Coaching Style/Philosophy
“I’d have to say that it’s my job to teach my players, to make sure they understand their role on the team. We’ll work to make sure they carry out that role with as few mistakes as possible"
“If one of my players struggles, I want to be there to help him learn from and correct his mistake. I want to use my experience to help him understand the techniques that fit his talents and abilities.”
possible.”
Tuesday, October 21
Rangers set to open practice Thursday
Like most high school football teams, Lyman Ward Military Academy has a lot of unanswered questions heading into fall practice. But, for head coach Sheldon Ward, the uncertainty level is a bit higher than normal.
Ward, who took over for Hank Hurley less than a month ago, will have a lot of evaluating to do in a short period of time when his Rangers hit the practice field Thursday.
“Basically, I’m just ready to get going so I can see where we’re at,” Ward said. “I’ve got to see what we’ve got at every position.”
Ward said he needs to find out what kind of shape his team is in as well.
“I hope to get a lot of conditioning done in the short period of time we have,” he said.
Lyman Ward will have two weeks to work before its season opener, a home game against the Open Door Christian Academy on Aug. 29.
Ward has coached multiple positions on offense and defense during his career and said he will focus on both sides of the ball during practices.
“I’m neither an offensive guy or defensive guy,” Ward said. “I like to think of myself as a little of both, so I’m going to be involved with each side.”
Though practices will have a lot of instruction in the first few days, Ward plans to keep his players active.
“I know I’m going to have to do a lot of teaching early on,” Ward said, “but practices are going to be up tempo.”
Lyman Ward enters its first year in the Alabama Independent School Association after having played the past few seasons as an independent.
Tuesday, October 21
Lyman Ward faces tough road with new coach, schedule
Camp Hill – Conversations around Lyman Ward Military Academy’s athletics offices center around one date these days – Nov 21. While this date may not have much meaning to regular folks, new head football coach Sheldon Ward already has plans for this day.
“We have November 21, the date of the AISA state championship game in Troy, circled on all of our calendars,” says Ward, who is of no relation to the Academy’s founder, Lyman Ward.
Ward joins the Lyman Ward Military Academy staff with high expectations of himself and his new football team.
“I’m confident that we can win at Lyman Ward, and hope to instill a winning attitude in our athletes. This group of Cadets is well-disciplined, and has a positive attitude about the challenges and opportunities presented with this year’s schedule,” Ward said.
Lyman Ward Military Academy’s football team will compete in the Alabama Independent School Association this season – which will include games against Coosa Valley, Dixie Academy, Cornerstone Christian, Abbeville Christian, South Montgomery Academy, Ashford Academy and Chambers Academy.
Coach Ward, who will also serve as the Academy’s physical education instructor, comes to Lyman Ward with exceptional experience, both as a coach and player.
He has served as the defensive coordinator/linebackers and strength coach for Barber-Scotia College.
As well as the wide receivers coach, head track and field coach and assistant strength coach for Miles College, and defensive coordinator/linebackers and running backs coach for Greenville High School in Greenville, GA.
Before joining Lyman Ward, he served as the linebackers coach for Pike County High School in Zebulon, GA.
Ward, a native of Five Points, AL and a former Jacksonville State Gamecock will welcome his athletes to the Academy on Aug 14 for two weeks of pre-season training.
“My goal is to teach these athletes sound fundamentals so that we can have success on the field,” Ward said.
“We definitely got the right man for the job,” said Maj. Doug Sams, Academic Dean of Lyman Ward Military Academy.
“Coach Ward will not only contribute to the success of our athletics program, but will serve as a mentor and teacher to our Cadets, and a cornerstone for our ongoing recruitment efforts here at Lyman Ward.”
Tuesday, October 21
Lyman Ward Hires Football Coach
CAMP HILL — Lyman Ward Military Academy hired Sheldon Ward as its head football coach. Ward, who is no relation to the academy’s founder, has high expectations for the Rangers in his first year. Competing in the AISA this season, Ward has already started thinking about November, and the state championship game. “We have Nov. 21, the date of the AISA State Championship game in Troy, circled on all of our calendars,” Ward said in a statement released by the school. “I’m confident that we can win at Lyman Ward, and hope to instill a winning attitude in our athletes. “This group of cadets is well-disciplined, and has a positive attitude about the challenges and opportunities presented with this year’s schedule. Ward, who will also teach physical education, played at Jacksonville State. He has also coached on both the high school and college ranks, namely being the defensive coordinator and strength coach at Barber-Scotia College (Concord, N.C.) and wide receivers coach at Miles College. “We definitely got the right man for the job,” said Maj. Doug Sams, academic dean of Lyman Ward Military Academy. “Coach Ward will not only contribute to the success of our athletics program, but will serve as a mentor and teacher to our Cadets, and a cornerstone for our ongoing recruitment efforts here at Lyman Ward.” Lyman Ward reports for the first day of practice Aug. 14 and will have two weeks of camp before the season begins Aug. 29. The Rangers will play Coosa Valley, Dixie Academy, Cornerstone Christian, Abbeville Christian, South Montgomery Academy, Ashford Academy and Chambers Academy. “My goal is to teach these athletes sound fundamentals so that we can have success on the field,” said Ward, a native of Five Points.
Wednesday, April 2
Coach Ward's name is mentioned for Head Coaching positions
Coach Sheldon Ward might be up for another promotion. His name has come up for the head coaching positions at Jackson-Olin High School in Birmingham, AL and St. Jude Educational Institute in Montgomery. After interviewing for the Carver, Birmingham position, he comes highly reccomended to interview for the Jackson-Olin job. He will take that interview on April 1st and the St. Jude on April 7th. Things look to be on the up and up for Coach Ward. Good luck Coach.
Wednesday, April 2
Coach Ward on the move again
Coach Sheldon Ward has left Pike County High to take the Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach position at Miller Grove High School in Lithonia, GA. This comes as a shock to the Pirate family, but it seems to be a great opportunity for Coach Ward. He leaves behind a really good LB Corp that will prosper for the 2008 season.
Wednesday, April 2
Coach Ward leaves Greenville
Coach Sheldon Ward will be leaving Greenville High to take a coaching position at Pike County High School. He will be coaching Linebackers for the Pirates football program. His other coaching duties will be Assistant Varsity Girls Basketball Coach/Head JV Girls Coach and Assistant Track and Field Coach. Upon leaving Greenville, his 2007 Girls Track and Field Team won the Region 4A Title and had participants in 12 of 16 events to compete at the state meet in Albany, GA. That was the first region title for a GHS Girls Track and Field team in the school's history. He will be truly missed by the Patriot faithful. He will always have GHS in his heart.
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