Will Bell

This is an example of true leadership and greatness. The most successful teams at any level have true leadership!!

As an AD, I constantly remind our athletes that commitment is being someone your teammates can count on whether you play a lot or a little. It is showing up when it is not convenient and choosing your team over yourself. Everyone wants to win. Commitment is doing what it actually takes to win.

If you’re a coach who wants to challenge players while building awesome relationships, you should read this. The problem is . . . challenging players in uncomfortable ways is absolutely necessary for excellence but risks turning them off, damaging trust, and undermining confidence. They seem to work against each other. But it only seems that way. The truth is . . . you can challenge players incredibly hard AND build deep trust. They're not opposites. The key is making players feel how the challenge comes from caring, not instead of it. Most players in your program have never experienced that from a coach. They’ve had intense coaches who challenged and caring coaches who connected, but not a coach that does both. At the same time. Here’s the phrase to use —> “High love with high standards.” That's the phrase you need to repeat over and over and over. To yourself. To your players. To their parents. To your staff. 1000x a week. High love is high standards. Lowering standards is not a sign that you care. It’s not an act of love. It’s an act of fear. Soft coaching is the opposite of love. It says, "I don't think you're capable of more or better." High standards is high love. Holding high standards doesn’t require that you withhold love or connection. A player’s connection with you (and teammates) is the single most powerful force you can tap into to drive high standards. People will do anything for the people they love. Every player is a person first, a player second. Show each player you see them as person first. Before practice, during water breaks, after mistakes, when they’re struggling. Learn their unique desires fast. Ask about specific details in their lives, not just “How’s school? How’s your family?”. Notice their effort, not just their results. When they feel that YOU are FOR them, they'll run through walls for you. Then bring the intensity. "Not good enough! You can do better! You must be better than that!" When a kid knows you love him and believe in him, he hears your challenges totally different. Your challenges become proof that you care. But only if THE PERSON believes you care about him specifically. It’s now how much you think you care. It’s how much the person believes you care. E+R=O helps you stay clear, disciplined, and confident as a coach: The OUTCOME you want is better performance and a stronger relationship, improvement AND connection. You don't have to pick one or the other. Your EVENT is their performance (effort, focus, execution). Your RESPONSE is direct, honest feedback—HIGH LOVE + HIGH STANDARDS —delivered with energy and belief. Players WANT a coach who expects excellence. They just need to know you won't abandon them when they struggle, fall short, or fail. So challenge them in the moment, then reinforce the relationship immediately after. "That was sloppy. Focus and fix it. You can do this. Now let's go." High love with high standards. 1000x a week. Watch your players, and your relationships with them, transform.

8 Realities of a High School Coach 1. It will consume you 2. There will be critics 3. You are not in it for the $ 4. There is no overnight success 5. You need a supportive spouse 6. You will not make everyone happy 7. You can’t want it more than the kids 8. It is still worth it!

As an AD, your position is rented, not owned. You are entrusted with it for a period of time, and your job is to leave it stronger than you found it. That is why every decision should be filtered through three questions: 1.Is this what is best for kids as a whole 2.Is this aligned with the culture you are building and enforcing 3.Is this sustainable or does it need to be reconsidered

"If I'm hiring a coach, I'm hiring a culture builder. Every coach will know the game but can they connect, communicate a clear vision, hire/recruit/develop people well, multiply their leadership? Coaching is about X's and O's. Leadership is about culture." ~ via @KevinDeShazo

Good start to my Freshman Season. Team is starting to Heat up. Few hits from this year #Falcon9 #FHS @CoachJackMoss @willbell22 Stats thru 13 games - .364 AVG, 12H, 15 RBI, 10R, .500 OBP, 4SB

As an AD, I remind our athletes that attendance doesn’t equal effort. Just being at practice or walking around in the weight isn’t enough, real work happens in the details, the extra reps, and when no one’s watching. 💪🏽

You will strike out. You will make errors. You will pitch bad. That’s baseball. The separator isn’t talent - it’s response. The way you handle failure… The way you reset… The way you compete on the next pitch… 👉 That’s the game. ⚾️

Nice BHB timing. The angle is pre set by pointing the tip of the bat towards the first base coach. It’s about placement & speed. Better too early verses too late.

As an AD, I try to learn something every day because athletics is constantly changing. One lesson that never changes: be consistent with decisions and policies. Without consistency, you have no foundation.

I want to thank everyone who helped me get to this point. Especially to my coaches, my family, and my friends who have supported me along the way. Extremely grateful to be able to pursue this dream. #AllGloryToGod @Coach_Holder4 @Coach_Stad @willbell22 @CoachJackMoss @ForbushFB

𝗕𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 ... NOBODY reminds anyone of the standards 𝗔𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 ... COACHES remind team of the standards 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 ... CAPTAINS remind team of the standards 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 ... EVERYONE reminds each other of the standards

As an AD, we made a rule: if a student-athlete quits mid-season, they can’t join preseason activities or the next season’s team until the season they quit is over. Purpose: hold athletes accountable to their commitment.

@BuschBeer Lap 151 Let's GO! #BuschDashForCash #Sweepstakes

OUR TANK IS STILL FULL OF CASH! Reply RIGHT NOW with #BuschDashForCash #Sweepstakes for a chance to win BIG! #DAYTONA500

I watched every 3-2 take by Bryce Harper in 2025. Here’s what it revealed: 1️⃣ Yes, Yes, No Approach - he is swinging until the ball tells him “no”. His barrel starts to turn on almost 100% of his takes. You will see these type of “active takes” with pretty much every high level hitter 
2️⃣ He Can Stop Late - because his barrel turns rearward and creates depth, it allows him shut down or abort his swing as late as possible. This gives him a longer time to identify pitch speed, shape, and location

“Rules are for those who cannot follow direction. Standards are for those who aspire to do special things.” @TimCorbin

Freddie Freeman talkin staying inside the ball, boring BP, posture & bat path.

2026 UNCOMMITTED TE/WR 6’2 205 4.69 40 4.0 GPA with honors and Dual enrolled through Surry Community College Looking for a home for this next 3-4 years @ForbushFB @Coach_Holder4 @willbell22 hudl.com/v/2TSCVD

After a great conversation with @thirty343543 I’m blessed to receive an offer from @GuilfordFB @Coach_Holder4 @ForbushFB

County Resident Engineer. He is also a Licensed Professional Land Surveyor and business owner, he continues to exemplify leadership, dedication, and service to others. Please come out on Friday January 30th at 7:30pm as we welcome Scott Pipes into the Hall of Fame!

capturing the 1993 171 lb State Championship, followed by a 16th-place finish nationally. Beyond athletics, he has served his community as a member of the Yadkin County Board of Adjustments since 2014 and has worked 25 years with the NCDOT, now serving as the Wilkes & Ashe

Forbush High School proudly recognizes an extraordinary athlete and community leader as a 2026 Hall of Fame inductee. A standout student-athlete from 1989–1993, he excelled in cross country, football, and especially wrestling, earning the title of 1993 Male Falcon of the Year.