The Commanders' Week 3 Girls' Flag Coach of the Coach of the Week is Clarksburg's KC Landefeld. Coach Landefeld got off to a flying start last year in Montgomery Public Schools' inaugural season of girls' flag, leading the team to the state championship title. After dropping the first game of that campaign, the Coyotes went on to win 16 straight. Through his well-structured practices, he taught proper footwork, knowledge of the game, designed drills for girls to improve skills, created plays, designed the defense, and led team building activities to promote positive relationships between players. During lunch, Coach Landefeld provided snacks and watched film with the players. He taught the girls football academic language, including position names, how to run routes, and how to read defenses. He has high expectations but leads with a calm demeanor. He is also reflective. He is able to adjust when needed and adapt. Coach Landefeld is building a program, not just coaching a team.
An educator for 34 years, Coach Landefeld "jumped" at the girls' flag opportunity because he loves the game. Commanders.com sat down for an exclusive with Coach Landefeld following his Coach of the Week win.
Q: Congratulations on being named the Commanders' Week 3 Girls' Flag Coach of the Week! How does it feel to receive an honor like this?
A: "You know what, it's kinda cool. I'd be lying if I said otherwise. Always nice to be recognized and it's great for our program.
Q: What have you learned from being involved in girls' flag so far?
A: "Number one, what I've learned over the last two years is, give me a multi-sport athlete. Those are the best football players. My team is full of travel softball players and AAU basketball players. Those skills translate so well. It's unbelievable. The other thing I've figured out is this is an incredibly complex sport. The only reason we're where we're at is because I have a group of phenomenal people working with me, and they're all teachers. So, they know how to teach the skills. Originally, it was just, 'Let's make sure the girls have a good time' but now it's become 'let's go ahead and work on the football IQ.' We're hoping these girls can walk away understanding the game at a higher level."
Q: Do you have a motto or mantra that anchors you in your work?
A: "With this team, I use this quote: 'Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.' That and also, 'Win with class, lose with class.' Bottom line how you carry yourself."
Q: What do you see as the key to building sustainable success with a girls' flag program when the sport is still becoming established?
A: "I think a JV team is huge, which we don't have yet. This isn't a game that girls around here are playing when their eight years old so I think the earlier you can get with them, work and improve their skills, the better. We try to meet every kid where they're at and hopefully build their knowledge and their skill base. Having a great group of coaches like I have is also important."
