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Aker ready to hit the ground running as SP coach
Nathan Aker is a lifer as a South Putnam Eagle.
Having spent his high school years playing football for hall of fame coach Mark Wildman and the last seven coaching under Troy Burgess, Aker is well versed in the tradition of the program.
In accepting the head coach position on Tuesday evening, Aker expressed his desire to build on what those men have built.
"I am very excited, honored and blessed to accept the opportunity to lead our football family," Aker said. "It is our goal to build upon the rich tradition that is South Putnam football."
Under the tutelage of those men, Aker said he has been preparing for this opportunity for quite some time.
"This has been a goal of mine for a long time," Aker said. "I knew what I wanted to do as I walked off of our field as a student-athlete back in 2001 after our loss in the semi-state. I confirmed that dream when I was on the field as Coach Wildman told his team that he was retiring."
In taking the job, Aker thanked a number of people, including Superintendent Bruce Bernhardt, Principal Kieth Puckett and athletic director Ken Schnepp.
He also expressed appreciation to family and friends, his mother Connie Jo Aker in particular
"She has demonstrated a strong work ethic, great character and a will to overcome adversity," Aker said. "I know where she learned this; she learned it from her parents, Willie and Esther Taylor. These are all characteristics we want to teach our student athletes."
He finally thanked Burgess, who compiled a 50-36 record in eight seasons at the helm. Now that Burgess is stepping aside to concentrate on his job as assistant principal, his top assistant takes over the program.
"I want to thank my friend, Coach Troy Burgess. He and I have been through a lot these last few years and I will be forever indebted for what he has done for me," Aker said. "He saw something in me and has helped be grow both professionally and as a man. He is a great friend and I want to express my sincere thanks to him."
Taking over for Burgess is quite an opportunity for Aker in light of the Eagles' recent success. South Putnam has posted winning records in each of the last five seasons, including a 38-8 record and two sectional championships in the last three years.
A lynchpin of that success has been Aker's defense. The Eagles gave up just 13.6 points per game in the 2013 campaign.
He will now also preside over an offense that scored 36 points per game last year and gets another year of service from 2013 Putnam County Offensive Player of the Year.
As a junior, Lorian picked up 2,787 yards and scored 37 touchdowns.
Expect more of the same -- strong defense and running the ball -- with Aker at the helm.
"We believe in playing fundamental football, great defense and by establishing a physical rushing attack," Aker said. "We are going to work hard to establish this philosophy throughout the program, from the youth league to the varsity squad. We are going to become a united football family."
This is a job that Aker knows starts immediately.
"We have a plan that will allow us to hit the ground running," Aker said. "As I'll stress to our student-athletes, champions are built in the offseason. We have to get to work in the classroom, in our winter/spring sports and in the weight room.
"We've got a lot of work ahead of us and the journey to November starts now."
Success on the field is not the only goal for Aker, who lists the priorities of the program as faith, family and football.
"We are going to develop leaders in the classroom, in the community and on the field," he said. "We're going to do this on the field by building on the strong foundation that has been established by the past players and coaches."