Chris Gunter bringing the Spread to Beebe’s offense.
Beebe’s offseason has been fast and furious, Coach Chris Gunter said.
The Badgers are switching from the Dead-T offense under former coach John Shannon to a Spread offense under Gunter.
The former Alma offensive coordinator is up for the challenge with the Badgers, who finished 4-6 last season.
“It’s been a task,” Gunter said. “It hasn’t been taken lightly. I found out real soon that I can’t take anything for granted. I’ve got to go back and teach from a seventh-grade level. They’ve never understood splits or spacing, or how to read. We didn’t have a guy who could accurately take a threestep drop. We’ve just been introducing a lot of that stuff to them.
“Everything is new. When you’re at a place for eight or nine years, you never really start over. Things kind of carry over. But I think this has made me a better coach and a better man. I’ve had to go back and figure out the rudimentary stages of coaching. It’s taken a little longer than expected, but I love the kids. They’re excited. They run through the door at 5:30 a.m. every day and they’re ready to go.”
Beebe, which returns seven starters (three offense, four defense), has 74 players on its roster as of this past week, Gunter said.
“I’m happy with where the numbers are,” Gunter said. “I feel good for our program in our first year.”
The Badgers are part of a 5A-Central Conference that has featured the past five Class 5A state champions in Pulaski Academy (2014-17) and Little Rock Christian (2018). Gunter appreciates the success of the Bruins and Warriors, but he wants to take small steps with Beebe this season.
“They’re really good programs, and they do it year in and year out,” Gunter said. “What we’re going to have to do is not focus on the prize. I know that’s cliche and I know a lot of people don’t want to hear that. But we’re going to have to take it one day at a time. We have to come to work every day and bring our lunch pail. We have to have that ability to focus on the now. The results will come with that type of mentality.”
Beebe will face Greenbrier on Aug. 30 at Bro Erwin Stadium in Beebe in its season opener.