MOUNT VERNON — In nearly every relationship, disagreements can arise and the Mount Vernon football program is no different.
Is Ed Honabarger a legend, not only in Knox County gridiron play, but also in central Ohio? The newest member of the Yellow Jacket coaching staff was emphatic, “Definitely not,’ he said with a smile that lit up the room.
Mount Vernon head coach Mark Weber joined the conversation, “We are really blessed to have him on our staff, and yes he is a legend.”
When discussing football, two primary topics surfaced: culture and philosophy. In the spectrum of mentoring philosophies, Honabarger believes 40 years on the sidelines has mellowed him a bit.
“I think I’m probably a lot nicer being in my 40th year of coaching than I was 25 years ago,” said the former head coach at Danville and Loudonville.
He believes that relationships are essential for a successful program.
“You have a bit of a laid-back atmosphere with the kids, spotting them (when they are lifting weights), joking with them.”
Honabarger led the Danville football program from 1999 until 2004 and again 2010 through 2019. In 14 years at the helm, the Blue Devils compiled an impressive 132-60 record, leading the Eastern Knox County team to regional championships in 1999, 2004, 2015, and 2017.
The program reached the playoffs 12 times.
Honabarger comes to Mount Vernon after retiring as the assistant principal at Loudonville and serving as the Redbirds head football coach.
At Mount Vernon, the veteran coach will focus on coaching quarterbacks.
“I’m working on the mechanics and fundamentals of the quarterback,” he said.
Before the team plays its first game, the Aug. 1 date looms large when the Ohio High School Athletic Association allows organized practices.
“It’s a nightmare, nobody likes them, the players hate them, the coaches do not like them,” the coach said of traditional two-a-day practices.
Honabarger said he’s pleased with the program he is joining.
“Coach Weber and his staff are doing a great job, it seems like everything is going in the right direction,” the newest assistant said.
One hurdle that the coach sees is making the game fun, while working towards a winning season.
“We need to make them excited about football, getting the kids to show up because they want to,” he said.
Honabarger said it takes a commitment of more than August through October to develop a strong football program.
“It’s just a short time in pads, basically you have only three months to train, but just like anything else, if you’re going to play any sport, you’re going to have to train year ‘round,” he said. “You are going to need to get in the weight room.”
The Muskingum University graduate wants the intangible, but critical component of momentum to remain a constant for the Yellow Jackets.
“I think they had good successes last year and they just need to keep building on that,” he said.
Last season, Mount Vernon qualified for postseason play for the first time in 32 years.
Weber also believes the program is headed in the right direction.
“You win and guess what? Now there are 70 guys in the locker room,” the head coach said. “When I took over, there were 30.
“When you win, what happens, more people show up.”
Honabarger is looking for certain skill sets in his quarterbacks.
“You want a leader, someone who can command the huddle, someone who can earn the kids’ respect,” he said. “The quarterback needs to be the hardest worker. You’re not the leader just because of the position, it doesn’t necessarily mean people are going to follow you.
“I’d say that position is 75-percent mental and 25-percent physical.”
In addition to developing players, both Honabarger and Weber are looking to the future for leaders.
“Who is going to be the next generation that starts coaching?” Weber asked rhetorically. “Something’s got to give here in Ohio because a lot of good coaches are leaving the profession.”
The Mount Vernon head coach believes that setting boundaries and priorities will go a long way in grooming the next generation of sideline leaders.
“I try to find a balance,” Weber said. “I told him (Honabarger) you’re never going to be expected to be here on Sunday.
“When I first started it was seven days a week. I don’t ever want to lose coaches because I am expecting too much of them.”
As fans see the familiar figure of Ed Honabarger under the headsets on the sidelines, the original question surfaces, “Is he a legend? A trip to Danville High School, where the Fieldhouse bears his name, might just answer that question.