two years at Harrisburg as it started its football program before he moved to Fayette for a stint from 2016-18. He led the Falcons to con- ference and district championships, as well as the best season (11- 2, 2018) in school history. Then he helped start a second high school program in three stops when he went to Russellville for two years. After he "retired," he served as an academic advisor for nearly four years at William Woods, and now, he's head coach of the Hor- nets. "I was tired of sitting behind a desk," he said, "so I unretired." It's the 10th coaching stop in his colorful career. "I think we have a pretty good blueprint," VanDeZande said, "that


we've been able to duplicate and get those programs turned around. And I think we're going to do the same thing in Fulton." VanDeZande wasn't hired until the middle of May, putting his pro- gram behind basically every other program in the state. 


 


“Almost all the jobs I've taken in my coaching career have been coming to schools that have been struggling. I like the challenge. I feel like it's my niche.”


The Hornets are expected to have about 50 kids out for the team this fall. "I have a really good core of players who are astute enough and understand enough that we're going to make some headway. We've got to get that core of players, just a bigger core of players." VanDeZande hopes to have 10 seniors on the team, which would


 before. "But if I have a kid who's 6’3”, 185 pounds," he said, "I'm going to teach him to do something."


The team elected four captains who can hopefully play key roles in


   "If you want to be good, if you want to be great, you got to show up and work every day. I've been very impressed by our guys. They're hungry to learn, and they pay attention very well."   eight seasons, 3-36 the last four. For those of you who might be new to the game, that's not very good. "That's the challenge," VanDeZande said. He wouldn't have it any other way.


Show-Me Sports /// 87


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