I agree to disagree. Being from the "V" I know what it takes to get these kids into school and on the field. So I totally disagree with the lack of wanting to learn or go forward. I've lived this in Vallejo so I know this part is not the truth. That being said, I had a legendary Bay Area coach approach me a few years ago in regards to helping him if he took the Vallejo job. Unfortunately, I had already planned on moving to the ATL. Here's the problems as you've mentioned: One parent family (mother). Kids living with other families for a few reasons. The main one is because they do not get along with the parent(s) in the home. And the number one is peer pressure in the Vallejo community. That being said, as a "HIGH SCHOOL HEAD FOOTBALL COACH" you have to catch these kids at an early age. Not all of them but a lot of them that are at risk. You have to "show" these kids that you believe in them and show them that their lives are very valuable to this society. You have to tell them that they're lives are worth more than doing drugs, being a part of a gang or a stick up kid for someone else. I have said for many years that it is very important for the youth coaches to be a big part of the Vallejo High Football programs. They should be an extension of the high school team. That being said, this will allow the high school head coach to build a relationship with the youth players and their parent(s) at a much earlier age. This type of relationship building will give these kids a sense of belonging to something and instead of hanging out on the corner as a teenager they'll be hanging in the classrooms mentoring other students. It's not hard if the adults put the effort into this. Like I said, I've seen this from a personal perspective and it worked for the youth in the "V". If I was younger I would turn this thing around.
CT4L