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Coach Jim Womochil discusses his 'All-in' philosophy during his first community meeting Monday.

The new Vinton-Shellsburg High School head football coach is a former UNI teammate of Kurt Warner and Bryce Paup.

Jim Womochil, the 1985 VIking of the year, walked on as a Panther, and spent three years playing defensive back for three head coaches, including Terry Allen. He has spent two days in on-one-one sessions with the late Ed Thomas, and received entry-level coaching position offers from Iowa, and Notre Dame before accepting one last year at Iowa State University.

"But my heart is on Friday nights," said Womochil, adding that it is at the high school level that coaches have the best opportunity to change the lives of their players. And although the ISU job and working with Coach Paul Rhodes and his staff was "the chance of a lifetime," Womochil had already decided that if he ever received the opportunity to coach at Vinton-Shellsburg, he would take it.

More than 70 current, former and future Viking football players and their families sat in the VSHS auditorium to hear Coach Womochil share his football philosophy and his vision for Viking football Thursday evening.

"All In"

Womochil said that Rhodes has taught a football philosophy that he calls "All in." That philosphy will guide Vinton-Shellsburg players.

All-In football includes:

- accepting coaching;

- buying into the philosophy of all phases of the program;

- giving it up for your teammates, which includes giving your all in practices and giving up wrong decisions that affect the team -- including alcohol and tobacco abuse and mistreating women;

-making the right decisions, doing the right thing and being a person of great character;

-fiinishing plays, drills, lifts and agilities;

-living practicing and playing hard, smart and together;

-being tough mentally and physically;

-communicating openly, honestly and in a timely manner;

- valuing your family and showing them how much you care about them;

-trusting others and being a trustworthy person;

-improving each and every day at something in your life;

- being an active member of our community;

- being actively involved and supportive of your school;

- committing to excellence in everything you do; and

- caring about people.

Womochil said that success includes consistent strength and conditioning training in the weight room throughout the year and setting an example for the youger players.

Every person who wears a Viking jersey is "cool" to young people, said Womochil. Therefore, he said, every person in a VIking jersey has the responsibility of setting a good example.

Touchdown Club and Alumni Football

Coach Womochil introduced Stu Overton, who spoke about the Touchdown Club, a new organization that is being shaped to help involve young players in the community. Overton said the Touchdown Club will work with Womochil to create a program that passes down the values of the high school program to the youngest players. Overton said the Touchdown Club was preparing to introduce itself to the public when former coach Patrick Farley announced that he was leaving. Group leaders then decided to wait for Womochil's arrival so the new coach could review the program and offer his imput.

Womochil also introduced Alumni Football captain Randy Scheel, who told the crowd about the goal of 2,000 specators for the upcoming rematch vs. Center Point-Urbana.


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Comments (1)

If you want a winning effort, then you learn from the best! Good to hear that you are bringing some of Rhodes' and ISU's philosophy to Vinton!
By: Andy on May 22nd 1:18pm

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