Despite Joe Germano and Ian Dixon being mere sophomores, coach Ryan Adams knew he could trust the pair as starters for his Athens Bulldogs.
They both had accelerated understanding and savvy of the game. It was no surprise where those features came from: They are the sons of Ohio Bobcat coaches Pete Germano and Dwayne Dixon.
They understand a lot of under-written bits and pieces that get you closer to where you need on both sides of the ball
Adams said. The two of them obviously had that and that was the advantage for them.
Now seniors for the Bulldogs, Ian plays wide receiver and Joe plays defensive end: the positions their fathers coach for the Bobcats.
Both play on the other side of the ball as well, as Ian is a defensive back, and Joe an offensive tackle.
The fathers' extensive experience in their sons' positions essentially allow them to be extra coaches to them. They watch their sons' game film or offer pointers after their games.
I try not to coach Dwayne said. Some games I'll go enjoy the game
and some I'll critique from the view of a college coach. I'll give him Dad's perspective
and sometimes it'll be from the coach in me.
Instead of critiquing his son's performance, Pete usually shows his son tape of Bobcat linemen such as Dak Notestine and Stafford Gatling. Dwayne will also obtain NFL and college football film to show other receivers to his son.
Each son also gets the chance to interact with his fathers' players. Ian remembers interacting with some of the top receivers his father taught at Florida University, players such as Ike Hilliard and Jabar Gaffney.
For Joe, his father's defensive linemen have become like older brothers.
When I talk to them
they'll give me good advice
Joe said. Not only playing tips
but being a good person and things I need to know when I get older.
The sons must also deal with the downsides of being a coach's child.
When their fathers take positions at different colleges, the children relocate too. Ian spent most of his life in Gainesville, Fla., before moving to Raleigh, N.C., after his dad took a job as the North Carolina State receiver coach.
The Dixon family finally settled in Athens in 2007 after Dwayne took his current position with Ohio. Despite all the relocating, Ian has been able to adjust to his new surroundings well.
It was hard after moving from big cities to a small place like this
Ian said. Once I got used to it
I've begun to really enjoy it.
As the longest tenured coach on Ohio's staff, Pete has been able to avoid the hardship of relocating his family. With his dad coaching at Ohio for 10 years, Joe said he hardly remembers his time before Athens.
Both fathers want to see their sons play as much as possible while they are still in high school. Pete especially makes an effort to see his sons (his youngest, Michael, is a freshman) and promised Joe he'd tried to make it to all his game if it was possible.
Pete can't make the Bulldogs' TVC-Ohio opener against Meigs this weekend but plans on making all his others.
He'll never get this year back
Pete said. I told him to enjoy every moment of it.
Both Ian and Joe would like to play after they graduate and are still figuring out where that will be. Their fathers offer them advice on college choices, but don't push them toward it.
I've made some calls to some coaches
