×

On prep sports: Marietta High Tigers’ football needs continuity

It was one of the first things Jason Schob brought up when talking about becoming Marietta High’s new football coach Tuesday.

“I think the No. 1 key to success is continuity,” Schob said.

That cannot be overstated.

Schob, who was announced as the Tigers’ new head coach on Monday, knows Marietta football as well as anybody. Schob grew up in Marietta, played quarterback for the Tigers during his prep career and went through two stints as an assistant on the team before accepting the head coaching position. He was a part of the only Marietta football team, the 2002 squad, to qualify for the state playoffs. He was also the offensive coordinator for the Tigers the past two seasons, which resulted in just three total victories.

He’s seen the program at its best and at its worst. Right now, Marietta is going through a rough stretch on the gridiron, and Schob believes it will take some stability to turn things around.

“Every year there’s a new coach,” Schob explained, “that’s a new system the kids have to learn.”

Recent Marietta teams know a thing or two about coaching changes. Schob replaces Adam Eichhorn, who spent two years at the helm. Before that, Bob Springer and Craig Farnsworth each coached a year apiece, and prior to that, Schob’s father, Andy, was the head coach for a pair of seasons. That’s four coaching changes since 2009, which also includes a stretch of four head coaches in four years. That’s a lot for players at any level to adapt to.

It’s something that has to change for the Tigers to improve.

Obviously, there are a lot of factors that go into a team having perennial success, including talent, work ethic, etc. But for Marietta, a team that has finished below. 500 the past 11 seasons, a big first step to righting the ship would be to develop some continuity and allow Schob to build a solid foundation.

Schob, a lifelong Mariettan who bleeds orange and black, appears to be a great hire for the team and the school. He seems like the right guy to lead the charge to getting Marietta on the winning track. However, with a young team expected back next fall, it will take time.

Let’s hope he gets it.

Jordan Holland is a sports writer for The Marietta Times. He can be reached at 740-376-5449 or at jholland@mariettatimes.com.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.15/week.

Subscribe Today