new face propels football program

New assistant football coach Nate Hall spurs success on the field by forging meaningful relationships with players.

The success of any athletic team is a direct reflection of the coaching staff and their commitment to the players. High school football is no exception. “I feel like I’m a player-oriented coach,” said Coach Hall, “and being around our culture allows me to extend my coaching philosophy and gain an in-depth knowledge of the players.”

It’s no secret that Coach Hall’s genuine connection with players is in part due to his age. Recently closing out a four year football career at Otterbein University, Coach Hall knows better than most what it takes to properly motivate young athletes.

Freshman Quarterback Jackson Barnecut explained that “Coach Hall understands teenagers a lot better than some of the older coaches.” As a result, many players find that he is easier to talk to.

Coach Hall was brought in by Defensive Coordinator Jason Ross who got him in contact with Head Coach Rob Page. Coach Hall, having coached at Page's alma mater, division six Northmor High School, throughout his time in college, knew “it would be a good decision to come and learn from Coach Page and get more experience at the division two level.”

Coach Hall’s arrival at Big Walnut has been mutually beneficial for Coach Page as well. “Any responsibility I’ve given Coach Hall in terms of football, he has done a great job taking ownership and giving his all,” said Coach Page.

As offensive coordinator, Coach Hall noted that in his previous years at Northmor he had coached a Wing-T offense—an offense incredibly dissimilar to Big Walnut’s spread-style scheme. “I’ve had to adjust my coaching strategy in order to maximize my players,” said Coach Hall. Such adjustments have proven worthy, as the freshman team remains the only unbeaten team throughout five weeks of play, convincingly beating notable teams of Dublin Coffman, Desales, and Westerville South.

While Coach Hall’s presence as a young coach has undoubtedly contributed to his impact, parts of his coaching philosophy resemble that of an experienced professional.

“The big thing that I preach to the freshmen is that I’m trying to develop them as young men,” said Coach Hall, “I want to make sure that when football ends they are ready to take on the world.”

Such a sentiment would be incomplete without noting that Coach Hall is currently student-teaching at BWHS in the social studies department. “I see myself as a teacher first and a coach second,” said Coach Hall. For him, developing young people cannot solely take place on the field because “education is synonymous with a child’s personal growth.”

Senior leader Brad Kildoo said that Coach Hall’s impact on the Big Walnut culture has been “extremely beneficial for many students and players,” including himself. “If Coach Hall serves as a precursor to the next generation of coaches and educators, the world is in a good place."