A Legacy of Leadership: Transforming Football Programs Nationwide

A Legacy of Leadership: Transforming Football Programs Nationwide

 

December 11, 2024

 

Dr. Lou Cella and the Triple Option Football Academy have revolutionized football programs across the country. From winless seasons to state championships, his leadership has consistently delivered record-breaking performances. Teams have achieved historic milestones, including undefeated seasons, playoff appearances, and school records in rushing and total offense. By empowering coaches and players with the Flexbone offense, Dr. Cella has turned struggling programs into contenders, creating a legacy of excellence and transformation in high school football.

Before the 2010 season, Riverwood HS (GA) had not won five (5) games in a season since 2005. In 2011, after running a camp with Lou Cella as Camp Director, Riverwood High School (GA) won five (5) games in a season for the first time since 2005. "When we arrived at Riverwood in 2008, we realized quickly how undersized we were up front. I have always been an 'option guy' and wanted to run what I considered option football. After all, there was no way we could compete with our size and lack of athleticism running the I or Gun. "After three years of mediocrity, we realized that we had become a “multiple” offensive team running more wing-t than option. After a trip to the Naval Academy in the Spring of 2011 to visit with my brother, offensive line coach, Ashley Ingram, we decided to look at having Lou come in and help us along the way. "We decided to join ranks with Seminole County and have a two-team camp. My Dad is the head coach at Seminole County and we had scrimmaged each other the past two years. Our players were familiar with each other and the coaching staffs had a great relationship. Lou Cella came in and transformed our football teams. "Seminole County went on to have the greatest season in the history of the school. Riverwood went 5-5 year and lost one game in OT and another by four points. Our turnover margin went from -11 in 2010 to +9 in 2011. We scored an average of 46 points in the last four weeks of the season and had only one turnover in that stretch, while beating the #4 ranked team in the state of Georgia. We scored on every possession. "Ball security and fundamentals have always been the cornerstone of our program. Thank you Lou. You made the difference." - Rob Ingram, Head Football Coach

1. Falls City (TX): First State Championship, 680 points, 15 games, 2010.

2.Tyrone (OK): State Championship, 668 points, 13 games, 2020.

3.Pamlico County (NC): State Finals, 638 points, 31 players, 2018.

4.Wyman King Academy (SC): State Championship appearance, 14 players, 2022.

5.Bayfield (CO): Undefeated season, State Finals, 180-pound line, 2011.

6.BCC (MD): First winning season since 2012, State Quarterfinals after 30 years, 2023.

7.Rainier (WA): Best season in 26 years, State Quarterfinals, 2017.

8.Odessa-Harrington (WA): Undefeated season, State Finals, 46 points/game, 2016.

9.Haverford (PA): From 1-9 to 11-2, 2024.

10.Scobey (MT): From 2 wins to State Semifinals, 2024.

In 2021, St. John Paul II had their first winning season in school history after hosting an online camp with Dr. Cella. "St. John Paul II Catholic High School is the newest Catholic school in Phoenix, AZ. JP2 opened in 2018 with 13 players and had not won a varsity game in school history. After conducting an online camp with Dr. Lou Cella, (despite the covid shutdown in 2020), in just our second varsity season in 2A, JP2 posted its first winning season, 5-4, in school history. Dr. Cella gave us a clear mission and vision that helped our team toward success this 2021 season. "My name is John Padilla, head coach at JP2 with 34 years of coaching experience and 7 as a head football coach. As a former offensive lineman in high school and college, I love running the ball. I have always loved the triple option, I just never knew how to implement and run the triple option. Thanks, Dr. Lou Cella you made learning the system simple and easy. I would recommend to anyone that wants to learn, understand and implement the triple option to hire you." - John Padilla, Head Football Coach

11.Questa (NM): Matched eight years of wins in one season, 2024.

12.Hollister San Benito (CA): TCAL Champions, undefeated in conference, 2011.

13.Tussey Mountain (PA): From 2-28 to District Semifinals, 2018.

14.Seminole County (GA): Record wins, State Quarterfinals, 2011.

15.Poland Regional (ME): Best winning percentage, rushing/passing records, 2011.

16.East Davidson: Playoffs, 300 rushing yards/game, 2021.

17.Shadow Ridge (NV): Led Class 4A in rushing, 305 yards/game, 2016.

18.Temple City (CA): From 1-9 to playoffs, 2012.

19.Piedra Vista (NM): From 3 wins to State Quarterfinals, 2012.

20.South Border (ND): Four wins after winless since 2016, 2019.

Haverford Head Coach, Luke Dougherty!

21.Lakewood (SC): Record wins, first 5-0 start, playoffs, 2011.

22.Johnson (NJ): State Quarterfinals after worst season since 2005, 2011.

23.St. John Paul II (AZ): First winning season in school history, 2021.

24.Garden County (NE): Undefeated regular season, State Playoffs, 2019.

25.Corning (NY): State Quarterfinals in first year under new coach, 2014.

26.Timmonsville (SC): State Semifinals, 21 players, 2011.

27.Cashmere (WA): School records in rushing and total offense, State Semifinals, 2013.

28.Regis (OR): First playoff appearance in six years, 2021.

29.Kasson-Mantorville (MN): Undefeated regular season, 300 rushing yards/game, 2017.

30.Hancock County (KY): First winning season in five years, playoffs, 2017.

In 2013, after working with Triple Option Football Academy Owner, Lou Cella, Hereford HS (MD) won the Baltimore County Division I Football Conference Championship in Head Coach Steve Turnbaugh's final season as Head Football Coach. After Hereford's seventh-straight win in 2013, Steve retired after a 19-year career coaching his son, Brock, and coaching at his alma mater. "We did the academy this past off-season. In my opinion it was worth every penny we invested. We had been running the triple since 2005. I attended Navy clinics, other clinics, bought videos etc… "However, I picked up more during those sessions with Lou than I ever could imagine. If I had questions, Lou was there with an answer. "We lost many players from our 2012 team. We were basically starting from scratch with our 2013 team. The academy had us prepared for any situation. Though we started 0-3 (many injuries, including using a # 3 QB) we finished winning the last 7 games. "Though this was my last season, I am still involved in the triple option and would run that offense in a second, if I do decide to resume coaching again. "Thank you Lou for all your time. It was well worth it." - Steve Turnbaugh, Head Football Coach BUT WAIT… Then in 2019, Steve returns to Hereford as an Assistant Coach, Hereford hires Dr. Cella AGAIN, starts the season 0-3 AGAIN, and wins their next seven games AGAIN.

31.Hereford (MD): Baltimore County Champions, 2013.

32.Sargent (CO): 8-1 season, State Playoffs, 2018.

33.Riverwood (GA): First five-win season since 2005, 2011.

34.Ontario Christian (CA): State Quarterfinals, broke school records, 2019.

35.Hollis (OK): From 2-6 to second-round playoffs, 400 yards/game, 2022.

Let me know if you’d like further details on becoming a client by filling out the below-listed form.

Take the guesswork out of running the Flexbone Triple Option offense. Join the Triple Option Football Academy today and build your program into a championship contender!

 

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