Darren Powell, one of the better football coaches in the Miami Valley, lost his opportunity to coach the Dunbar Wolverines 5 years ago.
.jpeg)
Powell had taken the Wolverines program to elite status (8-1) and was headed to a OHSAA tournament berth when things went south for him and the program he had came up with from the time he was a little kid.
Powell would be blamed and was suspended indefinitely for being accused of playing an ineligible player. He would not be able to coach in High School again.
Powell would firmly and thoroughly deny the accusations, despite most not believing in him. It wouldn't matter, as Powell would be thrown through the mud and deemed guilty by OHSAA, Dayton Public Schools, and whoever else heard the story.
For Powell, that moment would be crippling, but not something Powell would let stop him from doing what he loved to do: Helping the youth elevate to the next level.
Over the next few years, Powell admitted, it was a hard journey.
D.Cash (L) & Darran Powell (R)
"I knew I was innocent and did not do what they were saying I did. It was tough to hear all the reports and see that people thought I had done that.
"There was nothing I could do but pray and figure out what I was going to do next." Powell would state.
After numerous hearings and waiting for years to for OHSAA to do their due diligence, it finally happened before this season started: Powell would be reinstated to become a head coach in OHSAA again. Powell felt vindicated, relieved, and happy at the same time.
"I knew I was innocent, and it showed once everything came out. I'm glad to be able to coach in the high school setting again."
While Powell was working with the family business, he got a opportunity to get back in coaching last season, as he was a Assistant Coach with the Flyght Academy last season. The Flyght Academy lost in the playoffs and it renewed his energy to get back to a head coaching position, when the time is right.
It felt good get back in the fold and be out there on the field."
But Powell has shifted his focus to his new training program, which will be launching his first ever football Showcase / Combine next week. Powell started his training program last year, and has taken it to new heights this year.
The name of the Showcase is the Hindsight To Go Training / Combine, which launches next Monday (20th). It will feature kids from 3rd grade all the way through high school.
"I have been wanting to launch this for 5 years. Now is the time. I'm excited for all the coaches, players, and college scouts who will be attending and watching."
With Springfield, Trotwood, Piqua, West Carrollton, Tippecanoe, and the City League committed, it will be a great vibe at Dayton Sports Complex, which is under new ownership. All the coaches, AD's, and players will have their invites by Friday.
"We are looking for 50-100 kids in each grade. We will have S.E.Live365 there to launch the Live Stream. There will be a host of media available. We will have a guest speaker or two. So yes, it will be a big day on the 20th. If you want to get better, be evaluated, and be around some professional and hard-working football players, come to the event." Powell said.
With commitments from over 20 D-1 & D-2 colleges, the event has already created a national buzz in its first year.
And we're talking about Power 5 Conferences who have committed, so expect a influx of other schools to watch as well.
The event will be streamed, as you can watch the combine and different drills on the website.
For more information, go to www.SELive365.com
