Fairfield football team committed to new coaching staff

The first summer workout attracts 107 would-be Indians trying to build  a winning program.

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By Mike Burcham, Staff Writer 10:34 PM Wednesday, July 1, 2009

The recent struggles of the Fairfield football program have not been evident this summer.

Despite winning only twice in the past three seasons, cycling through two coaches with different offensive and defensive schemes, the Indians are moving forward this season with first year coach Aaron Fitzstephens.

The evidence includes 107 kids in grades 10-12 showing up for the Indians first summer workout in June.

“We knew we’d have a lot with the big senior class,” Fitzstephens said. “But that exceeded our expectations.”

Eighty-eight of those players were in the weight room this past Monday, June 29 preparing for the upcoming season.

“The kids are committed,” Fitzstephens said. “I told them in the first meeting that things had to change and if they didn’t believe we could be successful this year, then they would be holding us back. All the kids jumped on board.”

It has helped that Fitzstephens, a Fairfield grad, has assembled a coaching staff tied to the community.

Most of the seniors played for coaches Rod Ritzie and Brady Renners as freshmen and went 7-3, so they believe in what the staff is selling.

“The kids know those coaches and that has helped a lot,” Fitzstephens said. “The entire staff from seventh grade through high school are guys that the community knows.”

Coaches are allotted 10 days of practice in the summer and the Indians have nine left. Each of those will be used leading up to the start of two-a-days in July to install a new offensive (multiple-I) and defensive sets (50 slant angle).

“We used the one day early to get a feel for the kids as a staff,” Fitzstephens said.

“We will start July 20 and try to have the kids where we want them and where they can be successful.”

See what the Indians and other local teams are doing in the offseason.

Journal-News.com/go/prepsplus

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Aaron is the real deal, he will turn the program around. His coaching staff, and his motivation has already made a huge difference. GOOD LUCK INDIANS!! The Parents of Fairfield Support you!

FFparent
11:17 PM, 7/2/2009

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I wish them luck in the upcoming season and hope they can restore a once great program back to where it belongs. I never missed a home or away game for years and even attended games after my son graduated and no longer played football. It has been a sad three years so I am ready for something better.

CAC
10:15 AM, 7/2/2009

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