LANCASTER – The Lancaster football program is starving for success. The Golden Gales haven’t had a winning season since 2018.
New head coach Jeremy McKinney was hired in January to turn things around, and he seems to be the right man for the job. McKinney comes to Lancaster after leading Bloom-Carroll the last four seasons. His pedigree speaks for itself.
He compiled a 42-12 record during his four-year tenure with the Bulldogs, which included four Mid-State League-Buckeye Division championships, nine playoff wins and, in his first season as coach at B-C, a Division III state runner-up finish in 2022.
He understands the task at hand and feels like the players just needed some positive reinforcement, and at the same time, he feels like there is enough talent to lead the Gales back to their winning ways. More than anything, he sees a hungry group.
“He has brought everyone closer together, and he has put a lot of care and energy into us,” senior linebacker Jackson Reynolds said. “There is a calmness about him that the players have gravitated toward. There is a great sense of urgency to win, but that’s not the main goal. We are all just trying to get better, become close as a group, and once we get to that first game, we will be ready because of all the things we have put in place right now. Overall, things are so much more positive; we are becoming a family, and we all want to win in the worst way.”
McKinney said the past six months, he and his coaching staff have hammered away at changing the culture, and he feels like the players have bought in 100%.
“Instilling our culture has been a process,” McKinney said. “We are a little unique in the way we do stuff. It has been a little bit of an adjustment, but we are super pleased with how our guys come to work every day, and that’s all you can ask for. We’ve had that consistently since January. We have focused on letting these guys realize who they are, and we need to remind them of who they are and the tradition of our program and what that represents. It’s special to put on that gold helmet, and it means something to our community, and it’s a privilege to put on that helmet. The biggest thing we’ve tried to do is to instill that pride and remember who we are.”
Senior quarterback Brody Broeckel, who started three games a year ago and is coming off a standout baseball season, said the players are excited with the new coaching staff.
“With the new coaches, the first thing that comes to mind is belief,” Broeckel said. “There is a different kind of belief, a different kind of energy. Everyone wants to come to practice, and when you have over 80 guys coming in with the same mindset and same belief, it’s a huge difference. We have hammered the fundamentals, and we understand that will translate into success in games.”
Lancaster has been gearing up for the official start of practice, which will take place Aug. 1. The Gales’ first scrimmage will be Aug. 7 at Westland, and they will travel to St. Charles on Aug. 14. The home opener is on Aug. 21 against Hilliard Darby.
“There is a different vibe with the players and coaches,” Reynolds said. “We are having fun at practice, and we all want to be here. We can’t wait to go to practice and get better.”
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on X at twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Lancaster football is having fun again with McKinney leading the way
Reporting by Tom Wilson, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette / Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
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By Tom Wilson, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
