How new coach Jeff Miner is bringing fresh start to Hardin Valley football after losing seasons

Hardin Valley football finished last in Region 2-6A last season and only won one game. It was the third consecutive losing season, and senior Luca Moro said the Hawks began to expect losses.

"Last year it felt like at times there was honestly a losing mindset," Moro said after Thursday's scrimmage against Halls. "I feel like once things went wrong, once we faced adversity, we didn't react the way we should."

Hardin Valley needed a fresh start, and new  coach Jeff Miner's biggest goal is to give the Hawks confidence in their ability to win.

"We're trying to teach them is to expect success," Miner said. "A lot of times they're surprised when they do well, and we keep telling them, you guys are good football players, and we've got a good football team. But instead of being surprised, we've got to expect it and believe that we can do these things. When they start to figure that out, they'll be tough."

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Miner came to Hardin Valley after nine seasons as defensive coordinator at Oak Ridge. He said the administration and his staff have helped ease the transition to head coaching as much as possible, but he's still holding on to defensive play-calling duties.

"That one is tough for me to give up," Miner said with a laugh. "There's so much on me right now ... sometimes I ask myself, what are you doing? You've got to give something up, but (the defense) has always been my thing. I don't want to be a football coach who just manages. I didn't get in it to manage. I got in it to coach."

For the players, Moro said the transition to Miner's leadership was mostly easy because of the effort he put in to building relationships with players. Miner said connecting with his position group was one of his strengths as a coordinator, and getting to know the entire team has been his favorite part so far.

"I always had great relationships with most of the defense, but now I get to be with them all all the time," Miner said. "(These kids) work hard, they're easy to coach for, they do what we ask, they bought. I just love the relationships and hopefully making a positive impact on them."

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Moro said the biggest change Miner has brought to Hardin Valley is new energy. It was visible in Thursday's scrimmage as Miner jogged up and down the sidelines reacting to every play. When Moro returned an interception and nearly scored a touchdown, Miner ran downfield to high-five him with a giddy grin.

"The energy in practice is a lot more upbeat, and everyone wants to be there," Moro said. "(Miner) gets after you. He's very vocal — he'll  let you know when you've done something wrong, but he'll also be one of the first ones to cheer with you whenever you do something right. It also makes it a lot easier getting chewed out when most of us have a great relationship with him."

Contact Emily Adams at eaadams@gannett.com or on Twitter @eaadams6.