Adding some Hart

John Hart has taken the head coaching job one of the highest profile football 
programs in the state at Warren Central. He's certainly no stranger to success, coming off a Class 4A title just last season. But now comes the bigger challenge: leading a Warrior team that seeks a return to prominence, both on and off the field. Dave McConnell 
sat down with Hart to discuss several hot topics. McConnell: Let's start off by backtracking a little bit. Last fall, you completed a perfect 15-0 season with the 4A state title at Evansville Reitz - the first football championship for the school - led by Mr. Football, Paul McIntosh. Not long after, you decided to make a career move and take the helm at Warren Central. Just explain your thought process and how that all came about. Hart: If you would have spoken to me or anybody that cared about me (after last season) and said, "What are the chances of John Hart leaving Reitz High School?" I would guess that just about anybody would have said there's not even a chance. I tell people this all the time - it took a great opportunity to take me away from there because I absolutely love Evansville Reitz and everyone down there. The whole atmosphere was something I really embraced. Eight years ago I did interview for the job here and they hired the right person, they hired Kevin (Wright). This time it really started with a challenge by a guy with the New Orleans Saints, who is one of my best friends, (special teams coordinator) Greg McMahon. (Saints head coach) Sean Payton and Greg and I all went to Eastern Illinois at the same time. McConnell: So, it became a personal challenge for you? Hart: You know, one of the unique things that happened - and a lot of people don't know this, and a lot of people probably have their own visions of how things took place - was that nearing my acceptance of the job, I was the last one out of my family to commit. I told the administrators that I have a terrific job, if you have someone else that you think is equally good as or close, hire them. I don't need a job and I don't aspire to leave. But, the challenge of Warren Central and the depth of impact that I could have with the kids was something that vastly interested me. McConnell: What exactly do you mean by the depth of impact with the kids? Hart: Well, there's definitely a greater need with maybe a coach's influence or an extra parental influence here than there was in Evansville. The percentages of two-parent households is kind of what I'm talking about, it's probably 40 percent here. It is not as low as what some people would think, but still there is that need for goals and inner discipline. Our kids have been tremendous about the extra responsibility I have put on them as far as having self discipline - accountability is the word I've been using. They've embraced it; about 95 percent of them are absolutely terrific. There's been that five percent where, as the climate changes, they try to test what they can get away with. If you read all the forums and stuff, about one percent is truth. The other 99 percent is nothing that I've seen. McConnell: No doubt you knew about the scope of Warren Central football before you came here. Judging from what you just said, reality versus perception, how have you dealt with that and how do you choose to deal with that? I'm personally not one that reads forums and message boards, and if you've read our magazine, you know that we don't really get into that kind of stuff. But, I would like to give you the opportunity, if you wish, to set the record straight on some negative things that have been said about the hiring process you went through. Hart: Well, I'll start with (former head coach) Steve Tutsie. When I came here, I was assured that I could bring my defensive coordinator, who was a great coach and a great person. That didn't work out and professionally you just figure out how to handle things. That entire time, what most people don't understand, is that Steve knew I wasn't going to hire him. But, he cared so much about this program and these kids that he gave me every file he had, he gave me films, he gave me insights into different programs within the program - I don't know anyone who would've done that under his circumstances. So, when it didn't work out with my defensive coordinator coming with me (from Reitz), I knew there was a great person to hire - that being Steve. He's a terrific coach and he's a better person. There was a lot of mess out there that he was forced upon me. McConnell: Now that we're clear on probably the biggest thing that the public wanted to hear from you, let's talk some football. One of your sons, Nick, is your offensive coordinator while your other son, Derek, looks like he'll be your starting quarterback as a junior this year. Talk about that situation and how it's been going this summer. Hart: Derek's progression athletically has been just as much as any player I can remember in just one year. He's also had, publicly, the biggest butt-chewing of any kid on this team. That was good for our kids to find out that my expectations for him aren't any different just because he's my kid. After I did that, I kind of looked around and a lot of the guys were a little bit astonished and I said, "I want you guys to know that once we have that relationship together, you can expect the same kind of butt-chewing." Of course, they kind of laughed a little bit. He throws the ball, at least at his progression, better than any kid I've ever had. I know we've never been a great throwing team in the past, nor should we have been with as good as we ran it, so getting our receivers and scheme up to that level has been a huge challenge. McConnell: Great transition, coach. The offensive system you are bringing, the spread, is another buzzing topic that I wanted to address. I realize that it might take some time, but how is the offense going to change while incorporating more passing? Hart: I'll tell you this, if we're great at running it, we'll only throw the football as part of a scheme. We've got two of the best running backs in the state of Indiana with (Eric) Williams and (George) Cheeseborough. It's also very difficult to defend a quarterback in the spread. If we throw the ball very well in the spread, there will be a moderate increase over what's happened in the past eight to 10 years. We're not going to throw it 35 times a game, I can tell you that. Our running backs need to be touching the football a lot. McConnell: Just a general question to wrap things up. As you look into the proverbial crystal ball, what do you see in this team this year and where do you think you'll be come Week 7 or Week 8? Hart: You know, I asked one of my senior leaders what his general goals were and he said, "I want to change the perception of what people think of Warren Central." My first thought was, man, he might be more mature than 99 percent of the rest of the population. I thought that was a great answer. I feel like we're as talented as any team in the state. If we work on being great, then our victories and stats and all the stuff that everyone likes to talk about will take care of itself. We won't be a great team unless we decide that the most important thing is the 135 guys (wearing our uniform) and not a posting on the (football forum) or any news outlet. - 2008 Warren Central Football Outlook Top ReturneesRB George Cheeseborough: 750 yards, 7 TDs RB Eric Williams: 815 total yards, 6 TDs CB James Manual: 39 tackles, 3 interceptions TE Ed Hazelett LB Erick Humphrey: 36 tackles, 2 interceptions LB Deonte Cooper: 48 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception QB Derek Hart Key Losses RB Jewel Hampton: 2,042 yards, 27 TDs QB Logan Worley: 1,282 total yards, 12 total TDs DE Marcus Watts: 37 tackles, 4 sacks LB TaMario Morris: 75 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception LB Anthony Weather: 71 tackles, 1 sack CB Jajuan Harris: 37 tackles DE Devin Jefferson: 31 tackles, 8 sacks New Area Head Football Coaches Eastern Hancock: Mark Reddy Franklin Central: Brian Harbin Hamilton Heights: Curt Trout Cathedral: Rick Streiff Howe: Scott Marsh Lutheran: Dave Pasch Manual: Cedric Lloyd Northwest: Aaron Sauter Washington: Henry Jordan Lawrence Central: Jayson West Noblesville: Lance Scheib Park Tudor: Scott Fischer Triton Central: Kevin Kling Warren Central: John Hart