(Scroll down for amazing defensive schemes.)
UPDATE: I have officially applied for the position.
December 13, 2010
Belmont Hall
University of Texas at Austin
1 University Station
Austin, TX 78712
Dear Director Dodds and search committee,
It is with great enthusiasm that I apply for the position of Defensive Coordinator for football in the athletic department at the University of Texas at Austin. I am currently working towards my doctorate in Organizational Communication at UT. While successful assistant coaches on the BCS level do not traditionally come from the academic side of the university, I hope you find that my background and experience would make me a great fit for your department.
In your job posting, 12 years of college coaching experience is mentioned as a preferred qualification. I believe you will find my 1 season of varsity football to be a suitable alternative. Under the tutelage of Coach Brad Metheany, at Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, CA, I held the clipboard that contained plays and formations during games. I was granted the opportunity to call 2 to 3 plays in the fourth quarter during each of our blowout losses, meaning all of our games.
A desire for 7 years of NFL coaching experience is also mentioned in the posting. Indeed, I have logged 100s of hours playing NFL-licensed video games. I currently have a 6-game winning streak over my coworker in John Madden Football for the Sega Genesis, which includes teams such as Los Angeles. I have memorized the playbook, which features more than 3 defensive formations.
One of the essential functions listed in the job posting is “coaching student-athletes in the sport of football.” I am curious about the wording of this function. Will I also be allowed to coach student-athletes in the philosophy of football? What about the metaphor of football? The reason I ask is because two current defensive starters are former students of mine, and they really enjoyed my football metaphors and similes. For example: “Football is like a box of chocolates: the running game sets up the pass.”
I noticed that the hours per week are listed as 40. Work/life balance is very important to me, so it is assuring to hear that college football coaches only work 40 hours per week. I may need to leave early on Fridays for my kickball league; I hope that is okay.
Lastly, I am most excited about the emphasis on practice mentioned in the posting. You will be pleased to know that I am developing a theory of team simulation for my dissertation. It is based on the work of Dr. Allen Iverson, the foremost expert in practice. Please see attached photo. Also, on the next few pages are diagrams of my own defensive formations. They are included for your review.
I look forward to talking more about the position and myself. Thank you for your time and consideration for the opportunity.
Andrew W. Ishak
ishak(at)mail.utexas.edu
Below are some defensive formations that I came up with.
