One-on-one with Aggies’ new boss

Taylor Beck, Correspondent

Changing jobs and moving to a new area is never easy, but Aggies head coach Adam Winegarden said his family has been extremely appreciative of the support that’s been shown in just a few months on the job.

“Everywhere you go the people are so hospitable and nice and supportive,” he said. “And it doesn’t matter if you’re at the gas station or if you’re at a restaurant, or in the school building, there’s a lot of really good people here. I think that your best resource is always great people, and there’s a lot of great people. They make it feel like home really fast.”

The Leader’s sports contributor Taylor Beck recently had a chance to sit down with the new leader of Albertville’s football program to discuss the vision for his team and learn more about the Memphis, Tennessee, native.

BECK: Coach, with fall camp in full swing, what would you say the strength of this Aggies football team is?

WINEGARDEN: I think the strength of the team is that we have a lot of great kids. I think that’s the biggest thing. Because, you know, I think we’ve made a lot of improvement over the summer. And obviously every team has a starting point, but you don’t [improve like that], unless you have really good kids. So right now, we’re learning. We’re learning that we can have a greater capacity for how hard we practice — a greater capacity for learning football. So, we’re at the baby stage of this thing for sure. We’re laying the foundations/ But I think the greatest strength is that we’ve got really, really good kids here.

TB: What about from a schematic view? Is there a position group to stand out so far?

AW: I would say there isn’t one group that’s any stronger than the other. We’re going to play a brand of pure, team football where all three phases have to work together for us to be successful, offensively, defensively and the kicking game. So, we’re believers that every player is a football player, not a position player. So I think that’s really kind of gonna have to be our mantra.

TB: Without giving away the gameplan, what can fans expect to see from the Aggies offensively and defensively?

AW: Schematically, we’re going to do what fits the kids, and what we feel like puts them in the best position to be successful. You obviously have a background of different things you’ve done in the past, you know? So I think it’s going to probably reflect a lot of things we’ve done over our careers – in my career — but it’s going to be specifically fit to their skill sets.

There’s some things they’re trying to overcome, but every team has things they have to overcome. The only way to do that is to prepare yourself the best you can to be successful. I mean, there’s no magic formula to this. Football is a game of not backing down and playing with unbelievable effort. It’s a game of fundamentals and assignments. So, if we want to be a better football team, we have to put our players in a scheme that fits them, and then they have to take that mindset and play with that consistently. And that’s been the way football’s been since it was invented. So, it takes what it takes. But I think the players have been great. The players have been the best part of this, and I think they’ve responded really well.

TB: Speaking of things to overcome, what would you say is the biggest challenge of this team in your first season?

AW: Well, I think the biggest thing is becoming a competitive football team. So, having that competitive spirit that’s needed, and the confidence you need going into competition and maintaining that, I think that’s the first step for us. 

Every team that I’ve been a part of that has excelled or got the most out of their ability level had a uniqueness in their team chemistry, and there was a uniqueness in their competitive spirit. And those are things you can control. It has nothing to do with how talented you are or where you’re from. It has to do with your mind, heart and spirit. So for me, right now that’s the biggest aim.

TB: Looking at quarterback C.J. Zuniga, a sophomore entering his third year as a starter, could you talk about him and what type of growth you’ve seen from him this summer?

AW: He’s been great. I think C.J. has got a lot of confidence. I think he has a really good skill level. C.J. understands space really well. So the quarterback position, that’s a big key. And he’s been a real coachable kid. I think he has a contagious confidence about him. It’s not an arrogance. It’s just a confidence and really positive spirit. I think that’s key at that position.

TB: Is there someone we don’t know much about that you see being a leader for the team this season?

AW: Christian Ramirez, who’s playing center, he’s played a lot of football here… Leadership comes from consistent behaviors, right? So, you know, there’s lots of ways to lead, and the best way anybody can lead is by the right example. Christian has definitely been a guy that has been a great example for other guys… He’s vocal when he has to be, but I think he’s got a warrior spirit about him that I really like.

TB: Stepping away from the field for a bit, could you tell us a little bit about your family?

AW: My wife, Ashley, and I have been married 25 years. Our oldest daughter, Haley, lives in North Carolina and is about to make us grandparents for the first time. Our next oldest, Drew, attends Berry College where he plays basketball. Our son Brodie lives in Virginia, and our youngest daughter, Andie Kate will be a ninth grader here at Albertville.

TB: We know you’ve been busy trying to build up this program, but in the short time you’ve been here in Albertville, have you had a chance to explore the area?

AW: There ain’t a bad place to eat here, I’ll tell you that. I’ve eaten at a lot of restaurants. It’s awesome. … What’s made [Albertville] so great since we’ve been here is the people.

TB: Where’s been your favorite spot to eat so far?

AW: Giovanni’s. Man, it’s the bomb. … We like to get pizza with the Alfredo base with whatever toppings. My offensive coordinator put me on the Alfredo base. I tried it and thought man this is awesome. So, I love that place. There’s a bunch of good spots, but we’ve probably eaten there the most.

TB: What about your favorite go-to snack?

AW: I’m a big eater now … but I guess I’d have to say popcorn. I’m a big movie guy.

TB: Speaking of movies, what is your favorite?

AW: That’s a tough one. I’d probably have to say “Hoosiers.” It’s not one I watch all the time, but when I think back as a kid growing up, I’d say either “Hoosiers” or “The Natural.”

TB: Favorite music?

AW: Metallica

TB: Favorite book?

AW: “Lead For God’s Sake”

TB: Favorite quote?

AW: “You’re born to be special.” … We put it on the wall everywhere I’ve been.

TB: What about that phrase means so much to you?

AW: There’s only one of you. There ain’t no plan B. There’s not gonna be another one of you ever. So there’s only one of you that’s got the DNA, that’s got those fingerprints, and God knew you before you were knit in the womb, right? There’s something unique about you. So, the question isn’t if you’re special. The question is, “Is it to be?” And the only way that happens is through hard work and determination and all the things we’re trying to teach. We’re a firm believer that, no matter if a kid is a good football player or a bad football player, everybody on the team has value. There’s a lot of guys that have been on our teams over the years that are highly successful people now, that didn’t actually play for us. They were on the team, but the skill level wasn’t there and they couldn’t get on the field. But they were great in our program. And you know, those guys — the ones that I’m probably most proud of — they grew in the program. The program helped them develop habits, and now they’re applying it to what they do, you know? I think that’s the beauty of high school sports.

TB: Any final thoughts or message for the community?

AW: I think the big thing is just support the kids. We want to put a product on the field that makes our community proud, you know. So, that’s what we’re aiming to do and we need the support. The kids are working, and the staff, everybody’s working really hard to get there. Now, whether we do or don’t, I can’t tell you that. But that’s what we’re working for.

Follow coach Adam Winegarden on X at
@abwinegarden.

Email Taylor Beck at [email protected]