Dennis Goodwin, athletic director at Donelson Christian Academy in Nashville, Tenn., tried something new earlier this year by allowing members of DCA's football team to sit in on interviews that would ultimately lead to Goodwin hiring their new head coach.
As reported by George Robinson of The Tennessean, Goodwin came up with the idea on his own.
"It's the first time the school included players in the interview process for any head coaching hire," Robinson wrote. "Goodwin wanted players to have some ownership over the program. He also knew he needed to stick the landing on this hire."
Goodwin waited until he had five finalists before introducing the players to the administration interviews, Robinson reported. The school's director of football operations and strength and conditioning coach, Isaiah Newson, helped vet the questions.
Jay Pierce knew he would be facing players, as well as DCA administrators, when he sat for his interview in January. After meeting senior quarterback Mitchell Carey, junior tight end and University of Tennessee commit Carson Sneed, seniors Jonah Wizer and Landon Morrow and wideout Cam Booker, who has since transferred from DCA, Pierce got the job Feb. 5.
"Mitchell Carey asked me what were my intentions with the program and about what practices would look like if I became the coach," Pierce said, as reported by The Tennessean. "Some of the linemen asked me what my plan was to take care of the team.
"Their thoughts were on how I was going to put my own spin on the program and how I was going to protect it. They don't want the program to go backward."
The players appeared to benefit from the experience, too.
"I felt the connection right from the time we sat in on the interview," said Carey, who threw for 2,826 yards, 37 touchdowns and three interceptions last season. "He was always the guy for us. In 40 minutes [of that interview] he made a believer out of us as players."
"We didn't take the responsibility lightly," Wizer added, as reported by The Tennessean. "We were a little nervous about it because it's a big responsibility but we knew what we wanted in a program and a coach and a community. And I think that was the point of bringing us in."
After meeting with Pierce and the other four candidates, players ranked the coaches.
"It left an impact on me," Pierce said. "As a 40-something year-old man and meeting 16- and 17-year old kids and have them show that kind of care and concern about a program ... it told me these kids understand what's at stake. I can work with kids like this."
Goodwin seemingly has no regrets with the new interviewing approach.
"Sometimes you have ideas that don't turn out as well," Goodwin said. "But this one did. I can't tell you why I thought this would be a good idea, but I just knew I wanted to try it."
