Plano in 2006, What is up with Brence?

[Plano Wildcat Fan]

OK, Plano had a break through year going 13-1 and taking SL to the brink in the quarters and bringing the faithful fan base back as well. Great year but honestly I expected them to have a strong run with all the talent coming back.
Big Question in 06, does Brence and his staff build on that and have another strong year advancing deep into the playoffs or was 05 just a fluke and Brence continues to take the Plano program down to being average like he had over the last 7 years?

THoughts from the Plano Nation and experts over the state? My opinion is 2006 is a crucial year in Brence's career and Plano's program. If they fall back to 5-5 and the 4th playoff team in the district. It's time for a change in the Head coaching position.

[maurader]

Plano has some talent coming up under the radar in 2006 offensively and defensively. The most talked about right now is the new QB Harrell and RB Henderson. From what I understand, part of Plano's success in 2005 came from Brence loosening up the reigns a bit and leaving some key decision making to the assist coaches- not a fact but just what I heard thru the grapevine. Should be another strong year for Plano.

[Plano Wildcat Fan]

Plano has some talent coming up under the radar in 2006 offensively and defensively. The most talked about right now is the new QB Harrell and RB Henderson. From what I understand, part of Plano's success in 2005 came from Brence loosening up the reigns a bit and leaving some key decision making to the assist coaches- not a fact but just what I heard thru the grapevine. Should be another strong year for Plano.

Thats what I heard as well. However, I believe their were alot of frustrated seniors who believe Brence doesn't go out of his way to help them to the next level. Their were some posts on here from some frustrated Players who felt Brence was playing down their talent to recruiters. True or not, I don't know.

[maurader]

From what I have heard, Brence does not want any discord on the team if one player is more highly recruited than another. Thus, he does not allow recruiters access to the players until after the season is over. This philosophy can be construed as good and bad depending on how you look at it. But, it does lend itself to many frustrated players and parents who have trouble attracting the attention of recruiters once the season has ended and players at other high schools have already committed.

[maurader]

Along the same lines, my advice to any player from Plano who wants to play at the next level is this (and really any other players out there from other high schools as well): START EARLY AND BE PROACTIVE!! Don't expect the recruiters to come to you. Get your tapes made as soon as possible and send them off to as many colleges as you are able. Of course, you must take into consideration your talent level, grades/SAT scores, player stats, height/weight, various fees, etc. Plan on attending as many camps during the summer as possible- travel expenses, attendance fees, days/times, and locations are all limiting factors. Don't be afraid to call the recruiters yourself. Visit the colleges and talk to the coaching staff, or send letters of interest to the colleges that you want to play at. And lastly, don't sit idly by and wait for someone to call you. Follow up with the coaches at the colleges you have a chance at attending and find out if they are interested in you. Keep calling even if you think they are not interested - another recruit the college is pursuing may fall through at any given time and a spot will open up that needs to be filled. And parents, don't go verbally attacking the coaching staff for the lack of assistance or sending hate filled emails- this is how the PSHS coaching staff chooses to handle things and attacking them for their lack of assistance will not help you at all. Just some advice from someone who has seen the frustration first hand.

[KT2000]

Very good post marauder. Right on the mark in my opinion.

[reed35]

I think Brence will take them back to par. Last year was more the kids will than the coach being good. Some reasons: 1.Since he took over, he has made the high school coaches mad and they will not run his offense. When i was there, we run the same system from Jr. High. 2.He does not want to change. The O-line only knows how to dive block for running (why Sfikas was sacked so much). Pass blocking looks like chinese fire drill. Harrell is a good passer and i am not sure he will fit the running style Brence uses. There was a QB at Plano some years ago that went to UNT and set records passing. No one in Plano knew he could throw the ball. I seen them run 3 pass plays last year that were under 10 yards. I think he sees the yard marker say 3rd and 3 and he thinks it says 3rd and 30. I have never seen him talk to the offense on the sideline and no adjustments at half time. Henderson is a good back with alot of speed and Parker has alot of speed (i think faster than Jordan was), but if Brence runs his usual - toss right, toss left, toss left or right- the defense will stop it.
I have known him since he started at Plano and he is to set in his ways to change and win for todays times. I talked to Kimbrough about a change after the 01 season.

