HHF/GID Interview with Whiteland Head Coach Darrin Fisher

[Guest DT]

HHF Interview with Whiteland Head Coach Darin Fisher

 

The Warriors are defending Mid State and Sectional Champs. Coach Fisher has lots of experienced juniors and seniors returning. Look for another solid year out of Whiteland this fall.

 

Hello Coach Fisher and thanks for joining us at Hoosier High School Football and The Gridiron Digest

 

Question 1

"Growth" has been the key word at Whiteland High School since your arrival 17 years ago. Growth in overall enrollment, growth in football numbers, growth in facilities, and certainly continued growth and interest in Warrior football. As you enter the 2021 season, how would you assess the overall, state of your program in terms of numbers and depth, skill level, strength and speed development, and the ability of your players to execute the offensive and defensive schemes and philosophies employed by you and your staff

Response

Warrior Football has never been stronger than it is right now by design. We work our 1-0 Daily Plan to develop Five Key Areas: Player Development Program In-Season, Player Development Program Off-Season, Feeder System, Coaching Staff and Support System. Consistent "Growth" and improvement has and always will be our goal. Our daily behaviors work to make everyone involved with our program enjoy coming to work hard each and every day. We have a great group of young men in our program right now who have bought in to our plan to win.

 

Question 2

What was your primary focus with your kids this summer, how did your team fare in 7 on 7 and other inter squad competitions, and what do you see as the clear strengths and weaknesses of your team coming out of summer camp?

Response

Summer Football focus is always for us to work on Fundamentals and Technique, both in and out of pads. We are talented but inexperienced on the Offensive and Defensive Lines entering 2021, so repetitions working our base schemes in pads were critical this summer. Competition days with Chesterton, Castle, Columbus North and North Central we feel accomplished that goal. We are replacing our kicking specialist as well. Our experience and speed on the perimeter we feel is a strength we can develop, and our summer work made strides there as well.

 

Question 3

Whiteland has always been known as a big , physical team that will dominate and challenge teams at the line of scrimmage. Will that trend continue into 2021 and who are some of your big guys in the trenches who you will be counting on this fall?

Response

Thank you for saying that. We do pride ourselves as being a physical football program. We have the young men up front in 2021 to push that forward.

61 Aidan Mann 12 OL 6’4” 271

72 Tayton Schakel 11 OL 6’1” 244

63 Dylan Kidwell 11 OL 6’1” 234

68 Caleb Hall 11 5-10 305 OL

65 Will Hagan 11 6-3 239 OL

74 Zach Yaryan 11 6-2 257 OL

75 Cameron Oxendine 11 6-2 241 OL

80 Cameron Cooper 11 6-3 225 TE

1 Maxwell Sullivan 12 TE/DL 6'6” 238

55 Josh Merriman 11 5-10 201 DL

52 Mason Darlington 11 5-10 231 DL

50 Jonathan Wallen 12 6-2 200 DL

 

Question 4

The Mid State is one of the most complete, most balanced conferences in the state. Lots of different styles of play, excellent coaching, nice talent and some great rivalries. How would you assess the current state of the MSC, and as a growing school and one of the largest in the conference, do you get what you need out of league play to prepare your team for the tournament?

Response

I agree with everything you mention about the strengths of the Mid State Conference. The weekly competition level in the league makes all of us better as the season progresses.

 

Question 5

The Success Factor was put into place to improve overall competitive balance in high school football and the postseason state tournament. Your team ran into a Cathedral squad that bumped up to 5A from 4A, and last season, took your team out of the tournament in the Regional final. What are your thoughts on the SF, is it accomplishing its original objective, and would you like to see any changes to either the Success Factor itself, or the setup of the state tournament?

Response

We work to be totally focused on our 1-0 Plan every day here. Daily Improvement to beat our next opponent is all we want to think about, though sometimes it is easier said than done. We have proven to be much less effective when we think about what anyone else is doing. The objective is to be playing our best football in October to earn the right to play in November, then beat the next team on our path.

 

Question 6

We have spoken with several coaches around the state about the growing impact of strength and conditioning programs on high school football in Indiana. How would you assess your program at Whiteland, has the school made the investments in dedicated coaching and equipment, and do you feel this is an area where you can close the gap between yourselves and the other top schools in Indianapolis?

