The clinic continued with a lineup of experienced coaches sharing their expertise:“Get to know your players outside of school. Try to visit them and their parents at home.” He closed with a powerful message: Matthew Moreau, Defensive Coordinator at Acadiana High, covered kickoff schemes and drill work. Coach Anand shared key insights, emphasizing, “Keys to […]
The clinic continued with a lineup of experienced coaches sharing their expertise:“Get to know your players outside of school. Try to visit them and their parents at home.”
He closed with a powerful message:
Matthew Moreau, Defensive Coordinator at Acadiana High, covered kickoff schemes and drill work.
Coach Anand shared key insights, emphasizing, “Keys to success include winning at the line of scrimmage, winning in transition, and winning at the finish.” He also covered additional special teams strategies.
“I’m pleased with the turnout—about 30 coaches attended throughout the day—and I’m already looking forward to next year’s event.”
He encouraged coaches to build relationships with their players beyond the field:
“You are not only their coach at school but outside of school as well.”
The speakers opened with Denham Springs athletics legend Harold “Butch” Wax. Coach Wax served as an assistant coach on the 1972 state runner-up football team and as the head football coach and athletic director from 1975 to 1996, compiling a record of 154-84-2. Under his leadership, Denham Springs made four state quarterfinal appearances, 11 playoff runs, and secured five district championships in the pre-power points era. After coaching, he transitioned into administration, serving as principal at Denham Springs from 1997 to 2008. He is a member of both the Denham Springs Athletics Hall of Fame and the LHSAA Hall of Fame, and the Denham Springs field house is named in his honor.
Coaches were welcomed by Dexter Thurber, the Special Teams Coordinator at Denham Springs High, and Eric Held, the Director of the Louisiana High School Coaches Association (LHSCA).
Sal Diesi, Special Teams Coordinator at Live Oak High School, discussed kick return drills and techniques.
Coach Wax reflected on the modern era of coaching, stating, “In today’s world, it’s all about me and not the team.” He emphasized the role of coaches as mentors, adding, “Coaches are role models, and from a coaching standpoint, the main purpose is to win. You want to be able to produce a product on the field that you can be proud of.”
Denham Springs High School football, in conjunction with the LHSCA, hosted its second annual special teams clinic, The Tip of the Spear, on Saturday, March 29. The event featured nine coaches speaking on various aspects of special teams.
Reflecting on the event, clinic organizer Dexter Thurber expressed his satisfaction:
“Capture your kids’ hearts and be their rock to stand on—they all need a rock to stand on. Teach them to be better citizens and players.”
Scott Pellegrin, former Head Football Coach at Woodlawn-Baton Rouge and Defensive Coordinator at East Ascension, presented on punt defense.
“Be attentive—watch your players and address their issues.”
Following these presentations, host Dexter Thurber led an open-floor discussion on practice schedules before breaking for lunch.
Alex Durand, Special Teams Coordinator at University Lab, spoke about U-High’s extra point and swinging gate package.
Kirk Doll, a former coach at the collegiate, professional, and UFL levels, spoke about punt teams and protection.
The clinic concluded with a social gathering at Big Mike’s Sports Grill, a Denham Springs institution.
Brian Wallace, Head Football Coach at Vandebilt Catholic, discussed weekly preparation for opponents, emphasizing that each team presents unique challenges.
Aman Anand, Senior Special Teams Analyst for the LSU Tigers, closed out the event with a session on punt block return skills, drills, and kickoff coverage. He was introduced by Eric Held.
After lunch, the speakers continued:
