Warren Central (Indianapolis) may be the premier program in Indiana high school football with nine state championships and at least 10 former players who have gone on to the NFL.
Currently at the helm of the program is Jayson West, who guided the Warriors to a season to remember in 2018. Warren Central ran the table (14-0) en route to Indiana's Class 6A state title, averaging over 48 points per game and winning all but two contests by double digits.
FULL EPISODE: Jayson West on the High School Football Coaches PodcastThe program's history didn't mean there weren't challenges for West when he took over in 2013. West talks with MaxPreps host Steve Montoya about a range of topics, including what he's learned over his 20 years of coaching.
"It's more about the process," West said. "Football, we only play, what, 14 games; that's 28 hours we played football this year. How many hours did we spend at practice and in the weight room, thousands? So where are you going to put your energy? That's where we put our time, energy and resources."
West also said building a coach-player relationship was the foundation upon what everything else was built.
"Lots of guys want to coming in and yell and beat their chest, they'll whoop and holler, but you can't take a withdrawal from someone if you haven't built and emotional bank account," he said of the need to connect with players on a personal level outside of football.
Hear more in the video below.
Incredibly, the Warren Central offense produced a 3,000-yard passer (
Jayden George), a 3,000-yard rusher (
Romeir Elliott) and 1,500-yard receiver (future Purdue Boilermaker
David Bell) in 2018
In addition to 2018, Warren Central has captured state titles in 1984, 1985, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2013. Jeff George, the No. 1 pick in the 1990 NFL Draft, is among the program's NFL alums.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACHES PODCAST: Subscribe on iTunesEntering his 12th season next fall, West owns a career record of 111-29 at Warren Central and previously Lawrence Central. He's guided both schools to a pair of state championship games, winning in 2012 and 2013 to go along with 2018.
