Lincoln Southeast Knights Football – 2024 Parent / Player Information
WELCOME TO SOUTHEAST FOOTBALL
The LSE Football Staff is excited to start the 2024 season. We believe that the
game of football is the ultimate team sport and as a coaching staff, we believe that the
character developed during this experience will be valuable in both current and future
successes.
The philosophy of our football program is to develop players who possess a
strong work ethic, high character and a “team first” attitude. With these characteristics,
we believe that both individual and team success will occur. Playing football is very
demanding, but the rewards of the hard work cannot be measured. As a coaching staff,
we expect two things from our players: 1) Commitment and 2) Effort. The commitment
is to positively represent their teammates, coaches, school and most importantly
themselves. A major goal of our program is to outwork our opponents in the weight
room and on the practice field. In order to outwork our opponents, we need tremendous
effort from our players each day. As a well-respected NFL coach once said, “It takes
zero talent to give your best effort.” As a coaching staff, we will expect our players to
play with great effort, excellent technique and be mentally prepared to play championship
football.
SOUTHEAST FOOTBALL TEAM RULES
1. Be where you should be.
2. Be on time.
3. Don’t do things detrimental to you, your team or Lincoln Southeast.
2024 LSE FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF
Head Coach (QB’s) Ryan Gottula
Assistant Coach (OLB’s) Fred Thorne
Assistant Coach (O-Line) Andy Ryan
Assistant Coach (WR’s) Justin Freitag
Assistant Coach (D-Line) Troy Bergt
Assistant Coach (RB’s) David Schumacher
Assistant Coach (DB’s) Andy Means
Volunteer Coach (LB’s) Ben Buettenback
Head 9th Grade Coach Montana Jones
9th Grade Assistant Coach Chad Blatchford
9th Grade Assistant Coach Nolan Plagge
9th Grade Volunteer Coach Doug Miller
9th Grade Volunteer Coach Doug Hancock
Lincoln Southeast Football – Mission Statement
Our Mission is to use the game of football to teach our players how to be successful at
home, in the classroom, in the community and in life after football.
1. We will create an atmosphere and environment for all players to be successful as
people and their involvement in our program will help them develop character and
be more successful in life.
2. We will provide academic support for each player to be a successful student and
earn a diploma from Lincoln Southeast.
3. We will help each player to reach their athletic potential and encourage our
players to participate in multiple sports.
4. We will help each player to reach their football potential and have the
opportunity to compete for championships.
Team Captains:
The varsity captains will be decided by a team vote after the completion of summer
workouts. Seniors and returning letter-winners are eligible to be voted team captains.
Lettering Requirements:
To receive a Varsity letter in football, a player must play in 10 different quarters of
regular season varsity football games. Entering and playing for one play constitutes a
quarter of playing credit.
The coach has the right to waive such requirements when they are affected by injury or
circumstances that are beyond the control of the player.
Any player dedicating himself for 4 years of participation in football but does not meet
playing time requirements will be issued a letter at the end of the season.
General Practice Schedules
Monday – Thursday 3:30 PM – 6 PM
Friday Varsity Game
Saturday 9:00 A.M. (JV-Varsity) Lift, Treatment & Film
Game Schedule information is available at
https://www.heartlandathleticconference.org/public/genie/406/school/7/
Communication / Attendance / Expectations
Ryan Gottula (Head Coach) (402) 436-1304 rgottul@lps.org
Coach, Player and Parent Meetings
1. Coaches have an open door policy with athletes. My office is open at all times for
members of the Southeast Football Team.
2. Parents should set up an appointment if they want to meet with a coach. During
this meeting we don’t discuss playing time, other athletes or game strategy. These
meetings will focus on what your athlete can do to improve and or help the team.
Attendance
As a coaching staff, we believe that it is extremely important for our players to be
at practice. Although, there are times when athletes may need to miss a practice,
they should make sure to inform coaches ahead of time and be excused from the
practice. The coaching staff will warn any athlete that has an unexcused absence.
A second unexcused absence may result in the athlete being removed from the
team.
In addition, student athletes must attend school in order to participate in practice
or play in a contest that evening.
Please call / e-mail the athletic office or myself to report any illnesses.
Academics
Members of the Southeast Football team are expected to take care of their
responsibilities on the field and in the classroom. Members of the coaching staff
monitor grades and athletes that are not meeting classroom expectations may be
required to miss practice and/or game time to address these issues.
Travel – Bus Expectations
As a member of the LSE Knights Football program, there is an expectation that
ALL players act in appropriate manner when traveling both to and home from
contests. When traveling to a game, the expectation will be for minimal to no
conversations on the bus. If your coach permits conversations, the talk should
pertain to game preparation. Music may be permitted by the coaches if players
are wearing headphones and the music is only heard by that player. We expect all
players to focus to be on the game and what they can do to help their team.
Players are also expected to maintain an appropriate noise level on the way home
from the game. Loud / Inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. In addition,
the LSE Football Boosters may provide food and beverages prior to and after
games. The expectation is for all trash / food to be removed from the bus at the
end of each trip. Show your respect for our program and our Booster parents by
maintaining a clean bus.
LSE Student-Athlete Expectations
Finally, I want to remind all LSE Football players of the expectations for ALL
student-athletes at Lincoln Southeast. Our expectation is that LSE athletes are
1. Safe: student-athletes will not engage in the use of tobacco (including e-cigarettes),
alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs that are not prescribed by a physician or available
over the counter. They will cooperate with and follow LSE staff instructions and policies
and also follow the LPS guidelines on supplements, which are in place to ensure safety
and encourage good health.
2. Responsible: student-athletes will conduct themselves in a positive manner. This
includes conduct in the classroom, the athletic playing arena, on social media/internet and
in electronic communications.
3. Respectful: student-athletes will conduct themselves in a manner that shows respect
to teammates, fans, coaches, officials, and all other individuals or teams. Southeast
student-athletes, parents, and fans will support participants, coaches, and officials in a
positive manner. Profanity, ethnic, sexist or other intimidating comments or actions will
not be tolerated.
Southeast student-athletes will refrain from participating in hazing, initiations, or bullying
(as defined by LPS district policies) and seek to be a positive influence on others