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Ted Peacock had an impact on the players he coached.
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March 20, 2003 – COVINGTON
When I heard that Ted Peacock turned in his resignation as Covington head football coach, I was in a state of shock, but not really surprised. After all, he cares so much for the kids he coached and put every ounce of effort into his football team that it had to take a toll on him mentally and physically.
As much as people think going 10-0 year in and year out would make things easy on a coach, it has to be a burden, because you have to find a way to top that every year. Expectations are great in one sense because it builds public enthusiasm toward the program, but it can become a burden because of the negative criticism that follows if the team doesn't win by 30 or 40 points like many folks expect.
As coach Peacock moves on to another aspect of his life, there will be those who unjustly question his accomplishments. I feel sorry for those people because they never took the time to sit back and enjoy what coach Peacock and his Buccaneers have given us over four memorable seasons. Ted Peacock has put together a run of success that may never be matched again.
He led his teams to a combined 42-5 record, 34-game regular season winning streak, 29-game conference winning streak, three straight 10-0 seasons or four straight playoff appearances. His teams over his career have outscored opponents by a combined total of 1657-401 points. His final graduating class finished with a 39-1 regular season record, a record that has never been accomplished before. You can stack up those accomplishments of the past four seasons next to any school in the area and the Covington Buccaneers are up there with the best of them.
Although records are great, there is more to coaching and Ted Peacock should be remembered as a coach that cared more about the kids than wins and losses.
In his first year as Buccs' coach, Ansonia came into Covington and upset the Buccs in the first round of the state playoffs. The Buccs had the ball on the 1-yard line and failed to punch it in as time expired. I can remember the coach taking full responsibility for the defeat, protecting the kids like a father from the criticism that was sure to follow.
The next season, the Buccs lost John Starry in a tragic car accident. From that day on, the coach has never let anyone forget John. I've seen him break down in front of a gymnasium full of people at every awards banquet since. I've seen the huge smile on his face when he reflects on his memories of John. He has kept the number 65 emblem on the football helmets since and there has never been a number 65 jersey issued to a player since that tragic day.
Fast forward to June 2002. Mike Molesky was playing in an All-Star game at Welcome Stadium in Dayton. I remember the look of pride on the coaches face as they stood side by side for a photo. Afterwards, the coach said if he had it his way, all of the seniors would be in that game. He talked about how they were freshman when he took over and he grew as a coach with them. It was evident that he had special feelings for that group of kids.
This past season, the Buccs had a young kicker who was struggling with his focus and confidence early in the season. Coach Peacock took him aside and shook him up a little to get him focused. To many, it was a questionable tactic, but the coach knew his kids and how to bring out the best in each of them individually. The result of that one interaction between coach and kicker was all it took to get results. Matt Fulks rarely missed a kick the rest of the season and it prompted Matt's father to respond, "Ted Peacock had more impact on Matt in 15 seconds than I have had in 15 years."
The most lasting memory I have of coach Peacock is the fact that he never once said anything negative about one of his players in all of the conversations I had with him. Sure, he mentioned when there were mistakes made, but he always used the word "we" and no names. The only mention of a name or names is when they did something good.
Not everyone gets to see the soft side of a football coach, because they either don't take the time to congratulate him on a job well done or they would rather sit in the stands and question every call made on the field. I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to cover coach Peacock the past few years, on and off the field. Throughout the entire way I've always hoped he would stick around long enough to coach my kids if they decided to play. Wishfull thinking since my oldest son won't be in high school until the 2013 season.
It's hard to imagine a Friday night without coach Peacock stalking the sidelines barking out signals like a drill sergeant one minute and congratulating his players the next minute when they execute his gameplan to perfection.
As the coach walks away I feel happy for his wife, Ann who will have him home for those evening dinners. I can't help but to feel sorry for those that never took the time to get to know the coach while he was here. You missed out on a Covington treasure.
Thanks Coach Peacock for the memories.
