It remains a question when Seth Wilcox will be able to work with his team as the new coach of the DeKalb High School football program.
But when that day comes, there will be plenty of familiarity.
The Barons’ defensive coordinator for the last three years, Wilcox has now ascended to the top spot after it was vacated by Pete Kempf, who stepped away in January.
“I cannot say enough about how much Pete did for the program from where it was when he took over,” said Wilcox. “He preached family and brotherhood, things we will continue to preach.”
When asked how he will put his own mark on the program, Wilcox focused on the mindset that he has brought to the defense in recent years – getting things right 100 percent of the time.
“It is a mindset we have instilled on the defense that every play matters, that we have to execute every play,” Wilcox said. “We hope we can get that same mindset instilled on the offensive side of the ball.”
Wilcox is using the coronavirus shutdown of schools and programs as a multi-week planning session for what he wants to do with the Barons once things return to normal. With the majority of the coaching staff retained from the Kempf regime, a lot of the terminologies and philosophies will remain.
Also helpful is the size and talent of DeKalb’s Class of 2021. The seniors-to-be have been successful throughout middle school and into high school and give Wilcox an experienced base of talent in which to build off of last year’s eight-win campaign.
Senior Corey Price is expected to command a big role offensively and will likely get the nod at quarterback. Classmates Tanner Jack (700 rushing yards, seven TDs in 2019) and Kai Zacharias (eight receptions, 201 receiving yards) will also be big contributors at the skill positions.
Defensively, Dom Blevins is expected to be a centerpiece of the defense.
Wilcox hopes the senior group can step up in the leadership void as well with the likes of Landon Miller, Tylar Pomeroy and Hoyt Stafford moving on.
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