There is no buyer’s remorse in Brian Glesing’s mind. The veteran coach knew what he was getting into when he accepted the football coaching position at Shelbyville.
The Golden Bears are fresh off back-to-back winless seasons and have won just one game in the last three while averaging just six points per contest.
“I’m excited. Our kids have gotten a lot better,” said Glesing after practice Wednesday at McKeand Stadium in Shelbyville. “I’m a realist. I know where our program is at. We’re focusing on attitude, character and effort. We’re getting after it and doing what we need to do. We’re just so far behind … we are weeks and months behind where we need to be. It is what it is. We will deal with it and get a little bit better each week.”
Glesing’s debut with the Golden Bears is Friday at Greensburg. The home opener comes week two when Richmond arrives at McKeand Stadium.
Glesing, who has a reputation for rehabilitating wayward football programs, cannot immediately fix the limited number of overall athletes in the program or their ability to play the game at a high level. What he can focus on is setting the foundation for the resurrection of a program teetering on irrelevancy at the high school.
“Basically, we’ve started over with completely different philosophies defensively and offensively … for the entire program,” said Glesing. “Everything is new to them. Everyone is a rookie. Even the seniors are rookies. Even my assistant coaches are rookies.”
The offense has been simplified with the goal of racking up first downs to keep opposing offenses off the field. And if the offense can sustain drives, it can eventually score points.
Senior Colton Adkins (30-for-89, 366 passing yards in 2020) returns at quarterback working out of the shotgun with a wing-T formation of running backs.
Sophomore Eli Chappelow also is getting opportunities to run the offense in practice in preparation for Friday night experience.
“They are both doing well. I have been impressed with them,” said Glesing. “I like the way they practice and the way they lead. They command the respect of everybody.”
Glesing wants his quarterback to manage the game and not make mistakes.
“I want leadership … absolute leadership,” said Glesing. “We don’t throw it a lot. They have to have great play-action fakes and command the offense. They have to help tell people where to go. And they have to be tough and hard-nosed.”
The offense will look to juniors Cael Lux and Jorge Ramos and sophomore Axel Conover to rack up rushing yards with senior Keythen Norris, juniors Jackson Parker and Jordan Marcum and sophomore Alex Macharia working downfield as wide receivers.
With his first depth chart for the Greensburg game, Glesing listed four sophomores on the offensive line around senior Bryce Shelton.
“That will be where we are the most green,” said Glesing. “We will take our lumps there but we will get better at it. The good thing about the type of offense we run, we downblock and can get angles on defensive guys and that helps a little bit.
“Bryce Shelton, our senior leader, is doing a good job for us,” said Glesing.
Senior Roman Scott is the starting tight end.
The defense has been pummeled over the last three seasons, allowing an average of 56.5 points per game.
Scott and Shelton (54 tackles) will lead the defensive line for the Golden Bears.
“Our defensive line has looked good with those two seniors,” said Glesing.
Hunter Knose, another senior, Conover and Ramos (50 tackles) are working hard as linebackers and Lux in the secondary led the team in tackles (63) in 2020.
Parker is handling the punting duties while freshman Aiden Helfer-Vazquez takes over kickoff and field goal duties.
Shelbyville opens the season for the 25th consecutive year with Greensburg. The Golden Bears are 17-7 over that span but have lost three straight.
Head coach Scott Moore (68-69 in his 14th year) must replace quarterback Toby Brogan (81-for-151, 1,174 yards passing; 731 yards and 15 touchdowns) for a program that finished 6-5 in 2020.
Sam West, a 6-5 junior, takes over those signal-calling duties with seniors Oakley Best (32 carries, 222 yards, 3 TDs) and Brayden Forkert in the backfield.
In 18 seasons as a head coach, Glesing is 118-94. None may be tougher on him than his 19th season but he is excited for another high school football season.
“There is nothing like it,” said Glesing with a smile. “Where else would you be on a Friday night in the fall?”
