James Clemens Jets wrap up successful offseason
New James Clemens football coach Wade Waldrop makes a point in practice
(RECORD PHOTO/LINDSAY VAUGHT)
MADISON- New James Clemens Football Coach Wade Waldrop isn’t one to waste time as he prepares the Jets for their second season. He walks fast, talks fast and coaches fast.
Jets fans hope he can bring success fast to a program that suffered through a winless first season.
Waldrop came from Chelsea where he was defensive coordinator before being elevated to the head job in 2006. Chelsea moved to 6A while Waldrop was the coach so he knows something about building a team to compete in the highest classification.
“That’s why I’ve got so much respect for Coach Stewart and what they did last year,” Waldrop said of former coach Bill Stewart. “At Chelsea our freshman and sophomores played on Monday night. The whole team here was freshmen and sophomores and the kids did not quit, they hung in there, and got stronger physically.”
Waldrop said interim Coach Clint Woodfin, who is still the offensive coordinator, held the program together after Stewart stepped down.
“We’re making strides. Coach Woodfin and the staff made some changes to the lifting program and were implementing it to mirror what I wanted to do so when I got here I was pleasantly surprised,” Waldrop added.
In addition to the daily weightlifting and running workouts, the James Clemens linemen attended a camp at Mountain Brook on July 24.
“The big thing is the kids have a year more experience, a year stronger and faster. That changes everything. All the way across the board we have to get tougher,” Waldrop said.
After losing all 10 games last season, building confidence among the players has been a priority for Waldrop this offseason.
“The kids want to be coached. They want to be coached hard.”
“They are learning everyday how to be leaders and the expectations of what it takes to be successful. Some of the players are starting to grasp that role and when they get it that is when we will start making the biggest improvement,” Waldrop said.
If the offseason is any indication, that first win is closer than you might think.
James Clemens surprised everyone by going undefeated at the Birmingham Southern 7 on 7 passing tournament. The Jets went 5-0-2 in the camp held July 22. Some of the teams they defeated were Gardendale, Cullman, McAdory, and Mortimer Jordan.
At Samford, in a 7 on 7 earlier in July, the Jets went 4-2-1. One of victories was against Waldrop’s former team, Chelsea. The two losses came against Decatur and Austin, two teams the Jets play in Region 8 this season.
Waldrop though is measured in how success at 7 on 7 can translate to football games.
Waldrop is a graduate of Hartselle High School where he played quarterback and punter
(File Photo/ Lindsay Vaught)
“I like how our kids have competed. We want to win but its 7 on 7 and nobody is getting hit. It’s not real football but I’ve been pleased with the improvement we showed. We made great strides in our execution.”
Waldrop said that despite the lack of success last season all the players who played key roles have stuck with the program.
“Every kid in the program has done what we asked them to do. Heath Birchfield, our quarterback, has made great improvements this summer. Deondre Douglas made a bunch of plays and didn’t come off the field for seven games.”
Waldrop gave just a hint at what the new offense he is installing will look like.
“A lot of things will be similar to last year but there will be more emphasis on the run game and being physical.”
The Jets start fall practice August 5 at 6:30 A.M. and the fist game is at Johnson on August 30. The grudge match against Bob Jones will be September 6.
