Squire Assistant Never Far From Football
September 4, 2019 at 3:30 a.m.
Squire Assistant Never Far From Football
By Maddie Jo Shultz-
It was in 1999 when, as a senior at North Miami High School, Flitcraft first met then-linebacker coach Miller and joined the Warriors’ football team. Soon after his career as a player had begun, Flitcraft suffered a C4 spinal cord injury during a snowmobiling accident.
After completing rehabilitation at what is now the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, Flitcraft returned to school and was asked by coach Bob Bridge to help the team in a new way.
Flitcraft credits coaches Bridge, Dan Robinson and Miller as his hall-of-fame-level mentors. During the coaches’ lengthy car rides to and from games, the sport was all they talked about.
“Dan Robinson, in a lot of circles, is considered an offensive guru,” said Flitcraft. “I learned so much football in such a short time.”
Having completed his associate’s and bachelor’s degrees at Indiana University Kokomo, Flitcraft started coaching his alma mater’s junior high team in 2002 until the following year when he and Miller moved to Northwestern.
“I’m good friends with Greg [Miller],” related Flitcraft. “I jokingly told him, ‘if you can get a head coaching job, I’ll follow you.’” When a position at Manchester opened up in 2013, Miller got it, and Flitcraft did follow.
Flitcraft says he works as best as he can, using other coaches and players as mannequins to demonstrate technique. At practices, Flitcraft likes to tease the team, “You don’t want a guy in a wheelchair to beat you to the next drill!”
While his circumstances bring unique challenges to coaching, Flitcraft says he and the team have become a family and that he hopes to affect players in a positive way.
Flitcraft acknowledged the “great caretakers” he has, including his parents and sister. Life can be “demanding and tough,” but he advises incoming players to make the most of it.
“If my coaching changes a kid’s outlook on someone in a wheelchair, then that’s a very important step,” he said. “You never know when your last snap will be, or how many you’ll get.”
It was in 1999 when, as a senior at North Miami High School, Flitcraft first met then-linebacker coach Miller and joined the Warriors’ football team. Soon after his career as a player had begun, Flitcraft suffered a C4 spinal cord injury during a snowmobiling accident.
After completing rehabilitation at what is now the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, Flitcraft returned to school and was asked by coach Bob Bridge to help the team in a new way.
Flitcraft credits coaches Bridge, Dan Robinson and Miller as his hall-of-fame-level mentors. During the coaches’ lengthy car rides to and from games, the sport was all they talked about.
“Dan Robinson, in a lot of circles, is considered an offensive guru,” said Flitcraft. “I learned so much football in such a short time.”
Having completed his associate’s and bachelor’s degrees at Indiana University Kokomo, Flitcraft started coaching his alma mater’s junior high team in 2002 until the following year when he and Miller moved to Northwestern.
“I’m good friends with Greg [Miller],” related Flitcraft. “I jokingly told him, ‘if you can get a head coaching job, I’ll follow you.’” When a position at Manchester opened up in 2013, Miller got it, and Flitcraft did follow.
Flitcraft says he works as best as he can, using other coaches and players as mannequins to demonstrate technique. At practices, Flitcraft likes to tease the team, “You don’t want a guy in a wheelchair to beat you to the next drill!”
While his circumstances bring unique challenges to coaching, Flitcraft says he and the team have become a family and that he hopes to affect players in a positive way.
Flitcraft acknowledged the “great caretakers” he has, including his parents and sister. Life can be “demanding and tough,” but he advises incoming players to make the most of it.
“If my coaching changes a kid’s outlook on someone in a wheelchair, then that’s a very important step,” he said. “You never know when your last snap will be, or how many you’ll get.”
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