Tabor's new football coach is a great call
With the winter sports going full tilt at the high school, and college basketball's March Madness still to come, it might not seem like the right time of year to talk about Tabor College football. But just as the Star-Journal was first to report the regrettable, off-the-field activities of some former football players on campus last fall, we wanted to be among the first to applaud the college for taking the high road in the selection of its new head football coach, Mike Gottsch.
The 2007 football season has already begun at Tabor, with grueling off-season workouts sure to test the mettle and toughen the mentality of each member of the team. It's the second winter in row these players have had a new coach urging them on.
After last season's semi-successful (6-4) campaign, Tabor's post-season was marred by the criminal behavior of a few former players. Coach Robert Rubel's contract was not renewed.
Through the open door steps Gottsch.
Since graduating from Tabor in 1989, the journeyman has coached college and high school football in Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa before his most recent stop at Southmont (Ind.) High School. His prep team didn't win a single game last year, "but we made progress every game," he said.
Wins and losses aside, in hiring Gottch, a former Tabor quarterback, team leader, and, most important, a Christian, the college has found for such a time as this a mentor who can show the Bluejays how to straighten up and fly right.
When our sports writer, Ryan Richter, asked Gottsch if he knew the situation he was stepping into at Tabor, Gottsch said, "I heard some of the things that happened, but I don't need to know the details. We want to move forward and not dwell on the past. The guys have really been accepting what I'm all about and what direction we want to go."
Gottsch's hiring was greeted with applause from his former teammates, who praised his lifestyle and leadership. Other highly-respected Christian football coaches are glad to see him return.
"Coach Gottsch is a great guy, and he has good character," said new Hutchinson Community College football coach Rion Rhoades. Rhoades, who is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, added, "I've worked camps with him, he's a player's coach and he does it the right way. I'm glad to see him in there, and I hope he does well."
On the recruiting trail, Gottch is looking for high-quality people. One of them is Hillsboro High School senior linebacker Adam Dirks, who signed to play for the Bluejays. By all accounts, he is an outstanding young man. Several other Hillsboro seniors are reportedly giving Gottch's program serious consideration.
No doubt these young men remember the glory days of Tabor football, when coaches Tim McCarty and Mike Gardner built their teams on character, faith, and commitment. They also brought home three consecutive KCAC championships. Gottsch is hopes to restore the luster by setting his team on the same firm foundation.
A few weeks ago, Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy was criticized in the media for giving God the credit for his team's Super Bowl victory. But those who know Dungy say that he's decidedly Christian whether his team wins or not. Coach Gottch sings from the same hymnal.
"I've got the Tony Dungy philosophy and that's win with character, and faith," Gottch said. "Faith is important, character is important. Gardner and McCarty were able to fill this place with hard workers that understood family, character, and togetherness."
In hiring Gottch, we think the Tabor administration makes an important statement about the purpose of varsity sports at their decidedly Christian college. And Ryan, our local sports historian, points out that the last Tabor football coach whose initials were M.G. and named Mike turned out to be a great hire for the Bluejays, on and off the field.
Go Tabor!
— GRANT OVERSTAKE (reporting by Ryan Richter)
