Shoemaker to Lead the Bulldogs for 2008

Story by Alan Bunch

In January, Dan Shoemaker was named new head football coach for Wartburg Central High, and I had the opportunity to talk with him a few days after he received the news. When asked how it feels to be the new head coach for Wartburg, he stated, "It feels like a good fit for me.”  He went on to say, “Being in Wartburg for a while, I know a little about the teams of the past and I know we can bring back the tradition that we are seeking. I have worked for four head coaches here at Central High School and have learned things from each of them. I now have the task of building the program back to the days when we were competing for playoff spots. We have some work to do, but it is something that we can do.”

Coach Shoemaker responded to the question of what his plans are now that he is the new head football coach.  “There are many things to get done, from putting together a staff and preparing for the spring getting the off-season program going full bore, getting kids out to play and probably 100 other things. My plan is simply this, work hard every day, and get kids out to play, make them better players fundamentally, get them bigger stronger and faster in the off season program and then get them into the scheme that best matches their ability. As I count on the calendar we now have 52 opportunities to get better before Spring Practice. We need to take every opportunity to get better.”

What are the things that stands out to you about the players and team? “The one thing that stands out to me more that anything about this program is how we have had many players come through this program that have gone on and become great people. I have coached here since 1992, and in that time, I have seen the alumni come back and I love talking to them. They are moving on with their lives and they tell me how important football was to them.”

Shoemaker related that strength, speed, and stamina are quite important to him.  He went on to say that he and Coach Heidel are working on getting the team better in those areas. As coaches, they also have to figure out what their players’ best talents are and match an offensive and defensive scheme to the players and their positions to make plays.

On a personal note, Coach Shoemaker has helped make me who I am, and I would like to thank him for what he has done for me, my family and friends. To the players, I wish you good luck and hope that you achieve all that you desire.