Video: Recap - Beauregard vs. Jackson
See highlights from Beauregard High's state semifinal victory last season.Rob Carter led
Beauregard (Opelika, Ala.) to a 13-1 record and 5A state title in Alabama last season, including a No. 9 state ranking in the MaxPreps Computer Rankings presented by the Army National Guard. We caught up with Carter to find out what his keys to success are.
1. What does your program do differently from others that helped you win a title? I'm not sure we do anything differently than other programs out there but I put a lot of emphasis on competing in the offseason, weight room and classroom. I set up challenges in every way possible to make kids compete against others on the team. Our conditioning, drills, education, everything we do is developed around competing to make you stronger and smarter.
Competition is the most important thing to develop in a young athlete. We use drills to reinforce the concepts of group competition. Four guys vs. another four in conditioning, like the tire tote or obstacle courses. We run as a class, compete with our 12th vs. 11th, 10th vs. 9th, and we reward the winners. In the weight room we use a progression chart to compete against other groups causing kids to push each other.
2. What do you consider to be the most important aspect of your state championship? 
Rob Carter, Beauregard
Photo courtesy of Beauregard High
Pride. I think it gave this community and the players pride. It took 53 years to win a state championship. The community has always been considered a step down from the other areas surrounding us, but we accomplished this feat first, before the powerhouse programs of Auburn and Opelika.
3. What advice would you give to a coach wanting to win a state title? I know I got plenty of advice from other coaches and I would tell the coaches make it a goal for your team, but don't let it overwhelm you from having fun. This is football, a game.
4. Do you incorporate some type of character development within your program? No particular plan for character improvement, just to be accountable for your actions. The 'Do Right Rule,' or there will consequences for your actions.
5. Do you incorporate some type of leadership development within your program? We ask our seniors to take the role of leaders, but don't eliminate any underclassman that has the ability to lead. We don't use any plan to develop leadership. We do have a strong (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and many athletes go to the leadership conference every year.
6. What's the No. 1 obstacle you face in building a championship-caliber program in your community?We have problems with money and getting the equipment and necessary resources to prepare these young men every year.
7. Who is main mentor in this profession and what about that coach do you try to emulate?I think I use a lot of different coaches ideas to help me create a championship program. On the high school level my brother Tim Carter has been very successful and gets a lot of questions from me. Then of course I watch and try use Nick Saban's idea of the process.
Chris Fore is a veteran Head Football Coach and Athletic Director from Southern California. He consults coaches and programs nationwide through his business Eight Laces Consulting.
