Jefferson Coach Webb finds better perspective from the box

CEDAR RAPIDS - On most Friday nights at a given high school football game, you'll see a man on either sideline barking out plays and commanding the sideline huddle.

Typically, it's the head coach. He's in control, running things from the field. But if you're looking for Cedar Rapids Jefferson head coach Brian Webb on the sideline at Kingston Stadium, you won't find him. He'll be in his usual post in the second floor of the press box.

That may seem a bit unorthodox, but for Webb, it's all a matter of perspective.

'I decided it's what I want to do. It lets me process information more quickly,” Webb said. 'I get better perspective and viewing angle from the box when I call offensive plays since I'm also the offensive coordinator. When I'm at field level, I'm only 5-(foot)-8 and a half, so it's hard to see different techniques.”

Webb is certainly not the only head coach to ever work from the box - Cedar Rapids Washington's Paul James does as well - but he knows it's different. He's just not worried about it at all.

Beyond the X's and O's reasoning, it's an emotional separator as well. Coaches getting animated on the sideline is as much a part of football history as anything else, but some coaches are able to handle the balance of emotion and game management better than others at field level.

Why put yourself and your players in a bad situation when there's an easy alternative? That's Webb's thinking, anyway.

'One of the reasons I coach from the box is, emotionally, it removes me from the game. And it allows me to think and process information more clearly and logically and not get in the heat of the moment on the sideline,” Webb said. 'It allowed me, against Kennedy (in a 27-24 overtime win), to process what play I wanted on the last play, and I think it would've been a lot different on the sideline with all the commotion and excitement. I wouldn't be able to think as clearly as in the box.”

Not only that, but Webb sees motivation a little different from some coaches.

He doesn't believe he should be the sole motivator, so being on the sideline isn't necessary.

'I don't think it really affects the emotion of our kids, and as a matter of fact I don't think I've ever really asked,” Webb said. 'I tell the guys, ‘If you're out there playing this game because you're motivated by me, something's wrong. I should not be the motivation for you playing in this game.'”

The box itself, especially at Kingston, makes for tight quarters.

Webb sits on the far right, with his playcharts. Nate Greving, who also works with the sophomore team, sits to his left and charts coverages to help Webb make better play-call decisions. On the far left is Augie Hadenfelt, who provides the eyes for defensive coordinators Chris Buesing and Scott Andrews. Behind them stands Jordan Miller, who serves as a quality control coordinator and reminds Webb of situational needs - timeouts, kicker tendencies, etc. Just outside sit Rob Martin, Nelson Evans and Ryan Eivins, who chart every series and coordinate film.

It's a very specific set of roles Webb had mapped out, and makes things run as smooth as possible. With the coaches on the sideline filling out a specific role as well, the players' needs are met.

'Everyone has a role to play, whether they're in the box or on the sideline,” Webb said. 'And it's kind of worked out in my favor, because if you have all the headsets on the talk button, it doesn't work. So nobody can really talk, otherwise the headsets don't work. Everyone knows their role and stays on mute.

'Plus it helps me, when they're jibber-jabbering on the sideline, I don't need to hear them, and they can just communicate. They just listen and chime-in every once in a while.”

Sure, there are moments Webb wishes he was on the sideline. After Jesse Furrow threw the game-winning touchdown pass to fullback Valentino Green against Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Webb wanted nothing more than to be with his players immediately to celebrate. Instead, he jumped out the window to his right and jumped up and down.

And though it's not a strategy that's translated to a ton of wins, it's allowed Webb to settle into a groove he feels is paying off. Not to mention a few other added benefits as the calendar turns farther away from summer.

'It just helps me on a personal level, it's what I prefer. It's worked well the last two years,” Webb said. He then added, with a laugh, 'Plus when it's really cold out, I don't have to stand on the sideline.”

l Comments: (319) 368-8884; jeremiah.davis@thegazette.com