The Baldwin High School football program will be welcoming a new head coach this season. Jeff Melcher was previously an assistant football coach for the Bulldogs and had coached in Lawrence for 13 years.
“I’m most excited about building something special here at BHS,” Melcher said. “This will be a great challenge, but we are ready to accept it”
Melcher is ready to take on this new position, with the help of his players and fellow coaches.
“If I come in with the mindset that I can take this journey by myself, it simply won’t work,” Melcher said. “I will need the help of my coaching staff, administration, players, parents, and the community for this to be successful.”
The players are looking forward to seeing what their new head coach has in store for this team.
“I am very excited to have Melcher as our new head coach,” sophomore Kreyton Frost said. “I’m looking forward to a change of culture that he will bring to our program next year.”
The team is wanting to focus on many things this year, but a main focus is building culture within the program.
“I want to start building a strong culture that is based on accountability, discipline and toughness,” Melcher said. “I want players to take pride in what we are trying to accomplish and represent BHS Football the right way. “
The players and coaches are reaching for a winning season, but Melcher is looking to impact these young men in another way, outside of football.
“Our players will learn the importance of commitment, bringing a great attitude and maximum effort to everything they do,” Melcher said. “Most importantly, they will understand the value of sacrifice, dedicating their time and effort for the greater cause—the team.”
The boys are excited to see a change in this program, a new mindset.
“I think the team dynamic will improve next season because Melch brings a new energy and mindset to the Baldwin program,” Frost said. “Another reason I think we will improve is because of Melcher’s chemistry with the rest of the coaching staff, who come into the program with a strong mentally tough mindset.”