with HARVEY ENNALS QA &

by: Sebastian Pares

1. What’s new for you in life since leaving USF?

Harvey (Mike) Enalls graduated from the University of Sioux Falls recently with degrees in psychology and criminal justice major. A Sioux Falls Washington High School graduate, he was a standout all-conference middle linebacker for the Coo and was part of the leadership committee for several years. Enalls accepted a position at Jefferson High School in Sioux Falls as an assistant football coach. The Vessel caught up with Enalls to see what life is like after graduation.

Not much is new. Life is a lot slower after college athletics. I’m still heavily involved in Football and working on some resume-building as of now.

2. How has USF prepared you for a career in coaching?

I had the rare opportunity to be a senior for 2 years as the pandemic shook up a lot of things. By being a leader for so long, I learned what works best for me in regards to getting people to buy into a vision. I learned how to effectively coach LBs and help get the young players where we needed them, without the pressure of being the actual coach. As a long-time captain I learned the value of being a positive impact on energy and how excitement can provide an enormous boost on a team over time. I tried to bring what I was as a captain at USF to the realm of coaching.

3. What does taking this coaching position at Jefferson mean to you?

This coaching position means a lot. When I finished there was a sense of let down. A sense of “so that’s just it?” No real recognition of my skills, talents, and knowledge built up over my short life of putting football first. Coaching allowed me to hang around other guys who spoke my language. Guys who were able to validate that I hadn’t just been goofing around for the past 15 years and that my knowledge is valuable. On top of that, being around the kids was a breath of fresh air. It was nice being back where I felt at home between the white lines.

4. Talk about your team at Jefferson, undefeated season 12-0 and you just won a state title game. What does that say about a program that’s been around for its second year? A team that wins by 17 points at least all season!

First of all, a big shout out to Coach Benedetto for running an outstanding program full of outstanding men from the staff to the players. Coach’s vision and leadership can’t be forgotten when speaking of our success. We felt like one of our biggest keys to success was the fact that we run a program that kids want to play for. We pride ourselves on relationships, connections, and moments bigger than football. Being leaders of men rather than just simply coaches. When you do things the right way consistently, good things happen. Secondly another huge shout-out to Coach David Hopper and his weight program. The success was just a byproduct of a decision made by about 30 teenagers to put in the time and effort to live and breathe football for a whole year. As an upstart, we were below average until over 2 dozen kids made the choice to maximize their potential every day by getting in the weight room, film room, and classroom. By the time they showed up for camp this season, all they needed was someone to point them in the right direction and get out of the way.

5. Your former teammate Trent Dreyer is also in a coaching role at Harrisburg High School. I Love seeing guys who know what the #WinnersWin mentality means getting out and giving back. Catching up with him was great, and I wouldn’t mind joining forces one day and conquering the SD landscape together. That being said, it’s always a joy competing against the best of the best. All the best wishes to him and his future endeavors.