Spartans Prepare For 2018 Season: 5 Questions With Coach Yeager

MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL - Mountain Brook High School football coach Chris Yeager has been at the helm of the Spartans football team for more than two decades now, and has seen former players go on to play college football, coach football and excel at other sports on the next level. But that is not how Yeager measures his success.

Yeager has been head coach at Mountain Brook longer than any Spartan football coach in the school's history. During that time, he has amassed a 92-48 record, leading the Spartans to the state playoffs eight times. In fact, this season could make Yeager Mountain Brook's all-time winningest coach, as he needs just 8 more wins to tie Joey Jones and 9 to pass him. But that, also, is not how Yeager measures his success.

Heading into the 2018 season, Yeager is tasked with competing in a newly-aligned Region 3, which includes new opponents in the likes of teams such as Hewitt-Trussville and Tuscaloosa County. He also must replace vital team leaders lost to graduation, and find a new starting quarterback who was a three-year starter in Hamp Sisson. And while a state championship is the team's ultimate goal, Yeager has a long list of other goals that are not measured in wins, points or awards.

Patch asked Yeager what he would like to see this coming season, and to reflect a little on the last two decades at Mountain Brook:

What would you say are the biggest strengths of this year's team? What are the biggest challenges?

We have nine returning starters on defense. We also return our kickers. On offense we have to replace a QB, TE and WR that were all three-year starters. We also have to replace four offensive linemen. We must also replace our deep snapper.

We must understand each team and season is different. Each team must create its own unique identity and legacy.

How does playing in a revamped Region 3 affect preparation for the coming season as opposed to season's past?

You're going to play great competition every Friday night in the 7-A classification. Only 16 of 32 teams will even make the playoffs so you're already in a play-off environment. It is a challenge to always make the preparation more about Mountain Brook and approach our opponent only from a schematic point of view. When preparation and execution starts being influenced by who we think is or isn't a worthy opponent our performance has the potential to become erratic and inconsistent.

Last year's team had some extraordinary senior leadership in guys like Hamp Sisson and Clay Stearns. How difficult is it to replace that kind of leadership?

The leaders from last year had the advantage of seeing contrasting leadership styles from previous years and were very much aware of the affect leadership has on any given team. Because the upcoming seniors have been exposed to great leadership their sophomore and junior seasons, the greatest challenges facing this team is assuming great leadership just happens because you're a senior. Any time 100 players congregate there are naturally going to be one or two leaders in the group. The greatest challenge this year is realizing one or two leaders are not enough and we must develop a culture of leadership where everyone is driven by a unified vision, eager to make personal sacrifices for teammates, and each player holds the other accountable to program and team standards.

Aside from winning a state championship, what are some goals you hope this team accomplishes this year?

I hope the players will live in the moment and be thankful for the ability and opportunity to play the great game of football and understand this is a very special time in their lives; I hope our players have experiences that will provide lifelong learning lessons that they can draw from as they pursue their professional careers or lead their families and communities; I hope we demonstrate humility and respect for our opponents when we win; I hope we personally learn perseverance from any setbacks and pull together as a team when we face adversity.; and most of all I hope that we develop deep, meaningful and lasting relationships.

Throughout your career at Mountain Brook, what would you say is your favorite memory?

My favorite memory and most enjoyable experiences coaching at Mountain Brook over the last 20 years have been when players return, email or write letters and share their achievements and challenges and explain the impact the Mountain Brook Football Program has had on their lives. It's very gratifying going to a former players wedding or when they bring their children by the fieldhouse.

Also my first year at Mountain Brook we beat Vestavia for the first time after 17 consecutive losses. I was leaving the pressbox and walking down through the stands after the game and a lady saw me and gave me a hug and she was crying. She was totally overwhelmed with joy. The lady was Peggy Faircloth, Mountain Brook's most loyal fan. She would go on to attend 464 consecutive Spartan football games. That was the first time I realized the Mountain Brook community and people are very special.

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Photo via Mountain Brook High School