Preparatory football: the energy of Jeremy Brock, the enthusiasm immediately felt at Columbus Christian

STEENS — It’s the time of year when excitement for football season builds, but the season itself remains far behind. As summer practices begin, the players at Columbus Christian Academy were due to be introduced to their new head coach, Jeremy Brock.

His words may have been forward-looking, but he was firmly in the moment and seized the opportunity for a first impression with his new team.

“Words can’t explain how excited I am to finally get here with these boys and see what they’ve got,” Brock said Thursday night as the ACC players gathered for the first time. “The first thing I like about them is their attitude. You know there’s a kid here with a cast for a broken arm, and he’s not making excuses. Every time people ask you put in the effort and make no excuses, that’s something to be happy about.

The team did a few warm-ups and runs before a seven-on-seven scrimmage. Brock and his assistant coaches shared the players’ enthusiasm and were encouraged by the voluntary practice participation.

“It means a lot to see these guys show up,” Brock said. “It’s a great opportunity to see these guys together so we can see what we’re working with, and I’m really excited about the turnout we have.”

Brock has been playing or coaching football since he was 5 years old. He played at South Lamar High School in Millport, Alabama, where he worked as an assistant coach for the past five years. He is also the pastor of St. James Baptist Church in Sulligent, Alabama, and credits one of his followers with first putting him on the CCA radar.

Brock enjoys the community aspect of his job on and off the court, and it’s a path he says has led him to this job, and set him up well with all the people who have helped grow him. as a person, player, and a coach.

“Football is a sport that teaches a lot of life lessons,” Jeremy said. “I’m lucky to have all these coaches who poured on me, and every day I just try to increase my knowledge of the game and help put a good product on the pitch on Friday nights to CCA.”

Billy Thomas, the school’s athletic director and basketball coach, was in practice and said he couldn’t believe his luck finding the kind of coach he wanted in Brock, a coach who suited not only the football program, but also the school and its community.

“We talked about what kind of coach we wanted, and the football guys went out there and prayed among themselves, and after that the pressure of finding a new coach kind of left us,” Thomas said. about the process, which included students as well as staff. “A few weeks later, Jeremy has just landed on our lap. He’s full of excitement and energy, and that’s exactly what young people want. They want someone who will work hard and put in the effort. , and we all believe that’s our man.

Thomas took over as athletic director this year at the ACC and has already had his hands full recruiting new coaches. While he wants coaches who have in-depth knowledge of their sport, he also wants coaches who can be mentors and who can train the players as well as the team. Brock’s background as a pastor and man of faith, along with his experience as a football coach, made him an ideal candidate.

“It was a year where we had to rearrange a lot of things,” Thomas said. “We hired a new baseball coach, a new softball coach, a new basketball assistant, and the number one thing I look for in a coach is someone who is going to mentor our kids.

“Winning is very important to me. It’s important for our school, but the most important thing we want is someone who will mentor our children, be an example for our children, teach them to work hard and fight for what they want, and someone who will speak wisdom to our children.”