[graveyardpoet]

Brence's time has been up. JMO but I think Brence is just holding out for the Athletic Director position for the PISD, that way he could keep following in Clark and Kimbrough's foot steps.

[drgnbkr]

I think Brence will take them back to par. Last year was more the kids will than the coach being good. Some reasons: 1.Since he took over, he has made the high school coaches mad and they will not run his offense. When i was there, we run the same system from Jr. High. 2.He does not want to change. The O-line only knows how to dive block for running (why Sfikas was sacked so much). Pass blocking looks like chinese fire drill. Harrell is a good passer and i am not sure he will fit the running style Brence uses. There was a QB at Plano some years ago that went to UNT and set records passing. No one in Plano knew he could throw the ball. I seen them run 3 pass plays last year that were under 10 yards. I think he sees the yard marker say 3rd and 3 and he thinks it says 3rd and 30. I have never seen him talk to the offense on the sideline and no adjustments at half time. Henderson is a good back with alot of speed and Parker has alot of speed (i think faster than Jordan was), but if Brence runs his usual - toss right, toss left, toss left or right- the defense will stop it.
I have known him since he started at Plano and he is to set in his ways to change and win for todays times. I talked to Kimbrough about a change after the 01 season.

The Carroll win over Plano last season was helped by the fact that Plano made zero adjustments, while Carroll made thier usual tweaks...amazing

[dragonsdaddy]

most of what i hear in this thread have been things i heard from insiders since he was hired over several more qualified candidates, imo. a skin on the wall goes a long way toward job security.

[graveyardpoet]

Along the same lines, my advice to any player from Plano who wants to play at the next level is this (and really any other players out there from other high schools as well): START EARLY AND BE PROACTIVE!! Don't expect the recruiters to come to you. Get your tapes made as soon as possible and send them off to as many colleges as you are able. Of course, you must take into consideration your talent level, grades/SAT scores, player stats, height/weight, various fees, etc. Plan on attending as many camps during the summer as possible- travel expenses, attendance fees, days/times, and locations are all limiting factors. Don't be afraid to call the recruiters yourself. Visit the colleges and talk to the coaching staff, or send letters of interest to the colleges that you want to play at. And lastly, don't sit idly by and wait for someone to call you. Follow up with the coaches at the colleges you have a chance at attending and find out if they are interested in you. Keep calling even if you think they are not interested - another recruit the college is pursuing may fall through at any given time and a spot will open up that needs to be filled. And parents, don't go verbally attacking the coaching staff for the lack of assistance or sending hate filled emails- this is how the PSHS coaching staff chooses to handle things and attacking them for their lack of assistance will not help you at all. Just some advice from someone who has seen the frustration first hand.

Great advice. Let me add my two cents.

There is a lot of recruiting information out there. Get it and read it. Know the "rules" so that you know what to expect and when. There are some informational events you can attend. One is The Blue Chip Roundup. It is a recruiting seminar given by Randy Rodgers. Check it out at randyrodgersrecruiting.com. They give alot of good information.

Don't overlook the combines. They might not be able to offer you a scholarship but they will get you exposure you normally would not get. The Nike Sparqs ones are great.

START EARLY! Don't wait until your Junior year to begin. There are some events structured for freshman/sophmores. They are harder to find but they will really help you.

Have someone review your tape before you send it off. If you have problems, getting a tape or working with the equipment at PSHS (and you will), get copies of the games and take them to an editing place and make your own. You will probably do a better job. Check with the college, most coaches prefer VHS but some are moving to DVD.

Like Marauder said: Don't rely on the coaching staff. Brence is little or no help. McCullough, Smith, etc. are all wonderful. But there is only so much Brence will allow them to do. Any correspondance sent to the high school (to Brence) you have a 50% chance of receiving and he returns calls less than that. Send a letter of interest to every college that you would consider going to, make sure to include D-2, D-3, and NAIA schools, most will send you a prospect questioniere. This will help get you on the "list" but it also gets correspondence sent to you instead of Brence.

GOOD LUCK!

[graveyardpoet]

One more thing:

Don't limit yourself. Be open to all colleges, even two year schools. These are a great spring board to the next level and provide a great education. Do not frown on any school because they have a smaller undergraduate enrollment than your high school. Plano has one of the largest enrollments in the state of Texas.

