But there’ s still – and always will be – a lot of Glencoe in him. He still lives there and makes the 27-minute drive to Oxford every day, a drive he enjoy when he catches the morning sunrises coming over the range at McClellan at the right time.
“ I love Glencoe, my family still lives in Glencoe, my closest friends are in Glencoe and I’ m probably going to be buried in Glencoe, but I’ m working out of town now,” he said.“ I’ d still be there right now, but I’ d be missing a huge opportunity that God’ s presented with me here to learn from all these coaches. I just think I’ m richer now from the experience of coaching underneath Ryan Herring, his dad, the traditions they have here. And these, kids, I’ ve fallen in love with them.
“ I questioned whether or not I would love it again the same because my( sons) are no longer playing. I looked at( his players), they’ re my boys.”
Herring doesn’ t see Ozmint as a threat on his position. He’ ll tell you if he could have a staff full of former head coaches he’ d do it, because they understand the subtleties of both sides with only
the responsibility of their position assignment.( Actually, earlier this summer he added another: former Madison County and Wellborn coach Scott Peavey). He said Ozmint did a“ great job” with the linebackers in the spring.
All in all, the newest old Yellow Jacket said, it’ s been a good move for him and not just because he doesn’ t have to get used to new colors.
“ The culture of this program is a lot like what I tried to do at Glencoe and coach Herring has done a great job with it,” Ozmint said.“ This is one of the best situations I’ ve been in as a coach, head coach or assistant.
“ This has ben a great experience for me to learn. I’ ve gone into this year to learn from Ryan everything I can learn, to do whatever Ryan needs to get done. If he wants me to carry the water, by God, I’ m going to be the best water carrier he’ s got. I’ m a man of no reputation now. I’ m not comfortable with that, but I’ m way more confident with that. The best leaders are your best followers and I’ m a follower right now.”
Al Muskewitz writes for the East Alabama Sports Today website.
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