Like most coaches, Marc Franz is about as impatient as they come.

"I thought it would happen sooner," he said of building Rogers into a Class 4A team to reckon with.

But his feat as head coach is nothing to scoff at. In eight seasons, Franz brought Rogers from brand new everything to the Class 4A state championship game last fall. Along the way, the Royals established a punishing statement on defense, not allowing a point until the calendar turned to October.

He and others, though, have found it's tough to build a program. It doesn't just happen.

"There's no magic, no one answer," said Holy Family coach Dave Hopkins, who has increased the Fire's winning percentage every season since 2004.

Upstart programs are like upstart businesses. To succeed, having all hands on deck is a must, along with discipline, hard work, accountability and consistency. And it will not always be a treat.

OBSTACLES

FACILITIES

When Hopkins interviewed to be the Fire's first varsity football coach in spring 2002, he was told bleachers and a press box would be built at the brand new school.

"And we still do not have bleachers or a press box," Hopkins said last week.

Of the 70 schools in Class 3A football, Holy Family is the only one lacking both, Hopkins said.

TIME

Hopkins estimates he spends 50 hours a week during the season working on football-related tasks.

"And only half of it is doing what I love most: coaching," he said.

The other 25 hours are spent preparing and breaking down practices and conducting staff meetings.

FINANCES

Most coaches didn't sign up for the business end of the job. But it's as crucial as a fourth-and-1 play.

"It's tough asking people for money," Osseo's Derrin Lamker said of fund-raising. "But football is one of those money sports."

Osseo is one of three high schools in District 279, meaning everywhere you turn in the area there is another car wash or bake sale or kid knocking on the door selling wrapping paper.

STAFF

A new coach means new personnel.

"You can't just get a staff together overnight," Franz said. "Building your staff is like building a team in and of itself."

THE PAYOFF

Lamker, who came to Osseo seven years ago and always seems to have the Orioles in the mix, preaches one key aspect of coaching.

"Have fun," he said. "Be friends with the kids. When they go off to college, you want them to come back and have a burger with you. If you can find that relationship with them, they're going to run through a brick wall for you."

Hopkins said his motto throughout his 20-year coaching career has been "hard work driven by passion."

"And, maybe we got lucky," he added.

Franz isn't yet convinced that this year's Royals team will be as formidable as last year's. But he takes pride in walking the halls and seeing the photos of teams past -- regardless of the final record.

"It took some time for the guys to buy into creating new traditions -- positive traditions," Franz said. "But I've always felt we're heading in the right direction. It's nice to be where we're at right now. Tremendous excitement. That feeling any new coach has? I'd say channel it as fast as you can and make it into the cornerstone of your program."

BRIAN STENSAAS