Overcoming Adversity- The Coaching Career of Robin Blake

[TheOtherPotterGuy]

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Prologue

Hello! Welcome to Overcoming Adversity- The Coaching Career of Robin Blake. I'am theotherpotterguy and I hope y'all will enjoy this dynasty. I started another dynasty last year called The Coaching Career of Graham Harrell but after a combination of getting the dreaded red lights on my xbox and moving to another city, I lost interest and never got around to starting it back up again. But after following several amazing dynasty stories and it being the off season for all football except for the Alex Morgan's in the world cup, I got the itch again. This dynasty will be a little different. I'am going to combine this dynasty with the elements of the "normal" dynasty with game recaps and news clippings and do a third person story line with Robin Blake as the main character. I'am going to take my time with this because I want to put out the best quality story I can. I love to write so as a disclaimer some of these posts may be long especially the intro/chapter one. I hope y'all like this. This can be pretty intimidating since there are so many good dynasties out there with amazing graphics and stories. Please feel free to leave any feedback and criticism. Enjoy!

Rules

System: Xbox 360
Game: NCAA Football 14
Rosters: Buffeyes
Sliders: Matt10's OS community sliders
Difficulty: Heisman
Coach level and progression: Default and Normal





*Updated 11/02/2015

[TheOtherPotterGuy]

Re: Overcoming Adversity- The Coaching Career of Robin Blake

Quick Links

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

Coaching Career

Spoiler

2013-2014
North Dakota State University Defensive Coordinator (9-4)

2014-
South Alabama University Head Coach (12-1)

[TheOtherPotterGuy]

Re: Overcoming Adversity- The Coaching Career of Robin Blake

Bowl Games

Spoiler

2013
North Dakota State 27 Georgia Tech 20 OT. (Poinsettia Bowl)

Award Winners

All Americans

Spoiler

DT Reginald Elbert (North Dakota State)

2013 All MWC 1st Team

MLB Ali Pettit (North Dakota State)

2013 All MWC 1st Team

CB Jordan Golden (North Dakota State)

2013 All MWC 1st Team

FS Calvin Francis (North Dakota State)

2013 All MWC 1st Team

SS Sergio Swain (North Dakota State)

2013 All MWC 1st Team

2013 NCAA 1st Team

[TheOtherPotterGuy]

Re: Overcoming Adversity- The Coaching Career of Robin Blake

Records

Coaching Tree

Players in the NFL

Spoiler

FS Calvin Francis

2014 5th Round

DT Reginald Elbert

2014 6th Round

[DrGravyBoat]

Re: Overcoming Adversity- The Coaching Career of Robin Blake

Will definitely be following. I like the idea of adding in stories with normal game posts. I did that last year with an FAU dynasty and absolutely loved it.

[TheOtherPotterGuy]

Re: Overcoming Adversity- The Coaching Career of Robin Blake

Will definitely be following. I like the idea of adding in stories with normal game posts. I did that last year with an FAU dynasty and absolutely loved it.

Thanks man! I am definitely excited and cant wait to see it all unfold.

[beast10]

Re: Overcoming Adversity- The Coaching Career of Robin Blake

following this!

[TheOtherPotterGuy]

Re: Overcoming Adversity- The Coaching Career of Robin Blake

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Chapter One

The thunder boomed across the West Texas sky as fresh cool rain washed away the dust of the day. Robin Blake stood in his classroom at Odessa High School watching the water drizzle down the window. The school was currently empty except for the few janitors left to clean up the mess created by the chaos that is high school. He liked coming up here when the school was quiet. It gave him a chance to think and get away especially after an exhilarating game on the gridiron. Tonight though he really needed the silence.

Robin looked down at his cell phone waiting for the call that he was both dreading and excited for. It was a call that could change his life in a big way, but he was not sure whether he was ready to take such a big step.

Sighing he turned to look at the stack of tests on his desk that still needed to be graded. School had just let out for the semester. On top of being the Head Coach of the Odessa High Broncos, he was also the Texas History teacher. The deadline to turn in grades was a couple of days ago but he got a reprieve since he was leading the Broncos to their third consecutive State Championship.

Football was Robin’s passion but he also loved teaching. He loved to see the look in a student’s face when something finally clicked or when they got a high score back on a test after studying so hard to pass. He was proud to say that since he took over the head coaching job every single player he coached passed their classes with at least a C.

Robin glanced at a framed photo of a beautiful brunette woman holding a smiling baby girl in her lap. He absentmindedly fingered the multicolored bracelet around his wrist that he wore everywhere. She would be proud, he thought, she always thought that education should be a priority and was the key for the youth to be successful in life.

Pushing away the sudden rush of sadness that cropped up unexpectedly, Robin glanced at the Avengers superhero clock that hung in his classroom and was the butt of several inside jokes with his students. Realizing that the phone call will be coming soon he started going through his students final exams hoping to stave off the anxiety that was threatening to overcome him.

