Our ITG Next Georgia guest for this week’s 4 Questions with the Coach segment is Dacula head football coach Casey Vogt, now in his second season with the Falcons. Vogt came from Northside Warner Robins, where he had spent the 2020 season as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator.
Prior to his brief time at Northside, Vogt spent two decades coaching at the collegiate level, with his most recent role being an offensive assistant at Mercer University. He had a successful start after taking over the Falcons offense, with a semifinal appearance last season in the Class 7A state playoffs. But after losing several key members from that nine-win team, including the starting quarterback, this year has been a bit tougher challenge. Here’s my interview with Dacula head football coach Casey Vogt.
Q. Coach Vogt, thank you for doing this! I understand that you were in the college coaching ranks for a while prior to being named the head football coach at Dacula. Where did you begin your coaching career?
A. I began coaching where I played college ball, at Slippery Rock University. I was a graduate assistant (GA) working with the offensive line and tight ends, and also serving as strength coordinator. From there I went to Tulane University (GA, OL), Gannon University (OL, strength coordinator, and recruiting coordinator), Youngstown State (tight ends), Colgate University (OL and recruiting coordinator), and Mercer (OL and offensive coordinator).
Q. After 20 seasons of coaching college football, you joined Chad Alligood’s staff at Northside Warner Robins. What made you decide to step away from a college coaching career and begin coaching at the high school level?
A. Unfortunately, our head coach at Mercer was released from his contract. Chad was going to be the head coach at Northside and asked if I had ever considered coaching at the high school level. My dad was my high school coach and is still coaching in Pennsylvania. Working with Chad allowed us to continue coaching at a high level without moving my family. It was great, especially when COVID hit a month after taking the job at Northside.
Q. We selected your game last week against Buford as our ITG Next Game of the Week. It was our first look at the Dacula Falcons, and I know one game doesn’t tell the whole story, but it looks as if this may be a bit of a rebuilding year after your team advanced to the state semifinals last season. Is this the case? What is the makeup of this 2022 Falcons team?
Our team that went to the Final Four a year ago had a ton of talent. In fact, 11 of them signed scholarships to continue their academic and athletic careers. Buford has a really good team and has great coaches. They can make good teams look like they have rebuilding to do. We have a lot of young talent in our ninth and 10th grades.
Q. Coach, how are things looking for your Falcons team heading into this offseason and into 2023? Do you graduate many seniors?
A. We are still focused on this season. We had Mill Creek last Friday and we play Collins Hill this Friday (November 4). I want our team to compete and hustle the next week, then we will look into next year.
