SOMETHING DIFFERENT: Longtime coach Ware welcomes challenges at Valiant Cross

Larry Ware at the 2022 Prep Media Day said his new job at Valiant Cross was both a challenge and a blessing. The Knights open their season on Sept. 2 at Morgan Academy. (Staff Photo)

By GRAHAM DUNN

It would be appropriate to say Larry Ware has been around.

While for some that might have the wrong connotation, but for the Montgomery native, it means everything.

Ware’s football career has spanned almost his entire life. He led Robert E. Lee to a state championship in 1986 - their first in 16 years. He was named “Mr. Football” after that season and went on to star for the Georgia Bulldogs.

He later entered the coaching ranks where he quickly moved up the ladder, getting his first gig as a head coach in 2002 at G.W. Carver.

He led the Wolverines to their first playoff berth in five years and their first playoff win in nine years. He later led the program to its first semifinal game in school history before losing to Prattville.

He left Carver for his alma mater in 2008 and coached the Generals for four years before joining the government ranks full time.

But he never left coaching. For the last 10 years, he has been an assistant coach for Jimmy Perry and St. James. He has used that time to invest in learning, both on and off the field.

”Jimmy Perry works as if he’s 22 years old,” Ware said. “He’s been there, done that. How he talks to his kids, how he talks to his parents, all that is in my cabinet , as I need it. To be around someone of that caliber, it’s hard not appreciate that.

“I worked under some of the best coaches in the state. If you can’t learn from Jimmy Perry, you aren’t capable. All you have to do is sit around for an hour and listen and you’ll learn tons.”

Now, he’s back as a head coach at a small school in AISA… a new, very small school. Valiant Cross had its first senior graduation last spring. The average daily attendance is less than the sophomore classes at Lee or Carver.

But the size of the program doesn’t matter, at least not to Ware.

“The coaching is still the same and if your goal is to mold men, you take that as a challenge and you don’t take it lightly,” Ware said. "This is about mentoring kids. I realize we may not have some of the things I’m used to and maybe some of the players and coaches are used to but we’ll do the best we can.”

Ware admits the atmosphere is different and there is good and bad to that precedent. The all-boys school has a very structured day and discipline is a big part of the curriculum.

“It does present a different dynamic,” Ware said. “The culture is different. You want someone you can relate to differently but as the school goes about its business, the kids don’t mind. They go through a structured day of school and athletics bring a close to that day. They know (girls) are not there but I think it might not matter to them as much. A lot have been in schools with both genders.

“Valiant Cross is probably not for everybody. Things are not the same as what you might be used to. There is some give and take.”

Ware had 40-plus players out for spring. That number has grown since the start of classes.

So far, he likes what he sees.

“We have an amazing group,” he said. “The structure is solid. We still have work to do and football to teach but they are eager to learn. They are very attentive to what we are teaching.”

Valiant Cross is about to embark on its third season of varsity football, which begins next week in Selma against Morgan Academy. Ware expects to win but will not allow the circumstances to remove the joy of what he likes to do - coach.

“I consider it a blessing since I can begin something that could end up beautiful when I’m gone,” Ware explained. “But it could not take off like I planned. Then it could be a curse.”