13 C Bill and Joe Schuchardt reunite on Bulldog sidelines By Dave Roberts Photo by ers sing Bill’s praises. Sports Editor Dave Roberts “It’s a sense of pride,” Joe said. The father- “Everybody has a Schu story; a lot Getting Bill Schuchardt to talk son of them blown out of proportion over about his own coaching accomplish- coaching the years.” ments can be like pulling teeth. duo of Joe, But after having both played for Although his resume as Salem left, and and coached with him, that pride High School football head coach ranks Bill has only grown for the old man. with Missouri’s elite, Schuchardt Schuchardt “He motivates kids,” Joe said of scoffs at the notion he is considered are back hsi dad’s greatest coaching strength. a coaching legend in Dent and sur- together on “I don’t think that’s something you rounding counties. a football can learn how to do. “I don’t think Salem has a recol- field. “He’s more mellow now. I grew lection of Bill Schuchardt,” he dead- up with him around, but I never panned. “It’s been eight years.” saw him get too amped up. I would And whereas he won’t easily talk say he calms me down more as a about himself, he has no problem coach.” talking about his family. He’s a proud Bill and Karen now live in Rolla. husband, father of two sons and spread offensive attack. He spent then played collegiately at And now that he’s on the Bulldog grandfather. And his boys have fol- five years coaching at South Walton. Benedictine and later Westminster. sidelines – something many Salem lowed in his coaching footsteps, an- “I learned about football as an up- “He’s been schooled well,” Bill said fans would never have thought they’d other reason for pride. tempo offense,” he said. “So much of Joe. “He had a decent high school see – Bill said the learning process And this season a few miles down has been thrown at me; it’s like a background and went to Benedictine never ends on a football field. Highway 72 from Salem, at Rolla whole other game.” and to Westminster, where his coach “It’s a learning experience,” he High School, he is coaching with one Joe Schuchardt left Rolla a few was a multiple-offense guy. Joe said. “The last eight years I have of those sons for the second occa- seasons back to take an assistant played tight end, slotback, H-back, had to learn new offenses, new de- sion. position at St. Clair High School. quarterback…and he may have been fenses and new vocabularies. I’m Bill’s youngest son, Joe, is in his Meanwhile, his parents were looking a running back, too.” asking a million questions. second stint as an assistant coach to return to Missouri – in part to be Growing up Joe has always had “But kids are still kids. Football on the Rolla Bulldog staff. And this closer to grandkids. And while Bill respect for his dad as a coach. And is still football. I just like being summer he is joined by his father. and Karen tried to sell their Destin he doesn’t grow tired of hearing oth- around them.” Joe coaches running backs on head home, in the fall Bill took an assistant coach Jon Franks’ staff, while Bill coaching position at St. Clair along coaches linebackers. with his son for a couple of seasons Bill Schuchardt served as Salem to help run the team’s option-offense head coach from 1981 through 2012. attack. GO BIG BLUE! He compiled a record of 255-91 in “The first time was really fun be- 32 seasons there. During that time cause he lived with me,” Joe said of the Salem Tigers, known for their the first season he coached with his potent Wishbone attack under dad in St. Clair. “It was a unique ex- Schuchardt, captured 14 South-Cen- perience. He’d bring me a sandwich tral Association championships, 16 every day before practice and cook district championships, five state Fi- dinner during the day for us. We did nal Four appearances and two berths scouting reports at home. That was in the Missouri state championship fun. It’s a little different now. Now game. we’re coaching different sides of the Salem finished runner-up in the ball.” Show-Me Bowl’s Class 3 Champi- And roles got reversed. Joe played onship Game in both 2000 and 2002. for his dad at Salem, while Bill He coached both of his sons, Jeff and coached for his son at St. Clair. Joe, in the Show-Me Bowl. “In St. Clair he was my boss; he He is the winningest coach in the was the offensive coordinator,” Bill history of Salem and SCA football, said. and in 2002 was named to the Mis- That fulfilled one of Bill’s profes- souri Football Coaches Association sional goals, to coach with his son. Hall of Fame. “I wanted to coach them,” Bill said DRILLING AND PUMP Yes Bill, they still remember you of his sons. “And I wanted to coach in Salem. with them; watch them grow. Hear COMPANIES L.L.C. After leaving Salem, Bill and his their ideas. Watch them go from wife, Karen, moved to the Destin, boys to men. It would be even better Well Drilling | Pump Sales & Service Fla. area, where Karen’s parents if all three of us were together.” lived. While in Destin Bill got back Joe has certainly been a good stu- Water Lines | Water Testing (State Permitted) into football, taking an assistant dent of the game. A 2001 Salem coaching position at South Walton, graduate, he quarterbacked the Fla. High School. While there the Tigers to the Show-Me Bowl in 2000, 573-729-6451 | 800-575-4261 | P.O. Box 95 run-loving Schuchardt got up close and helped them to the state semifi- 1600 W. Scenic Rivers Blvd. | Salem, MO and personal with the pass-filled nals as a sophomore and junior. He