[dragonsdaddy]

One more thing:

Don't limit yourself. Be open to all colleges, even two year schools. These are a great spring board to the next level and provide a great education. Do not frown on any school because they have a smaller undergraduate enrollment than your high school. Plano has one of the largest enrollments in the state of Texas.
very, very, very few schollies from jc's are given to any but non-qualifying d-1 recruits. they'll let you walk on, but you'll be very much behind the ones that tu or tamu or whoever the jc is beholden to as they want their recruits seen and want to evaluate them.

[reed35]

Brence's time has been up. JMO but I think Brence is just holding out for the Athletic Director position for the PISD, that way he could keep following in Clark and Kimbrough's foot steps.
Brence can not even dream good enough to be in the same category, much less footsteps as Clark and Kimbrough.

[Plano Wildcat Fan]

most of what i hear in this thread have been things i heard from insiders since he was hired over several more qualified candidates, imo. a skin on the wall goes a long way toward job security.

Plano likes to stay within the program when making the decison they did that with Clark then Kimbrough. That skin on the wall was a long time ago. :rolleyes: Statue of limitations has expired.:)

[Plano Wildcat Fan]

I think Brence will take them back to par. Last year was more the kids will than the coach being good. Some reasons: 1.Since he took over, he has made the high school coaches mad and they will not run his offense. When i was there, we run the same system from Jr. High. 2.He does not want to change. The O-line only knows how to dive block for running (why Sfikas was sacked so much). Pass blocking looks like chinese fire drill. Harrell is a good passer and i am not sure he will fit the running style Brence uses. There was a QB at Plano some years ago that went to UNT and set records passing. No one in Plano knew he could throw the ball. I seen them run 3 pass plays last year that were under 10 yards. I think he sees the yard marker say 3rd and 3 and he thinks it says 3rd and 30. I have never seen him talk to the offense on the sideline and no adjustments at half time. Henderson is a good back with alot of speed and Parker has alot of speed (i think faster than Jordan was), but if Brence runs his usual - toss right, toss left, toss left or right- the defense will stop it.
I have known him since he started at Plano and he is to set in his ways to change and win for todays times. I talked to Kimbrough about a change after the 01 season.

I can't believe the feeder systems don't run the same offense and defense that Brence runs. Your right his x's and 0's are something to be desired. I am able to call accurately 90% of the play calls every time.

By the way Mitch Maher was the QB at Plano back in 90 & 91. He had an arm but that was under Kimbrough's reign.

I am still undecided how 06 will turn out.

[maurader]

That name brings back memories. Mitch Maher was the quarterback at Plano when I was in high school. I believe that we lost in the 4th round of the playoffs in 1990.

[Planowildcats160]

Brence may have his flaws as a coach, but he isnt an idiot. take into account what he had to work with the last few years- sfikas...excellent runner but a very short quarterback. passing was not what he was best at. but this coming year, plano will have a 6'3'' quarterback who is an excellent athlete (he played on the state championship basketball team). he can both run and pass. with the dominant offensive line this coming year plano's offense will be the best in years. when you put together a great o-line, qb, and rb, its hard not to have a good offense...even with a mediocre coach

[Plano Wildcat Fan]

Brence may have his flaws as a coach, but he isnt an idiot. take into account what he had to work with the last few years- sfikas...excellent runner but a very short quarterback. passing was not what he was best at. but this coming year, plano will have a 6'3'' quarterback who is an excellent athlete (he played on the state championship basketball team). he can both run and pass. with the dominant offensive line this coming year plano's offense will be the best in years. when you put together a great o-line, qb, and rb, its hard not to have a good offense...even with a mediocre coach

Talent is a good thing to have. However, if Brence still calls the same predictable plays the same pass patterns with 1 maybe 2 receivers going out on patterns or another draw play on 3-15. It will still be a limited offense. Just look at the SLC game. He tried to do the samething in the 2nd half that he did in the 2nd with no success. The man is not an X & O guy.

PS: A simple play calling suggestion. How many reverses or misdirection plays did Plano run last year? That would be none. You would think a team so focused on running the option and the power sweeps would do very nicely on a end around reverse or an occasional misdirection to keep the defense a little honest. Plano had the speed with Lott at that slot position that would of opened things up against SLC in the second half. Neve Happened.