachel Ryan, and Mike Marx for stats. Greg Erno and Chad Coolman for filming, Pat Lamb for the many, many things he does to make football better in Rogers City, Jim Connell for the pictures he shares with our kids, all the moms for the many outstanding meals served this year, Karl Grambau for his constant support for our program, the chain gangs, ticket takers and concession workers, you and Pete Jakey for your great support, Missy Wozniak and the cheerleaders, and lastly the young men who played football.

RL-Your 22-year varsity coaching career is over. Today, looking back, how has coaching changed, either in strategy, philosophy, or the players themselves from when you started as an assistant in the 1960s to today?

BB: Today?s game is more complex than in the 60s. The coaches are well prepared every Friday night. We have seen the evolution of the spread offense and the passing game as of late. Having said this, blocking and tackling remain as the key fundamentals in football.

RL: What advice do you have for the next set of players and coaches to continue the successful Huron football program?

BB: I feel a coach has to blend disciplin

e with humor. Football is very hard work and very demanding. A coach has to convince his players that the hard work is worth the price he is asking the kids to pay. A coach has to display humanity that his players can identify with and appreciate. Lastly, a coach needs to be flexible enough to adapt to the ever-changing situations confronting the head football coach.

RL: Lastly, which team you played this season has the best chance to advance in the playoffs?

BB: I feel St. Ignace will defeat Newberry, Benzie Central will defeat Lakeview, and Pinconning will defeat Gladwin, while Kingsley will lose to Suttons Bay.