Response

We have been fortunate to have a full-time strength coach and Advanced Physical Conditioning since I arrived here in 2005. Jason Nunn, our strength coach, does a great job on Speed, Strength and Mental Improvement with our athletes. Secondly, my coaching staff spends many hours in the weightroom and places a priority on Off-Season Development with our young men. Third, our administration sees Strength and Speed Development as being our Edge and have dedicated the resources to gain that Edge.

 

Question 7

What will be your core offensive and defensive schemes in 2021, are you making any changes due to returning personnel, and who are some of your top skill kids coming back this fall?

Response

We have a system, the Fly Offense, that we run at all levels (Youth League, Middle School, Freshmen, Junior Varsity and Varsity) that we believe gives us the best chance to win. Defensively we made the change to the 34 three years ago and our defensive coaches have instilled that throughout our program as well. Our Returners on the perimeter are:

#8 Brant Kunz 12 QB 6'3 211 483 Pass Yds; 11 Pass TD; 11 Rush TD; 3 yr starter

#1 Maxwell Sullivan 12 TE 6'6 238 5 Receiving TD’s; 19.0 ypc; Ball State Commit

#32 Jonathan Crowley 11 WB 5’9” 172 34 Carries; 439 yards; 12.9 ypc; 5 TD’s

#33 Landen Wood 12 FB 6’0” 201 19 Carries; 132 yards; 6.9 ypc; 2 TD’s

#41 Jakarrey Oliver 11 FB 5’10” 215 18 Carries; 148 yards; 8.3 ypc

#43 Daniel Adams 12 LB 5'10” 219 58 Solo/41 Asst; 5 TFL; 2 QB Sack; 1 FF; 1 PBU

#37 Dalton Hughes 11 LB 6'1” 209 37 Solo/30 Asst; 8 TFL; 4 QB Sacks; 3 PBU; 2 FR

#16 Quinn Warweg 12 CB 6’0” 178 38 Solo/ 2 Asst; 7 PBU; 1 Int

#9 Ethan Tanner 12 FS 5'10” 179 40 Solo/26 Asst; 1 TFL; 4 PBU; 1 Int; 1 FF; 1 FR

 

Question 8

Whiteland football could be heading for a new home in 6A in the not too distant future. What is the school doing currently to bulk up facilities and general overall support for your program in advance of taking that next step up the competitive ladder?

Response

I tell our players often how fortunate they are to play and I am to coach football in a town where football matters. Our Stadium and Facilities were renovated in 2015. Since 2018, administration has allowed me to bring in 4 new teacher/football coaches into the HS because they see the same value that I do in building relationships with our young men and the value that good coaches can have on the culture of our school. We already discussed our commitment to Strength and Speed Development. We will be ready to compete with whomever is next on the schedule.

 

Question 9

Coach, you've had great success at Whiteland, and undoubtedly you have had opportunities to move on to possibly bigger jobs in Indy over the years. What is it about the program and the community of Whiteland that has kept you a Warrior for these past 17 years, and do you intend to finish out your coaching career right where you are at today?

Response

I was given a great piece of advice many years ago that I have found to be true. Don't Mess With Happy. We have Buy In. I work for people and with people who put students first. We have hardworking, committed young men. We have support from home. My staff are great coaches not to mention my friends. Going to practice is the best part of my day. As long as these advantages remain and I am still good for kids, I will continue to coach.

 

Question 10

How does this 2021 team compare to some of your better Whiteland teams of the past, and what are your goals and expectations for this group as you finish out the summer program and look ahead to another season?

Response

This group has the right combination of Pride and Humility. Many of our Seniors and Juniors played key roles in last year's Conference and Sectional Championship Teams. Both classes were both Undefeated or one loss teams at the Freshman and Junior Varsity levels, so the expectation is victory. This develops the Pride that comes from winning. What could make them special is they also possess the Humility to know that we can and should Get Better Every Day and are willing to work toward it.

Developing the Precision, Passion and Relentlessness to play great October Football and Earn the right to play in November is always our goal.

Thank you for your hard work promoting Indiana HS Football. Go Warriors! Break The Rock! -Coach Fisher

 

Thanks Coach and best of luck in the coming season.

Tim Phillips

Hoosier High School Football on Facebook

[Hornetcoach]

Coach Fisher is not only a great football coach, he's a great person.  The Warriors are lucky to have him leading a great program!