CARROLL — Even though there is change in the air, the expectations for winning will never change for the Bloom-Carroll football team.
The Bulldogs have won or shared eight straight Mid-State League-Buckeye Division championships, and during the last four seasons, they have compiled an overall record of 42-12, including four consecutive playoff appearances and a Division III state runner-up finish in 2022.
Steve Daulton takes over as the new head coach. He had previous head coaching stints at Berne Union and Amanda-Clearcreek, and for the last three years, he was the offensive coordinator at Lancaster. Jeremy McKinney, who guided the Bulldogs the last four seasons, left to become the head coach at Lancaster.
Daulton understands there are high expectations, and he and his team are meeting them head-on.
“I am fortunate and grateful to be here,” Daulton said. “I’m in a situation where it’s not a rebuild or a redirection. There has been a tremendous amount of success, and we want to continue that and take it even further. We understand the expectations.”
Daulton has spent a lot of his time getting to know and forming relationships with his players. They have been used to doing things a certain way, but he has encouraged them to embrace change.
“There is a growth process on both sides, trying to get the staff complete, which I am thrilled with the guys we have put together,” Daulton said. “They have been phenomenal, and with the coaches we were able to retain who had a good understanding and knowledge of the kids and good relationships with them. The kids have picked things up.
“We do things a little differently than what they are used to. That was one of the first things I addressed to them. Change isn’t bad. It’s a part of life, but at the end of the day, they wanted to be better than they were, and that requires change. So, if you want to be better, let’s all change together. We have been step by step, and very intentional. This is a special place with special kids, and that’s why this program has been successful.”
Bloom-Carroll senior linebacker Weston Coppess said there was a feeling-out process with a new coach, but the players are feeling more comfortable each day.
“The toughest challenge is we have a new offense and a new defense, but we have put in so much work and been together all summer,” Coppess said. “It is starting to click for all of us. It takes time to get to know the coaches, but as of right now, August 3, we are more than prepared to go out and play a game tomorrow.
“I feel like we have an elite and disciplined team, and I think we are going to shock a lot of people. At the same time, we understand, regardless of the success we’ve had in the past, that we have to go out there and earn everything. We are determined to win, and we have a chip on our shoulder.”
The Bulldogs will have a new look this season, with not only new home and away uniforms but also a switch from white to bright gold helmets.
Bloom-Carroll opens the season on the road Aug. 21 at River Valley.
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: New coach Steve Daulton embraces high expectations at Bloom-Carroll
Reporting by Tom Wilson, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette / Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
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By Tom Wilson, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
