New Ozark coach Jeremy Cordell did his best to generate off-season excitement for Tigers football during his introductory meetings with players, parents of players and coaches this past weekend.
Cordell had three meetings with players and had one-on-ones with assistant coaches over the course of Friday and Saturday morning, before making his way back to Chicago.
The 13-year head coach out of Illinois was hired by Ozark earlier this month.
Here are some highlights from Cordell's meet-and-greet with players and their parents:
— "You're going to hear me say 1-0 a lot. What that means is our very first goal is to be 1-0 on and off the field, as a student, as a son, as a brother and as a football player. It all falls together. You cannot be a great football player, a great wrestler, a great basketball player or great baseball player without being a good person and good citizen off the field. I fully believe that."
— "Our motto this year is TTP (Trust The Process) all-in."
— "You don't know me. But I chose you. My family chose you. We chose to be here. I hope that over the course of time I earn your trust and you understand I'm here for you guys."
— The football program's new App, "will be Reminder 101 on steroids."
— "I'm not here to be a hero. I'm just a regular dude who is super passionate about what I do. I know (coaching) is my gift. It's what God put me here to do."
— "We've got to build trust and we've got to build relationships. I'm a relationships person. I have nothing to hide."
— "A thermostat, what does that do to the room? It does not read the temperature, it regulates the temperature. My job, the players' job and everybody's job in the room is to control the temperature of the program, to create energy for the program and excitement for the program and to bring authenticity to the program. I'm a huge believer in that. If we're going to win conference championships and state championships — yes, I said state championships — we have to control our thermostat."
— "Playing multiple sports is important. I expect our guys to not just be football players. If they have a gift to play baseball, go play baseball or go wrestle or go play basketball. Playing other sports will help you be a better football player."
— "It's going to take all of us to do this. It's going to take a village. It can't just be me, it can't just be the players, it takes parents, the school staff, the community and alumni. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. We are going to need to be all-in for us to be elite. I need your support."
— "Staff, coaches, it's been an awesome day. Thank you for being here. I'm excited to work with you guys. There are some really good people here who care about your kids. All that matters is these guys want your child to be successful."
— "Players don't care about how much you know until they know how much you care. Ain't that the truth."
— "How many alumni are in the room? Start spreading the word, 'Good things are coming.'"
