college-football – O Line Skills

Until the Last Whistle — And Beyond

November 20, 2025November 19, 2025 Coach AlercioLeave a comment

“Let the sun go down on you like King Harold at the battle of Hastings — fighting gloriously. Maybe a loser but what a loser.”

We set a goal to go 1–0 every week this season—and we did that in nine of our eleven contests. Each time we stepped onto the field, our players and staff fought the warrior’s fight, shoulder to shoulder, until the final whistle. The state championship trophy wasn’t ours to raise this year, but effort, unity, and heart were never in question.

As we’ve often said throughout these conversations, football mirrors life. Adversity will always find us. What matters is how we meet it—and how we rise the next morning. The ending wasn’t the one we imagined, but the opponent was worthy and the battle was real. Over four decades of playing and coaching this game, I’ve seen some seasons end with cheers and confetti and others end in quiet reflection—but in both cases, the sun still rises. And with each sunrise comes a new responsibility, a new chance to grow, lead, and serve.

This coming weekend, five of our seniors will wear the green helmet with the white STJ one final time as they represent St. Johnsbury Academy in the Vermont North vs. South All-Star Game at Norwich University. Kickoff is Sunday at 12:30. When the clock runs out, they’ll take that helmet off for the last time—but the lessons learned, the brotherhood formed, and the growth they’ve earned will travel with them wherever they go.

It may be the close of a chapter, but it is far from the end of the men this game helped shape. I hope the bonds and friendships formed this season last for decades like the ones I formed more than 40 years ago.

Coach Rich Alercio is available to discuss coaching philosophy, X’s & O’s, or teach his O-Line “techniques in the trenches.” Contact Coach at richalercio@gmail.com and share http://www.olineskills.com with your colleagues and friends. Thanks for supporting this blog and joining our conversations, and as always, thanks for your time!

Keep The Main Thing, The Main Thing!

October 23, 2025October 23, 2025 Coach AlercioLeave a comment

This weekend marks the 120th playing of “The Game” — St. Johnsbury Academy versus Lyndon Institute. The rivalry dates back to the fall of 1894, making it one of the oldest high school football rivalries in the nation. In 2013, USA Today conducted a national poll to determine the greatest high school football rivalry in America. The Game swept the Vermont, New England, and Eastern regions before finishing fourth in the nation overall.

The week leading up to The Game is Spirit Week — a celebration that transforms the entire school. Teachers and students dress according to daily themes, classes decorate hallways, floats are built for the parade, pep-chapel skits bring energy to the auditorium, and the bell towers in each town are illuminated with school colors. This year, for the first time in history, The Game will be played under the lights on Saturday night. Add to that the fact that we’re competing for the #2 or #3 seed in the state tournament, and it’s easy to see how distractions can multiply.

I have a former high school teammate, lifelong friend, and retired Marine LtCol who often reminds me that when life pulls in too many directions: “Focus on the mission.”

From a leadership perspective, personal example matters. As coaches, we have to model the focus and discipline we expect from our players. Our actions should reflect the same attention and composure we ask of them. We reinforce that focus in the words that follow our actions — and by publicly recognizing those student-athletes who lead by example. And when necessary, in quieter moments, we take time to counsel those who drift from the mission and our collective goals.

In football, academics, or in life, remember to keep the main thing, the main thing!

Rites of Spring

April 24, 2025 Coach AlercioLeave a comment

For millennia, humans have celebrated rites of spring, embracing renewal and refreshment as we shake off the darkness and cold of winter. Longer days bring spring flowers, animal migrations, and budding trees, reminding us of the promise of new beginnings. Easter symbolizes hope and joy for Christians, offering permission to leave the past behind and embrace a new life. Easter eggs and the Easter bunny represent renewal and rebirth, themes that resonate deeply during this season of change.

Spring also marks a time of transition for football teams. Seniors prepare for graduation and the next chapter of their lives, while coaches focus on the players who will fill the depth chart for the upcoming season. Each new football season offers a clean slate—a chance for teams and players to compete, grow, and achieve new goals.

The NFL Draft, held every April, epitomizes this sense of renewal. Teams seize the opportunity to acquire fresh talent, fill roster gaps, and rebuild for the future. The timing of the draft, coinciding with Easter, underscores the shared themes of new beginnings and fresh starts.

Inspired by this annual ritual, our coaching staff conducts its own draft exercise. After celebrating Easter with their families and enjoying the NFL Draft, each coach receives an alphabetical list of all eligible returning players. They channel their inner Mel Kiper or Todd McShay, ranking players in order of their “Best Available Player.” No criteria are provided—each coach uses their own parameters to create their list.

I then compare their lists to mine and to each other’s, identifying our team’s “Best 11.” This process helps shape personnel packages, position changes, and highlights outliers. When a coach ranks a player significantly higher or lower than the staff average, it sparks valuable conversations to understand differing perspectives. This collaborative exercise ensures alignment as we prepare for Other Team Activities (OTAs) in June, setting the stage for a season of growth and success.