When he first came to Odessa High five years ago, the team was truly awful. There was no discipline, players didn’t care about school and rarely made it to class. They hadn’t won a game in six years and had gone through eight head coaches in that time period. Robin on the other hand was a new graduate from Texas Tech University with a bachelor's degree and a plan to change the world. The first year was rough to put it mildly. Robin and the players clashed constantly. He sent so many players to the bench for academics that they had to forfeit a game due to not having enough players.

After starting the season 0-7, something changed. Players started coming to Robin’s nightly tutoring sessions held at his home and asking questions during practice and film sessions. Leaders started emerging from the pack and helped him run the team. The turnaround finally culminated in a huge end of the year win against their cross town rival. The Broncos finished the season 1-9 that year and every single player passed his classes. From that moment on there was no looking back. The second year saw the team post an 8-2 record and a spot in the playoffs for the first time in 25 years. They lost in the first round but spirits were high. In the Robins third year, the Broncos went undefeated and clinched their first ever state championship.

That victory was bittersweet for Robin as a couple weeks prior he had just lost his wife and daughter in a car accident one rainy night. The team rallied around their coach and not only brought him a championship but supported him during the rough days to follow. After three years, the Odessa High football team had become Robin’s family.

His success after the first championship attracted some attention from college programs around the nation. They all called and asked if he could become a part of their staff in some capacity. He politely refused them all. He did not feel right about leaving the team and when the time came to move up to the college ranks, he wanted to actually coach. Defense was his specialty. He took pride in the fact that his teams defenses ranked in the top 15 in the state every year after that disastrous first year. Now after leading the Broncos to their third consecutive championship game he received an offer from a program that tempted him for the first time. The offer would not only give him an opportunity to coach what he loved and to be a teacher in the classroom but he would be a part of a coaching staff that would lead the college program into new territory in the coming year.

Robin wasn’t sure he was ready to leave these kids just yet. He had gotten to know each of them personally and their families too. He was there when college acceptance letters were open and read, new interests and hobbies were discovered, hearts broken and helped guide these young men through the perils of adolescence. His players knew that their time with their coach was possibly coming to an end and it showed tonight as they clobbered their way to a blowout victory in the championship game.

He looked at the gift the team gave him before the game. It was a shadow box that had the team photo and the football from Robin’s first ever victory. He smiled. He was so proud to call each and every one of these young men his sons and he knew he wanted to continue the tradition of excellence here at Odessa High. This was his home.

Suddenly the shrill of his cell phone ringer broke through the silence. Waves of anxiety and nervousness washed over him. The moment had come but he wasn’t sure he was ready to make this decision yet. He picked up his phone and the out of area phone number shone brightly back up at him. Sighing he pressed the answer button tentatively.

“Hello?”

[RedRaider10]

Re: Overcoming Adversity- The Coaching Career of Robin Blake

I'm definitely following, good start loving the idea of stories, should be a fun ride.

[thesportsguru11]

Re: Overcoming Adversity- The Coaching Career of Robin Blake

I'm in as well. Liked your Graham Harrell story, and I loved the intro of this one. Good luck!

[DrGravyBoat]

Re: Overcoming Adversity- The Coaching Career of Robin Blake

I like how instead of trying to start with the famous Permian, you opted to go with the Bronchos. Interesting choice and now, I'm interested to see where he goes for his first gig.

[TheOtherPotterGuy]

Re: Overcoming Adversity- The Coaching Career of Robin Blake

I'm definitely following, good start loving the idea of stories, should be a fun ride.

Thanks man! I am excited.

I'm in as well. Liked your Graham Harrell story, and I loved the intro of this one. Good luck!

Thanks! I liked doing the Graham Harrell story but life intervenes and then I lost all my stuff for it. Thanks for following!

I like how instead of trying to start with the famous Permian, you opted to go with the Bronchos. Interesting choice and now, I'm interested to see where he goes for his first gig.

Haha. I am honestly surprised you knew about what I was talking about. Most people dont know about Odessa unless they hear Permian and I didnt mention it in my story. They also dont know there is another school there. You even spelled the Bronchos name correctly. I went to Odessa High so that is why I chose them.

[TheOtherPotterGuy]

Re: Overcoming Adversity- The Coaching Career of Robin Blake

North Dakota State to Replace UAB in the Upcoming Season

Associated Press- The NCAA has announced today that FCS powerhouse North Dakota State will join the FBS to replace the University of Alabama-Birmingham who announced that they will disband their football program last month.

"We are excited and thrilled to be given such an opportunity." NDSU athletic director Matt Larsen said, "We feel this is a natural next step for our football team after enjoying so much success in the FCS."

NDSU are coming off another FCS National Championship. They are one of the most successful programs in FCS history and are notorious for 'upsetting' more established FBS teams.

The Bison will have to face this new challenge with a new face. Coach Chris Klieman was hired last month as former coach Craig Bohl bolted for a head coaching position at Wyoming.

