By Lee Davis
Just over a month ago, Ben Berguson probably had feelings of déjà vu.
Berguson, an assistant football coach at Homewood High School, learned that head coach Doug Goodwin had been dismissed and that he was going to be named interim coach.
Just a few years earlier, Berguson–at the time an assistant at Spain Park–was named interim coach of the Jaguars when head coach David Shores was released just prior to the season. By all accounts Berguson performed well but was passed over when the Hoover school board selected a permanent coach.
The story was different for Berguson the second time around, as he was named the Patriots’ head coach by the Homewood Board of Education March 18.
“The situations were pretty similar,” said Berguson when contacted a few days later. “My experience at Spain Park was very helpful and probably had a role in getting the (head coaching) job in this situation.”
The 44-year old coaching veteran said he didn’t know why Goodwin was fired but couldn’t dwell on the past.
“I was surprised when they let Doug go,” he said. “We had gone 18-5 the last two years. Now, I have to focus on the future.”
Berguson didn’t threaten to leave if he didn’t get the top job. In fact, he did just the opposite.
“I think they were afraid I was going to leave at first,” he said. “I was going to stay at Homewood even if I didn’t get the head coaching position. Maybe one reason they elevated me was because I knew the kids, the system and the program.”
Berguson coached the offensive line before becoming head coach and said he will continue to work in that capacity in addition to his new duties.
“I can’t give it up,” he said. “I just don’t trust anyone else with it. I think probably all offensive line coaches are the same way. I’m also going to be very involved in the overall offense.”
Berguson said he believes in the importance of a strong running game but likes the concept of a diversified offense and plans to call the plays.
“I’m a multiple spread guy,” he said. “But I’m also old school in the sense that I believe a team has to run the football to win consistently. We’re going to try to be balanced.”
Berguson takes over a program that already has experience with winning. Homewood returns nine starters from a team that finished 9-2 and won the Class 5A Region 4 championship in 2013.
The Patriots will report for spring practice April 28 and close with a jamboree scrimmage against Pell City May 9. Homewood will open the 2014 season with a practice game on the road against Decatur.
“People know what I stand for,” Berguson said. “We’re going to do things the right way. We’re going to expect a lot of our kids on the field and in the classroom and develop them to be successful in life. If that wasn’t what this was about, I wouldn’t be here.”
After years of paying dues as an assistant and an interim coach, Ben Berguson’s hour has finally come. And he doesn’t seem likely to let the opportunity be wasted.
