Why has private coaching become essential for quarterbacks?

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By Ben Thomas, AL.com

Most high school and college coaches agree that outside quarterback coaching must come on their terms and within the parameters of their respective offensive systems. Morris, whose company helps train several hundred quarterbacks in Alabama and throughout the South from sixth grade through high school and into college, couldn’t agree more.

Former Alabama and current Cincinnati Bengals QB AJ McCarron is one of QB Country’s highest profile quarterbacks. (Mike Kittrell)

“There are two things we tell all our guys,” Morris said. “First, the most important work they ever will do is the work they do on their own. Second, if anything we teach is not on par with how your high school coach teaches it, do what your high school coach says. We are a small part of trying to help a kid get better.

“I know that. We aren’t misled,” he continued. “But if we can contribute to getting a kid some exposure and some looks from colleges, I think that is a win for everyone.”

Steve Mask has coached Swift Lyle also works with Morris.

McCarron’s success particularly — leading Alabama to a pair of national championships and starting for the Cincinnati Bengals late last season — has helped increase the visibility of individual quarterback coaching and QB Country specifically.

“I think David brings a different set of eyes and expertise to the position,” Mask said. “I do think it is important for a kid who has aspirations of playing at the next level to have some type of quarterback training. It dang sure can’t hurt. I guess the one thing you worry about is that some coaches may not echo what the high school coach is telling the player to do.”

McGill-Toolen coach Caleb Ross, a longtime offensive coordinator, re-iterated Mask’s point, but said conflicting teaching has never been a problem with Morris. He agreed with Mask that collaboration and communication is pivotal to any type of outside coaching – at quarterback or any position.

“I believe in it,” Ross said. “Of course, the only experience I have is working with David. I haven’t worked with other guys. My opinion is you get a ready-made quarterback. Pretty much all of our guys have worked with David at some point. At no time have any of those guys ever come back and said, ‘But coach, this is how David taught me to do it.’ If that happens, we’ve got a problem.”

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