"I have every confidence that Coach Klieman will get the job done." said Matt Larsen, "He is the perfect man for the job. We have a tradition of excellence here and anything less will be a failure."

Coach Klieman at his introductory press conference

It is unclear right now what division NDSU will be in. However some are are speculating that the Mountain West and the Mid Atlantic conference are the top two options. A decision will be made in the coming weeks.

[TheOtherPotterGuy]

Re: Overcoming Adversity- The Coaching Career of Robin Blake

Bison Hire Up and Coming Defensive Mind

Fargo, N.D- The news keeps on coming!

The North Dakota State Bison have announced today that they have hired a little known coach to be their defensive coordinator.

Coach Robin Blake was formerly a high school head coach in Odessa, Texas, a small town in West Texas famously known for the movie Friday Night Lights. Coach Blake posted a 39-11 record while accumulating three state championships. His teams almost always ranked in the top 15 defensively in the state.

"We are excited to bring Coach Blake aboard." AD Matt Larsen said. "We felt that Coach Blake has all the tools and skills to not only lead this team to victory but to shape young men in the classroom as well."

Coach Blake has a big challenge ahead of him as he comes to a program that not only has a tradition of success, but is making the big move to the FBS to compete with higher level teams. Coach Blake was unavailable for a comment but AD Matt Larsen said that he planned to hold a press conference when Coach Blake arrives in Fargo.

This move means that current defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Matt Entz will be able to just focus on the linebackers.

[TheOtherPotterGuy]

Re: Overcoming Adversity- The Coaching Career of Robin Blake

Chapter Two

Robin Blake stepped off the airplane and onto the tarmac. The fierce cold wind whipped around his face along with several snow flurries.

“Damn” he though as he clutched his duffel bag tighter and headed to the terminal, “What the hell have I gotten myself into?”

Finally reaching the warm confines of the terminal, Robin breathed a sigh of relief and looked around hoping to find the person who was supposed to be picking him up. The smell of hot chocolate and warm cinnamon rolls urged him forward.

At the end of the escalator stood several families and a slender young woman who was constantly pushing up her glasses and impatiently brushing her thin blonde hair out of her face. She held a sign that read “Coach Robin Blake”

“Good Evening!” She said entirely too cheerily as Robin came up to her, “Are you Mr… err... Coach Robin Blake?”

“Yes,” he said looking around hoping to find the source of the decadent scents he smelled earlier. “I take it you’re my lovely guide?”

“Yes,” She said her cheeks turning slightly pink. “My name is Anna Blomstrom, I am Matt Larsen’s secretary. He regrets that he couldn’t meet you here himself but he is excited to see you later today.”

“I’m sure he is.” Robin said as he started to head for the exit. “Is it always so dadgum cold here?”

Running to catch up, Anna gave a small chuckle. “Welcome to Fargo, North Dakota where if it’s not cold and snowy then it’s humid and rainy. Quite a change from West Texas hm?”

“Please tell me at least the food is good?”

“Oh yes.” Anna said smiling. “We even have a Texas Roadhouse up here.”

They reached Anna’s car and Robin put his duffel bag into the trunk and climbed in the passenger seat.

“That’s all your luggage?” Anna said incredulously.

“That’s all I ever need.”

“Alrighty then.” Anna said starting the car.

“So was that the stadium I saw as the plane was landing?” Robin said turning up the heat in the car.

“Yes!” Anna said excitedly. “The Fargodome! Home of the North Dakota State Bison the three time defending national champions of the FCS!”

Robin laughed and turned to look more closely at Anna. She was wearing a North Dakota State jacket with her fingernails painted green and yellow, and a green and yellow ribbon in her hair. “I take it you’re a fan?”

“It runs in my blood! I' am a graduate of the 2007 class and my parents of the 1983 class!” she said proudly. “You’ll find that everyone in this town loves their team. We are a pretty passionate lot so don’t discount us. They don’t call the Fargodome the ‘Thunderdome’ for no reason.”

“Duly noted” Robin said leaning back into his seat. He glanced out the window and got his first glimpse of his future home. The town looked drab and grey in the winter day light. As the stadium and the university came into view Robin asked “So what is the plan for today?”

“Well I’ am suppose to take you to Coach Klieman’s office so the two of you can meet. Then there will be a press conference later with Mr. Larsen so that he can introduce you to the world.”

Robin grimaced and closed his eyes. He always hated to get in front of the media. You never knew what they would write. As the car pulled into the university’s parking lot, he looked out and saw a bunch of students wearing the same green and yellow paraphernalia as Anna holding signs and looking intently at their car.

As they stepped out, a huge cheer went up from the crowd.

“Welcome to North Dakota!”

“One Herd!”

“Coach Blake! Are you going to kick some *** this year!?”

Robin looked around, surprised by the amount of excitement there was to welcome him. He glanced over at Anna who smiled back at him. “See you’ll like it here.”

“I think I will.”