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Feature: Doc Gamble
New Coach Gamble expects different results this fall in football
Doc Gamble
Fairfield athletic director James Sherard likens new football coach Doc Gamble to a Pied Piper for prospective student-athletes at one of the area?s largest high schools.
I think there is an excitement in the air with the parents, kids and the community, Sherard said. The kids are working hard and you can start seeing the muscle in their arms.
Its no accident the Fairfield football program is experiencing a good vibe these days. The Indians have struggled the past two seasons going 1-18, but Gamble has managed to change the preseason mentality of many within the school community even before the first snap is taken.
With a new weight room and solid participation in voluntary workouts, Sherard expected the numbers to increase when football practice opened this summer and he has not been disappointed.
The winter and spring were great, said Gamble, who was 39-13 in five seasons at Withrow. The effort and discipline that the guys have shown have been really good. We have many guys who did not missed a day of weightlifting. We have a brand new weight room and we have taken full use of it. The guys want to be good and we will be.
Gamble, who is also an assistant athletic director at Fairfield, said players at Withrow expect to win, whereas at Fairfield he is working to get the players to learn how to deal with success and wanting to win every game.
Sherard also said the connections Gamble has within college football coaching circles is vital. At Withrow, Gamble consistently had players commit to continue their academic and athletic careers in college.
Its not just Division I, its NAIA and Division III programs, Sherard said. (Gamble) is working hard for all kids at all levels.
Withrow made two playoff appearances under Gamble, in 2004 and 2007. The Tigers were 9-2 in the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference last season.
Gamble, 36, was hired by Fairfield in mid-January and Sherard said the convenient timing was certainly an advantage for the Indians program.
Gamble has been able to build relationships and interact with his new players for several months since the winter.
Sherard said parents have been very pleased with Gamble's approach and that has the community looking forward to the season opener against Xenia at Fairfield.
Sherard said Gamble also has significant expecations for this season despite Fairfield's recent past in wins and losses.
We will be improved and we are going to expect to win every game we play this season, Gamble said.
